Chapter 445

Investigation Begins

One look at his face told her he wasn’t joking.

Fine. Being led away by the hand was better than being carried off in front of a crowd.

She gritted her teeth and stopped pulling back.

Discretion, etcetera. She wasn’t an idiot.

Something flickered in Matthew’s eyes–satisfaction, maybe–as he felt her relax. He guided her toward the car.

Arabella glanced down at their joined hands. Biting her lip.

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His palm was warm. Broad. Strong. The slight roughness of his skin against hers should have been weird, but it wasn’t. It felt… steady.

Her heart, annoyingly, picked up speed.

Behind them, the old woman found her voice. “Oh, God! Is there no justice? She runs me over and just walks away! Just like that! Someone stop her!”

The crowd stirred, righteous indignation flaring. “Hey–you can’t just leave!”

“Yeah, that’s not right!”

“We’re all watching–you’re not getting away with this!”

“Everyone, please.” Andy stepped forward, calm and unhurried. “The ambulance is on its way. Any questions about responsibility or compensation–those go through me.”

“Who are you?”

“Yeah, you didn’t hit her. What gives you the right?”

Andy smiled evenly. “If the injured party’s family is here, please step forward. For the follow–up, we’ll need a family member present.”

The crowd exchanged glances. No one stepped up. Their attention shifted back to the woman.

The old woman’s eyes darted. “My son’s up the street. He can’t come here.”

“No family present? That’s fine. We’ll find a way to contact them.”

Across the street, Matthew and Arabella slid into the back of the Rolls–Royce.

The old woman’s jaw tightened. With Arabella gone, the whole thing was blown. And the cops were coming. If anyone actually looked into this-

Her eyes flicked left, then right. She pointed down the street. “The police! Officer–you have to help me!”

Heads turned. Everyone looked.

1/3

8:58 am

PPP.

Chapter 445 Investigation Begins

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The old woman vanished into the crowd.

“Where? I don’t see anyone.”

“Me neither.”

Andy turned. The spot where she’d been sitting was empty.

“Guilty conscience,” he muttered. “Did you really think you’d get away?”

The bystanders blinked at each other. “What just happened?”

“What happened?” Andy’s voice cooled. “You all helped the wrong person.”

“What?”

“You mean she was the one running a scam?”

“Does an injured person usually run that fast?” Andy raised an eyebrow. “Does a victim usually bolt when the cops show up?”

No one had an answer. A few people shifted uncomfortably.

Andy didn’t wait. He walked toward the Rolls–Royce.

Inside the car, Arabella was doing her best to look normal.

Matthew had let go of her hand the moment they’d gotten in, but her brain hadn’t caught up yet.

“Thanks,” she said, keeping her voice even. “For stepping in.”

“I was passing by.” His tone matched hers–calm, composed. “Couldn’t exactly ignore it.”

He hadn’t meant to hold on so long. He’d only wanted to get her out of there smoothly.

But now, sitting here, he found himself wishing the walk had been longer.

Andy appeared at the window. He glanced between them, sensing something off in the air.

“Mr. Stewart. Dr. Hamilton.” He hesitated. “Everything okay?”

Matthew’s voice snapped back to business. “Report.”

Andy straightened. “She got away. But I had someone follow her. If she meets with whoever’s behind this, we’ll know.”

Matthew gave a short nod.

Andy turned to Arabella. “Dr. Hamilton, should I arrange someone to handle the cleanup on your end?”

“Not necessary.” Arabella shook her head. “The police are on their way, and I already called my insurance.”

“Someone still needs to deal with the scene.”

“My friend’s handling it.”

2/3

8:58 am Ppp.

Chapter 445 Investigation Begins

Andy nodded, then looked at Matthew. “Mr. Stewart–where to?”

Matthew glanced at Arabella. “The pharma facility.”

“Got it.” Andy got in, relayed the address to the driver, and the car pulled away.

Matthew’s gaze drifted to the window. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a familiar figure approaching the scene.

Colton had arrived.

Arabella’s phone buzzed. She glanced down. “I’m at the scene.”

She typed back, “Something’s off. Look into it.”

“On it.”

She put the phone away. That woman wasn’t a random scammer. Someone had sent her.

“Your friend?” Matthew asked, casual.