The officer gulped. “Actually, Mr. Valencian, it’s a case regarding drugs. So we have to do some procedure before releasing the accused.”

“Very well then. My lawyer is here. Read the papers and release him.” As he pointed to his lawyer, the middle-aged man came forward and showed some papers to the officer.

That man didn’t even read them properly before returning them. No one could with Achilles Valencian’s stormy eyes set on them like a tiger ready to jump on its prey.

Once Caleb stood beside him, he gave him a look and they both exchanged nods. The always happy Caleb didn’t have his smile on today. Though Ace was a closed off person even with his family, his love for them wasn’t any less. His actions spoke it more than his words.

Looking down at his watch, he glanced at the officer. “Where is your phone, Officer?”

The dark blue uniformed man frowned. “Why?”

His phone rang in his pocket. As he fished it out, his eyes widened seeing the name flashing on the screen. When he put the phone to his ear, they came out of his sockets after he heard what the other person had to say on the phone.

“I hope you understood what you’re instructed to do?” Ace asked, cocking his head.

The nod was hesitant. “Y-yeah, Mr. Valencian. The termination letter will be sent to our junior officer as soon as possible.”

Termination?

Of course. The result of crossing Achilles Valencian’s path.

I shook my head.

“Good. Now find out who planted them in Caleb’s car and get back to me within two days,” he ordered. “And you know what to tell the media, don’t you, Officer?”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Valencian. Your family’s name will be cleared, don’t worry. And we’ll try our best to find out who was behind it as soon as possible,” the officer replied.

Nodding, he put his glasses back on and grabbed my hand. But before we were out of the door, he stopped and looked over his shoulder again.

“And yes, Mr. Blake. Be careful of whose family you’re dealing with from now on. Because next time, who knows, it could be you in your junior’s place.”

As all the color drained from the officer’s face, Ace pulled me into his chest again and walked out the door.

Once we were secured in the car and drove away, I turned to Caleb, who sat on the back seat with Tess, her arm clutched around him.

“Do you know who could be behind this? Who tried to frame you?” Though we haven’t seen each other in years, I trusted him enough to tell he wasn’t a person to be tangled with such things.

His gaze met his cousin’s eyes through the rear-view mirror for a fleeting second.

“I’m not sure, but it could be Antonio Raymond.”