Shore


    Chapter <b>203 </b>


    <b>-25 </b>Donut


    Charlotte’s expression darkened. “He’s not stupid enough to leave a trail back to himself.”


    Sean tumed to look at Desmond, whoy pale and weak in the hospital bed. Histene held a hint of guilt. “Mr. Riley, I’m sorry this happened to you. This mess started because of me.”


    family has power, influence. Don’t tell me no one in the Jasper <b>family </b>can do anything


    Desmond’s voice was frail “Sean, Charlotte already told me everything. Your family! about Joseph Ford? You’er just going to let him get away with this?”


    “I’m sorry, Mr. Riley. <b>Right </b>now, I can only specte that Joseph <b>was </b>behind the attack. We don’t have any concrete evidence, and without that, the police can’t


    Desmond frowned. “Sometimes, being a gentleman isn’t enough. If the other side is ying dirty, you have to be diler. You’re not a cop. <b>Why </b>are you so stuck on


    Sean lowered his eyes.


    Of course he understood that,


    It wasn’t about insisting on legal justice. The real issue was that Joseph had only just returned to the country. He was hiding, never staying in one ce too long. Every time Seen got a lead and sent someone, Joseph was already gone


    He calmly exined the situation to Desmond.


    But Desmond wasn’atisfied. With a sigh, he took the medicine Xena handed him and drank in silence.


    After updating the family on the man who had carried out the attack, Sean ced a bank card on the table. “Mr. Riley, this is just a small gesture. Please ept it.” Desmond was clearly displeased. He wasn’t short <b>on </b>money, and his eyesnded on the bankcard with a hint of imitation.


    <b>“</b>Don’t bother with this useless stuff,” he said tly. “Catching Joseph would mean a whole lot more.”


    <b>In </b>front of his future father–inw, Sean kept hisposure for Charlotte’s sake. He remained patient and respectful, his attitude impable “Of course,” he said with a nod


    As Sean was getting ready to leave, Charlotte <b>closed </b>herptop and <b>said </b>quietly, “I’ll go with you.”


    Desmond gave her a sharp look displeasure clearly written on his face,


    Charlotte sighed. “Dad, the reason they’re targeting you is to get to me. As long as I stay hidden, you, Aunt Xena, and Jodie will always be in <b>danger </b>Xema was taken aback “Charlotte, we have bodyguards now. I don’t think anything else will happen. But you really need to be careful.” Desmond snorted, “if being tied to the Jasper family means putting our lives at risk, then maybe this engagement shouldn’t continue.”


    Charlotte froze<b>, </b><b>a </b>chill spreading through her body.


    She knew he wasn’t <b>jolding- </b>


    And the worst part was–she had no grounds to argue


    Because the people getting hurt weren’t her. They were her family. And she couldn’t keep purting them at risk for the sake of her own happiness.


    “<b>Dad</b>..” Her <b>voice </b>was hoarse “Let me talk to Sean.”


    “You should,” Desmond sald grimly.


    In the hospital’s underground parking garage, the car wasfortably heated.


    Sean took off his coat, revealing a ck dress shirt and a nearly fed the. With his sharp, businesslike appearance, it was clear he hade straight from Jasper Lisperation


    “Sean,” Charlotte said saltly, “we ared to talk.‘


    He looked <b>down</b>, ryes clouded. “Why <b>do </b>you want to talk about?”


    Berheart ached.


    The words caught in lier thinat. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t say them


    But her family had been lurt again and agaliu.


    She couldn’t be <b>selfish </b>and think only about her own love and happiness.


    Jodie had been kidnapped. Her father had fallen down the stairs.


    What about tomorrow?


    Would it be Aunt Xena next? Or her<b>? </b>