The Warden of The Witches

Chapter 26:

Tricking This Kid into a Corner

"Witness protection..." Bruce muttered, his eyes unfocused, as if in a daze.

"Yes, as long as you're willing to testify for Veronica Wolfie's case, and identify the real culprit, you can apply for witness protection from the prosecutor's office. Only then can you ensure your personal safety," Aiden patiently advised.

"But... I'll still end up in prison!" Bruce trembled all over.

Aiden silently chuckled to himself. Bruce's slip of the tongue was practically an admission of guilt.

"Isn't your life more important?" Aiden leaned in closer to Bruce's face, speaking earnestly. "Take a moment to recall the assassin you just encountered. That assassin managed to escape from my grasp. Without professional protection, how do you plan to survive against him?"

Bruce's face changed, the pressure of the sharp knife against his throat returning once more.

He had experienced firsthand the prowess of that assassin. The assassin exuded a suffocating aura of terror from head to toe, capable of conjuring a deadly blade like magic, and possessed an unnatural strength, able to lift an adult man with one hand—none of this was something an amateur could feign.

This was also why he hadn't even considered the possibility of being duped. After all, a professional assassin like that wasn't something you could just stumble upon. Someone had gone to great lengths and expense to hire a professional to take him out. that explanation was the most plausible.

However, in reality, he had been played by Aiden. He had no idea that Aiden as the warden, happened to have such a talent at his disposal.

"You have to protect me, Mr. Aiden!" He suddenly grabbed Aiden's arm, his voice filled with excitement. "You won't just stand by and let them kill me, right!? Right!?"

"I have to protect you? What obligation do I have to protect you?" Aiden's response was almost like he had heard a joke. "I have my own job, I'm just temporarily assisting in the re-investigation. I can't possibly be your personal bodyguard 24/7, can I? If you want protection, go plead your case to the prosecutor's office. But they need a reason to protect you, don't they? Without your testimony, there's no way to initiate the witness protection program."

Now Bruce was completely ensnared in Aiden's trap, believing he was backed into a corner. Confessing to the prosecutor's office would undoubtedly lead to his downfall. But if he didn't do it, the "assassin hired by Jialong" would take his life.

Next, all it would take was a gentle push from behind.

"Why did he have to be so ruthless!" Bruce fell to his knees, his fingers digging into his hair, and he screamed in despair. "He killed people, and I did everything he asked me to do! It's all his fault... he's the one who caused all of this, why does he want to kill me now?"

Aiden lowered his head to look down at him, a hint of disgust evident on his face. "Don't act like you're some kind of victim. Ever since the day you chose to betray Veronica, you should have known you might end up here. Do you think Jialong won't kill you and everything will be fine?

Think about it, why does he want to kill you? That's because the prosecutor's office has already got you in their sights! Face the reality, you've long run out of escape routes. But, fortunately, you still have a choice..."

Bruce slowly lifted his head.

"Go become a tainted witness. I can help facilitate it for you. Although the prosecutor's office already has their eye on you, if you start cooperating with us now, we can create a process where you voluntarily turn yourself in.

For safety's sake, it's best not to mention being chased by the assassin. Just tell the prosecutor's office that you confessed out of your own guilty conscience. They should be able to negotiate a lighter sentence for you," Aiden's tone softened slightly. He bent down and patted Bruce's shoulder.

"You were just deceived and took the wrong path. The prosecutor's office will surely understand that. Go accuse the real culprit. Your life has already been ruined by him. Are you willing to die at his hands without a fight?"

"You'll help me, won't you? You'll definitely help me, Mr. Aiden!" Bruce clung to Aiden, his eyes filled with pleading.

When pushed to a corner, people will try every means to grasp onto any lifeline. In Bruce's eyes, Aiden was now the only person he could rely on.

"Of course, why not? Tonight, come with me to my workplace. The prison is absolutely safe place," Aiden smiled warmly. "Tomorrow morning, we'll apply for witness protection at the prosecutor's office. When the time comes, I'll handle the other procedures for you, aside from cooperating with the questioning."

"Please, sir, I can only rely on you now!" Bruce's excitement brought tears to his eyes.

He couldn't fathom that he had been so thoroughly deceived by Aiden. In fact, the prosecutor's office hadn't even received the request for re-evaluation, let alone found him guilty.

Of course, as long as he followed Aiden's advice and turned himself in to the prosecutor's office, the request for re-evaluation would naturally follow. With crucial testimony from a key witness, the application for re-evaluation would be accepted.

However, this wasn't enough for Aiden. His goal wasn't just to clear Veronica's name, but also to put the real culprit, Jialong, behind the bars. He believed a man must keep his word, and he had vowed to take down Jialong, a vow he wouldn't break.

So, Aiden suppressed the urge to smile and continued to play his part. He helped Bruce to his feet, placing a hand on his shoulder, and spoke sincerely, "Of course I'll help you, but to negotiate a plea deal for you, we'd better provide as many bargaining chips as possible."

"What... do you mean?" Bruce hadn't quite caught on.

"It's best if we can provide evidence of Jialong bribing you. For example... that gold watch he gave you!" Aiden whispered. "If you can provide that watch, your testimony will become highly valuable, and we'll have room for negotiation."

Veronica's case and the accusation against Jialong, although closely related, they were independent in terms of legal procedures.

To reopen Veronica's case, all they needed was Bruce's testimony to discredit the evidence against her.

But to bring a new case against Jialong Rowton, the prosecutor's office would need additional evidence to be presented in court, to verify Bruce's testimony. After all, Bruce had personally destroyed the evidence of Jalon's murder.

That gold pocket watch was the most suitable piece of evidence. Finding that watch would be the key to victory.

"But if he claims I stole the watch... what should i do?" Bruce was a bit uneasy.

"He's a police officer. Isn't it suspicious if someone steals something so valuable from him and he doesn't report it?" Aiden reassured him.

"But I already sold the watch..." Bruce couldn't meet Aiden's eyes.

"Who did you sell it to? We might be able to trace it through the channels," Aiden inquired.

"That might be difficult. I sold it... to an unofficial store," Bruce admitted, avoiding Aiden's gaze.

"Did you sell it on the black market?" Aiden raised an eyebrow. "How much did you get for it?"

It wasn't surprising, considering the gold watch had distinctive engravings. With Bruce's courage, he probably wouldn't have dared to try selling it to a legitimate jewelry store.

It would be challenging to trace items that flowed into the black market, which was why Jialong Rowton hadn't been able to use his authority to retrieve the gold pocket watch.

However, Aiden did have some connections in this regard.

"Th-Thirty-five pounds..." Bruce mumbled quietly.

"Did Jalon give you any more money afterwards?"

"After that... he gave me sixty pounds in installments as hush money," Bruce answered, trembling slightly.

"Ninety-five gold pounds... So, you sold out your benefactor for two years' worth of wages?" Aiden looked at Bruce, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

"I... I was really short on money..." Bruce tried to defend himself.

But Aiden sharply cut him off, "Short on money to spend on women?"

Bruce fell silent.

Aiden mentally calculated, realizing that Bruce had essentially been bribed with about a hundred thousand dollars. This guy had dared to take such a morally reprehensible action, in Aiden's view, Veronica would be completely justified in shooting him dead.

"Alright, let me escort you to the Rose Prison," Aiden said, retracting his disdainful gaze. He placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Rest assured, at least for today, I will ensure your safety."

He casually glanced around, finally catching a faint glimpse of the assassin on a nearby rooftop - now back in his original form and changed into different clothing, Evangeline waved to him.

"Mr. Aiden?" Bruce looked at him with confusion, then followed his gaze.

There was no one on the rooftop.

"It's fine, let's go." Aiden picked up his cane, pushing Bruce's shoulder and walked in the direction of the road's other end.

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