Chapter 78

Lorenzo knew that the tension between him and Eleanor was growing more and more by the day. He prayed that at some given point, his men would come back with at least something useful that could be used to connect the dots.

Thankfully, it seemed that today was the day. While Eleanor kept herself bust with her evidence board in the study, he’d been addressed by the two guards he had sent to the prison for information.

While one began spreading out the notes they’d gathered from the prison’s records, the second guard began to explain to Lorenzo what they uncovered.

“Carter Braxton,” he started. “As we all know, was the man that had been sentenced and practically accused as guilty for the crimes of child abduction and alleged rape. He remained in captivity ever since the first trial.”

Yes, that was made public knowledge at the time. But what he needed to know was if there happened to be any other news that hadn’t reached the general public.

Lorenzo nodded his head. “Tell me you’ve managed to find out more.”

The two guards shared a smile between themselves and pointed to the list of names that they placed on the desk. “Apparently, he had a few visitors during his time in captivity. Most of which came from Blue Moon.”

“That’s not surprising,” Lorenzo noted. “Braxton used to belong to Blue Moon. My guess was that he could have been used as a measly scapegoat in all of this. It’s easier to pin something this big on just one man than have their entire operation be put at risk.”

Placing the blame on a single person for just a few kidnappings was a lot easier for the public to swallow, rather than having an entire illegal, sex trade operation be thrown into their faces.

“One of the guards we met with actually supervised most of the visits that Carter had,” one of them said. “He said that whenever it was someone from Blue Moon, there was always tension and loud shouting involved.”

“But there were also a few times in which Eleanor’s father came to visit Carter,” the other guard said. Lorenzo’s brows lifted with interest.

“Those meetings appeared more peaceful and of sound mind,” he explained. “Those meetings appeared more peaceful and of sound mind.”

This hadn’t surprised Lorenzo in the slightest. Elearnor’s father had a way of talking with people, unconsciously getting people to spill their secrets. It was one of the main reasons why he was such a successful lawyer.

“So, what you’re telling me is that Carter eventually did spill his secrets then,” Lorenzo acknowledged.

The guards smirked again. “Oh, yes. He told Mr. Wright a lot about what went on in Blue Moon, including the list of high-ranking officials that were somehow involved as well.”

Lorenzo’s whole body went still. “A list....”

Suddenly, it was like everything had clicked into place. Eleanor’s earlier kidnapping...as well as her father’s supposed suicide...It all had something to do with that mysterious list.

“So that’s what they’ve been after all along,” Lorenzo said with a broadening smile. “Carter must have somehow gotten his hands on the list and had given it to Eleanor’s father, knowing that Blue Moon was planning on pinning everything on him anyway.”

“Sounds like it was his only way for a possible revenge.”

[Eleanor’s POV]

“...Carter must have somehow gotten his hands on the list and had given it to Eleanor’s father, knowing that Blue Moon was planning on pinning everything on him anyway...Sounds like it was his only way for a possible revenge...”

My stomach coiled and lurched from what little I managed to overhear from outside Lorenzo’s office. I didn't mean to spy on him.

But it left my mind spiraling into several questionable thoughts. How could he have possibly come to that conclusion? Had I missed something when he and I originally looked at those articles Cruz had sent over?

Most importantly, why the hell wasn’t I a part of the meeting in the first place?!

Having spent a good few hours pouring over my evidence board and not finding a single new angle to work with, I decided to try my luck with speaking to Lorenzo again. It was a horrible feeling, constantly speculating that Lorenzo was keeping something from me.

I tried to take my mind off of the bitter idea and try to put my focus on some of the preparations for the mating ceremony. With some decent help from some of the staff members, I felt like I’d made some decent headway for what it was worth.

However...My mind continuously kept getting pulled back to the case.

So, there I was, standing outside of Lorenzo’s office with my mouth gaping open because I’d accidentally overheard something I probably wasn’t supposed to.

But why? Why wasn’t he including me in this matter?

Amongst my utter shock, I felt deeply hurt.

I waited for the two guards to be dismissed before slipping into the office myself. I eyed Lorenzo carefully while folding my arms over my chest.

“So,” I announced myself. Lorenzo quickly turned to look at me with wide eyes. “Wanna tell me what all that was about? Much made you want to look into Carter Braxton?”

He simply shrugged his shoulders, causing me to stifle a curse under my breath.

“Just a hunch,” he said passively. “We thought that Cruz’s pile of evidence would have been a dead-end. That was probably what he was hoping for anyway.”

Really?? He seriously wasn’t going to even bring up the fact that he was just talking about my father just a few moments ago!

I narrowed my eyes and subtly clenched my jaw. “And, have you reached any sort of groundbreaking point?”

Lorenzo’s eyes dropped to his desk. “As of right now, nothing can be concluded as solid.”

“Ah, so it’s all just working theory then?” I prompted.

The room fell silent as the two of us stood in unbearable awkwardness. Lorenzo must have sensed my building tension that he eagerly shifted the conversation.

“Tomorrow, I’ve scheduled for you to meet with one of the best dressmakers in the area,” he says. “I want you to take your time and find the perfect dress for our ceremony.”

I left his office in total disappointed silence, for the second time.