Ties to Dust, Hearts to Strangers

During the time I was recovering, I couldn't shake the feeling that something about this case was off.

After some quiet investigation, I uncovered that Dexter and the kidnapper had suspiciously close ties. They were likely working together.

But Dexter truly was the epitome of a "first love" to Leah. Despite the mountain of evidence, she still insisted that Dexter was innocent, claiming I was framing him. She even tried to convince me in every way possible.

I ignored her.

Then, on the morning of my departure, the police station called. They wanted me and my lawyer, Gunner Smith, to come in.

When I pushed open the door, I found Leonel, Leah, and Dexter already there.

Leonel stood, nodding to me as a greeting. "Mr. Norton, I guess the international financial regulatory authority's response should have reached you by now."

I nodded and had Gunner hand over the latest evidence.

"This is an offshore confidential account Dexter had set up. A week before the incident, a transfer of 800,000 dollars was made to the kidnapper's account. However, the total loss caused by Everly to this kidnapper, including interest, is only 500,000 dollars.

"Chief Marks, this doesn't seem to add up. I suspect that the kidnapper was working under Dexter's orders."

Dexter was so stunned, he forgot to keep crying. He never expected me to dig into that.

Jumping to his feet, he started to deny it desperately. "No, that's not true! I gave him more money because I was worried about him bothering my mom. I thought it would be safer to just pay him off and protect my mom. Is that really a crime?"

Then, he turned to me, trying to play the victim. "Melvin, I know you've always disliked me and blamed me for taking what was yours. But we share half the same blood. I've suffered a lot abroad too.

"We're brothers! Why do you hate me so much? Why go to such lengths to fabricate evidence and try to ruin me?"

I looked at Dexter's pathetic face and felt nothing but disgust. I scoffed and mocked, "Dexter, your veins run with the blood of that homewrecker you call a father. You think you're worthy of calling me your brother? Don't flatter yourself."

Dexter's hands clenched into fists, and his face flushed with shame and irritation. He clearly hadn't expected me to be so blunt.

Seeing that the emotional plea wasn't working, he cast a quick glance at Leah, who had been silent, and a new idea seemed to click.

Dexter filled his eyes with fake tears and stepped protectively in front of Leah. "Fine! Melvin, since you hate me so much, I'll take all the blame. Tell your lawyer to withdraw the charges against Leah.

"She's a police captain, with a bright future ahead. She can't be ruined because of me. Please, I beg you. Let her go!"

Then, in front of everyone, he suddenly dropped to his knees, pretending to bow and beg for forgiveness.

Leah rushed to grab his arm, pulling him back up. "Dexter, no!"

Dexter buried his face in her neck. He didn't even try to break free. Instead, he pulled her even closer. "Leah, let me kneel. I know Melvin hates me. I've dragged you into this. I can't let you be ruined because of me."

He raised his tear-filled eyes and looked past Leah's shoulder, looking at me with a pleading gaze. "Melvin, please let Leah go. She's only trying to protect both of us.

"If you're going to hate someone, let it be me. I'll take the punishment, even if it means prison, execution, or even if you want me dead right this second. I'll accept it all!"

"Enough, Dexter. Enough! I won't let anything happen to you!" Leah cut him off.

As she looked at the trembling man in her arms, her eyes were filled with pain.

Watching them play out this "true love in the face of adversity" act was utterly pathetic. I borrowed a lighter from Gunner, lit a cigarette, and casually watched the spectacle in silence.

Shocked by my cold-blooded attitude, Leah turned and screamed at me, "Melvin Norton, are you even human? Dexter's a victim in all of this too. Why are you so quick to accuse him, just because of some questionable overseas accounts? Why are you determined to destroy him?

"I was the one who tricked you into going there. I was also the one who traded you for Dexter. If you've got a problem, take it out on me!"

Her words were full of fury and blame, but I just flicked the ash off my cigarette. My gaze was as cold as ice as I looked at her. "Leah, do you think I won't hurt you because you're so sure I still love you?"

Caught off guard by my response, Leah was stunned into silence.

"Don't you think your reaction is a bit much? After all, you two have only met once. This kind of deep affection seems a bit out of place, don't you think?"

Leah opened her mouth, probably to argue, but I raised my hand to cut her off. "One last question. What's the real deal between you and Dexter? Leah, stop lying to me."

She seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and avoided my eyes. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles went white.

After a long pause, she murmured, "Classmates… We were classmates."

I let out a chuckle. Like a dam breaking, my laughter grew louder until even my shoulders started shaking.

Classmates, huh?

The anger of being lied to faded, replaced by a strange sense of release.

I crushed the cigarette I had been holding and glanced at Leonel. "Sorry, Chief Marks. My flight leaves this afternoon. I have to go. I'll have my lawyer follow up on this. I'm done here."

With that, I handed the thick file to Gunner and instructed, "Here's the full chain of evidence. Handle it well."

"Understood, Mr. Norton. I'll take care of it."

Everyone in the room froze. They hadn't expected me to have even stronger evidence.

I stood up and walked out decisively.

Leah, realizing too late what was happening, started explaining something in a rush behind me, but I couldn't be bothered to listen.

She tried to chase after me, but Leonel stopped her. "Leah, stop! The questioning isn't over. You need to cooperate with the investigation."

Two officers at the door grabbed Leah and escorted her back to the meeting room.

I opened the car door and told the driver, "To the airport."

I leaned back, closing my eyes to rest.

Dad was right. Feelings were fleeting, but money would never betray me.

…

Third-person POV

Back in the meeting room, Gunner started opening the file while glancing over at Leah with a mocking look.

"Captain Hudson, take a seat. It's not the time to get worked up just yet. Would you prefer to hear the recording of Mr. Caldwell colluding with the kidnapper, or would you rather look at the pictures of them together in bed?"