CHAPTER 499

Even if Allison were innocent, Jake would not marry her. He would likely avoid any form of communication with her if she were to end up in prison.

She became increasingly terrified whenever she contemplated the situation. She reached out for her brother's hand before she pleaded with a quavering voice, "Arthur, think of something! I don't want to be locked up. My life will be in ruins if I am behind bars! Please, Arthur!"

Of course, Arthur knew that. There was still time for him to beg Madison to let his sister go before the police arrived. It would be too late by the time the police arrived.

He gritted his teeth and dragged Allison to the floor, where they both kneeled. She showed signs of reluctance, but when she looked over and saw her proud brother kneeling on the ground, she knew she couldn't get up even though she felt ashamed, so she gave in.

Arthur looked at Madison and begged, "My sister was at fault, so I apologize to you on her behalf! You can punish her in any way you want, but please don't call the police. If you report her to the police, it will leave her with a criminal record and send her to prison. Once her reputation is tainted, her life will be over! For the sake of her young age, I beg you to let her go and give her a second chance. We are willing to accept any punishment other than a police report!"

"Instead of wasting your time here, why don't you find yourself a good lawyer?" Madison spat coldly. "You think you can write off tonight's events even if you kneel before me? Dream on! Your begging for mercy won't lessen the injuries my brother is suffering. Your knees aren't as precious as you think!"

Arthur flushed with shame. "That's not what I meant... I just want you to see my sincerity in compensation... We are willing to accept any punishment other than calling the police!"

"There's no need for that," Madison declined. "Oasis Law Office has its own rules. We will not compromise with other methods if we can leave it up to the police—"

Snorting, he exuded a cold and merciless aura. "You should count your blessings that this is the only regulation that applies in our office!"

Otherwise, the two people kneeling in front of him would each be missing an arm or a leg in light of the wounds his younger brother had sustained!

"How could you be so unsympathetic?" Allison cried and accused him, "I am also a victim! Your brother took advantage of me, and I haven't called the police yet! We're already on our knees and begging for mercy. What else do you want?"

"Shut up, Ali!" Arthur reprimanded.

"My brother took advantage of you? What makes you think you're so great?" Madison looked at her with contempt and quipped, "Who knows what kind of disease a shameless woman like you carry? After I've taken care of you, I'm going to take my brother to the hospital for an examination to see if he's been infected with any infectious diseases! Besides—"

He gazed at Arthur coldly and condemned, "You think you'll be fine after pleading for your sister's mistake? After the way you beat up my brother, you will be facing charges of intentional injury. Don't worry; I'll send you both to jail together. With you in there, she won't be lonely at all!"

Madison wasn't particularly empathetic anymore because he'd hardened his heart long ago. He didn't

show much compassion, and when he did, it was for the helpless, not for boastful, shameless women like Allison who pointed fingers when it was actually themselves who erred!

"H-How could you call me that?" Allison bawled even louder this time as she shook Arthur's arm and whined, "Arthur!"

Arthur's face was ashen. What was the point of whining to him? What could he do if the other party refused to disregard the issue and let them go? Well, he had to wrack his brains to come up with a solution, even if there was no way. Otherwise, how would his parents survive if both of them were imprisoned?

His parents had only two children, himself and his sister. If both of them were arrested and sentenced to prison, with a criminal record and a poor reputation, their parents would be looked down upon and ridiculed by the public. Furthermore, he was the eldest son and grandson of the Gaines Family, making him the heir, but his grandfather might give the inheritance to his cousin if he was arrested and had a criminal record.

In contrast, Rowan was not seriously injured. Even if Arthur were to be sentenced, his sentence would not be excessively long, but the resulting losses would be immeasurable. Nonetheless, he had to find a way out of the mess! He thought long and hard about it but ultimately decided that Jake was the only one who could help. He previously heard that Jake's sister was Rowan's boss, so it would be highly advantageous if a family member persuaded them. If Jake's sister can assist us, Allison may be able to avoid jail time.

Gritting his teeth, he glanced at Jake. "I don't want to inconvenience you, Jake, but I need your assistance this time. Ali is still young. I can't just send her to jail! As long as they don't report to the police, I don't mind receiving any kind of punishment! Please… Jake—"

A stone-cold heart allowed Arthur to submit to Jake. This was the first time in his life that he had ever felt so low and embarrassed, but he didn't care. He reasoned that it was worth it if he had to swallow his pride to keep his sister out of prison. However, his sister's future would be ruined if she went to jail, while his own loss of dignity was only temporary.

"Don't do this, Arthur…" Jake immediately crouched down to help him up.

"Jake, I beg you!" Arthur's anxiety caused his eyes to redden. "I know I went too far, Jake, but I can't stand by and watch Ali go to prison. She's young and has a bright future ahead of her—"

Arthur grabbed a firm hold of Jake's arm, got down on his knees, and steadfastly refused to stand up.

He gazed at Arthur coldly and condemned, "You think you'll be fine after pleading for your sister's mistake? After the way you beat up my brother, you will be facing charges of intentional injury. Don't worry; I'll send you both to jail together. With you in there, she won't be lonely at all!"

Jake had no choice but to get on his knees and plead, "Maddie—"

Madeline shook her head. "Jake, if it were my business, it'd be easy to talk about, but I told you. It's a personal matter between Madison and Rowan. I have no right to intervene. There's no use in begging me!"

"Jake, please!" Arthur looked at him with red eyes, refusing to give up.

This was the only stumbling block. It was an excellent opportunity to get his sister out of trouble. Arthur knew it wasn't right to put such an obligation on his closest friend, but he felt helpless to do otherwise.

He would compensate and repay his friend for his assistance in the future!

Jake was distraught and helpless in the face of Arthur's pleading eyes. Seeing one of his closest friends, Arthur, get on his knees and beg for help, he felt guilty that he hadn't come to Arthur's aid. He and Arthur were as close as soulmates, always looking out for one another. He was unwilling to cause Arthur any harm or make him feel like he wasn't treated as a true friend.

When Jake finally drew a deep breath, he made up his mind to give it his all. His palms on the floor and his forehead touching the ground, he pleaded, "Miss Taylor, this is my first and last time begging you for mercy… Please help my friend out!"

Astonished, Arthur had not anticipated this at all. He assumed Jake and Rowan's sister were siblings. However, Jake had just called her "Miss Taylor"! All of a sudden, he recalled Jake's identity… He was the adopted son of the Taylor Family.

An adopted son might sound like a biological son, but in reality, he was very different from a real young master born into a wealthy family like Arthur.

Adopted children were fortunate if their adoptive parents cared for them well, but if this was not the case, they had to accept their circumstances as they were. Those who were adopted were fortunate to benefit from a gracious upbringing. They had no choice but to learn to accept things for what they were, even if it meant being treated as a slave by their adoptive parents or being used as a punching bag for them to let out their anger. Nobody would hold their adoptive parents responsible. However, if the adopted children were to do something wrong, everyone would accuse them of being ungrateful and instead sympathize with the adoptive parents for having to raise children who aren't grateful for what they have.

There was no need for a biological son like Arthur to act submissive and humble around his parents. Obedient children were those who complied with their parent's instructions, but even the most well- behaved kids occasionally lost their cool and made a scene by slamming doors or running away. It's hard to imagine how adopted kids could be confident to do something like that. This time, it appeared as though he had greatly troubled his friend. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.