Even after a thorough investigation, there was no evidence connecting Don to the deaths of the guards or Rick's crippled state.
The room where Don had been confined had a formidable iron door, and the key's location remained a secret known only to Hillary.
Unbeknownst to Hillary, Rick had discovered the key's hiding spot and unlocked the room beforehand.
After Don had incapacitated Rick and eliminated the guards, he discreetly took a single key from the bunch, returning the rest to their original place. As a result, Hillary had no grounds to suspect Don!
Hillary was devastated, not just about the current state of his son, but because he knew he wouldn't become the human rights activists chairman in Cena Region!
He couldn't stand the reality of being ridiculed and being barred from Cena Region and West Coast politics for the next five years!
Unable to bear the shame, Hillary didn't show up the next day for the final questioning session, so Carl Todd automatically became the Human Rights Activists' Chairman in Cena Region, making Hillary an object of mockery and ridicule in Cena!
When Mrs Julie Torres and Rick's siblings, Jones and Avina, returned from their trip that same day and found out Rick's current state and how the guards were killed, they were very devastated! Julie, Jones, and Avina lamented, shedding tears at the sight of Rick, once agile, now handicapped!
Julie, Jones, and Avina had also been informed about Don's presence. Hillary's assistant had told Julie as soon as they returned from their trip that Avery's suitor had been confined to a room in the house for further assessment a day after they had left for their trip, so Julie, Jones, and Avina became suspicious of Don.
"Dad, these terrible occurrences happened when that pauper entered this house! That man is undoubtedly a harbinger of evil. We need to kick him out before something worse happens!" Avina exclaimed.
Jones nodded in agreement. "That's right! We've never had such an eerie experience in this family until that bastard came into the house! I suspect he's a carrier of bad luck and evil!"
Julie who was still depressed by Rick's current state burst out angrily, "That curse mustn't spend any extra time in this house. Let him leave with Avery at once!"
Everyone agreed with Julie's final judgement. After all, no member of the Torres family cared about Avery since she was blind, paralytic, and regarded as useless, a disgrace to their family in the public eye!
When Don was finally let out of the cold room, the Torres showered him with abuses and curses, "Bastard! Get your stinking ass out of here! Your presence here has caused enough trouble!" Julie yelled.
"You and Avery fit yourselves perfectly. A pair of bad luck and evil."
"You both are cursed!"
Jones and Avina sneered disdainfully.
Hillary growled at Don, "You bastard, if I ever set my eyes on you in one minute, I'll kill you! Now, get your stinking ass out of my house this moment with your accursed companion!"
Don was not in any way moved by the reactions of the Torres. It was just a matter of time before he would teach them a final lesson!
In a short while, he and Avery arrived at his executive residence in Malone City.
The mansion was situated on extensive grounds, covering about twenty-five thousand square metres. It was luxurious, complete with meticulously landscaped gardens, fountains, and a pristine private pool. It was one of the most opulent residences in all of Malone City!
Avery was placed on a soft couch in the foyer, oblivious to her surroundings. She wasn't sure what this new life would hold for her. For five years, she had been confined to a room, blind and paralyzed, which had severely impacted her self-esteem.
She knew that any man with pride and self-respect would never marry her, so she believed that her husband was likely as hopeless as she was, at least poor and miserable, for marrying her for reasons she was yet to discover.
Even though Avery was blind, she felt a different aura around her; however, she couldn't link it up to something. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of mints, apples, natural oils, and more.
Never in her life would she imagine that the man who took her as his bride was rich, in fact, on the top list of wealthiest people in West Coast.
Don took a seat beside Avery and drew her close to himself, gently caressing her cheeks.
"Avery, I know you've suffered a lot from your family, but I promise to help you get your life back. You'll soon be completely healed. I mean, you will see with your eyes and walk with your legs. I will make your life beautiful."
Avery chuckled at Don's promise. This husband of hers was such a flatterer! Anyway, what could she expect of a man who had nothing to offer his new wife? He was penniless and couldn't provide her with a good life. So it was easy for him to make empty promises in a bid to give false hope.
The following day, Don's chauffeur drove Don and Avery to one of the best hospitals in Malone City.
Don met with the doctor who conducted a quick check-up on Avery, and then he assured Don that Avery would be able to see and walk again.
"She'll be admitted, and in a week, we expect to see significant changes," the Doctor assured.
Don stood by Avery throughout the process, and on the seventh day, Avery appeared brand new. She could see with her eyes and walk with her legs!
Even though she still limped a bit, she had come a long way from when she was first brought to the hospital. Within a month, after several physiotherapy sessions, Avery was completely back on her feet, just as Don had promised.
That day was the happiest day of Avery's life!
She had never for once believed that she could walk and see again. She was 5 ft tall, a complete beauty to behold! Don was so attracted to Avery's new appearance.
He could never have thought that his wife was this beautiful! He glanced at her intermittently, proud of his choice of a spouse.
Avery, on the other hand, could now see how handsome her husband was. He was nothing compared to what she had imagined. He was incredibly handsome!
Don's plastic surgery didn't make her realize that he was the same person she had helped five years ago.
Every single day, Don pampered Avery like an egg. For five years, Avery was deprived of love, due to the mistreatment by her family. So Don's love and care were a golden gift to her!
**********
A week after Avery was able to walk again, Don told Avery, "Avery I want you to join the Belle Spiralle Group."
"What?" Avery gaped in surprise at her husband's suggestion.
Belle Spiralle was a famous group of female celebrities in West Coast who represented several brands. However, their fame extended beyond the brands they represented. They appeared in soap operas, advertisements, and various TV programmes.
They had connections with bigwigs, including politicians throughout West Coast and beyond.
Avery wondered how someone of her calibre could join such a group.
"You know that can't be possible. I don't fit into their class and..."
"Don't worry, darling. I'll take care of that," Don interrupted.
He wanted Avery to become one of the sought-after celebrities in West Coast. Besides that, he wanted to make her very prestigious in the eyes of the Torres family, who believed she was nothing but a curse!
Avery stared at Don in disbelief, wondering if Don had any connections with the Belle Spiralle group for him to confidently assure her of a relationship with them!
The next morning, Avery woke up and noticed an email notification. It was an email inviting her to join the Belle Spiralle group.
She wondered if it was a dream or reality!
She hadn't even taken the step of showing her interest in the group. So how come she was suddenly invited?
Besides, joining the Belle Spiralle Group was practically a difficult feat to achieve even among the rich and influential ladies in West Coast.
Without hesitation, Avery walked up to Don who was in the living room to show him the email she had just received.
"I told you to count on me," Don grinned excitedly after reading the email.
"Now that you've been invited, what do you plan to do?" He asked.
Avery grinned in response. No one needed to tell her to accept such an invitation, especially when it was coming from the famous Belle Spiralle group.
This was an opportunity most of the ladies in West Coast eagerly awaited. Only a fool would reject such an offer!
"Of course, I'm in!" She replied, blushing.
While Avery remained awe-struck by the sudden invitation she just received, she became suspicious that her husband had something to do with it.
Just yesterday Don had assured her of a deal with Belle Spiralle Group, and today she was being invited to join them.
Avery felt like the luckiest person in the world to be with Don.
"Thank you, Edward. Ever since you came into my life, you haven't stopped making me happy," she smiled, hugging him.
Don returned her hug and smiled, asking, "When are we going to be making our marriage formal?"