What was Aurora even worth?

So, what if she was cautious? Aurora still got easily knocked out by her. She was just another defeated opponent.

With that thought, Tessa no longer felt any real concern. After all, she still had one final trump card she hadn’t used. That was her last resort. Unless she had no other choice, she didn’t want to play it. But if anyone truly pushed her, she wouldn’t hold back.

No matter who it was, the result would be the same. Anyone who stood in her way—she’d remove them one by one. She had understood this since she was a child. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it herself. Only then would it feel secure in her grasp.

That was why Tessa preferred to go after things herself now. As long as it wasn’t outrageous or beyond her ability, she wouldn’t go to that person for help. If a trump card was so easily revealed, then what was the point of calling it one? Tessa was clearer than anyone about this.

She felt there was something suspicious about the situation, but right now, the enemy was in the shadows while they were in plain sight. She couldn’t act recklessly. Better to wait until Julian came back from making his call.

So, Julian left, still skeptical, to make the call, while the officer didn’t follow him, choosing instead to stay relaxed in the detention room. Watching all of this, the doubts in Tessa’s heart only grew stronger. But she still didn’t say a word. She chose to wait and see. Sometimes, making the first move wasn’t the best option. The officer allowed Julian to take the phone outside, but he hadn’t removed the handcuffs.

There were still officers stationed outside, which was why the one inside the detention room remained so at ease. He was simply waiting for Julian to finish the call and come back in. Since his superior had already given instructions, it meant the call wasn’t going to work.

If that was the case, letting him make the call wouldn’t change anything. Tessa watched the officer, just about to speak and test the waters, when a loud voice suddenly echoed from outside.

“What do you mean by this? Dad, I’m your son! You can’t just leave me like this!”

Julian’s angry voice rang out clearly, especially in the quiet of the detention room. Tessa and the officer heard every word.

But Albert had no time to entertain him. The recent mess at Hayes Enterprises had left him reeling.

It didn’t feel like just one company was targeting them, it was as if all of a sudden, their entire company had become everyone’s target. Several parties were coming after them aggressively; not only had partnerships been cut off, even the few remaining associates refused to take meetings with them. In this situation, how could Albert possibly stay calm while speaking to his son? Now his son had landed in jail on top of everything else—how could he tolerate the shame?

“So what if you’re my son?” Albert scoffed coldly. “How many messes have I cleaned up for you over the years? When are you going to grow up? You’re a grown man—do you still need me to speak up for you over something like this?"

Julian heard the fury in his father’s voice and realized that pushing back now would only make things worse. No matter what, he was still sitting in a cell.