Chapter 182 Tell Mr Ashford to help me

Chapter 182 Tell Mr Ashford to help me
Valeria's POV
Tessa and I had taken over the dining table, reading. Our textbooks, notebooks, pens, and highlighters scattered across the polished surface. 

I bit back a laugh as I watched Tessa work on the math question I had given her to solve.

She had wanted to come over for us to spend the day together and laze about. But little did she know that I needed a reading partner.

A few minutes later, she dropped her pen onto the table. "Done."

I looked up from my textbook. "Already?"

"Yes." She pushed the notebook toward me. "Check it."

I took the notebook and looked over her work. My eyebrows slowly rose. 

"Tessa," I called, dragging her name.

"What?"

"Where’s the formula?"

She blinked at me. "I got the answer."

"That wasn't what I asked." I tapped the page. "You're supposed to use the formula. How did you even get this answer?" My eyes narrowed. "Did you copy?"

She pouted. "The answer is correct, Val. That's all you need to know."

I gave her a look. "Tessa, what happens when they change the numbers in the exam and you can't remember how you got this answer?"

"I'll pray?"

I stared at her. "Seriously?" 

She stared back.

A soft sigh escaped me. "Solve it again."

Her mouth fell open. "Valeria!"

"Again."

"But—"

"No shortcuts."

She dramatically dropped her head onto the table. "I hate reading."

"You hate everything that requires thinking."

She chuckled. "That too."

I laughed, shaking my head as I pulled my textbook closer.

For the next few minutes, we went back to studying, occasionally whispering to each other whenever one of us got stuck.

We were halfway through another question when footsteps approached. I looked up just as my father walked past the dining room.

Tessa immediately straightened in her seat. "Good evening, Mr. Whitmore."

My father stopped and glanced at us. "Good evening, Tessa."

“How are you?” Tessa asked.

I sent her a glance, trying not to laugh. What was she trying to do, keep a conversation going?

“I'm doing well," my dad replied. "How about you girls?"

"Good," Tessa replied.

His eyes moved to the books covering the table. "Studying?"

"Trying to," Tessa said with a small laugh, although I could sense the insincerity in that laugh.

"You're welcome here," he said.

"Thank you."

His gaze landed on me. "How are you doing, Valeria?"

I looked up, smiling sweetly—too sweetly for it to be genuine. "Perfect."

"Good to know." He smiled faintly before nodding toward the hallway. "I'll leave you two to it."

Then he walked away toward his study.

The moment he disappeared, Tessa leaned closer to me. In a low voice, she whispered, "How has he been treating you?"

I looked at her and made a face. "He's... he's just there."

"I hope he hasn't been giving you any trouble."

"He's actually been acting too nice lately. He even unfroze my accounts."

Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Wow." She glanced toward the hallway. "What happened to your father?" 

I shrugged, trying not to smile. "He needs my help with winning the mayoral election. I already told him I could speak to Mr Ashford for him. So, since then, he's been worshipping the ground I walk on."

Tessa snickered. "That's so smart."

"Yeah."

"Well, I hope he keeps being like this even after the election." 

"I don't care. I'm probably gonna be in college by then."

Suddenly, the front door opened.

I didn't really pay attention at first until I heard Hector's voice. There were other voices with him.

I stretched my neck, looking toward the entrance.

A few people stepped inside. They were dressed in dark uniforms.

I looked closely. 

Police officers.

I sat up straighter, my expression becoming serious.

"Val..." Tessa followed my gaze.

The officers looked around the room before one of them asked, “Is Mr. Edward Whitmore here?”

"Yes," Hector answered. He glanced toward the hallway. "May I ask what this is about?"

The officer reached inside his jacket. "We need to speak with him."

"Okay. I'll let him know," Hector said before leaving to my dad's study.

"What's happening?" Tessa whispered.

I slowly turned to look at her. "I don't know," I said, shaking my head.

The study door opened and Hector returned with my dad, whose brows furrowed at the sight of the police officers.

An officer stepped forward immediately. "Edward Whitmore?" 

My dad's expression hardened. “Yes?”

"You're under arrest."

Shit. What is happening?

"On what grounds?" Dad asked.

The officer straightened. “Money laundering, conspiracy and financial involvement in a criminal enterprise.”

My jaw dropped, my gaze shifting to my dad. 

His face went pale instantly. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he said through clenched teeth. 

"We have the financial records, Mr. Whitmore. We also have all the evidence connecting you to the Iron Kings."

I stood from my seat and slowly began walking toward them, my mind still in a haze.

My dad stared at the officers. “You have the wrong person.”

“We don't.”

Another officer moved behind him and took hold of his wrists.

“Wait.” I stepped forward. “What's going on?”

My dad's eyes met mine. For the first time in my life, I saw something in them I had never seen before.

Fear. 

"Dad?"

He didn't say a word 

The officer began reading from a card. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."

My father's hands were pulled behind his back, the handcuffs clicking around his wrists. He tried to struggle with them, but it was of no use.

My mouth fell open. 

Was this really happening?

"Do you understand these rights?" the officer asked.

My dad remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

"Do you wish to speak with an attorney?"

My dad swallowed. "Of course."

The officers began leading him toward the door.

"Wait!" I called.

My dad stopped and turned toward me. "Valeria."

I stepped closer. "Dad, what did they mean? Money laundering? Criminal... what are they talking about?"

His jaw tightened. "Just listen to me." 

"Did you do it?"

He didn't answer.

"Did you actually do everything they're accusing you of?" 

“Valeria, I need you to do something for me.”

My brows pulled together. "What?"

"Talk to Mr. Ashford."

I froze. "What?"

"Please." His voice dropped, desperation creeping into it. "Talk to Mr. Ashford. Tell him what's happening. Ask him to help me."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to ask Mr. Ashford to help you?" 

"Yes."

My eyes burned with confusion. "Why would I?"

His expression tightened. "Because you wouldn't want your father to go to jail. He can help me."

"So you did what you're being accused of?"

"That's not the—" 

"Mr. Whitmore," one of the officers interrupted. "You'll have time to discuss this with your daughter later at the station. Right now, we need to go."

My dad looked at me again. "Please, Val."

The officers guided him toward the door. 

I followed them, stepping outside just as they led him toward the police car. One of the officers opened the back door, and my dad was guided inside.

I stood on the porch, staring at him through the open door. 

He looked at me.

I couldn't think straight. I didn't even know exactly what to think. None of this made sense.

Finally, the door slammed shut and the car pulled away. I watched it disappear down the driveway.

I didn't move. I stood there, mouth hanging open as I stared into space.

If my father really hadn't done anything, why hadn't he simply denied it? Why hadn't he looked me in the eyes and told me he was innocent?

And then, he had the guts to tell me to talk to Mr. Ashford when I wasn't even sure he was innocent.

A light squeeze on my shoulder brought me back to reality. I turned to see Tessa.

"It's okay," she said. 

"Honestly, I..." I snorted. "I don't know what's happening." 

I turned to Hector. "Do you think I should go to the station. What am I supposed to do?"

He inhaled. "This has nothing to do with you. Don't stress about it." 

"But... he's my father."

Tessa and Hector exchanged worried glances. Then, Tessa took my hand. 

"Valeria, there's nothing you can do about this," she said. "They're gonna contact your dad's lawyer, and he'll take care of everything."

I pushed both hands into my hair, letting them stay there. "It's crazy." I scoffed. "Why do I feel pity for him?"