Chapter 0648
The same morning that Leonardo Palmer was claiming what he believed was “rightfully” his, Frank Levett Jr. appeared at the Valeria police station. He was pushing a wheelchair carrying what was left of a man–a frail, senile figure barely upright against the chair’s backrest. That man was none other than Judge Frank Levett Sr.
He appeared heavily sedated, looking much older than his actual years. As he sat slumped in the chair, Frank Sr. thought to himself, ‘I’m worse off now than when that bastard Bartz had me in his clutches.”
Frank Jr., feigning deep concern, presented himself to the authorities to report his father’s kidnapping. He described years of unimaginable torture, all allegedly at the hands of Marcus Bartz.
The officers listened intently, well aware of the legacy of the once–formidable Judge Levett, who in his prime had been a relentless crusader for justice, sending countless criminals to prison. As Frank Jr. detailed the horrifying ordeal, the officers couldn’t help but pity the poor man in the wheelchair.
By the time Frank Jr. finished recounting the story, the police wasted no time issuing an arrest warrant for Marcus Bartz. The charges were grave–kidnapping and attempted murder. The circumstances were damning. Judge Levett had disappeared without a trace years ago, and with Frank Jr.’s testimony, the mystery was finally pieced together.
Later that day, Marcus Bartz stepped out of the police vehicle, still in shock over his arrest. But what weighed on him more heavily than the handcuffs was the thought of Valerie discovering who he truly was. She would learn about his dark past–the things he’d done before meeting her.
The truth was, Valerie was the only reason he hadn’t killed Frank all those years ago. Marcus’s hands were already stained with blood, but for her sake and their children’s future, he had tried to leave that life behind. Now, it was all unraveling.
Inside the police station, Valerie arrived, visibly distraught and demanding to see her husband. The officers eyed her with a mix of curiosity and pity. How could someone so elegant and vulnerable be married to a man with such a dark and violent past?
One officer, trying to approach the situation with tact, invited her to sit down.
“Mrs. Bartz?”
“Yes! When can I see my husband?”
“Ma’am, your husband… his situation is complicated.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mr. Bartz is facing charges of kidnapping and attempted murder.”
“He would never do something like that!”
“Ma’am, we rely on evidence. May I ask how long you’ve been married to Mr. Bartz?”
“What does that have to do with anything?
“I’m just trying to understand the man we have in custody
“Mrs. Bartz, don’t say another word!” interrupted a sharply dressed man who had just entered the room. “And you, officer, should be ashamed of exploiting my client’s vulnerability. I could report you for this.”
Valerie, realizing the officer had been fishing for information about Marcus, felt her hands tremble. Just then,
Chapter 0646
Frederick arrived behind the lawyer, pulling her into a comforting embrace.
“Frederick,” she sobbed, “tell me it’s not true. Please tell me it’s not true.”
“Valerie, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation. I’m here to figure out how to get Marcus out of this mess, but he needs to be the one to explain everything to you.”
“No! I need to know if what they’re saying is true!” Valerie said firmly, her voice trembling but resolute.
The lawyer approached them, urging Frederick to take Valerie home, explaining that the officers were merely trying to bait her into providing more information. Frederick, understanding the gravity of the situation, reluctantly persuaded Valerie to leave. She resisted at first, but he finally managed to convince her it was the right thing to do.
Frederick and Valerie got into his car. Knowing that the lawyer was well–prepared for situations like this, Frederick decided to use the drive to ease her worries and explain what little he could.
Marcus, anticipating that something like this might happen, had left specific instructions on how to handle such a crisis. His top priority was protecting Valerie and their children, even if it meant facing the consequences of his actions alone.
As they drove, Frederick began to unravel the tangled web of the Bartz family’s history.
Valerie listened closely, learning about events that predated her relationship with Marcus–his early years, his flight from Valentia, and the bloody vendettas that had forced him into hiding.
