Marrying the Man in the Dark

Chapter 1205 Not a Villain

Mandy couldn't suppress her disapproval of Damien's actions. "He shouldn't have been bothered to visit such a contemptible person."

"You don't understand. The way Violet looked at him after he protected her with that knife... it was as if she was willing to lie down with him that very night!" she exclaimed.

Mandy struggled to restrain her fury whenever she thought of Lennon.

If that wretched man had never entered their lives, Lucy wouldn't be facing such an issue like that!

"Perhaps he orchestrated his own injury to prove his devotion to Violet! With Violet already by his side, why would Mr. Lenoir risk being a third wheel?" Mandy pondered aloud.

Cherise bit down on her lower lip, choosing silence.

In truth, she was privy to everything.

She knew the thug that night was Lennon's doing; he had hired him to play out his act.

She knew Lennon had rigged himself with blood packs, intentionally getting stabbed in Violet's place.

She was also privy to the fact of Lennon's recent major surgical procedure.

But she had no choice but to keep that information close to her heart.

She had made promises to Lennon and Damien to keep these secrets locked away.

To conceal it from Lucy indefinitely.

Yet, her emotions eluded her restraint.

As a physician, she believed herself accustomed to the trials of life and death;

thus, she ought not to be so deeply influenced by this.

Yet, there was a part of her crying out that she couldn't resist.

Though she comprehended Lennon's resolve, she grasped the bitterness he had accumulated over the years.

Still, she couldn't fathom why he felt compelled to go to such lengths to achieve his desires.

Tears welled up in her eyes, for the anguish that both Lennon and Lucy had gone through.

In recent days, Cherise withdrew into the confines of her home, burdened by self- blame for her inability to aid her friends in their time of need.

She found herself utterly powerless, not being able to help with a single thing.

Mandy's voice lingered in Cherise's ear, persistent and critical. "Cherise, you should prevent Mr. Lenoir from getting near him again. What if his scumb*g qualities are contagious?"

Cherise paused in her steps.

Her brow furrowed as she silently observed Mandy for a prolonged moment before responding with deliberate calmness, "Lennon is not a scumb*g."

Her gaze remained solemn and resolute, reflecting her characteristic determination as she reiterated firmly, "He is not a villain."

"In the future, refrain from labeling him as such," Cherise insisted.

If he was really a scum, he wouldn't have harbored thoughts of seeking justice for

his family even after the passage of so many years.

Nor would he have contemplated leaving Lucy with a final gesture of kindness before confronting death.

Cherise had even glimpsed Lennon's will.

He mentioned that if something were to happen to him one day.

In it, he stipulated that if anything were to befall him, all would be entrusted to Damien, with the expectation that Damien would find ways to transfer everything to Lucy.

He chose not to directly bequeath it, hoping Lucy would eventually erase him from her memory.

Cherise still vividly recalled the ethereal smile that graced Lennon's face under the moonlight that night.

"Nothing is truly unforgettable. Whether it's five, ten, fifteen years, eventually, she will completely forget me from her memories," Lennon had confided to Cherise.

Knowing that someday my existence won't be a thorn in her side, I find solace in that thought," Lennon had added.

Cherise didn't fully comprehend the depth of Lennon's love for Lucy.

But she remembered shedding tears long into the night.

Once, like Mandy, Cherise believed Lennon to be a villain and that he was unworthy of Lucy.

But since then...

She drew in a deep breath and affirmed to Mandy with conviction, "Lennon is far more than what we've judged."

Mandy's eyes widened into big, dark circles. She could not believe the words she had just heard.

"Cherise, are you... defending Lennon's honor?" she exclaimed incredulously. Cherise furrowed her brow but chose to remain quiet.

"Seriously!?" Mandy exclaimed again.

Mandy stared at Cherise, disappointment evident in her eyes. "You've known Lulu longer than I have!"

"Shouldn't you be the person who is concerned for Lulu's wellbeing the most?!" Mandy's voice rose, a mix of disbelief and anger evident.noveldrama