Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 325

"So, Jason became a lawyer because of all this?"

"Yeah, it really got to him, so he decided to go into law," Christopher nodded.

"Marlowe was the victim, no doubt, but she blamed Jason for it? Shouldn't she be angrier at the bullies?"

Maybe she just wasn't thinking straight.

Christopher glanced at me. "We couldn't pin anything on the mastermind, but we know who it was. They did it because they liked Jason and wanted to trash Marlowe's reputation."

"Marlowe blamed Jason because she felt he made things worse by trying to help her without being able to protect her. Naturally, she resented him."

Hearing Christopher's words, something clicked for me.

Christopher never told me that he liked me when I was single, not just because I was getting over a bad breakup, but maybe also because he felt he couldn't protect me.

This whole thing with Marlowe and Jason must've hit close to home for him too!

No wonder Paula would sometimes mention why Christopher never revealed who he liked, saying, "The Collins family wants to control Mr. Collins. He thinks hiding his feelings is the best way to protect the person he cares about when he can't keep them safe."

"And you, Mr. Collins?" I looked at him closely. "Do you think it was Jason's fault too?"

Christopher shook his head. "Jason did his best, but..."

He seemed lost in thought, with a hint of regret. "Back then, Jason saw Marlowe getting bullied and asked me for help. I went to my dad to get a transfer certificate for Marlowe, but unfortunately..."

Christopher's face twisted into a bitter smile.

"Marlowe refused the transfer. She said she wasn't wrong and wouldn't back down, facing the challenge head-on."

Of course, another reason was that her tuition and living expenses at that school were covered, and she even had a scholarship.

With youthful pride, Marlowe probably thought she could tough it out.

"She even had the pride to refuse Jason's offer to help with her finances."

I couldn't help but sigh. "How could she be so stubborn?"

Christopher's expression returned to normal as he continued, "She initially refused to transfer, but when she couldn't hold on and wanted to transfer, it was too late. My dad wasn't willing to help again."

I could understand.

For Christopher's dad, helping someone always came at a cost. They valued efficiency and benefits. If someone missed their chance, it was their problem.

I wondered if Christopher's dad ever taught him to let go of the urge to help others.

"Now I need to find out why she refused to transfer!" Christopher saw this as the only way to uncover the truth from back then.

There might be things they didn't know.

"Mr. Collins, you have an amazing memory. Talking about the past feels like it happened just yesterday," I couldn't help but remark.

He even recounted Marlowe's words to Jason.

Christopher's deep eyes suddenly locked onto mine. "I have a good memory. I remember a lot."

"Like what?" I was curious about what Christopher would say.

"Like our first meeting. I remember it clearly."

It was a simple statement, but coming from Christopher, it felt so intimate.

It made my heart race.

I almost missed the traffic light ahead.

Luckily, I reacted just in time and hit the brakes, avoiding running the red light.

Christopher's gaze was so intense, it made me uneasy.

"And you? Do you remember?" Christopher asked.

I didn't even need to think hard. A scene flashed in my mind.

It was a perfect spring day. Our yard was full of flowers swaying in the breeze, petals scattering everywhere.

Christopher wore a white shirt and casual pants, exuding a mix of elegance and ease. It was impossible to look away.

Was it his fault for being so captivating, or mine for being so oblivious?

The first man I admired was him.

If he had confessed earlier, maybe I wouldn't have been drawn to Lawrence, that awful man. After all, once one had seen an eagle, how could they be interested in a crow?

Even if I didn't end up with Christopher, at least I wouldn't have fallen for Lawrence's deceit, right?

Of course, this was all my imagination. I didn't know when Christopher started liking me.

Christopher sighed softly. "Wrong!"

"What's wrong? Isn't that how it happened?"

Christopher seemed to be reminiscing. "Before that, I saw you a few times at school. You used to wear your hair in a high ponytail."

I had no memory of that.

But I remembered when Christopher fought with Lawrence. Lawrence had smugly mentioned that Christopher knew me first.

I couldn't help but ask, "You knew me before you came to our house?"

Christopher just smiled without answering.

The light turned green, and I started the car again.

Christopher changed the subject. "Harold was introduced by Jason. Because of the case back then, Jason tried to find evidence against the real culprit, so he had a lot of contact with Harold and they became good friends."

"By the way, you never mentioned, who was the real culprit?"

"Lyric Owens. The CEO of the Owens Group."

"It was her?"

The CEO of the Owens Group was a woman, very beautiful and highly capable.

She was admired by many.

Fans often left messages on the company's website, praising Lyric's charisma.

People were genuinely drawn to her "charisma."

But now Christopher was telling me she was the school bully.

Lyric was also known for her charity work, and many people benefited from it.

She was different from the other two in the Owens family. She was truly capable, not just someone who caused trouble.

Christopher said, "She was good at hiding it. But people like her can't keep up the act forever. Jason is keeping a close watch on her."

I guessed that the incident was a shadow over Marlowe, and also over Jason.

"I'll ask Paula about it. We've seen her in the news a few times, and Paula always scoffed. Now I know she knew the truth." I felt like I was always the last to know.

Or maybe I just didn't pay attention to things that didn't directly affect me.

"Paula is better at hiding her emotions than you. Even if she hates someone, she can still smile and cooperate without showing any signs."

"Of course, she's the best Paula!" I said proudly.

Christopher chuckled.

"I'm saying you should learn from her!" Christopher explained when he saw I didn't get it.

I blushed, realizing my pride had made me a bit of a joke.

He had just told me to learn from Paula, and I still couldn't hide my emotions.

Christopher comforted me, "Being as pure and happy as you are is also nice!"

Why did I feel like his words weren't very sincere?