Chapter 118

"Yeah, I'm Maximus. And you are?"

Victoria quickly introduced herself and jumped right into it. "Hi, Mr. Tate. I'm Alvin's daughter, Victoria. I have some questions about his case."

Maximus responded with a friendly tone, "Sure thing. I'll be in the southern part of Harborview City tomorrow. Let's meet at 9 AM."

Victoria was excited. "Okay, I'll be there on time."

They agreed on a meeting spot, and Victoria hung up the phone.

Victoria took a deep breath and asked Alton for some time off. Alton didn't even ask why and granted her request immediately.

Ever since William had seen him dropping Victoria off at the hotel, Alton had been too embarrassed to face her again. However, he had been keeping an eye on her work at the exhibition center.

Knowing how hard she worked every day, Alton felt a pang of sympathy and agreed without hesitation. If he could, he would rather share some of her burden.

The next day, Victoria arrived at the agreed-upon café half an hour early.

Maximus was already there. In his early forties, he was tall, handsome, and a very charismatic and successful man.

He shook hands with Victoria and greeted her, "I'm Maximus. You must be Ms. Carter? Nice to meet you."

"Yes, Mr. Tate. It's a pleasure to meet you."

After a brief introduction, Victoria got straight to the point. "Mr. Tate, do you remember my father's case?"

Maximus took a sip of his coffee and nodded. "Of course, I remember it very well."

Victoria asked eagerly, "Can you tell me more about it?"

Maximus sighed softly and began, "W took on this case because Mr. Carter was internationally renowned as a master architect. But once we started, things felt very..."

Maximus chose his words carefully, "Strange."

Victoria frowned and pressed, "What exactly seemed strange to you?"

Maximus thought for a moment and then explained, "First, the timing. Why did no one question your father's design when the bridge collapsed ten years ago, but suddenly, after a sports complex collapsed, it all came out? Second, the evidence was weak. Apart from the testimony of the head of the design institute, there was no other documentation or proof."

Maximus furrowed his brow and continued, "And your father himself was odd. Initially, he was adamant that his design was flawless. But then, out of nowhere, he changed his stance and admitted there were flaws, which led to his conviction."

"So, there must be underlying reason!" Victoria exclaimed.

"You could say that. But as for who framed him, there's one person who seems suspicious," Maximus said.

Victoria was puzzled. "Who?"

"The head of the design institute who testified against your father, Lachlan Everest," Maximus replied after a moment of thought.

"Why would he frame my father?" Victoria murmured to herself.

Maximus shook his head. "We couldn't find out. Maybe only he can explain it."

"Do you know where he is now?"

"No," Maximus admitted. "Shortly after the case ended, he was transferred out of Silvermist City."

Victoria's spirits sank, and she looked down in disappointment.

"Don't lose hope. The truth will come out eventually," Maximus reassured her.

Victoria forced a small smile. "Thank you for your help."

"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

After leaving the café, Victoria returned to her hotel and sat on her bed, lost in thought.

Her mind was swirling with thoughts of Alvin's case and Maximus's words.

When William opened the door, he saw Victoria sitting on the bed, looking pale and dazed.

Seeing her like this, William felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

He walked over, gently touched her pale face, and asked softly, "What's on your mind?"

Victoria snapped out of her daze and looked up into William's deep, dark eyes, suddenly flustered. "Why are you here again?"

William raised an eyebrow and countered, "Why shouldn't I be here?"

He sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped an arm around Victoria's slender waist, and pulled her into his embrace, leaning down to gaze into her slightly panicked eyes.

His warm breath brushed against Victoria's ear, his deep voice magnetic and alluring. "Didn't sleep well last night? You look terrible."

Victoria tried to avoid touching his warm chest, scooting away to put some distance between them.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" William's tone hinted at disbelief.

Victoria bit her lip and mustered the courage to look into his deep eyes. "I need to ask you for a favor."

"What is it?" he asked.

"My father's case..."

Before Victoria could finish, she felt her body tense as he held her tightly.

William's voice turned icy. "What does your father's case have to do with me?"

Tears welled up in Victoria's eyes as she pleaded, "William, please help me."

Her tears fell onto William's hand, the heat making him frown.

He withdrew his hand and said coolly, "Your father's case was settled two years ago. The court has already ruled. Even if you come to me, it won't change anything."

Victoria bit her lip harder. "But I believe he was framed."

William narrowed his eyes and stared at Victoria. "Framed? By whom?"

Victoria met his gaze. "I don't know how to explain it, but I am certain my father was wronged!"

Victoria's firm tone angered William. He stood up abruptly, looking down at her. "What makes you so sure your father was framed?"

Victoria stood up as well, looking up at him defiantly. "I just know."

She then recounted everything Maximus had told her, adding, "I think the design institute head, Lachlan, is the key. If we find him, we can uncover the truth."

William listened quietly, his expression calm.

He already knew everything Victoria had said, including who Lachlan was.

Two years ago, he had learned from one of his father's former subordinates that the bridge collapse ten years ago, which had killed his parents, was not an accident but a deliberate act.

He had been investigating ever since but had found nothing.

Then, when the sports complex Alvin designed collapsed, Lachlan testified that Alvin's design had a fatal flaw, failing to account for the building's static load, leading to the collapse.

Alvin had later confessed, admitting his design had serious errors, causing severe consequences.

What was there to argue?

But Victoria's mention of Alvin's initial denial and sudden confession caught his attention.

Still, he couldn't believe Alvin was innocent.

Looking at the sorrowful, tear-streaked Victoria, William finally agreed to help her find Lachlan.