Chapter 26:
Tricking This Kid into a Corner
"Witness protection..." Bruce muttered, his eyes unfocused, as if in a daze.
"Yes, as long as you're willing to testify for Veronica Wolfie's case, and identify the real culprit, you can apply for witness protection from the prosecutor's office. Only then can you ensure your personal safety," Aiden patiently advised.
"But... I'll still end up in prison!" Bruce trembled all over.
Aiden silently chuckled to himself. Bruce's slip of the tongue was practically an admission of guilt.
"Isn't your life more important?" Aiden leaned in closer to Bruce's face, speaking earnestly. "Take a moment to recall the assassin you just encountered. That assassin managed to escape from my grasp. Without professional protection, how do you plan to survive against him?"
Bruce's face changed, the pressure of the sharp knife against his throat returning once more.
He had experienced firsthand the prowess of that assassin. The assassin exuded a suffocating aura of terror from head to toe, capable of conjuring a deadly blade like magic, and possessed an unnatural strength, able to lift an adult man with one hand—none of this was something an amateur could feign.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.
This was also why he hadn't even considered the possibility of being duped. After all, a professional assassin like that wasn't something you could just stumble upon. Someone had gone to great lengths and expense to hire a professional to take him out. that explanation was the most plausible.
However, in reality, he had been played by Aiden. He had no idea that Aiden as the warden, happened to have such a talent at his disposal.
"You have to protect me, Mr. Aiden!" He suddenly grabbed Aiden's arm, his voice filled with excitement. "You won't just stand by and let them kill me, right!? Right!?"
"I have to protect you? What obligation do I have to protect you?" Aiden's response was almost like he had heard a joke. "I have my own job, I'm just temporarily assisting in the re-investigation. I can't possibly be your personal bodyguard 24/7, can I? If you want protection, go plead your case to the prosecutor's office. But they need a reason to protect you, don't they? Without your testimony, there's no way to initiate the witness protection program."
Now Bruce was completely ensnared in Aiden's trap, believing he was backed into a corner. Confessing to the prosecutor's office would undoubtedly lead to his downfall. But if he didn't do it, the "assassin hired by Jialong" would take his life.
Next, all it would take was a gentle push from behind.
"Why did he have to be so ruthless!" Bruce fell to his knees, his fingers digging into his hair, and he screamed in despair. "He killed people, and I did everything he asked me to do! It's all his fault... he's the one who caused all of this, why does he want to kill me now?"
Aiden lowered his head to look down at him, a hint of disgust evident on his face. "Don't act like you're some kind of victim. Ever since the day you chose to betray Veronica, you should have known you might end up here. Do you think Jialong won't kill you and everything will be fine?
Think about it, why does he want to kill you? That's because the prosecutor's office has already got you in their sights! Face the reality, you've long run out of escape routes. But, fortunately, you still have a choice..."
Bruce slowly lifted his head.
"Go become a tainted witness. I can help facilitate it for you. Although the prosecutor's office already has their eye on you, if you start cooperating with us now, we can create a process where you voluntarily turn yourself in.
"That might be difficult. I sold it... to an unofficial store," Bruce admitted, avoiding Aiden's gaze.
"Did you sell it on the black market?" Aiden raised an eyebrow. "How much did you get for it?"
It wasn't surprising, considering the gold watch had distinctive engravings. With Bruce's courage, he probably wouldn't have dared to try selling it to a legitimate jewelry store.
It would be challenging to trace items that flowed into the black market, which was why Jialong Rowton hadn't been able to use his authority to retrieve the gold pocket watch.
However, Aiden did have some connections in this regard.
"Th-Thirty-five pounds..." Bruce mumbled quietly.
"Did Jalon give you any more money afterwards?"
"After that... he gave me sixty pounds in installments as hush money," Bruce answered, trembling slightly.
"Ninety-five gold pounds... So, you sold out your benefactor for two years' worth of wages?" Aiden looked at Bruce, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
"I... I was really short on money..." Bruce tried to defend himself.
But Aiden sharply cut him off, "Short on money to spend on women?"
Bruce fell silent.
Aiden mentally calculated, realizing that Bruce had essentially been bribed with about a hundred thousand dollars. This guy had dared to take such a morally reprehensible action, in Aiden's view, Veronica would be completely justified in shooting him dead.
"Alright, let me escort you to the Rose Prison," Aiden said, retracting his disdainful gaze. He placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Rest assured, at least for today, I will ensure your safety."
He casually glanced around, finally catching a faint glimpse of the assassin on a nearby rooftop - now back in his original form and changed into different clothing, Evangeline waved to him.
"Mr. Aiden?" Bruce looked at him with confusion, then followed his gaze.
There was no one on the rooftop.
"It's fine, let's go." Aiden picked up his cane, pushing Bruce's shoulder and walked in the direction of the road's other end.
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