A Reckless Dream のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 61 - チャプター 70

The next day, Maddox arrived in court for Gary Laurier’s trial. The defendant repeated what he had already admitted during the interrogation. Victor Drupal, the defense attorney, tried every trick to save his best friend.“Members of the jury, the prosecution has spent hours telling you about the crimes that have taken place. They have shown you evidence of what others had done. However, they cannot provide you with any evidence that Gary Laurier ever agreed to participate in it. He had been blackmailed into cooperating with Mrs. Laurier. The evidence I present throughout this session will corroborate my claim further.”The judge looked unconvinced. “Are you testifying in exchange for a lighter sentence for your client, Mr. Drupal? A crime has taken place, and the defendant’s active participation has been proved in court yesterday - case number 24LLCR37561.”“No, Your Honor, I intended to focus on my client’s forced participation in the crimes. He had been blackmailed into it.” Victor

“It’s not safe for you to travel tonight, Maddox. The strenuous trials have left you mentally exhausted. Sleep it off and set out tomorrow.” Declan tried his best to stop his best friend. He hadn’t gone home after the case, trying to drill some sense into Maddox’s head. But Maddox was adamant. He wouldn’t stay here another night without Iris.“I can’t sleep, Declan. The house is closing in on me. Until I find Iris, I won’t return.” He picked up his luggage and strode out to the main door, paying no heed to Declan’s advice.He rushed after his friend to stop him. “Where are you going? I’m coming along with you.”“No, you can look after Escapades in my absence. I’m going to Stanford University to see the twins. I’m sure they know about Iris’s whereabouts. Once I find her, I’ll convince her to return home with me. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated.”Declan stopped, giving up. “But you aren’t in a condition to drive, bro.”Maddox waved him off as he got into his car. “I’m fine, dude. Go

Declan stared at his best friend’s fingers. Did he imagine them moving?In the last two years, Declan had done everything he could to help Maddox recover. Yet he sank into oblivion with each passing day. His body was functioning, but he refused to wake up. He had slipped into a coma the day after his accident with no signs of recovery ever since. The police found Maddox’s charred car and traced his details through the VIN stamped on the engine block. They called at Escapades to inform him. Declan wasted no time and had been at Maddox’s side ever since.Despite Everett Drexel’s attempt at destroying evidence, the cops unearthed everything with Declan’s help. The traffic cameras nearby helped the police identify the murderer and his vehicle. A probe linked him to Evangeline Laurier, and he was arrested from his hideout in Lancaster.With Drexel serving a life sentence in prison, Declan could concentrate on his friend. Every day, he discussed ways with the doctors to revive him. The do

“I can manage from here, dude. I’m perfectly fit now. Why don’t you return to LA and reopen Escapades?” Maddox alighted from Declan’s car at Alpine Farms. Excitement coursed through his body at the prospect of meeting Iris after so many years. He didn’t want Declan to tag along when he faced his lost love. He wanted her all to himself.“Are you sure? I can wait here for you.” Declan seemed to understand his situation.“I’m sure. I’ll manage.”“I’ll leave the car for you. I can use a cab.” Declan left, and Maddox walked into the farm. He frowned at the rustic setup. Why was Iris living on a farm? Did she move on with someone else?He asked around for Iris, and they directed him to her humble cottage. But to his disappointment, it was locked. Where did Iris go?He looked around to ask about her whereabouts. Did she escape again? He noticed a woman walking up to the adjacent cottage. He jogged up to her and stopped at a distance.“Hi! Do you know where Iris and her daughter went?”The wo

Iris dumped the last of her belongings into a suitcase and zipped it up. She sighed for the umpteenth time as she watched Maddox pace the porch and talk to Declan over the phone. While she was bursting with curiosity after his last admission, he seemed totally unaware of her condition. Ever since he had dropped the bombshell, he had been busy on his phone.His last words kept echoing in her head.I was lying in a coma at O’Connor General Hospital for the last two years.What did it mean? Why was he lying in a coma? What had happened to him? Before she could react, he received Declan’s call and walked away, leaving her hanging. From the few words she could overhear of their conversation, it was clear Maddox hadn’t returned home in the last two years.“Yes, ask Deborah to clean and sanitize the house. I’m bringing my family home.” He sounded so excited that it made Iris smile. She felt a little foolish for jumping to her own conclusions and escaping from the man who cared for her the mo