Chapter 27 I Walk with Matthew
After Emily hung up the phone, she immediately gathered her design drafts, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door.
The so-called "someone picking me up" was just a random excuse. She didn't want to get too involved with Alex anymore, and she definitely didn't want to watch him and Grace put on a lovey-dovey show in front of her.
Walking out of the apartment building, the cool air outside hadn't quite lifted yet. Emily pulled her coat tighter and hailed a taxi, heading straight to the police station.
Her father's case was still unresolved, and it weighed heavily on her mind.
Sitting in the taxi, Emily stared out the window, her thoughts drifting far away.
It wasn't until the car stopped steadily at the police station entrance that she snapped back to reality.
After paying, Emily hurried inside but suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
Emily froze for a moment.
How... how could it be him?
The license plate on the Rolls-Royce parked at the police station entrance was one of a kind. The figure that had just stepped out had an upright posture, a black shirt highlighting his lean waist, dark eyes deep and cold, his whole presence radiating an intimidating aura.
It was Alex.
Their eyes met.
Emily wondered to herself, what was he doing here?
Wasn't he supposed to be with Grace?
Could he have come specifically to see her dad?
Emily was startled by her own thought.
Alex hadn't expected to run into Emily here either. A flash of surprise crossed his deep eyes, quickly replaced by coldness.
He glanced casually at the taxi that had just left behind her and smirked, "Where's your ride? Didn't pick you up?"
Caught in her lie, Emily's cheeks warmed slightly, but she forced herself to stay calm. "That's none of your business. I'm here to see my dad. What are you doing here?"
"What a coincidence." Alex chuckled lightly, striding toward her with his long legs, his oppressive presence overwhelming, "I'm also here to see my father-in-law."
Emily was stunned. "What do you want with my dad?"
"The West District land case—I want to ask him about the details of how he was set up." Alex's eyes reflected her image, "After all... I can't let my father-in-law suffer this injustice."
Calling him "father-in-law" over and over, as if he were such a great son-in-law, made Emily feel uncomfortable.
But what he said was true—her father's case did need to be investigated.
With Alex's connections in both legitimate and underground circles, his help could get her father out sooner.
"Oh!" Emily lowered her eyes.
With Alex there, they didn't need to go through any hassle to enter the detention room—it was even easier than when she came with Matthew last time.
Inside the detention room.
The lights were still harsh.
Andrew sat in a chair, looking better than last time.
"Emmie, why are you here again?"
He was about to pull his daughter closer for a good look when he unexpectedly saw Alex behind her.
"Alex is here too?" Andrew's face lit up with a pleased smile as he quickly stood up, "Please, sit down."
The entire interrogation room had only a single bed—it was quite cramped.
Before Emily could speak, Alex stepped forward and sat down naturally, showing no sign of disdain, "Dad, how have you been feeling lately?"
His tone was familiar, his eyes showing concern—the perfect image of a dutiful son-in-law.
Emily stood to the side, watching his Oscar-worthy performance, speechless.
She knew Alex was deliberately putting on a show for her father, but seeing the pleased smile on her father's face, she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth about their divorce.
Her father was still in custody—she absolutely couldn't let him worry about her affairs.
"Pretty good, the staff here take good care of me," Andrew said with a smile, his satisfied gaze moving between them before adding worriedly, "Alex, Emmie can be stubborn sometimes. Please be patient with her."
Alex turned to look at Emily and put his arm around her shoulder, "Okay."
Emily's body stiffened. She instinctively wanted to pull away but was held firmly by Alex's grip on her shoulder.
His fingertips were cold, seeping through the thin fabric, making her heart race with panic.
Emily could only endure the discomfort and force a smile. "Dad, you take care of yourself first, then we can have peace of mind."
Andrew was even happier, chattering on about family matters and some details of the case.
Alex listened, nodding from time to time, occasionally asking key questions.
He was clearly genuinely concerned about the case.
Emily stood to the side, looking at Alex's chiseled profile, her feelings complicated.
What was he really after?
Did he truly want to help clear her father's name, or was he just maintaining his image...
For the first time, Emily felt like she didn't understand him at all.
Just then, the detention room door opened again, and an officer said with a serious expression. "Miss Johnson, someone's looking for you outside."
Emily was startled, then quickly pulled away from Alex's grip. "Dad, I'll go check."
Finally, she could stop acting.
She walked out of the detention room with relief, completely unaware of the darkened expression on the man's face behind her.
Alex's eyes flickered, a vague irritation creeping into his heart.
Who else could be looking for her at the police station at this time besides Matthew?
At that moment, at the police station entrance.
Seeing who was standing outside, Emily smiled. "Matthew!"
Matthew wore a white shirt and black dress pants, his tall figure with a narrow waist and broad shoulders standing there like a scenic view, very pleasing to the eye.
He quickly walked up to her, his tone concerned. "Emmie, how is it? Is your father okay?"
"He's doing well." Emily nodded, "What brings you here?"
Matthew tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear like he used to when they were young, saying gently. "I got in touch with Mark Anderson. He was the competing party in the West District land bidding case and might have key evidence. I've already set up a meeting—I'll take you to see him and ask about the situation."
Mark Anderson?
She knew him.
The head of Anderson Group, ruthless in his methods, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
If he was willing to help, her father's case would be easily resolved.
Emily's eyes lit up, "Thank you, Matthew. Let's go now!"
The two were talking when Alex came out.
Without a word, he walked up to them unhurriedly, his cold eyes narrowing. "Mr. Moore, do you have business with my wife?"
Matthew's expression remained unchanged, looking at him calmly. "Mr. Baker, I'm looking for Emmie about Andrew's case. We need to verify some information."
The next second, Emily's heart skipped a beat as she was grabbed by the waist!
Alex reached out and pulled her close, the force irresistible, directly closing the distance between them, "Mr. Moore doesn't need to trouble himself with my father-in-law's case."
Emily frowned, embarrassment and indignation flooding her heart as she tried to push him away. "Alex, let go of me!"
But Alex gripped her waist tightly, his gaze fixed on Matthew, radiating an aggressive, intimidating pressure.
Matthew watched their struggle, his mouth tightening slightly. A dark glint flashed in his usually gentle eyes, though his voice stayed soft. "Emmie, are you willing to come with me? Mark's time won't wait."
Emily knew Matthew genuinely wanted to help her and had contacted a key person.
"I'm going with Matthew." Emily pushed away with all her strength, her tone firm, "For my dad's case, I want to see for myself."
Alex narrowed his eyes, his handsome face darkening further.
Watching Emily walk toward another man without hesitation, he felt something stab sharply at his heart.
But it was immediately followed by a surge of fierce anger.