Chapter 133: She’s By My Side

Geoffrey rushed to the magistrate’s office, where Rowan Carroll, the High Magistrate of Argentum, awaited him. “How is Clark?” Geoffrey asked urgently.

“He’s been treated by a doctor. His life isn’t in danger. He has injuries to his head and face, but those are superficial. The most serious injury is to his leg, crushed by a table. The doctor said the damage is severe, and even after healing, he will have difficulty walking,” Rowan explained.

“Difficult walking? What do you mean by that?” Geoffrey’s heart sank.

“It’s just the initial diagnosis,” Rowan replied, watching Geoffrey carefully. “You’re welcome to bring your own doctor.”

“I want to take him home,” Geoffrey said immediately.

Rowan shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. The case hasn’t been resolved. He can’t leave yet. But don’t worry, he’s not locked in a jail cell. He’s being kept in a stone room in the back courtyard. The conditions aren't bad.”

Hearing that Clark was confined in a stone room, Geoffrey’s instincts told him things were not simple. “What exactly happened?” he asked.

Rowan gestured for a statement and said, “The person Clark fought with is named Kameron. He’s not rich, but his family is well-off. Kameron was also injured and is being kept in the stone room, though they’re separate.” The stone room was typically used to detain injured suspects, especially those involved in serious cases.

Geoffrey took the statement, his face darkening as he read. “This is absurd.”

Rowan smiled faintly. “Yes, it is. To think that Clark’s own brother would try to frame him. It’s strange—he ended up in the trap he set for others. The woman insists Braden assaulted her, and while Braden denies it, her injuries, combined with Kameron’s testimony, make it hard for him to refute.”

Geoffrey knew the laws of the Eryndral Empire well. Any man accused of assaulting a woman, once proven, would face one to three years imprisonment. With the added charge of physical assault, three years seemed unavoidable.

A heavy weight settled in his chest. If Braden were sentenced to three years, how could Mother forgive Clark? He also suspected the Pearl Tower had played a role in saving Clark and framing Braden.

He stood and clasped his hands. “Rowan, please, give me three days. I’ll sort things out. Don’t make any decisions yet.”

Rowan replied, “For three days, I can manage that. But you know, Geoffrey, that the statements and evidence from the scene align perfectly. It’s nearly a foregone conclusion unless someone changes their testimony. Even if Lord Garraway were to intervene, the case would still stand.”

“Understood,” Geoffrey said, grateful for the chance.

“There is a chance the drugging charge may be avoided,” Rowan added. “But the evidence for the drugging is clear. There was a jar of wine on the table, and it has been confirmed that it was laced.”

Geoffrey’s frustration mounted, but he kept his anger in check. “I understand, but if we handle this discreetly and the woman agrees to change her testimony…”

Rowan smiled lightly. “Even if I’m willing, the higher authorities may not be. The evidence is too strong.”

Geoffrey was troubled. Tyler was a strict magistrate, and if the evidence was clear, he wouldn’t turn a blind eye. He couldn’t bring himself to ask for leniency.

He finally said, “Please allow me to see Braden.”

Rowan signaled for someone to guide Geoffrey to the stone room. “Take Geoffrey to the stone room.” “Understood,” the official bowed and led Geoffrey away.

When Geoffrey entered the stone room, he saw Braden lying on the bed, his injuries severe. His face was swollen, one eye almost entirely closed, and his nose clearly broken. He had fresh bandages on his wounds, and his whole face looked battered.

Braden, seeing Geoffrey, grabbed his hand and cried out, “Geoffrey, please help me get out of here. I can’t stay here any longer.”

Geoffrey, both angry and heartbroken, spoke sternly, “Now you’re scared? If you hadn’t done all those vile things, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“I didn’t do anything! That woman is lying!” Braden shouted, but the movement made his lips bleed, causing him to wince.

“Did you drug Clark?” Geoffrey asked coldly.

Braden hesitated, then cautiously replied, “Who told you that? It’s not true.”

“Kameron already confessed. Are you still going to deny it?” Geoffrey’s anger flared.

Braden waved his hand, his swollen eyes flashing with fury. “That bastard is lying! He’s the one trying to frame Clark! Don’t listen to him!”

Geoffrey was furious. “He’s lying? Do you realize that by confessing, he’s admitting to being an accomplice? He’s just as guilty as you. Why would he hurt himself to hurt you? If you don’t start telling the truth, there’s nothing I can do to help you.”

Braden fell silent, staring at Geoffrey coldly, his face a mask of scorn. “It looks like you’re not interested in helping me. If that’s the case, you can leave. I’ll wait for Grandmother to come. She’ll believe me.”

Geoffrey’s face remained expressionless. “Fine. I’ll leave, but I’ll have her come. But know this—if I leave, I won’t intervene anymore. If you think your grandmother can pull strings and make the High Magistracy of Argentum bend, then I’ll have her come.”

With that, Geoffrey turned to leave.

Braden watched his retreating back, his lips curling into a bitter smile. “You want to stay out of it? If Grandmother comes and sees me like this, she’ll make you do it. You’re just another illegitimate son of the Langley family.”

Vance’s people were no fools. In fact, they were sharper than most. They were skilled at using people to their advantage. If they were foolish, they wouldn’t know how to exploit others.

Vance had always been self-assured, and it was no wonder. From a young age, he had been told that Geoffrey was just the family’s illegitimate son, and that everything Geoffrey did was ultimately for Vance’s benefit. For them, Geoffrey was always secondary, someone beneath them.

This ingrained belief, along with Geoffrey’s recent lack of success in both official and familial spheres, made Vance more confident. It also led Braden to think that as long as Grandmother intervened, Geoffrey would be forced to act in his favor.