?Chapter 1646:


    Shepard didn’t hesitate. “If I can pay off the bnce, can we get the sentence even lower?”


    Years of experience had made the mayor familiar with political scandals. He’d seen many rise and fall, and he knew how rare it was to avoid consequences.


    “That would be nearly impossible, unless there’s proof he never took any bribes,” said the mayor.


    Shepard caught the mayor’s drift right away, a heaviness settling over him.


    Hopelessness swept through Wesley as tears streamed down his face while Shepard ended the call. “That’s it. Everything they need to convict me is already in their hands. There’s no way I’m getting out of this,” Wesley muttered.


    A wave of desperation hit, and he dropped to his knees. “Shepard, you’re my only hope. I know what money can do. If anyone can turn this around, it’s you. Please, I’m begging you to help me.”


    From his chair, Shepard’s cold stare cut through any remaining hope Wesley had. “There’s nothing left to change. The proof against you is overwhelming. All I can do is cover what you still owe. After that, you’re on your own.”


    He thought of Giselle’s warnings—she’d made it clear he shouldn’t get involved with her family’s problems. Even stepping in today was crossing a line, and unease was already weighing on him. He would not go any further for Wesley.


    He continued, “That’s it. I’ve done all I can. Even if I wanted to do more, there’s just nothing left to try. It’s time for you to leave.”


    Jalen watched everything unfold, and the reality finally hit him—his father was still going to prison.


    Desperation pushed him to his knees as well. “Uncle Shepard, we’re desperate now. I’m begging you, please help us. There has to be something we can do. What if the evidence were destroyed or something?”


    Shepard knew Jalen was clever, but he only ever looked out for himself, never thinking about the bigger picture.


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    “You want me to break thew now? You really think I’d go that far? That’s enough. Get out of my office.” Shepard’s voice rang out as he called to his secretary, “Show them out.”


    Momentster, the secretary and a pair of guards stepped in, pulling both men up and guiding them out of the room.


    Once Ernst’s meeting wrapped up, he got word of what had happened and rushed over to Shepard’s office.


    “You know, Dad, Mom’s not going to be happy about this.”


    Shepard let out a sigh. “That may be true, but if I don’t step in, Wesley will just keep pestering her. Remember when he got moved to the district and made a scene at her school? The fallout was a mess. Your mom’s nearly retired—I’m not letting herst years get ruined. Let’s keep this between us, all right?”


    As Brenna nned to head to her workce early in the morning, Ethan pulled up outside the Harpers’ grand residence, greeting her with a rxed grin and a casual invitation to join him in the car.


    Brenna instructed Gary to follow them in her vehicle before sliding into the passenger seat beside Ethan.


    “You’re not busy anymore?” Brenna asked.


    Ethan’s mood was unusually upbeat today, thanks to his brother and sister-inw finally emerging from the deep sorrow of losing their baby and rmitting to their careers. Kenny had told him that he and Rosanna intended to try for another child soon, a hopeful step forward.


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