Chapter 425

John had no clue Paxton was playing word games with him, but he wasn't one to trust easily either.

"Mr. Williams, can I take the body now?" Paxton asked after John stayed quiet for a bit.

John nodded, but Paxton didn't look happy. What John said next really ticked him off.

"You can have the body, but I need to be part of the autopsy. I need to find out who's behind this," John said calmly.

Paxton's face flashed with anger. "John, you're pushing it! If you think I caused the explosion last time, go ahead and investigate! I'm taking this body to find out who hurt my daughter! This has nothing to do with you."

"Just because you say it has nothing to do with you, does it really mean it doesn't? My girlfriend and your daughter are in this together. What's wrong with me caring about your daughter for my girlfriend's sake? Or have you already decided Bianca hurt your daughter?" John asked coldly.

John had a hunch about Paxton's thoughts. Paxton still had his doubts about Bianca.

"What if I don't agree?" Paxton asked, looking grim.

"Then you can't take the body!" John shot back, just as cold. He needed to be involved to clear Bianca's name.

All the henchmen behind John and Paxton stood up. The air was thick with tension, like a fight could break out any second.

A police car was parked a few hundred feet away from the dock. Two cops leaned against the car, watching through binoculars and sipping hot coffee.

"Looks like they're about to throw down. Shouldn't we step in?" one cop asked.

The other cop took a sip of his coffee and grinned. "What fight? We didn't see anything. We're just on patrol, feeling a bit chilly, so we got out for some coffee."

"Is this really okay?" the first cop asked with a wry smile.

The coffee-drinking cop sighed. "Buddy, you gotta get it. Our gear was bought with money from the big four families. We can't afford to piss them off. This is their beef. We just watch. As long as no civilians get hurt, we stay out of it!"

Before Paxton showed up, things were already tense at the dock. Passersby called the cops, but when they found out it involved the big four families, they left and sent two officers to keep an eye on things.

"Our job is to keep civilians away from this mess. Our guns are no match for them," the coffee-drinking cop shrugged and, feeling a bit cold, got back in the car.

The other cop sighed and got in too.

It was a rough situation.

Back at the dock, Paxton and John were still facing off, their henchmen ready to pounce.

Just as things were about to explode, Paxton suddenly waved his hand.

"Fine, you can be involved! I'll share the autopsy report with you, but stay out of my plans for the culprit," Paxton said coldly.

John nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Alright, since we're on the same page, let's get the police to take the body."

He told his guys to call the cops. They showed up pretty quick, took the body, and set up the forensic exam.

The autopsy was gonna take a while. John and Paxton didn't need to hang around the station, so they left their men there to keep an eye on things and let them know when the report was ready.

Back at the winery, John met up with Bianca.

He filled her in on the deal with Paxton.

John hugged her tight and sighed. "I know you didn't do this, but I need to make sure no one points the finger at you."

"Thanks, babe. The truth will come out and clear my name," Bianca said, nodding. She knew she was innocent.

Meanwhile, Michael got wind of what was going on.

"John and Paxton teaming up for the autopsy? Paxton must be losing his mind with suspicion," Michael said with a cold smile.

Paxton still had his doubts about Bianca. He only agreed to work with John because he had no choice, and he was definitely not happy about it.

Mike was on the phone with Michael, who had been handling this whole mess.

"Mr. Williams, why aren't we still blaming Bianca and instead shifting it to Joseph?" Mike asked, confused.

Michael sighed. "As long as Bianca's backers stay hidden, Paxton won't find anything. Since her dad died, we've lost track of those guys. This might flush them out."

"Are you saying they might frame Mrs. Williams?" Mike asked, surprised.

Michael nodded. "If I were them, I'd do it. But I don't get why they're targeting Isabella. This might be our chance. Plus, I don't want my nephew caught in another explosion; he's my uncle's only grandson."

Michael sounded a bit helpless. Even though he and John weren't super close, Kenna still cared about family. If Mason heard John was dead, he'd be heartbroken, and Kenna didn't want that.

Mike got where Michael was coming from. No one knew if Paxton would go after John too. As for Joseph, he was just a rival in love, so if he died, it wasn't a big deal.

"Yeah, once the autopsy report is out, they'll find that place, so Joe should be ready to show up," Michael said.

Mike nodded. "I've already told Joe, and he's ready. Also, Joe asked where you got the medicine you've been taking?"

Michael's face tightened. He asked calmly, "How does Joe know I've been taking medicine?"

"He said Jerry told him," Mike replied.

Michael smiled and gave Mike the pharmacy address, then hung up.

Jerry, who was busy with work, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, like he was being watched by something scary.