Chapter 162
Maxine thought of Ivanna Sandoval, who took her own life after being deeply hurt by others.
Although Gabriel Jenson’s case had been settled, Ivanna remained a permanent scar in her heart.
When Maxine took on the case, she visited the victim in the hospital. The woman was hooked up to various monitoring devices, her body and face a patchwork of bruises and welts, clear evidence she had been subjected to physical abuse during their argument.
Talking about her marriage, the woman was so distraught she could barely speak.
The victim choked back her tears and said, “I’d had my suspicions for a while, but I just couldn’t believe Piers would turn out to be that kind of person. Not until I saw him talking to that woman that day.”
The victim buried her face in her hands, sobbing in utter despair.
Maxine could easily piece together what happened next. The victim, desperate to salvage her marriage, was first beaten by her enraged husband during their argument, then viciously stabbed multiple times with a fruit knife snatched from the table.
The victim’s mother, with tears welling up in her eyes, said, “My daughter was always so good to him. When he first came here to study, he didn’t have a cent to his name. It was my daughter who worked part–time jobs to pay off his student loans.”
Hearing this, the father slammed his fist against the wall in fury. Then, voice trembling, he turned to Maxine and pleaded, “Please, you must bring that bastard to justice for my daughter. We’ll reward you handsomely.”
Maxine completed the necessary documentation and accepted the case.
This woman was far luckier than Ivanna. At least she had her parents standing firmly by her side.
الخمسة
Maxine looked at Devault and said, “We must win this case for her. I’m counting on you to handle everything here while I’m away.”
“Don’t worry! I’ve got this!” Devault assured her in his broken Hatholandian.
Maxine had originally planned for Jessica to stay here for her studies, but when Jessica learned that Maxine was going back for a visit too. After all, it had been over four years since she last saw home.
returning to Hatholand, she insisted on
/Now she was nearly in middle school, and most of her childhood memories had She was just a little girl in kindergarten when she first went abroad. grown hazy. Still, she could vaguely recall a handsome boy who used to play with her when she was little.
Seeing Jessica’s stubborn insistence on going with her, Maxine sighed in resignation and reluctantly purchased an extra plane ticket for her.
Jessica leaped up excitedly, even smashed her piggy bank, and dragged William to the supermarket to buy some souvenirs and gifts for Cleo.
On the day Jessica was leaving for home, William helped Jessica haul her ridiculously heavy suitcase out of the car. Tears and snot streaked his face as he choked out, “Jessica, you have to come back! I’ll be waiting for you right here.”
Jessica, acting like a little adult, patted his hair and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a few days!”
The interaction between the two kids made both Maxine and William’s parents burst into laughter. William’s mother hugged Maxine and said earnestly, “Maxine, don’t forget to bring back some Hatholandian delicacies when you come back.”
Maxine smiled and said, “Don’t worry, this time I’ll send over more treats from Hatholand.”
Maxine and Jessica boarded the plane together, she fidgeted nervously in her seat, unable to sit still.
“Nervous?” Maxine asked her.
Jessica nodded earnestly. “Yeah, it’s been forever since I last went back.”
Chapter 162
It had been a year since Cleo last visited her, though Urban often dropped by. Still, now that she was actually going back home, she couldn’t help but fe a little nervous, a mix of excitement and anxiety after being away for so long.
