CWMBR 70

Chapter 70

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*Present

“However, I am not granting related interviews at this time. Please contact my law office to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. Of course, I won't be granting interviews to just any media outlet."

While Bridget was flustered, Declan smoothly took control of the conversation. He arrogantly tilted his head up and looked Shabo up and down.

"But rushing in like this without a formal interview request—where are you affiliated?"

"I, I am..."

Flustered, Shabo glanced between Bridget and Declan, hesitated, and took a step back. Then he darted away.

But he didn't get far before Declan grabbed him by the collar. As if anticipating his escape, Declan reacted swiftly, pulling Shabo back and extending his hand.

"Hold on. Where do you think you're going?"

"Let go, let go...!"

"Yes, yes. I should let you go."

Declan replied half-heartedly, snatching the notebook from his hand before tossing Shabo aside. The rough handling made Shabo lose his balance and stagger. Adjusting his crooked glasses, he regained his footing and grimaced.

"Hey, why did you take my notebook?!"

"My, you've written quite a novel. You should be a novelist, not a reporter. You seem seriously talented."

Declan, having quickly scanned Shabo's notebook, exclaimed in a cheerful voice. A flustered Shabo tried to snatch it back, but Declan easily deflected his grasp with a slight movement. Pushing Shabo away with one hand as if swatting an annoying fly, he swallowed a gasp and checked the notebook's front cover.

"Hmm, so the name is... Mr. Shabo? Wow, that's obviously a made-up alias, isn't it?"

"Please, give it back!"

"I'm sorry, but this looks like it could be evidence, so I can't return it. Ah. Here, here!"

Declan, who had been dismissively ignoring Shabo's pleas, suddenly waved his hand toward somewhere. Shabo and Bridget followed his gaze and their eyes widened. Two uniformed officers could be seen running toward them. The color drained completely from Shabo's face. Frozen stiff, unable even to attempt snatching back the notebook, he stammered.

"What... what is this?"

Regardless, Declan flashed a friendly smile at the officers who had drawn near.

"You're working hard. I'll leave it to you."

The greeting implied that his business with the officers was already concluded. The officers nodded, then seized both of Shabo's arms to restrain him. Staring at the officers with a dumbstruck expression, Shabo belatedly began struggling and shouting.

"What? What did I do to deserve this? Wait a minute! You can’t treat an innocent citizen like this! Hey!"

Shabo resisted fiercely, but he couldn't overcome the officers' strength. An officer, holding Shabo firmly as he struggled futilely, said to Declan in a stern voice.

"Don't worry."

Bridget had no idea what was going on. Why were the officers taking Shabo away? Was he some criminal living in hiding? Had he been exposed, prompting the officers to come arrest him?

She never dreamed his arrest had anything to do with her. After all, she and Shabo had exchanged only a few words at most.

True, he had lurked on her quiet late-night walk home, suddenly appeared, blocked her path, and tried to force an interview. But that was hardly criminal under the circumstances. And as for him writing a novel in his notebook... well, if that were a problem, more than half the newspapers published in this country would have to shut down.

As she looked back and forth between Declan and the officer in bewilderment, the officer suddenly turned to Bridget and said.

"Glynford Police Department is committed to ensuring every citizen's safe journey home, Mrs. Wise."

His voice was so earnest and solemn that Bridget found herself nodding involuntarily and replying, "You always work so hard. Thank you." The officer turned away with a satisfied look at her response. It was truly an utterly baffling conclusion.

As she stared blankly at Shabo being dragged away by the officers, Declan crossed his arms and said.

"Huh, next time, don't bother answering people like that. Those scoundrels can fill pages with just one word. Looks like he was trying to write some plausible pulp novel about adultery. With that talent, he should just write his prison reflection essay diligently."

Bridget turned to Declan, who was speaking with an air of superiority, and asked in a puzzled voice.

"But weren't you, Mr. Rogers, also trying to claim my adultery to annul the marriage?"

Declan’s face, which had been smiling calmly, froze instantly. Bridget stared at him silently before continuing in a flat tone.

"I thought you believed my infidelity was true. I didn't expect you to call it nonsense."

"Ha ha, Madam. How many years do you think I've been in this business?"

Seeing him unable to deny it, it seemed Bridget had hit the nail on the head. Bridget, who had been looking at Declan strangely as he cleared his throat and tried to avoid her gaze, quickly changed the subject.

"How did you end up here?"

"Since I've become your representative... though it's still unofficial. Well, I'm a diligent person who likes to prepare in advance, so I paid a brief visit to the police headquarters for the client's safety. I needed to check patrols, security status, and a few other details. I was just about to stop by the lady's mansion with the officers to discuss this matter. But then I encountered this situation. I suppose I should call it good luck."

Did legal representatives usually worry about their clients' safety?

Bridget, who had never before encountered a lawyer in such a manner, found Declan's words odd yet couldn't pinpoint any specific point to refute. The lawyers she'd consulted in Glynford had merely spent a few hours explaining things in their offices and that was it...

But Declan wasn't just active in this provincial town; he was a renowned figure working nationwide. Perhaps his scope of practice was broader. Probably.

Being a high-priced lawyer, was it different? Or perhaps, given the exceptionally high status of his clients, it was only natural he considered safety too. With that thought, Bridget offered her thanks.

"Thank you for your help."

"If you wish to seek compensation from that reporter separately, just say the word. I can make them pay dearly."

Would it really end with just fleecing him? With the power to shut down the Blombolt Daily, ruining one person's life would be nothing to someone like him.

But Bridget didn't particularly want to torment Shabo that viciously. His earlier rudeness was likely less his own will and more the request of whoever had instigated it from behind the scenes.

"That man was probably hired by Donna."

Bridget glanced in the direction the officers had disappeared. They were long gone, and the street was empty.

Today, luckily, Declan had seen this and dealt with it, but could that happen again next time? As long as Donna hadn't achieved her goal, something like today could happen again at any time. Therefore, if action needed to be taken against someone, it had to be against the root cause: Donna.

In the past, she had firmly believed Donna Green was indispensable to the Glynford Grand Theater, so she had tolerated her tyranny. With Ronan solidly backing Donna, there was little Bridget could actually do. Of course, she had now changed her mind and resolved to drive both of them out of the Grand Theater.

But this was only Bridget's resolve.

"If you touch Donna, Ain won't be too pleased."

Declan gave an awkward laugh at Bridget's blunt statement.

"Well, madam. I can roughly guess that Ain acted a bit coldly. But he's not the kind of... romantic person who attaches immense significance to his first love."

"At least she's more meaningful than a wife who was discarded the moment she was married, ignored completely, and then abandoned the instant she miscarried, right?"

Bridget's reply carried her deep distrust of Ain. Declan fell silent, his face saying he had no words. At least her distrust now was justified.

"I owe you today. Thank you for looking out for my safety."

Bridget bowed her head lightly in farewell and turned her back first. Declan stared at her with resignation, then shook his head and turned away.