I even heard police had some proof against him doing illegal businesses in small towns. I was sure Ace had a hand behind it. Otherwise, how did the cops get proof strong enough to destroy a powerful businessman just in a day?

Only Achilles Valencian could do it.

After what that man did to Caleb, I should’ve seen it coming. But this was a big blow. How did he manage it?

My legs itched to go to his office and ask him directly. I wanted to know what was running through his head. What was his next plan? Because I was sure, after this, Antonio wouldn’t keep quiet.

A groan left my mouth.

The knock on the door didn’t have my heart leaping. Because I knew it wasn’t him. He wouldn’t knock at all. He’d have just barged in like the caveman he was!

Tobias poked his head through the door before strolling in. I scowled.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Tone gentle.

“No!” My answer was sharp, arms crossed over my chest.

“Em, please. This is important.” His eyes were pleading.

I cocked my head. “Are you here for your friend?”

He let out a sigh. “I’m here to make my sister see the truth.”

My lips pursed. So, I was right. He was here for him, not me. Then realization hit me. He also knew everything. What happened that night. Of course he knew! Being his best friend and Tess’s twin, there was no way they didn’t tell him about their plan. How could he let them do that?

“You knew.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. The crack of my voice was clear. A look of sorrow surrounded his features.

“It was too late for me to do anything when I found out. I’m sorry. I couldn’t do anything to stop them.” He took a step closer. “I know what they did was extremely wrong. I’d stopped talking to them for months after I knew how cruelly they broke your heart. But trust me, Em. With time, I realized maybe his way to push you away was wrong, but it only did good to you. Now look at you, you’re doing so good with your dream career. You were a topper. If you’d stayed, you wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“What do you mean? How does his decision have any connection to my studies?” my voice rose as I spoke. Apparently, everyone knew what happened that night, but no one even once tried to tell me anything in those years. Now I wondered if Mom and Dad knew too.

“Do you remember when you failed in the exams for the first time?” he asked.

I frowned, confused about his question.

Shrugging, I answered, “At ninth grade.”

“And why?”

“What’re you trying to say? I didn’t study well!” I snapped, getting irritated.