BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1209 - Bradley (3)
When the news coverage about Christopher's funeral ended, the TV switched back to showing the live feed from the visitation room in the penitentiary.
Jeff observed Bradley who visibly paled.
Bradley was sure that he is going to pass out. His stomach convulsed few times while realization sank in: Christopher's family business is gone, absorbed by White corp. and Christopher is dead. Bradley compared that with the previous news that his family business is acquired by White corp. Does that mean that he will die next? Suddenly, the prospect of dying was… terrifying.
"Why do you think I gave you those photos with Paige on them?", Jeff asked after a long silence.
Bradley's mind was spinning. He got so many blows in the last ten minutes… His family's business is gone. Christopher is dead. And all that is part of the retribution because they dared to act against Jeff. Why is Jeff asking about those wretched photos?
Bradley did his best to focus. The least he can do is not show to Jeff how shaken he is because of all this. Jeff knew that he is in cahoots with Marcus and gave him the photos? Why would he do that? Unless… A horrible possibility popped up in Bradley's mind. "Those are real, right? There were videos also!"
Jeff shrugged. "Are you sure? I mean… Everything is possible with technology these days. Did you see Paige cheat on you? That evening, you barged into the living room and you caught Paige and Cooper on the sofa but… were they touching each other, or just talking? Did you think about the possibility that they are just friends and I am the one feeding you lies? Did you ask Paige if she is sleeping with Cooper? You are the one who introduced them to each other, didn't you?"
Bradley heard Jeff, but his brain refused to process any of those words. "What?"
Jeff pointed at the screen again which played a footage without a sound: Paige and Cooper are sitting on the three-seater sofa with one full in-between them. Paige laughed and covered her mouth with her hand. Both Paige and Cooper stood up abruptly when Bradley barged into the room while waving a gun. Within few seconds, Bradley fired several shots at Cooper before turning to Paige who stood rooted in the spot, shocked by the sight in front of her. Bradley fired two shots at Paige and flung the gun to the side irritably because he was out of bullets. He got on top of Paige and his hands landed on her neck, choking her…
The TV screen reverted to showing the live feed from the visitation room.
Bradley was pale before, but now his face was totally white.
"This puts things into a different perspective, right?", Jeff's icy tone rang in the visitation room. "Did you actually see them get intimate, or did you just imagine things before you started shooting?"
"You… no, no…", Bradley shook his head frantically. "No matter how I betrayed you, you would not implicate innocents. Paige is dead!"
Jeff thought for a second before responding. "True. I would not implicate innocents… not on purpose. But was Paige innocent? Or was she conspiring against me with you? ... Are you trying to shift the blame of you murdering her on me? Did I ever insinuate that you should kill her?"
Bradley was sure that his mind will explode. "Not possible, not possible…", he chanted. "Videos! I saw them in the videos!"
"I knew that you would believe in videos, so I decided to show you one…", Jeff pointed to the television again.
Bradley's mouth opened when he saw the video of him and Jeff sitting on the opposite sides of the metal table and behind him is… Paige. His head snapped back and there was no one, but on the television Paige was there. Alive, smiling at him!
He stared unblinkingly at the screen while Paige walked toward him and embraced him from behind.
"How is this possible?", Bradley murmured.
He reached to touch the hands around him, but there was nothing. Paige's hug which was usually warm and comforting now was… non-existent.
Bradley's chin shook and his vision blurred from the tears which pooled in his eyes. He was not sure if he is crying because he is missing Paige, or because he is sorry for what he did, or because of the rage which bubbled inside him.
"You!", he spat through his teeth while glaring at Jeff. He wanted to jump toward Jeff, but the chains yanked him back. "You did this!"
Jeff smirked. "What did I do?"
"You planted fake photos and videos so that I suspect Paige of cheating on me!", Bradley said in disbelief.
"Did I?"
"I will kill you!", Bradley raged.
Jeff looked at Bradley indifferently. "You already went against me and look where you ended up. Also, I hear that you don't want to settle and are taking the risk of getting a death sentence. Dead people don't get second chances."
Jeff stood up to leave.
"Tell me…", Bradley pleaded. "Did Paige cheat on me, or did you alter those photos and videos?"
Jeff's handsome eyebrow arched slightly. "That… you will never know."
Bradley watched Jeff leave the room and his head snapped to the television. Paige was not there anymore. He was completely alone. And his mind was a mess.
Is it possible that Paige didn't cheat on him and Jeff manipulated him? Just… what is this situation? Did he kill Paige for no good reason? Did he ruin his life for no reason at all??!
No, no… this is not without a reason. It is because he made a deal with Marcus. Jeff punished him because he dared to think that he can use Jeffrey White as a jumping board to better his own life.
Bradley's only comfort was the thought how that cheating bitch does not get to enjoy her life behind his back… and Jeff took it away by showing him the possibility that Paige was innocent! Jeff took away the only comforting thought he had!
Bradley returned to his cell defeated.
Is it possible that Paige loved him, and she didn't cheat? The only ones who can answer that are Paige and... Cooper. Right! Cooper is alive and Bradley can talk to him! But, Cooper will probably take months to recuperate, and in order to have the time to talk to him, Bradley can't risk the death sentence. He will call his lawyer and ask to settle with the prosecutor. Anything is fine, as long as he is not executed. And he will need help to get in touch with Cooper. Who can help him? Marcus! Yes, Marcus can help him!
Will Cooper want to talk to him? After what he did? Bradley is confident that he will find a way. However, will he believe Cooper? No matter what Cooper says, will Bradley believe him? He is not sure, but he can't leave it at this. He needs to find out the truth. Somehow.
…
Outside…
"It went as planned?", Steve asked Jeff when he got inside the car without lifting his gaze from the laptop in front of him.
Jeff responded with a hum.
"Tell me the status on the way to the airport.", Jeff demanded and leaned into the leather car seat while closing his eyes. This was mentally exhausting, and Jeff is glad that it's over.
This was the last trip. Now they are going home, and he will pamper his wife.
Steve opened latest messages. "Aiden confirmed that all records of you visiting Bradley are erased. You were never here... We will continue to monitor Bradley closely and everyone he gets into contact with... Cooper is on his way to a full recovery, all medical expenses are paid by the White foundation… Acquisitions are completed, and we are working on assessing the workforce. Report will be done by end of week…"
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