The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 103

I felt a surge of joy as I watched fear become evident on Jared's face and observed how his defenses crumbled bit by bit.

But his status was too insignificant to satisfy me.

"You should've been content with your life, yet you chose to piss me off," I said.

Lawson Group had been in business for years and avoiding taxes for just as long. No company that reached their level could claim to be spotless.

But the Lawson family's greed knew no bounds. They refused to pay a cent and resorted to all sorts of unscrupulous tactics. I couldn't even bother to look at the filth they dabbled in.

When Murphy handed over the evidence to the police, I thought I heard the sound of Jared's heart shattering.

Dropping to his knees with a loud thud, his voice shook as he demanded, "How could you? You're going to ruin me completely!"

The evidence was enough to land him in prison, and his father and brother wouldn't be able to bail him out.

"You dug your own grave," I said, lightly slapping his face.

Just as I was about to withdraw my hand, Jared jerked his head up and implored, "Mr. Joplin, I'm sorry! I truly am. I was ignorant, and I deserve this. Please spare me! I have nothing to do with these things at all!"

I knew he was just a puppet who was desperate to prove himself. But he hadn't expected things to reach this point.

"Jared, I'm no saint. The moment you tried to manipulate my son, you should've known this day would come."

The evidence I had provided was just the tip of the iceberg. If Jared intended to see his family completely collapse, he was welcome to continue causing trouble.

Yvonne stood frozen on the side, completely stunned. Noticing the faint tremble of her lips, I could guess what she was thinking.

"Trying to plead for your man, huh?"

"How will you explain this to Xavier?"

"Explain what?" I retorted, finding her question amusing.

Jared barely counted as Xavier's stepfather. What did I need to explain?

"I'm Xavier's father," I said. "And he's nothing more than a stand-in."

I didn't know how Xavier felt about me, but I was certain that his attachment to Jared was only out of reliance. He'd feel the same if it were anyone else.