Defend Yourself

Beathan's voice trembled. "You finally decided to pick up my call. How have you been? I've been wanting to see you, but Elias keeps getting in the way, and I can't get to you. You-'

Ashley's voice was like a breeze, weightless and devoid of emotion. "Beathan, if we had just stopped at the moment we broke up, everything after that wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have fallen this low." Beathan's jaw tightened, and he let out a bitter laugh. 'I just can't accept it. We were together for seven years. How could you throw our relationship away so easily? It's like you never even loved me at all!'

"Beathan, if I didn't love you, I wouldn't have been with you for seven years. I loved you deeply, and I had so many dreams about us. Until that day when I opened the door and saw what I saw."

Beathan's voice was hoarse. "I'm sorry-"

Ashley cut him off. "Spare me the verbal apology. You'll pay for what you've done soon enough. That's the apology I want."

With that, she hung up.Owned by .

Beathan could no longer hear her voice, and he shouted desperately, 'Ashley! Ashley-'

When he tried calling again, Ashley immediately declined his call.

He bolted out the door in a frenzy, desperate to find her. However, as soon as he opened the door, he was met with a swarm of police officers outside.

During his time confined in Capebatt City, he'd seen the police many times. They would come to interrogate him about this and that, slowly wearing down his mental state, and pushing him to the brink

This time, however, it was clear that they weren't there just for questioning.

They handed him an arrest warrant. "Beathan Collins, you are being charged with intentional assault, attempted murder, bribery, unlawful detention, endangering public safety, inciting crimes, transnational crime, organizing, leading, and participating in a terrorist organization.

"According to the criminal law, we are formally placing you under arrest. Please get ready to defend yourself this time."

At the Denning Residence, Emelie finally got to enjoy a hot shower after several days of chaos. She stepped out of the bathroom, wearing soft, warm cotton pajamas, while drying her wet hair.

Jodie was smiling as she brought Emelie a bowl of chicken soup. "Please have some soup to warm your stomach. The kitchen is preparing dinner now, and you can eat as soon as Mr. Graham arrives."

Emelie nodded.

Jodie set down the tray and added, 'Natalia and Beathan have been arrested at their respective residences."

That was expected, so it wasn't at all surprising.

Emelie asked, "What about William?"

"Mr. Middleton is in the guest room," Jodie replied.

"Has the doctor visited him?' Emelie asked.

Jodie shook her head. "He refused. He said that he's fine."

Emelie put down the towel she was using to dry her hair. She glanced at the tray with the hot soup, picked it up, and headed to the guest room.

William was standing by the window, putting down his phone. She didn't need to guess to know he'd been in contact with Ashton.

When Emelie knocked on the door, he looked over.

He'd also taken a shower and changed into clean clothes-a black shirt and black trousers. He had also shaved. Except for the fading bruises on his face, he looked every bit the heir of the Middleton family from Capebatt City.

As Emelie looked at him, William looked back at her

Her face was clean and free of makeup, and her wet hair was draped over her shoulders. His gaze softened as he saw her dressed in comfortable loungewear. It reminded him of their three years together.

He walked over. "After washing your hair, you should dry it right away to avoid getting sick."

"Why didn't you let the doctor check you out?" Emelie asked.

"What's the point of seeing a doctor when I'm fine? To jinx myself?" William said casually, pulling her into the

room.

Emelie set the tray down. "Natalia and Beathan have both been arrested."

"I know, but I don't have the full picture. Can you tell me the whole story now?' William said.

Emelie smirked. "Is there anything the famously shrewd Mr. Middleton can't figure out?'

William pondered for a moment. "It must have started when Beathan and Bryan sent Daphne over to make amends with you, right?"