Chapter 409

"I honestly had nothing to do with it," Alexander said.

Faced with Lily's wary eyes, he amended, "Fine, I had something to do with it, but only a tiny part." He emphasized this, gesturing to show how minimal his involvement was.

Lily remained skeptical. "Are you sure? Just a small part? You said you had nothing to do with it a moment ago."

"It's true! I only played a small part!" Alexander reassured her, placing both hands on her shoulders. "All I did was provide the Westwood police with some information—evidence suggesting Melanie was a suspect in the kidnapping case. The rest—the arrest and charges—was all them. I really didn't do much!" His sincerity convinced Lily.

"So, Melanie was the mastermind behind the kidnapping?" Lily asked, shocked. She'd never considered the seemingly harmless woman capable of such a thing.

Alexander shrugged unconcernedly. "I'm not sure."

Lily looked at him in disbelief. "You're not sure, yet you gave the police information about her?"

Alexander added thoughtfully, "However, I'm pretty sure Melanie has always wanted to hurt you. I've let her off the hook twice already. I couldn't let her go again."

Lily understood; even if he'd tipped off the police, he'd acted for her sake. If Melanie were innocent, the police wouldn't have been able to convict her. Perhaps Melanie had done something to Lily that she hadn't even realized.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Amazing! You were amazing!" She imagined a television drama version, complete with heroic background music. "So, doesn't this mean I should receive a reward?"

Alexander leaned closer. Lily rolled her eyes again and gently kissed his cheek. "Happy now?"

"Why are you so stingy with your rewards?" Alexander complained, taking matters into his own hands and kissing her again.

After paying their bill, Nathaniel left the restaurant dejectedly. He stumbled upon Alexander and Lily kissing, turning green with envy. The woman once devoted to him was now smiling and embracing another man. He knew he'd lost not only a girlfriend but also the considerable support of her influential family.

The prospect of losing immeasurable power and wealth filled him with regret. He could only stand there, his fingernails digging into his palms. He muttered her name quietly, "L-Lily," his head swirling with rage and loathing.

It was late, but the pub street was still bustling with people, neon lights casting a glow on revelers seeking ecstasy or oblivion.