Hearing that, Tessa only gave a faint smile.

“Officer, I didn’t do anything at all.” Her gaze carried a hint of probing. “Surely you’re not going to lump everyone together and take them all down with one swing?”

She wanted to see what kind of background this officer had, to dare speak to her like that. Either someone powerful was backing him, or he was just an idiot. At a time like this, he was still acting as if he had someone to rely on? Besides, it was obvious now that Julian was no longer someone she could count on. Tessa clenched her fingers slightly, thinking hard about her next move.

She couldn’t just sit here and wait to be taken down. Her mind was already working through possible ways out.

Meanwhile, outside, Julian wasn’t wasting time either. He quickly dialed Carol’s number. As long as he could get in touch with someone from the family, he wouldn’t be stuck here for long. His mother still loved him. After all, he was her only child. Julian still had that much confidence. He wouldn’t let anyone slander his mother. As long as she was willing to help, he still had a way out. He was too young to spend the rest of his life behind bars. The thought alone filled his face with reluctance.

The phone rang for a long time, but no one picked up. Listening to the endless ringing, Julian’s heart tightened. He silently prayed that his mother would answer. What was going on? Had they all started to forget about him already? Everything had been fine before he came to this country…

“Please pick up, Mom. I’m begging you, just pick up the phone.” Julian repeated the words over and over in his mind, as if they were the only thing he could think of.

Maybe his desperate thoughts had somehow reached her, because in the final second before the call was about to disconnect, Carol finally answered. The moment he heard her familiar voice, Julian was so overwhelmed he could hardly speak.

“Mom, it’s me–it’s Julian!”

A flicker of hesitation flashed in Carol’s eyes, but she still responded calmly into the phone, “Julian? What is it, why are you calling me?” She forced her tone to stay composed, trying not to let anything show.

On the other end, Julian didn’t pick up on the tension or the shift in her voice at all. He just rushed ahead, pouring everything out. “Mom, I’m stuck in jail right now because of something that happened. You have to get Dad to come and get me out, I’m scared in here–I don’t want to die, Mom.” By the end, his voice was trembling, nearly breaking into a sob.

Hearing him like that, Carol felt as if her heart were being carved open. But when she met Albert’s gaze, her own eyes hardened. Her voice turned cold. “Did you do something wrong? Is that why they’ve locked you up? Julian, you’re an adult now. When are you going to start acting like one?” By the time she finished, there was clear reproach in her tone.

Julian froze. That didn’t sound like the mother he knew–the one who always doted on him.

“Mom… what do you mean by that?” His voice cracked with disbelief. “I’m your son. I’m sitting in a police station, and all you have for me are accusations? Not even a word of concern?”