Chapter 136

Erica entered after Ralph left. She had been listening at the door. Although family feuds ran deep, she'd never heard of family members attempting to kill each other.

“Marion has always been decisive,” Erica mused, “but this time, he seems hesitant. Back then, he wouldn’t have bothered with evidence. He’d have thrown them in a ‘black box,’ and by the next day, his cousin would be half-dead. Handing him over to the police like this seems too easy for him.”

“A black box?” Debra looked puzzled.

“I think it’s some term in their line of work,” Erica shook her head. “Randy didn’t elaborate.”

Debra fell silent. Someone like Marion, always walking a tightrope, must have his own methods. Otherwise, how could he inspire such fear?

“He probably didn’t want to put you in a difficult position,” Erica said. “After all, Erbo has been treating you well.”

Then, with some frustration, she added, “Marion knew you were in trouble, yet he didn’t come right away. Doesn’t he understand girls’ feelings at all? So disappointing!”

Suddenly, Randy coughed from outside. Erica sat upright and saw Marion standing in the doorway. His disheveled clothes indicated a hurried arrival.

“I heard your complaints from miles away,” Randy said, carrying in a basket of fruit.

Chapter 126

He pulled up a chair next to Erica, while Marion silently took a seat on a nearby sofa. He acted as if he hadn’t been to the Frazier family’s house at all.

“Erica was just about to rush to the hospital earlier, so I figured something must have happened to you,” Randy said with concern. “We’re all good friends. When something happens, you should let us know so we can support you. Tell me, who did this?”

He feigned ignorance. Erica raised an eyebrow and said, “You don’t know?”

“How would I know?” Randy looked surprised. “I’m not a mind reader.”

“Are you sure?” Erica’s tone shifted subtly as she saw Randy’s weak look.

Randy looked away, unable to meet her scrutinizing gaze.

Debra chuckled and chimed in, “The culprit has been caught. It was just a family disagreement.”

“Family, huh? That complicates things. Otherwise, I’d have people snatch that brat and teach him a lesson,” Randy sighed theatrically.

Erica rolled her eyes. She and Debra were not fooled.

Marion mumbled, “Are you going to leave the hospital?”

Erica saw through Debra’s hesitation. “Are you still worried about Juan? Shelia is taking care of him. Why bother?”

Debra forced a smile. That was true. Shelia was there looking after Juan, and her concern was unnecessary.