CH 25

The tears in Mrs Lawrence’s eyes stopped, she turned to look in Mr Lawrence’s direction. The affection in her eyes was like that of a little girl who was just beginning to love, with deep nostalgia. Then, she suddenly fainted.

Mr Lawrence rushed out like an arrow and supported Mrs Lawrence, who was about to fall to the ground.

Sheriff Chandler stared at Mr Lawrence, completely stunned. He was speechless. He couldn’t believe that Mrs Lawrence, such a terrible woman who was usually so cruel to her husband, would actually take the blame for him for such a crime, and Mr Lawrence would express his love for her so tenderly. The relationship between the couple was not as bad as he thought.

“My dear Mary, there is no need for this anymore.” Mr Lawrence gently stroked Mrs Lawrence’s face and whispered in a gentle tone, “I caused all this madness. You’re more courageous than I am.” He looked at her with the deepest love and relief.

Evan looked at the two with a frown on his face, he couldn’t help the little doubt that sprouted in his heart. What kind of thing is this? This thing called family, why does it give birth to such complex emotions? Love and hate, good and evil.

Sheriff Chandler looked at Mr Lawrence sadly and spoke solemnly, “Old John, why are you doing this?”

Mr Lawrence stared at Sheriff Chandler like he was in a trance, with confusion in his eyes, “William.” He called Sheriff Chandler’s name, “John is my son, I love him deeply. And yet he does something that God hates, I really can’t accept…” Mr Lawrence almost couldn’t speak because of the amount of sadness he felt.

Evan sighed. It seemed that Mr Lawrence didn’t know about the existence of Mrs Sanders. This matter was a two-way mystery from the beginning. Evan knew all of John’s secrets, Mrs Lawrence only knew about John’s origin and Mr Lawrence only knew about his son’s depravity. It was like an endless loop which caused Evan to misunderstand a lot of facts.

Mr Lawrence picked up Mrs Lawrence, he looked at Sheriff Chandler and said stiffly, “William, can you let me take her home? I promise, I won’t run away.”

Sheriff Chandler looked hesitant, but Judge Conville spoke up, “Sheriff, send a few people to follow. I believe that Mr Lawrence will not do anything embarrassing.”

Sheriff Chandler was relieved and he winked at the police officer beside him who immediately followed Mr Lawrence out.

Watching them walk away, Sheriff Chandler frowned, “Does old John know about little John’s origin?”

Evan hooked the corners of his mouth slightly, “Sheriff, because of you, Mr Lawrence didn’t know about it. And this matter did not spread through Delanlier.”

“But, after so many years…” Sheriff Chandler couldn’t believe it, “How could Mr Lawrence not know anything?”

Evan sighed, “We have no way of knowing such a thing, but it can be inferred from clues.”

Evan paused and all eyes turned to him, including Duke Wilson.

“Mrs Lawrence loved Mr Lawrence deeply. She felt very guilty because of the unfortunate death of her first child, so she made a deal with a desperate Mrs Sanders. One woman for her dearest child and the other woman for her deepest feelings.”

Evan looked at the pale Mrs Sanders with pity.

“Mrs Sanders thinks her child has the most perfect family in the world but she doesn’t know that the Lawrence couple’s doting on little John had reached an intolerable level. Pampering him, satisfying him with everything, praising him for all his qualities and everything. All these made him arrogant, defiant and domineering.”

Every word Evan said made Mrs Sanders shiver and she finally couldn’t stop herself from crying.

“But despite all these, little John did something that the Lawrences could not tolerate. He refused the wife that Mrs Lawrence had chosen for him, which left Mrs Lawrence heartbroken. Mr Lawrence loves Mrs Lawrence, he loves her so much that he could hardly beat seeing her so sad. So, he became really dissatisfied with little John, which we can confirm from Jimmy’s letter.”

Sighing, Evan picked up Jimmy’s letter, “The beloved little John, the darling of the Lawrence couple, couldn’t get pocket money from Mr Lawrence, who has always been generous to him. In order to satisfy his terrible desires, he can only steal it. Doing this kind of thing, Mr Lawrence’s attitude towards him changed. In the end, Jimmy’s whistleblowing was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Mr Lawrence was completely disappointed. He was too disappointed so after a fierce confrontation, he did the most terrifying thing. Originally, he thought that the matter was seamless and could be blamed on any homeless person. He didn’t expect that when he was near the fire, he dropped the brooch he was going to give to Mr Lawrence into the fire. And he lacked the courage to face death which caused such a tragic story.”

“Reverend, I’m really fortunate to have you at this time. Otherwise, the truth would not have been revealed.” Judge Conville said reservedly.

Evan nodded slightly. He looked at the respectful eyes of the people in the hall and laughed in his heart. This is the result he wanted. He needs the people in this town to respect him, worship him and even trust him unconditionally. Only in this way could his disguise be better.

When everything was over, they all left the hall. Evan left with Duke Wilson and the Hesters while Sheriff Chandler sent Judge Conville back. The poor old gentleman’s face was not looking good because of the lack of his afternoon nap.

They had just walked out of the gate of the county courthouse when Alia spoke, “Reverend, when did you find out that something was wrong with Mr Lawrence?”

Evan’s expression became stagnant. Since his last confession with impure intentions, Alia has been avoiding him. Now, it is beyond his expectations that she would take the initiative to talk to him.

“I received a letter from Jimmy before I came to the court and I learned all these. Before that, I was a little doubtful and confused.” Evan said with a smile.

“Doubt?” Alia looked at Evan with almost innocent eyes.

Duke Wilson became impatient, “Miss Hester, what’s the purpose of you asking these questions now?”

Alia’s face flushed and she didn’t dare to look at Duke Wilson at all.

“I…. I didn’t…” Alia stammered in defense.

But Duke Wilson ignored her defense and turned to Evan, “Reverend Bruce, let’s go.”

Evan was startled but he smiled and left with the duke.

The strategy he came up with had worked well that day, the duke had already begun to hate Alia.

Evan got into the duke’s carriage and there was silence between them for a while. Evan knew that Duke Wilson was not a person that was good with words, so he took the lead to speak, “My Lord, were you here today to watch Mrs Lawrence’s trial?”

Duke Wilson pursed his lips with a stiff expression, “I’m here to do business in the county, so I stopped by to have a look.”

Evan’s expression changed, he knew that the duke wasn’t telling the truth but from his current position, he didn’t have the right to ask questions so he just smiled and didn’t say much.

Duke Wilson sent Evan to the door of the church. Evan got off the carriage but he didn’t walk away, he turned back to look at Duke Wilson with his most charming smile, “Lord Duke, can I ask you for one thing?”

Duke Wilson was stunned as he stared at Evan.

“Please… please say it.” Duke Wilson stammered.

Evan felt smug in his heart. His appearance and disguise were really useful, at least in the process of this kind of communication, it is easy for people to let down their guard.

“I know that you’re a devout believer. If you can, can you please come to the service this weekend?” Embarrassed, Evan stroked the Bible in his hand, “Since I became the parish priest, you hardly come here. There are very few opportunities to meet you and I am very sorry for this.”

Duke Wilson had recovered by then but his face was still somewhat pale.

“You’re right, I was negligent. I will come this weekend.” Duke Wilson said quickly.

Evan gave him a grateful smile, “God will bless you.”

Only by having more contact with Duke Wilson can the relationship between them get better. The unequal class structure is already a deadly obstacle. Rare contact will only cause gradual estrangement and Evan does not want to take this risk.

Duke Wilson’s carriage finally left. Evan stood at the door of the church and watched the carriage leave. The duke looked at Evan standing in the same place through the window of the carriage. He stood with his back to the sunset and the dusky sunset pulled the shadow of his slim and slender body. His whole body was bathed in the light of the setting sun. He looked like he was covered with a halo, looking both holy and beautiful.

Duke Wilson closed the window and turned back. He had a complicated look in his eyes, with a trace of confusion and struggle. Soon, his eyes turned cold again, all his emotions covered up jet black eyes.

Duke Wilson knocked on the door of the carriage.

“Sir.” The driver replied respectfully.

“What happened to James?” Duke Wilson’s expression was cold.

As the driver drove the carriage, he replied, “Don’t worry, my lord, he has already gone to where he should go.” (Ha! the brave idiot is dead)

Duke Wilson nodded, “Handle this matter well. I don’t want any bad news to come out with the wind.”

The driver quickly replied, “Don’t worry, sir.”

Duke Wilson slowly closed his eyes and said nothing more. He would not allow a person who threatened him to exist in this world, especially if this person made such disgusting advances at him. (Duke, you might have to kill your noble priest too)