: Chapter 24

That means… Liza?

My suspicion was right. She did it. She was the one who put drugs in Caleb’s car and maybe leaked information outside.

My shoulders slumped as disappointment washed over me. How could she do it? She was such a nice person and worked with Caleb for years. What would make her betray him?

I have to inform Ace about it.

Getting up, I clutched the packet tight in my hand and rushed to his office. My heart thumped in my chest. As I approached his office, I found Carter outside on his desk.

“Is he inside? I have to see him right now.”

Looking up, he smiled. “He is. Though he’s a little busy, as ordered, you’re always free to go in without any permission.”

Huh? I could just walk in just like that?

Not wanting to waste anymore time, I threw a thanks at him and barged inside.

But I was shocked witnessing the scene before me.

“—asking you for the last time, Liza. You better speak up now!”

Arthur was seated in a chair, and Ace stood in the middle of the office.His clenched jaw was a declaration of his mood. A trembling Liza stood right before him with her gaze on the floor. Silent tears streamed down her face.

What’s happening? Did they get to know the truth already?

When their eyes fell on me, I didn’t know what to say. His stormy gaze softened as soon as they met mine.

“Rosebud? What’re you doing here?”

Gulping, I glanced at Liza. Her gaze didn’t lift from the floor. Her shaking state raised pity in me. She was my friend, after all. But I couldn’t just let go of what she did. It was a crime.

“I-I want to say something.”

His attention was on me as concern filled his eyes. Forgotten the serious issue before him.

Nodding, he looked at his uncle over his shoulder. “Arthur, please take Liza outside. I’ll be meeting you in a moment.”

Acceding, as Arthur stood, my voice stopped him. “No!” Every pair of eyes landed back on me, even Liza’s. “It’s about the drugs. I found something.”

Liza’s face paled dramatically when she saw the packet in my hand.

Hanging the plastic bag before her face, I asked, “I found it from the dustbin you threw it in this morning. Guess what it is?”

She remained silent.

“What’s that?” Ace touched the packet, taking a closer look.

“Drugs,” I replied.

His hand jerked away from the packet as if it burnt him. Stepping away, his hands clenched into balls, shoulders tensed.

I frowned. What’s wrong?

I tried to search for something in his eyes, but he was swift to move his gaze from my questioning one and turned to Liza.

“So, it’s proven then. It was you who planted those… drugs in Caleb’s car.” His expression tightened. “Why?”

She let out a sob, her hands shook at her sides.

“I said why?” His deep voice boomed across the office.

Flinching, she scurried back. “I-I was being blackmailed. H-he told me he’d frame my brother for a crime he didn’t even do! It was his friend. But somehow he found out about it and started to threaten me. If I didn’t do what he said, he’d send my brother to jail. A-and, h-he is just a kid. I-I couldn’t let it happen. I… I had no other choice. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” She spilled everything in one go, shaking, sobbing, and stuttering.

For a moment, I wanted to reach out to her. But whatever she did it for, it didn’t justify her actions. She couldn’t just harm someone else to save her brother.

Ace’s lips curled into a sneer. The vein in his temple popped out. “So, you decided to ruin my brother to save yours?”

“I-I’m sorry, boss! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know what to do. I had no other way! Please forgive me,” she pleaded, her lower lip trembling.

“Forgive you?” Ace took a threatening step towards her, making her stumble back. “After what you did and were doing, God knows for how many months, you dare ask for forgiveness? One thing you should know after working for me all these years is that I hate betrayers, Liza! And you just did that.”

When Liza could barely stand on her feet, Arthur was too relaxed in the chair, watching the whole drama to unfold. Shouldn’t he be as mad as Ace after knowing what she did?

Putting a hand on his chest, I tried to hold Ace back. He seemed like he was about to burst. “Ace, calm down. Let me talk to her.”

When his furious irises met mine, I held his gaze.

“Please?”

His lips thinned in displeasure. Sending Liza another look of wrath, he nodded.

“Thank you,” I said, before turning to Liza. “You said someone was threatening you about your brother?”

She nodded, sniffling.

“Who is he?” Whoever it was, he was definitely someone who was working for Antonio Raymond, or… it was Raymond himself. Everyone knew how blindly everyone trusted her. So targeting her for his interest was a smart move by him.

She averted her gaze, hands fidgeted before her. “I-I don’t know.”

“Don’t you dare lie to us, Liza. Trust me, you don’t want to see my dark side,” Ace warned.

She swallowed.

“Give us the name, young lady. Maybe we’ll consider reducing your punishment.” Arthur stood beside us, his expression matched Ace now, almost. For a fleeting second, our gazes met, those dark eyes remained indifferent.

“Liza, who is he?” I asked again.

She shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Trust me. I don’t know. H-he used to talk to me on the phone. Never had he met me in person or revealed his name. I don’t know who he is.” Her nails dug into her palms as she looked at me with something in her eyes. Pleading?

I went to ask her again, but the terror in her brown orbs stopped me.

“Another lie. You—”

“Ace.” I stopped him again and shook my head. “It’s all right. We know she did it. Now let’s end this right here.”

His brows furrowed, eyes flashing. “So, you’re telling me we let her go? Just like that?”

“No, she’ll get punished for whatever she did. I’m just saying it’s not our job to punish her.”

“I want that name, Emerald.” The muscle of his jaw ticked.

“We both know who it is. Directly or indirectly, Antonio is behind it. So, let’s just drop it.”

“But—”

“Ace, please,” I whispered. Taking his hand in mine, I squeezed it, trying to give him my message.

Staring at our joined hands, with clenched jaw, he gave a curt nod.

“Arthur, you know what to do.”

Nodding, Arthur replied, “I already called the cops. They’ll be here soon.”

A whimper left Liza’s lips at the mention of the cops. I didn’t want to feel bad, but I did. Though she was wrong, she did it for her family.

Why didn’t she just inform Caleb or Ace about it? They could’ve helped her.

Arthur grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the office. But before walking out of the door, she glanced at me over her shoulder and threw me a look of gratitude.

“Why did you stop me?”

“Because if we force the name out of her, there is a risk the blackmailer will harm her family.” I turned to him. “If they could plan something that big, think about what they would do for revenge.”

He pondered for a moment. “But I would’ve protected her family if she gave us the name. If she gave the statement, we could get proof against him.”

“But what if it’s not Antonio himself? What if it’s someone else he’s using?”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” He looked into my eyes. “There’s a middleman working for him who knows everything about us, and the people related to us. If we got a hold on him, we could use him against Antonio.”

Oh, I didn’t think like that. All I thought at that moment was Liza’s fear for her family.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think of that.” I bit my lip.

He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s not your fault. You were just thinking of her family’s safety. Don’t worry, I will find out about the man myself.”

I nodded.

Running his hand through his hair, his gaze went to the distance. His shoulders were still tense, eyes disturbed. The five o’clock shadow on his face gave him an edge.

He needed rest. I don’t think after arriving in LA, he’d even a pinch of sleep. Because he was too busy being furious about my recklessness.

I sighed.

“Let me get you some coffee.” I turned around and walked towards the door.

A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. The next thing I knew, I was wrapped up in his arms with his face in the crook of my neck.

“What’re you doing?” I gasped.

Brushing his nose against my skin, he took a deep breath. “Hugging my Rosebud.”

“You’re tired. All you need is a cup of coffee and some rest.” I tried to wiggle out. But as always, he only tightened the grip.

“You being in my arms is everything I need,” he rasped in my ear, kissing the junction of my neck and shoulder.

A shiver ran down my body, along with the warmth that spread across my chest at his words.

“Stay with me for a moment, baby. I need you.” His hot breath fanned my skin as he let out a tired sigh.

“I will if you don’t call me ‘baby.’ Because I’m not your baby.” But my arms slowly went around him as I rested my face against his chest. My eyes went shut, soaking in his warmth and scent, as if they had their own mind.

Hugging someone to provide comfort wasn’t wrong, right?

A deep chuckle reverberated through his chest. “We’ll see.”