Chapter 65 – The Mask of ‘Darren‘
“So” Davies began, folding his arms,
“What exactly did you come here for, Lanning?”
Victor cleared his throat, forcing a calm tone,
“Nothing serious. I was going to ask when Emily would be coming in for her statement, but clearly, I have my answer now”
Davies gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable,
“Fair enough
Victor stood, adjusting his tie,
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way”
“Of course” Davies said, his gaze lingering on Victor a moment longer than necessary.
Victor’s head was spinning as he left the station. Everything had fallen into disarray due to Emily’s sudden appearance and devastating statement. Raphael would not be pleased, he grabbed the steering wheel firmly and got into his car. His mind was spinning with backup ideas, and his pulse was pounding.
To think clearly, he needed a moment to clear his mind. A coffee would help, he thought, spotting a café down the street.
Lanning entered the busy café, where the mild hiss of boiling milk and the hum of conversations blended with the sound of espresso machines. Although the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was soothing, he was anything but peaceful. In addition to the caffeine, he wanted the clarity this coffee promised, a little reprieve from the turmoil of the previous few days.
Something, or someone grabbed his attention as he got closer to the counter. Although he hadn’t anticipated seeing her here, he recognized the woman sitting at a table close to the window right away,
Madeline.
She was the second woman who, along with Emily Roberts, had entered the courtroom and essentially destroyed Sebastian Young’s well–planned case.
Victor paused for a while, should he approach her? Could this be an opportunity, or would it be a risk? He decided to take the chance. He straightened his tie, gathered his composure, and walked up to her table. His silhouette appeared on the table in the window light, and she raised her head to meet his gaze,
“Excuse me” he began, his voice soft yet clear. “I hope I’m not disturbing you‘
Madeline raised an eyebrow, intrigued,
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“No, you’re not. Can I help you?”
The man smiled, a hint of relief flashing across his face,
“You must be Madeline,” he said.
She chuckled softly, nodding,
“That’s me. And you are?”
“My name’s Darren” he lied, pulling out a chair but pausing to ask,
“May 1?”
She gestured for him to sit,
“Sure”
As he settled in, he began,
“I saw you in the news recently. You’ve had quite the eventful few weeks”
WER
At the mention of the news, Madeline’s smile faltered slightly. She lowered her face into her hand, shaking her head,
“Don’t remind me”
He chuckled, his tone lighthearted,
“No, no, I meant it was good news. You helped clear Sebastian’s name, that took courage”
She shrugged,
“It was the right thing to do. Someone had to speak the truth”
He leaned forward slightly, his interest evident,
“If you don’t mind me asking… how? How do you forgive someone like Sebastian after everything that happened? Most people wouldn’t even look his way after being hurt like that”
“Calling off a marriage doesn’t make someone your enemy” she said,
“Sebastian made mistakes, sure, but those charges against him were completely false. I knew that from the start, he didn’t deserve to lose his life over it”
Victor nodded, feigning agreement while inwardly analyzing every word she said. He needed to tread carefully,
“That’s… an incredible perspective. Most people would’ve held a grudge, especially after being dragged into such a mess”
She smiled faintly,
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“Grudges don’t help anyone, life’s too short for that”
His phone buzzed on the table before he could reply, it was Rapheal. He excused himself with an apologetic hand to her and she nodded in understanding,
“Hello”
“Yes”
“Talk to me” he demanded,
“How did it go?”
“I left them already, the meeting didn’t go as expected. That woman might be a problem” Victor said, trying to keep the conversation as plain as possible.
“We’ll need to meet soon, this isn’t something we should discuss over the phone. Let me know when you’re ready to meet”
“Okay, I’ll be on my way soon” He said and ended the call.
“Sorry about that” he said with a sheepish smile.
“No problem” she replied, standing up and grabbing her bag,
“I actually have to get going myself”
He stood as well, extending a hand,
“It was nice meeting you,
Madeline”
“Likewise” she said, shaking his hand,
“Take care”
Victor, or Darren as he called himself, watched her depart the café with a thoughtful look on
his face.
She was beautiful and gentle, she had an angelic aura and he wondered how she could even get tangled in the web of such horrible people.
When Victor placed his order, the barista’s upbeat manner stood in sharp contrast to his own melancholy emotions. He grabbed his coffee and headed back to his car, the icy cold of the air jolting him out of his thoughts. After getting into the driver’s seat, he took out his phone and called Raphael.
“Usual spot?” Victor asked when Raphael picked up,
“Be there in ten” Raphael replied before hanging up.
