Chapter 3

It took three hours of medical intervention to bring Ethan back.

Even then, Ethan was not out of the woods.

All my attention was on caring for Ethan.

To my dismay, the police approached me three days later.

“Are you Silas Warburton?

“Please come with us,” one of the police officers said while showing me a warrant

I frowned, my eyes reflecting confusion.

“May I know—”

The handcuffs clicked around my wrist before I could finish my sentence.

Ethan burst out crying in fright.

“Don’t arrest my dad… Don’t…”

As Ethan’s breathing turned shallow and rapid, a flicker of panic crossed my face.

“Can I go with you once I get my kid settled?” I turned to the police officers and pleaded.

Surprisingly, my request was denied.

“We’ve a ton of cases waiting for us. We don’t have time to sit around while you calm your kid down.”

The police officer gripped my shoulder.

My pleading and struggles fell on deaf ears.

As I was about to be dragged out of the ward, a furious voice boomed.

“What’s the meaning of this?

“Is this police brutality?”

I turned to the source of the voice.

My eyes lit up with joy when I saw who it was.

“Jeremy, what are you doing here?”

“You’re one to talk. If I hadn’t seen the video circulating online, I wouldn’t have known what you got into.” My best buddy, Jeremy Highland, glanced at me in frustration.

I was taken aback.

Before I could say anything, the police officer uttered, “Since you’ve seen the video, you should know that Silas committed assault with a deadly weapon.

“The victim is receiving treatment for his injuries. Plus, he’s under emotional distress.

Furrowing his brows, Jeremy tried to intervene, but I stopped him.

“Jeremy, take care of Ethan for me.”

With that, I went along with the police.

I was detained for three whole days.

It wasn’t until the fourth day that I was taken to the interrogation room.

The police officer tried to intimidate me right off the bat.

“You are suspected of assault with a deadly weapon. Given the overwhelming evidence and testimonies, it is in your best interest to sign this admission of guilt.

“Aggravated assault is a serious crime.

“You’re looking at three years minimum, and up to ten years max.”

Refusing to sign, I gave my version of events.

I asked, “Show me the proof. Who are these witnesses?

“You can’t just pin a crime on the innocent.”

The cop slammed a stack of papers onto the table.

It included Andrew’s medical evaluation detailing injuries caused by a blade.

There were also photographs of the dog’s injuries, along with an astronomical vet bill.

Added to that were recordings taken by onlookers at the scene.

The footage showed my supposed vicious act of stabbing a dog.

That was the so-called proof.

Despite my explanation, the cops sighed.

He murmured, “You upset the wrong people. Our hands are tied.”

I slammed the table in rage.

“Who is targeting me? Tell them to come right in my face!”

With his arm around Crystal, Andrew emerged.

Andrew was smug. “How does it feel? Are you having the time of your life here?”

I glared at him. “What do you want? Spit it out.

“Stop wasting my time. Ethan is waiting for me at the hospital.”

Andrew narrowed his eyes dangerously at me, his gaze reflecting malice. “You hurt my baby girl.

“I’m looking for ten million dollars in compensation and a formal apology.”

I smirked. “And what if I don’t?”

Andrew looked like he had this in the bag. “You can rot in prison for the rest of your life!”

I sneered, “You don’t own the court. I’ve retained an attorney.”

Crystal said icily, “I hope you’re not forgetting that I’m the best lawyer in town. I have ways to put you away for good.”

My heart sank.

It looked like I was in for the fight of my life.

Sure enough, I got a call from Jeremy as soon as I walked out of the precinct.

“This is terrible. Ethan’s been kidnapped. Don’t call the cops, or they’ll kill him!”

Reveling in my misfortune, Andrew said with a chuckle, “That’s what you call Karma.”

I lunged forward and put a tight squeeze on his neck. “Tell me! Did you kidnap Ethan?”