Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 232: A Double Agent

Chapter 232: A Double Agent

When Tony went to their room, Marcella was lulling back the baby to sleep. Joey was creating a ruckus in the room and picking the boy up, Tony got downstairs.

John Russo was still standing by the front door.

"You haven’t left yet?" Tony raised his voice.

Joey, who was not used to hearing his father using a menacing tone before, shrank in his embrace. Tony realized the boy’s fear hugged him closer and patted his back.

"What do you want?"

This time, Tony’s voice was soft and calmer.

"I cannot lose this job," Russo said. The arrogance and the pride Tony saw earlier on John’s face were no more. He looked humbled.

"Why should I care?" Tony asked. "You don’t care enough about your job. I was willing to trust you and you dared to talk to my wife that way! All you had to do was accept her cookies and pretend to smile when she talked to you. If you can’t even do that, why should I bear with you? I have no need."

"Please, sir..." John begged. "I got this job after much~"

"I don’t give a rat ass about how hard you worked for this job. Aren’t you a person with great integrity? Your integrity will feed you. Go away," he shooed him off.

"Sir, please..." John begged with his head bowed. "I’ll apologize to Mrs. Crawford. I will treat her properly from now on. I will..." he paused for a moment. AS if he realized something, he looked up.

"Sir," John’s red eyes, had some clarity. "I will do what you say."

Tony let out a scoff. "What about your integrity?"

This guy, who was spying on the president’s behalf, full well knowing that it was illegal, talked so loudly of his integrity to his wife and called her a killer. Now, at the first sign of trouble in his job, he was willing to change ships.

Integrity! Can he even spell that word correctly?

John bowed his day. "I will do what you want me to do, if you know what you mean."

"I do not need you for that. You think I am going to trust someone like you who changes his loyalty swifter than a chameleon changing colors?" Tony asked.

John stood there for some time in silence.

"They are scared of you," John said breaking the silence. "They are scared of your wife’s connections. They didn’t think her well-wishers were scattered around the globe—powerful ones. They are insecure with their position. I don’t know why they fear getting replaced when they are elected by our people, but..."

Tony pressed his lips. He knew that would be the case. Daniel Schmidt was scared of her. Someone powerful person was protecting her secretly. He awakened after her sister’s death and was giving his all to support her endeavors.

Who is it?

Tony almost asked John if he knew who that was. But he knew John wouldn’t be privy to that information. Even if he knew it, he wouldn’t reveal it to him because that was his last card.

In the end, both of them would get what they wanted if John stayed.

"Don’t show yourself to my wife, ever," Tony said and walked away.

His wife would be pissed but he needed to take a chance here. He had achieved a lot by daring. He would dare one last time. The first sign John showed in the future that he didn’t value his job as much as he tried to prove earlier, Tony decided to off him, permanently.

Tony brought Joey to the backyard and played with him. He didn’t know how much the boy understood him, but he was looking at his mouth the whole time when he was talking to John.

It reminded Tony of the times he would observe Don and his mannerisms when he was a boy. Don was his hero. He saw the same adulation in Joey’s eyes at times.

For every boy, their dad is their hero!

For Tony, it was Don DeAngelo and for Joey it was him. Tony was proud of it.

Marcella left earlier in the morning. Tony couldn’t go home for at least a week. He did keep tabs on the case though. He heard news from those who were close to the judge that the judge was siding with Natalie.

On the day of the judgement, Marcella went to the court, just like she did for every hearing since the case started. She couldn’t attend only one hearing because she had just given birth. She supported Natalie in every possible way. Even though the biker gang people joined a little late, they stayed till the end. They were good-hearted.

Natalie was holding Marcella’s hand for support. The judge read the long judgment. Neither Marcella nor Natalie understood most of what he said. But they understood one thing.

Five million dollars awarded in damages for Natalie!

The judge also asked law enforcement to file a case against Rourke and investigate if there were other victims. Rourke was finished.

Marcella looked at that bald guy who gradually lost his pride smirk over the hearings, slumping on the bench, shaking with tears. His wife too was lost for words and she fainted as soon as the sentence was read.

Should have thought about the consequences of his abominable act!

Marcella felt no pity for them both. They deserved this and something more.

Natalie couldn’t believe what she heard.

"It worked, Mrs. Crawford. Your plan worked! They believed me! They..."

"Yes, they did. Yes, they did. You can be free from today on. You’re settled for life," Marcella said.

She was free of the burden that was bothering her for years now that the abuser was facing justice. Also, five million is a lot of money.

For Natalie, it took her some time for her to settle and understand everything. There was not going to be an appeal. Rourke didn’t have the money for that. Not to mention, after the handsome amount paid to Natalie, more of his victims would be emboldened to speak out.

This was it! It was their win!

"What are you planning on doing?" Marcella asked.

Natalie had no clue. "I don’t know... I... finish my studies?" she raised a question.

Marcella hugged her and asked her to take her time to arrive at a decision. That was the best part of being young like her. She can take her time.

After telling her that she could contact her for any help she needed, Marcella left Natalie. Later Marcella learned that Natalie became a member of the biker gang and fell in love with a guy there. She had started a foundation with the money she received and helped abused women through her charity foundation. She helped them in legally, medically, and psychologically.

Natalie in the future became a great icon known for her charitable work. She never failed to mention Marcella as her inspiration and thanked Marcella in every interview she did.

That was one of the changes Marcella brought. By helping one woman, she helped a bunch of women. Natalie was not the only woman Marcella helped. There were many.