Chapter 79

"Unauthorized access to a government computer system?"

"A major criminal investigation?"

Each phrase sounded more unreal—and more terrifying—than the last.

Adrian stared at the officers in disbelief. For a moment, his mind went completely blank, a low ringing filling his ears.

He had always considered himself exceptionally intelligent. Less than a minute ago, he had been standing there lecturing Elena about laws, principles, and morality.

Now the police had come for him.

"No. That's impossible. You have the wrong person."

He shook his head hard.

"I'm a mathematics student at Westbridge University. I've spent the last few days working on my research paper and preparing for a mathematical modeling competition. I haven't accessed any government system. Are you sure you have the right person?"

The lead investigator's expression didn't change.

"We'll determine that during the investigation."

His gaze settled on Adrian.

"You know Derek Walsh, don't you?"

Adrian's stomach dropped.

Derek.

He had been wondering why the man hadn't contacted him with any results yet.

So he had been caught?

How?

Adrian clenched his jaw. If the investigators were here, they almost certainly had evidence connecting him to Derek. Denying that they had ever communicated would only make things worse.

"I know Derek Walsh," Adrian said carefully. "But we've never met in person, and I never asked him to do anything illegal."

"If you're accusing me of something, then show me the evidence."

"Mr. Cole," the investigator interrupted, "you'll have the opportunity to speak with an attorney and respond through the proper legal process. Right now, you need to come with us."

"I..." Adrian's throat felt dry. "I need to make a phone call. I want to contact my lawyer."

"You'll be given an opportunity to contact counsel."

The investigator gestured toward the exit.

"Let's go."

"Officer."

Victoria stepped forward.

"I know Adrian personally. He's an exceptional student, and I'm sure there must be some misunderstanding."

The investigator looked at her.

Victoria offered a polite smile.

"Adrian is one of Westbridge University's top mathematics students. He's expected to represent the university in international academic programs. Being taken away by police like this could cause irreversible damage to both his reputation and the university's."

She paused.

"I also know several senior people in the city. If it would help clear up whatever misunderstanding happened here, perhaps I could make a call—"

The investigator shook his head.

He didn't know who the young woman was, and at the moment he saw no reason why he needed to.

"Ma'am, if Mr. Cole believes he has been wrongly implicated, his attorney can challenge the evidence through the appropriate legal process."

"I'm only trying to—"

"Ma'am."

His tone remained calm.

"This is part of a major investigation involving unauthorized access to protected government systems. It isn't something that can be handled through personal connections."

He paused.

"Please step aside."

Victoria's expression changed slightly.

She said nothing more.

Two officers moved to either side of Adrian.

His expression shifted several times. The initial shock and panic gradually disappeared, replaced by tense concentration.

He was already thinking.

Elena rested her chin on one hand and watched him.

Then she clicked her tongue.

"So much for living with principles and never doing anything immoral."

Her lips curved.

"Apparently you skipped straight to breaking the law."

Adrian shot her a furious look.

But he had no time to argue with her now. His mind was racing through every conversation he had ever had with Derek, searching for a way to distance himself from whatever the man had done.

"Let's go," the investigator said.

There was a metallic click.

Adrian stiffened.

He looked down.

A pair of handcuffs had closed around his wrists.

For the first time since the officers arrived, his composure visibly cracked.

The two officers escorted him toward the exit.

A moment later, they disappeared down the stairs.

For several seconds, the restaurant was completely silent.

Then Elena gave a quiet laugh.

"This is better than a movie."

She set down her glass of juice and looked toward the empty stairwell with obvious satisfaction.

Victoria frowned.

"You're happy about this? Adrian used to be your boyfriend, and he's still your classmate."

"Extremely."

Elena turned toward her.

"Watching justice catch up with someone is supposed to be satisfying, isn't it?"

"Adrian is only being questioned," Victoria said coolly. "You don't know that he's guilty."

"I still feel like saying it."

Elena gave her no room at all.

"Maybe you should worry less about me and take a closer look at the people you surround yourself with. First one of your friends tries to kill me, and now another one is apparently threatening national security—"

"Elena!"

Victoria's face darkened.

Elena rolled her eyes.

"Birds of a feather, I guess."

Victoria drew in a slow breath.

For the first time in her life, she genuinely felt the urge to hit someone.

Unfortunately, common sense remained intact.

Victoria worked out occasionally, but Elena had trained as a dancer for years. It didn't take much imagination to guess how that fight would end.

And Elena certainly didn't look like the type to stand there politely and let herself be slapped.

Whatever Victoria might be able to do later, right now there was very little she could do to her.

Jaw clenched, she turned and left.

The others exchanged uncertain looks.

None of them had expected lunch to turn into this.

When they looked at Elena again, their expressions were far more complicated than before.

Had everything that had just happened really been a coincidence?

Or did it somehow have something to do with her?

Then there were the men around her. Their movements had been fast, disciplined, and unmistakably professional.

Was the man behind Elena really just some ordinary wealthy businessman?

"What?"

Elena blinked at them.

"Anyone else want to pick a fight? Maybe defend another friend?"

Silence.

Apparently not.

One by one, they grabbed their things and left, each wearing a slightly different expression.

At the same time, Victoria sat in the back of her car, staring at her phone.

Something had been bothering her.

A few days earlier, before a lecture, Adrian had asked her for the photograph of that car. He had clearly wanted to find out who it belonged to.

Could this have something to do with that?

Victoria scrolled through her contacts and called one of the older family acquaintances first.

"Hi, it's Victoria."

Her tone became polite and familiar.

"Someone connected to my father was just taken in by the cybercrime unit. His name is Adrian Cole. He's a student at Westbridge."

That wasn't really true.

Adrian's parents didn't know Richard at all. Under ordinary circumstances, their families would never even move in the same circles.

But Richard's name opened doors that Adrian's never could.

"Could you help me find out what this is about? I'm sure there must be some misunderstanding."

"Victoria!"

The man on the other end immediately became warmer.

"How's your father? Doing well, I hope? Don't worry about this. Leave it to me. I know a few people who can ask around. I'll make some calls and get back to you as soon as I hear anything."

"Thank you."

Victoria ended the call feeling slightly reassured.

Then she made another.

And another.

She contacted several well-connected acquaintances and older family friends. The moment they heard that Victoria Sterling herself was asking for help, every one of them responded enthusiastically.

Of course.

Leave it to me.

I'll find out what happened.

I'll call you back.

An hour passed.

By then, her car had reached the increasingly congested streets downtown.

Victoria looked down at her phone again.

The screen remained silent.

Not one of them had called back.