A Replacement Bride

Chapter 46

"What's the issue?" After hearing Katherine's words, Aberama, who had always been dawdling, became much more serious.

"Please examine Maze's surveillance footage. My brother is involved in an incident over there." Katherine's tone was neutral and it was hard to decipher her emotions. She then stood up and walked out as she spoke.

Immediately, Aberama agreed and proceeded to order some men to execute it. Since Keith's case was complicated, he wasted no time in looking into it.

Katherine had just arrived back at Soulin International when he received a call from Aberama as she walked into her apartment. She answered the phone while changing her shoes with an unconcerned voice, as if her own brother was not currently detained at the station.

"Go ahead."

"Okay, this case is not going to be easy. Keith's drug possession was discovered almost immediately. There are numerous witnesses and physical evidence, making it difficult to prove his innocence. Furthermore, police officers have recently attempted to apprehend a drug criminal. This issue is not that major, but it can't be overlooked. Someone is clearly attempting to set Keith up." Aberama's tone was solemn. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Hm. I understand. Please send me a copy of Maze's surveillance footage. I'm sure you'll find a way to do so." Katherine simply nodded and walked over to the couch. She then sat down and turned on the television with the remote control.

Keith's incident had made the local news and the issue was not one to be overlooked. Still, there was no way that the Cornells could not have been unaware of the news. It was either that they deliberately ignored the situation or they were forcing Katherine to come forward and beg them.

Watching the news, Katherine sneered as she observed the young man in handcuffs being arrested at the Maze. His face was turned toward the camera at that time and he appeared to be unharmed. As a result, his injury had to have occurred after entering the detention facility.

She tapped her finger twice on the couch as Aberama continued, "No problem. What are your plans? I can assist you with this matter by using some connections. You—"

"No. I want Keith to be proven completely innocent," Katherine declared while declining his offer.

Aberama was well aware of her temperament and chose to remain silent. He hung up the phone and emailed her the surveillance footage from Maze.

Switching on her laptop, Katherine watched videos of Keith entering the Maze and thoughtfully touched her chin with her fingers.

The entire time, the boy did not speak or interact with anyone upon entrance as he only sat there throughout. However, the drugs were found in his bag.

If he was not framed during his visit at Maze, then it had to be the Cornells.

The Cornells… It was either Rosemary or Lisa.

…

"Hey Joaquin, Hovington has discovered a new type of drug that is identical to the earlier discovery." Ben rushed into Room 1802 at Soulin International and sat down to gulp down a glass of water before announcing.

"Where did they find it?" Joaquin arched his brows, a cold expression flashed on his otherwise uninterested face.

"It was found in the Maze and the individual has already been arrested. He appears to be seventeen years old and he's a member of the Cornell Family, the biological brother of your fiancé." Ben went over the entire situation.

This new medication had been on the market for more than two years and the side effects were severe. Joaquin had been investigating this matter, but the perpetrator was astute and had not left any useful clues. Therefore, he was taken aback by the news.

"Katherine's younger brother?" Joaquin narrowed his eyes and cast a cold glance at Ben.

"Yes. Keith, a well-known playboy, is his name. He has enjoyed causing mischief since he was a child. He allegedly went out partying with his friends and stole over a million dollars from the Cornell Family. In this regard, Jorge is on the verge of terminating their father-son relationship. So, he is unconcerned about what happened to Keith this time."

Ben was usually very intrigued by these rumors and the Cornells' family business was well-known in Hovington. He had obviously heard of it, so he explained it to Joaquin, who was clearly interested.

"Let's go to the police station. I want to meet Keith." Joaquin stroked his chin thoughtfully as if there was something wrong.

With that intention, he stood up and headed straight to the Downtown Public Security Bureau.

After another day, Keith's injuries had seemingly worsened as the guards pushed him out of the detention center in a wheelchair. Joaquin witnessed it all as the seventeen years old's face was riddled with wounds and he appeared to have been tortured severely.

It was then that Joaquin's expression started to become unappealing. He could not possibly ask Keith any questions in his current condition; if this boy continued like this without treatment, he might not survive.

"Has Keith been beaten up this badly since he was sent here?" Joaquin asked the bureau chief, who was following him with a blank face.

Santino wiped the cold sweat from his forehead as Joaquin had evidently made him tremble.

In truth, Keith was fine when the officers brought him in, but he had no idea how he had become so badly injured in such a short period of time.

"Y-Yes…" Santino was afraid of Joaquin's investigation, so he dared not tell the truth and ended up giving a sloppy response.

With a cold stare, Joaquim withdrew his gaze and said, "I'm taking him away."

"This… is a violation of the rules…" Santino stuttered. Before he could finish his sentence, Joaquin had ordered Ben to push the wheelchair away.

"Mr. Levisay, I'm afraid this is not quite in accordance with the rules, is it?" Santino asked daringly even though he was sweating profusely.

Joaquin paused in his steps, then shot Santino a glance. "Do I need to take orders from you?"

Hearing that, Santino's legs weakened and he almost tripped. By the time he regained his composure, Joaquin had already left with Keith.

"Tsk, they really did this boy a number. Keith will probably be gone if we arrive later." Ben could not help but speak after leaving the station. After entering the car, he decided to check on Keith's injuries.

On the other hand, Joaquin merely gave Keith a quick glance with not much concern about his injury. "When will he wake up?"

"Let's return to my clinic first, although his leg may not be saved. It's truly heartbreaking. He's just seventeen years old," Ben answered as he quickly examined Keith's leg.

At this point, Joaquin could not help but look at Keith. In his mind, Katherine's face appeared, but he quickly returned to his indifferent expression.

The car did not move quickly and it took an hour to get to Ben's private clinic.

At that point, Keith's injuries were so severe that he was already in a coma.

Ben escorted him from the car, then into the clinic. The nurse inside approached Ben immediately and assisted in bringing Keith into the emergency room for rescue.

Half an hour later, Ben finally emerged with blood all over him and a darkened expression. He looked up at the man leaning against the corridor wall and shook his head. "Keith's condition is worse than I expected. Someone definitely wanted to kill him. He has severe internal bleeding and damaged organs. It is too late; there is nothing else I can do."

Joaquin's expression changed involuntarily as he walked past Ben and into the ward.

The young boy in the hospital bed was thin and pale, and there was no blood on his face. His breathing was labored at the time and he could die at any moment.