Chapter 104

Hunter pulled the trigger immediately after his countdown. With a loud bang, a bullet pierced Mr. Gardner's ear. He let out a bone-chilling cry, clutching his bleeding ear and staggering backward.

“Are you crazy? How dare you shoot me!” Mr. Gardner shouted hysterically. He had thought Hunter was just bluffing. Who knew Hunter would actually pull the trigger?

“The next time, I won’t miss,” Hunter said, cocking the gun and aiming it at Mr. Gardner's face. “I’ll ask again. Will you release Dustin, or will I?”

Mr. Gardner shivered with fright. At this rate, Hunter might well murder him in cold blood.

As Mr. Gardner wrestled with his dilemma, a commotion erupted at the interrogation room door. An elderly man with snowy white hair rushed in with his men.

“Mr. Granville?”

His arrival silenced the room. The elderly man was the mayor of Swinton, the city's highest-ranking official—the most powerful man in Swinton!

“Finally, Mr. Granville is here! Rhys, you’re dead meat! What’s the use of getting Ms. Harmon’s and Mr. Anderson’s help? As long as Mr. Granville is on our side, no one will be able to save you today!”

Draco’s expression shifted from fear to arrogance. He laughed mockingly, knowing Mr. Granville had arrived to support them. He was their savior! Draco had thought Natasha and Hunter’s attempt to save Dustin was doomed, but Mr. Granville’s timely arrival gave him peace of mind.

“Mr. Anderson! You slapped and shot me in the ear for that punk’s sake! You have gone too far! Now that my father-in-law is here, let’s see how you will explain this to him!” Mr. Gardner sneered resentfully. Weren’t they so brazen a minute ago? He couldn't wait to see how impudent they would be now that the mayor was present.

“What a coincidence; his timing was perfect. Mr. Granville knows how to make an entrance!” Natasha frowned slightly. Mr. Granville’s position as mayor was not to be trifled with.

Even with Natasha and Hunter's influence, Mr. Granville’s decision would be final. More importantly, Mr. Granville and Mr. Gardner were related by marriage. Were they about to open a can of worms?

“Mr. Granville, your son-in-law is guilty of distorting the truth, taking bribes, and accusing the innocent. You must properly explain the situation to us today!”

Defying expectations, Hunter didn’t back down. He raised his voice and demanded an explanation from Mr. Granville. Even as president of the Chamber of Commerce, he was still under Mr. Granville's jurisdiction. His actions were tantamount to rebellion.

“You’re lying! I’ve always been righteous and impartial in my duties!”

Regaining his composure, Mr. Gardner rushed to Mr. Granville, accusing them. “Father, they broke into the interrogation room without permission. Furthermore, Mr. Anderson shot me in the ear! Look at this; my ear is a mess! Father, you have to bring them to justice!” He revealed his wounded, profusely bleeding ear.

“Right! There’s that kid!” Ignoring Mr. Granville’s dark expression, Mr. Gardner pointed to Dustin. “He’s the main cause of all this. Father, you must teach him a lesson. He even hit me in the stomach just now!”

“Shut up!” Mr. Granville roared, slapping Mr. Gardner’s cheek with such force that he was thrown several feet, stars circling his head.

Everyone was stunned. Who would have expected Mr. Granville to reprimand, rather than support, Mr. Gardner? What was going on? Natasha’s jaw dropped. Dahlia was equally shocked. Draco and his men were dumbfounded.

“Father? Why did you hit me?” Mr. Gardner asked, bewildered, rubbing his burning cheek. He had never seen his father-in-law so furious. He was confused about what he had done wrong.

“Bastard! You lock up the innocent and let the guilty walk free. How dare you try to defend yourself? I’m going to teach you a lesson!” Mr. Granville declared righteously.

“Father, what’s wrong with you? I’m your son-in-law, aren’t I?” Mr. Gardner was close to tears. Wasn’t Mr. Granville here to save him? Why was he being beaten instead?

“Don’t call me your father-in-law! I don’t have a despicable son-in-law like you!” Mr. Granville scoffed. “You accepted bribes and corrupted the law. In addition, you abused your authority as a police inspector. As of now, you are fired!”

Mr. Gardner shuddered in fear, drenched in cold sweat. He didn’t know what caused the rift, but he knew his father-in-law had decided to cut all ties. Furthermore, Mr. Granville was going to investigate and expose his past deeds. They had a good relationship before this. What could have happened to cause such an abrupt change?

Without hesitation, Mr. Granville ordered his men, “Come and arrest Mr. Gardner immediately! Once the investigation into his crimes is complete, throw him in jail!”

Mr. Gardner fell to his knees, his face ashen with despair. His father-in-law’s harshness must be due to pressure from a superior. Mr. Granville had no choice but to comply.

How could this happen? He had only detained Dustin, a seemingly insignificant punk. How could this disaster have befallen him? Could it be that Dustin had powerful backers? That must be it!

Filled with regret, Mr. Gardner realized he had gone up against someone with formidable support. Even his father-in-law had to kowtow to him! It was all Duane’s fault! He was doomed because of Duane!