?<strong>Chapter 329:</strong>


    Adrian asked, “Won’t Joelle find it irritating?”


    “Well…” Jonathan considered briefly. “At first, she might.”


    With almost no experience in love, Adrian inquired earnestly, “Why would that changeter?”


    “She mighte to see having one more guy whipped by her as not such a bad thing!” That wasn’t exactly ttering.


    Jonathan understood Adrian wouldn’t want to be whipped by a woman, but as someone who considered himself a guru in romance, he was all about persuading through logic.


    “Do I really need to remind you of the things you did back then? Think about how you drove her to move abroad to have her baby, forcing your daughter to call another man ‘dad.’ Can you imagine how terrible that is? So what if you end up looking desperate? If you need to humble yourself before her, so be it. You’ve caused her so much pain already!”


    Adrian gradually rxed. He might not ept everything Jonathan said, but this argument resonated with him. He truly owed Joelle a lot.


    After ending the call, Adrian found himself deeply reflective. Meanwhile, Jonathan, tucked under his nket, was smug and even sent Joelle a text message. “I’ve avenged you!” Joelle, puzzled by the message, didn’t respond and simply went to sleep.


    The following day, they all visited the police station together. There, they met the defense attorney assigned to Rafael by the police.


    The attorney said regretfully, “I’ve been unable to get a word out of him. He’s been silent since he arrived here.”


    Joelle questioned, “Do the police have solid evidence that he killed Dalton?”


    The attorney confirmed with a nod. “All his personal details are fabricated. We discovered he had a vendetta against Dalton, which gives him a strong motive.”


    Adrian asked, “What does the autopsy report say?”


    The attorney presented the autopsy report. “Dalton’s daughter imed Rafael consistently administered excessive doses of ketamine to Dalton. It’s an anesthetic, and its overuse can lead to cardiac issues and respiratory difficulties, eventually causing death. The autopsy findings included statements from Dalton’s daughter.”


    The attorneyid out the details objectively, saying, “The evidence firmly establishes Rafael’s guilt and motive for the murder. Even without his testimony, the police have enough to convict him. The most I can do is seek a lighter sentence, but if he remains silent, I’ll have no choice but to drop his defense.”


    The police officer Joelle had requested to deliver a message to Rafael entered, shaking his head. It appeared Rafael was refusing even to meet with Joelle.


    The group realized they needed a different approach.


    As they exited, they witnessed a car abruptly stop at the entrance of the police station, from which two agitated individuals emerged, one visibly pregnant.


    “Belle? Liza?” Katherine raised an eyebrow. “What brings them here at this hour?” “Rafael! My son! My son!”


    “Mom!” Liza, her belly visibly swollen, steadied Belle with one hand supporting her own waist. “Take it easy!”


    Their paths crossed, and Belle, rushing forward, collided with Joelle and clutched her hand firmly. “Have you seen Rafael? Where is he?”


    Past resentments were forgotten. Joelle shook her head. Belle sobbed uncontrobly, clutching her chest, looking on the verge of fainting. “Mom! Mom!” Liza attempted to calm Belle, tears in her eyes as she pleaded with Joelle. “Joelle, please! My mother is frail. Don’t keep any information about Rafael from us, okay? Since Rafael’s departure, she’s been unable to eat or sleep. Our family is unraveling. Rafael is our only hope.”


    Joelle said, “I…”


    Belle tightened her grip on Joelle’s hand, crying louder. “Joelle, I was wrong before. I apologize! Please, don’t conceal anything about Rafael from me. He’s my son, my only son!”


    “I understand your distress, but I haven’t seen Rafael yet. I truly know nothing about him.”


    “Why did you arrive here before us?” Liza clutched Joelle’s other hand.


    Both an elderly woman and a pregnant woman were desperately appealing to Joelle. However, Joelle wasn’t responsible for Rafael’s imprisonment.


    “Liza, the attorney is inside. If you have questions—”


    “Joelle!” Liza abruptly knelt before her. Her condition made this gesture even more distressing, drawing the attention of onlookers.


    “Liza! What are you doing?” Joelle and the others struggled to help Liza back to her feet.


    Adrian then stepped forward to shield Joelle. “If you need information, speak with thewyer.”


    Liza cast a sorrowful nce at Joelle. “But Joelle—”


    Adrian cut her off sharply, saying, “She doesn’t know anything. How many times must we repeat it? Even if she did know, she’s under no obligation to share. Remember how you treated her before? She no longer has any connection to the Romero family. When will you stop making her feel guilty?”


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