Please come with us, one of the officers stepped up, holding a pair of silver handcuffs.Ben was even more puzzled. He hadn’t done anything illegal. Why were these officers showing up at his office? And why the cuffs?His first reaction was to step back. You must have the wrong person.Your name is Ben Lucas, right? We’ve already matched your photo. I suggest you don’t resist and just come along quietly, the officer barked.They wouldn’t be here without solid evidence. There was no mistake.If you’re taking me in, I’d like to know the reason, Ben replied, still trying to make sense of what was happening.To the officers, his reaction came across as defiant, making him look even more suspicious.Don’t tell me you’re unaware of your own wrongdoing? You’re supposed to be a lawyer, familiar with the law. How convenient to play ignorant when it applies to you!Think carefully! Confess, and things might go easier for you. Resist, and you’ll only make it worse. Don’t interfere with law enforcement! the officer warned.Ben had no choice but to follow them.At the station, he was taken straight to the interrogation room, where the captain himself was handling the case. The captain, an older man with a sharp gaze, adjusted his glasses as he started the questioning. Ben Lucas, right? What’s your relationship with Caden Smith?We went to college together, and we’ve been good friends since graduation, Ben answered, unsure why this line of questioning had come up. But given the situation, he figured it was best to answer directly. You two seem pretty close. So, did you team up to try and rig a case? Figured you could work from the inside? the captain pressed.I’d never do something like that! Ben’s expression shifted, showing genuine shock. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.They were just friends, without any of the shady dealings he was being accused of. But the captain clearly didn’t believe him and continued with question after question. Ben answered each one accordingly. The captain’s expression grewdarker and darker until, finally, heslammed his hand on the table. You’ve got some nerve! You’re lying to my face without so muchaszablink. But we have solid evidence of your crime. Take a look at thesephotos. In the photos, Ben and Caden were sitting together, a few bottles of alcohol on the table and several stacks of cash in front of them.You’re accusing me of bribing ajudge over a single photo? Ben said, incredulous. That money was aloan to him. He was going to see his grandmother and needed ,000. I withdrew an extra ,000 just to be sure he had enough. How does that amount to bribery? If you don’t believe me, ask Caden. The captain scrutinized him for a long moment before replying, It seems you thought you covered everything. But Caden himself came forward and reported that you tried to bribe him, asking for preferential treatment on your case. Who should I believe? Ben was stunned.At first, he thought the captain might be trying to trap him, but then he watched as the captain pulled up a video of Caden’s statement. There on the screen was Caden himself, clear as day, making the accusation. He examined the video closely, finding no signs of tampering. For a brief moment, he wondered if he was still drunk from last night, lost in a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.