Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder 45

Wang's Pov.

But I wasn't going to let this slide.

Tears began to fall from Zhan's eyes, the soft droplets landing on our hands as I held him close. His entire body trembled, and I felt the weight of his shame pressing down on us both. He hadn't said a word, but I could feel the pain radiating off him.

"Zhan," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his. "This isn't you. This isn't real."

But the words barely seemed to reach him.

I turned to Uncle Fengmian, my fists clenched in anger.

Cheng, who had been sitting beside me, was tense now, his gaze flicking from the screen to me and then back to Uncle Fengmian. He knew the game was getting dangerous. The old lawyer had a reputation. He'd been around for far too long to make mistakes in these kinds of matters.

"This video," Cheng said slowly, trying to keep his voice steady, "is doctored. We have the original footage from the first video. This is a blatant attempt to distort the truth."

Uncle Fengmian didn't flinch. He looked at Cheng, his voice calm, but it carried a certain weight. "Doctored? You don't think that's a bit too convenient, Cheng? We have a witness and a video, what more do you need? The law will have a hard time siding with your version when the evidence looks this... convincing."

Cheng's expression tightened. "You're playing a dangerous game, mr Fengmian. And you know it."

"Oh, I'm aware," Uncle Fengmian replied with a cold smile. "But it's not me you need to convince, Cheng. It's the court."

I could feel the heat in my chest rising, the anger threatening to spill over. "This isn't real, Uncle Fengmian. You know it. This is some sick scheme."

Zhan's sobs were muffled now, his head resting against my chest. I held him tighter, refusing to let go. But no matter how much I wanted to scream, no matter how much I wanted to tear everything apart, I knew I had to stay calm.

Because in the end, we were playing a game of manipulation, and the only way out was to prove the truth, no matter how hard it was going to be.

"Wangg," Cheng said quietly, his voice laced with desperation, "we have to fight this. We can't let them break him."

"Who is this charge and bail lawyer?" my mom hissed, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up inside me. "You will not insult him, Mother," I said sharply, my patience thinning. "What do you want?"

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze calculating. "Now you're getting the drill," she purred. "I want you to marry Lusi. And do it quickly."

The words struck Zhan like a physical blow. His body stiffened, and I could see his chest rise and fall with quick breaths. He visibly flinched, but he controlled himself, sitting up straighter in his chair. I squeezed his hand tightly, trying to offer some comfort, though I knew there was little I could do to protect him from the mess my mother was creating.

"Mother, I am married," I said, my voice steady, showing her my ring and Zhan's. "We are legally married."

"Legal or not, I don't care," You're throwing your life away for that boy." She hissed.

Zhan stiffened beside me, but I squeezed his hand, keeping my voice calm. "No, I'm starting my life with him."

"Wang—"