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.