Chapter 335 - 322: We Haven’t Taken Our Wedding Photos Yet? (Part 2)

"The second report is about Connor Donovan’s car accident ten years ago." Byron Shaw turned on the digital screen. "Please, look here. These photos were taken at the scene of the crash. The report below is from the forensic analysis. It states that only the defendant’s fingerprints were on the brakes. And yet, Connor Donovan’s crash was ruled an accident back then..."

The evidence in Byron Shaw’s hands was substantial. His narrative, and the implications woven into his words, were all extremely damaging to Elliot Sheridan.

Byron Shaw’s presentation left a strong impression on the judge.

’If I were the judge, I’d probably believe what Byron Shaw is saying, too. There’s almost no room for rebuttal.’

Next, it was Elliot Sheridan’s defense attorney’s turn to present his case.

Georgia Thorne grew more and more nervous. She wrung her hands, her gaze fixed on the back of Elliot Sheridan’s head.

Similarly, their lawyer also raised a significant number of questions about both cases, many of which indirectly refuted Byron Shaw’s claims.

Regarding the death of Simon Larkin, the medical examiner had performed an analysis of the wound on the deceased’s chest. Judging by the angle and force of the stab, it was indeed inflicted by a strong man. However, the wound was unusual. It was the kind of mark that typically only a left-handed person could make. Elliot Sheridan, however, was right-handed; his left hand was not strong enough to plunge a knife that deep.

Elliot Sheridan remained silent, composed and calm from start to finish, as if the entire affair had nothing to do with him.

The first hearing ended quickly. The judge struck the gavel, declared the session over, and announced that the preliminary verdict would be delivered in one week.

Georgia Thorne hurried down from the gallery and ran toward Elliot Sheridan. But before she could get close, the officers were already leading him away.

She couldn’t help but call out his name. Elliot Sheridan turned back and gave her a reassuring look.

「One week later.」

The results of the preliminary hearing were announced: Simon Larkin’s death had nothing to do with Elliot Sheridan.

The medical examiner determined the suspect was left-handed, whereas Elliot Sheridan was right-handed and lacked the requisite strength in his left hand.

Elliot Sheridan was temporarily cleared of Simon Larkin’s murder, but one charge still remained against him.

After constant negotiations by his lawyer, Elliot Sheridan was finally granted bail. He was not allowed to go anywhere, however, and was even placed under police supervision.

’As long as he’s out of prison, everything will be alright!’

On the day of his release, Georgia Thorne and James Sheridan went to pick him up. Georgia threw her arms around him, her eyes brimming with tears.

Elliot Sheridan cupped her cheeks, kissing his way down from her eyebrows to the corner of her lips. "I told you I’d be fine!"

Georgia Thorne sobbed uncontrollably, nodding again and again, smearing snot and tears all over his clothes.

Far from being disgusted, Elliot Sheridan seemed to like it even more.

’She must have been so scared during the time I was away,’ he thought. ’But she put on a brave face.’

"Ahem, alright, let’s head home first," James Sheridan said, slightly embarrassed as he watched the young couple’s intimate display.

「At the Sheridan Residence.」

To welcome her son home, Sharon Ennis had gone to the market early in the morning to buy a fresh stewing hen, planning to cook a nourishing meal for him.

The soup was simmering on the stove. Sharon Ennis sat in the living room, craning her neck to look outside from time to time.

’So anxious... Why aren’t they back yet!’

"Mom, don’t worry. Second Brother is definitely on his way. He’ll be here soon," Aidan Sheridan said, trying to soothe her.

Sharon Ennis nodded, but her eyes still involuntarily drifted outside.

About ten minutes later, she heard the sound of a car engine cutting out in the courtyard, and Sharon Ennis rushed out of the bedroom.

Aidan Sheridan wheeled himself out. "Mom, Second Brother is back!"

Sharon Ennis hurried outside. Seeing her son get out of the car, she threw her arms around him. "Sharon, you’re finally back! You scared Mom to death!"

As Sharon Ennis spoke, her nose tingled and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Mom, I’m fine, don’t worry," Elliot Sheridan said, trying to comfort Sharon Ennis. But she only grew more emotional, and James Sheridan eventually had to lead her into the house.

Inside the living room, Aidan Sheridan wheeled himself over to them. "Second Brother, you’re finally back! You have no idea what my sister..."

Before Aidan Sheridan could finish, Elliot Sheridan cut him off. "I’m a bit tired. I’d like to go up and rest for a while."

"Go on up, then," Sharon Ennis said, her eyes red. ’My poor son must have suffered in prison. Look how skinny he is.’

Elliot Sheridan pulled Georgia Thorne upstairs with him. "What are you pulling me for!"

"Come sleep with me for a while. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in a long time." Elliot Sheridan gripped her hand tightly. He could only feel at ease with her by his side.

After taking a shower, Elliot Sheridan picked up Georgia Thorne, who was standing nearby, and placed her on the bed.

"You go to sleep. I’m not tired!" She hadn’t shared a bed with him in so long; it felt a little strange at first.

Georgia Thorne leaned against his chest, shifting uncomfortably for a moment before quickly growing accustomed to his scent again.

It was as clean and subtle as ever, an addictive aroma.

Before being taken to prison, he hadn’t closed his eyes for two days. On his first night inside, he had slept for about seven hours, but after that, he’d only managed three or four hours a night.

It was partly due to the environment, and partly because his mind was preoccupied with someone.

He knew Georgia Thorne would be frantic, knowing he was in prison for murder.

But he had underestimated her. She could be very strong.

He’d almost forgotten that during those years she lived alone with the Thorne Family, she had relied on her own strength to protect herself.

It was only later, when she was truly at a dead end, that she had turned to him.

’Come to think of it, I should be grateful for our first meeting. If she hadn’t run into me, but some other man, would things have ended differently today?’

Elliot Sheridan fell asleep quickly. Just as Georgia Thorne was about to ask him how he’d been in prison, she heard the man’s even breathing beside her.

Her delicate fingers slowly caressed his cheek. She leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his forehead.

He slept straight through until after two in the afternoon.

Georgia Thorne had also drifted off. When she woke up, Elliot Sheridan was lying beside her, playing on her phone.

Even though Elliot Sheridan had been in prison, he could basically guess what had been happening.

Byron Shaw and Justin Sullivan had been in contact for a long time. The information Byron Shaw had was likely provided by Justin Sullivan.

As for the information in Justin Sullivan’s possession... ’There’s probably only one person who could have access to all this,’ he thought.

"You’re awake?" Elliot Sheridan glanced at the woman in his arms. She had just woken up, her eyes still drowsy.

Georgia Thorne grunted in acknowledgment. Elliot Sheridan handed her the phone. "Where is this?"

"My studio. The renovations are almost done!" Georgia Thorne had taken a lot of pictures of the progress.

"Take me to see it sometime?"

"Are you allowed to go out?" Georgia Thorne asked hesitantly. "The reporters outside definitely won’t let you off easy. There are probably some staked out nearby right now!"

"Don’t worry. For now, at least, they wouldn’t dare publish my photo," Elliot Sheridan said confidently.

’Such an arrogant, narcissistic man,’ Georgia Thorne scoffed internally, but it only made her like him more.

"Actually, you’re pretty good at taking pictures."

"Oh, really? Then from now on, I’ll only take them for you to see."

"Okay! And I want to take lots and lots of photos together. Oh, right, we haven’t even taken our wedding photos yet!"

It was almost funny, now that she thought about it. They’d been officially married for nearly half a year and still didn’t have any wedding photos.

Elliot Sheridan promised, "I will definitely grant you that wish. I’ll give you the most beautiful wedding!"

She wasn’t asking for the most beautiful wedding. All she wanted now was for this man to stay by her side, safe and sound.

No more trouble, just living happily ever after.

Elliot Sheridan’s release from custody allowed the entire Sheridan Family to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Company matters were still being jointly handled by James Sheridan and Carter Sheridan, with Elliot Sheridan pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

To the outside world, however, it seemed Elliot Sheridan was just staying at home every day, waiting for his second hearing.

When Selena Sheridan, who was abroad, heard the news, she was also relieved. "I was wondering if I should come back. I’m just glad Second Uncle is okay!"

"You should be coming back soon, right?"

"Soon. I graduate in two months."

’Two months from now... they’ll probably be holding their wedding then!’

Ever since she had mentioned wedding photos, Elliot Sheridan had actually started making preparations.

When Sharon Ennis found out, she urged them to just hold the wedding at the same time. After all, even though they were already family, what girl doesn’t dream of a fantasy wedding?

Georgia Thorne used to fantasize about a fairytale wedding, but back then, the groom was Justin Sullivan.

She still remembered that dream wedding, but now, the groom had changed to Elliot Sheridan.

「Mid-April.」

The weather was starting to warm up. They chose a beautiful day for their wedding photoshoot.

The sun was brilliant, the breeze was gentle, and the temperature was perfect.

At the edge of the green lawn lay a vast, crystal-clear lake. A gentle breeze rippled its surface, which sparkled beautifully in the sunlight.

Georgia Thorne stood before the lake in a white wedding gown, while Elliot Sheridan had changed into a white suit to match.

Elliot Sheridan personally preferred suits in cool tones like black or charcoal, which gave him a forbidding, severe aura that kept people at a distance.

But in a white suit and white shirt, with a faint smile on his handsome face, he looked like a Breccon gentleman as he bent slightly and extended a hand to her.

Georgia Thorne was still clutching her bouquet, her heart pounding with irrepressible excitement. Her trembling hand slowly settled into his palm.

The moment their hands touched—his large, hers small—he grasped her hand tightly, their palms pressed firmly together.

He pulled her into his embrace, and a sweetness like a broken honeypot bubbled up and overflowed in her heart.