Free Web NovelChapter 265: Chapter 268: Self-Exposed Flaw
"...How would it affect me?"
Ethan Lockwood’s flippant words and dismissive tone thoroughly startled Simon Abbott.
Simon looked at him in disbelief, his voice trembling. "Mr. Lockwood, we’re talking about prison!"
"I know." Ethan Lockwood gave him a measured glance, then took two steps back and sat in the chair behind him.
"It’s just prison. What’s the big deal?" He tilted his head back to look up at Simon, but the contempt in his eyes made Simon feel as though he were the one being looked down upon.
"It’s prison, not a death sentence. You’ll be in for a few years and come out in one piece. No need to make such a scene."
"That’s not... Mr. Lockwood, is this really something to ’make a scene’ about?" Simon was nearly scared out of his wits by Ethan. "This is prison! If I go in, my entire life will be ruined!"
"It won’t be," Ethan said, completely dismissing his panic. "Rest assured, I’ll still want you when you get out. After all, you’ll be taking the fall for me. I won’t let it be too hard for you on the inside, either."
"Besides, didn’t I give you a check?" Ethan’s lips curved into a faint, gentle, and affable smile. "Five million for a few years in prison. You’re not losing out on this deal at all."
"...Mr. Lockwood!" Simon clenched his fists, his fury stoked to a boiling point by Ethan’s high-handed charity. But considering Ethan was still his boss, he refrained from completely burning his bridges, no matter how angry he felt.
"I don’t want to make this deal. I don’t want the five million, and I won’t take the fall for you and go to prison!"
"You won’t?" Ethan nonchalantly raised a sharp eyebrow, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "If you won’t, then I’ll have no choice but to tell your mother about everything you’ve done over the years."
Simon: "You—"
"Your mother poured her heart and soul into getting you where you are today." Ethan cut him off, continuing as if he hadn’t spoken. "She considers you her pride and joy, telling anyone who will listen what a successful son she raised. You wouldn’t want her to find out her son has been up to so much dirty business, would you?"
With everything now out in the open, Ethan showed no regard for the fragile bond they shared as master and subordinate.
Simon, eyes red, glared at him, no longer bothering with tact.
"Mr. Lockwood, wasn’t every single one of those dirty deeds done for you?"
"Exactly," Ethan said, blinking with a smile. "We’ve been in the same boat for a long time. My hands are dirty, and so are yours. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black."
"..." Simon was shocked by his shamelessness.
He continued, "As long as you agree to take the fall for me, I’ll keep these dirty deeds under wraps for you."
"I’ve already consulted a lawyer. If the defamation charge sticks, you’ll get five years at most. Five years isn’t that long; I can easily cook up a story to cover for you. You won’t have to worry about your mom or your girlfriend finding out about prison, and you certainly won’t have to worry about your girlfriend leaving you."
"If you’re willing, I can even give you more money so you can go home and marry your girlfriend right now."
"Get married, and then immediately go to prison?" Simon managed a bitter smile.
Ethan: "It’s only five years. If you behave well on the inside, you could be out in less than five."
Then, Ethan’s tone suddenly hardened. "Simon Abbott, five million for five years of your life. Where else are you going to find a deal that good?"
"..."
Simon clenched his jaw, his breathing sharp and ragged.
He didn’t want to argue with Ethan anymore. Ethan had already made his decision, and Simon had no power to refuse.
He just wanted to ask one last question.
"Mr. Lockwood, why me?"
’Why not Charles Collins or Silas Lawrence? We’re all his secretaries, so why does it have to be me, Simon Abbott, taking the fall!’
"Because you’re the most suitable," Ethan said, surprisingly frank. "Charles Collins and Silas Lawrence have been with me for nearly ten years. They know too many of my secrets; I can’t possibly send them to prison. Besides, at a time like this, I need them here to help me."
Simon: "So I’m the one being thrown away?"
Ethan shook his head. "I’m not throwing you away. When you get out of prison, you’ll still be my personal secretary."
"..." Simon nodded, saying nothing more.
Ethan Lockwood’s mind was made up. Anything more he said would be pointless, so he might as well keep his mouth shut.
Ethan rose from his chair and thoughtfully escorted him to the door. "Your marriage leave starts today. Abbott, go home and prepare for your wedding. Don’t you worry about a thing; I’ll arrange for some people to help you out."
"..."
Simon ignored him, clutched the check, and left.
Reaching the elevators, he nearly collided with Charles Collins, who was just walking out.
"Whoa—"
Charles Collins steadied Simon Abbott by the shoulders, pulling him aside. "What’s going on, Abbott? You should watch where you’re going."
Simon’s eyes were downcast, his expression wooden. He neither looked at him nor acknowledged him.
"...Abbott?" He waved a hand in front of Simon’s face. Annoyed, Simon pushed his hand away and strode right into the elevator.
"Tsk..." Charles turned to watch Simon’s departing figure, his brow furrowed in confusion. ’Why’s he ignoring me...’
DING—
The elevator doors slid slowly shut and began a steady descent.
"Hah..." Charles Collins sighed in resignation, then strode toward Ethan Lockwood’s office, tablet in hand.
When he emerged half an hour later, his expression was almost identical to Simon Abbott’s.
"What’re you doing?" Silas Lawrence was on his way to deliver something to Ethan Lockwood’s office and saw Charles Collins leaning against a corner, staring into space, as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.
Charles Collins shook his head and said in a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear, "Mr. Lockwood is having Abbott take the fall."
"...What?" Silas Lawrence didn’t quite understand.
Charles Collins raised his hands and scrubbed his face roughly, then told Silas Lawrence everything Mr. Lockwood had laid out.
After hearing it all, the color instantly drained from Silas Lawrence’s face.
"How could it be Abbott?"
Charles Collins: "It had to be Abbott. He hasn’t been here as long, so he doesn’t know as much as we do. He’s the only one who can take the fall and ensure Mr. Lockwood gets out of this unscathed."
"So what did Abbott say?" Silas Lawrence asked, leaning against the wall next to him.
He lowered his voice. "What could he say? Did Abbott have the right to refuse?"
"..." Silas Lawrence was suddenly at a loss for words.
Charles Collins tilted his head back to stare at the cold ceiling and asked numbly, "Silas, today it’s Abbott taking the fall. Tomorrow... will it be us?"
Silas Lawrence didn’t dare to answer.
An hour later, news that Simon Abbott was taking the fall for Ethan Lockwood reached the ears of Felix Preston.
"Mr. Preston, you were right. He really did throw me away."
Simon Abbott’s voice was utterly defeated.
