Chapter 21 What Exactly Is Going On
And at this moment, Emily had already arrived at the police station entrance with Matthew.
The car came to a steady stop, and Emily's hand trembled slightly as she pushed open the door.
Matthew quickly walked around to her side, reaching out to steady her, his voice gentle. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Emily bit her lip and nodded.
Then she walked in with him.
She rarely came to places like this, and never imagined she'd be here to see her father.
At that moment, inside the police station's holding room, the fluorescent lights glared harshly.
Andrew sat in a chair, his usually straight back slightly hunched, with many more gray hairs among his black hair, looking like he'd aged considerably all at once.
The moment Emily walked in and saw this scene, her eyes instantly filled with tears. "Dad!"
Her throat choked up, her words carrying a sob.
In all her life, this was the first time she'd seen her father like this.
Hearing her voice, Andrew's head shot up. "Emmie? What are you doing here? Dad's fine, don't cry."
Seeing her come in, Andrew's originally exhausted eyes suddenly brightened, and he forced himself to stand up.
He thought it would be the lawyer, never expecting it to be his own daughter.
Seeing her father still trying to comfort her at a time like this, Emily felt even more heartbroken and quickly rushed over.
Father and daughter separated by iron bars, Emily hurriedly grasped her father's cold hands. "Dad, how are you? Have they been giving you a hard time?"
She could hear the deliberate lightness in her father's voice.
But at a time like this, why was he still hiding things from her!
"Silly child, why are you crying?" Andrew raised his hand to wipe away her tears, the calluses on his palm scratching her cheeks a bit painfully. "It's just a little misunderstanding, the lawyer is already handling it. Don't worry, and don't tell your mother, so she doesn't start worrying too."
Andrew's deep voice carried reassurance, his eyes full of concern.
Emily sniffled and nodded hard, swallowing back her sobs. "I know, don't worry about Mom's side, I'll keep it from her for now. You cooperate with the investigation in there, don't worry about things outside. I'll definitely find evidence and clear your name."
Meanwhile, Matthew had already smoothed things over with the people at the station, at least giving the father and daughter enough time to talk.
Then he stepped forward at the right moment, his gentle face showing comfort. "Uncle Andrew, you don't need to worry. I've already asked someone to look into the west district land case. We'll definitely find the person behind this soon. If you need anything, contact me anytime."
Andrew looked at Matthew and nodded gratefully, "Matthew, thank you. When you and Emmie were little kids, I never thought you'd be able to help out this much now. Thank you for your trouble."
"You're too kind." Matthew smiled. "Emmie and I grew up together, her problems are my problems."
After reminding her father a few more times to take care of his health, Emily reluctantly left, looking back every few steps.
They had things to do and couldn't stay with her father the whole time.
Even after walking out the police station doors, Emily still hadn't recovered.
She felt cold all over, her steps a bit unsteady, but better than when she arrived.
Matthew looked at her with concern, worried. "Emmie, I..."
At that moment, her phone suddenly rang, the caller ID showing "Mom."
Emily took a deep breath and looked up apologetically. "Matthew, let me take this call first."
Matthew chuckled and gestured for her to answer quickly.
Emily walked to the side, adjusted her tone, and tried hard to make her voice sound calm. "Hello? Mom, what's wrong?"
On the other end, Lillian was extremely anxious. "Emmie, what's going on with your father? He hasn't been home for several days. I called the company today to ask, and they said he was taken away by the police. Is that true?"
Emily's heart sank—she didn't expect her mother to find out so quickly.
Then she gripped her phone tightly, her fingertips turning white. "Mom, don't listen to other people's nonsense. Dad is just cooperating with an investigation on some small matter, he'll be back soon. Stay home and rest, don't run around. I'll come see you later."
"Really?" Lillian was still worried and asked again.
Emily suppressed her emotions and asked back with a light laugh. "When have I ever lied to you? How about this—if you're really worried, just call me, and I promise to update you anytime."
Emily's relaxed tone made Lillian laugh. "You're such a sweet talker. Alright then, I feel better now. You take care of yourself too."
Emily quickly agreed.
After the call ended, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Her previously tense shoulders instantly relaxed, and she leaned against the car door, exhausted.
Matthew pressed his lips together and consoled her gently. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Things will turn around. Uncle Andrew is an upright person—the innocent will be proven innocent. He'll be fine."
Emily smiled through her tears, and when she looked up at him, her eyes were full of gratitude. "Matthew, thank you so much for today."
At a time like this, so many people would be eager to distance themselves from the Johnson family.
But Matthew didn't avoid the association and was even willing to help.
"Why are you being so formal with me?" Matthew smiled and opened the passenger door. "Get in, I'll take you to get something to eat. I can tell you haven't rested well these past few days."
Emily took a deep breath and forced a smile, then bent down to get in the car.
The two had planned to go to a café, order some afternoon tea, and have a convenient place to talk.
But unexpectedly, just as they reached the first traffic light, Emily's phone rang again.
She looked down and saw it was Margaret calling.
"Grandma?"
On the other end, the old lady's reluctant voice came through. "Emmie, when are you coming to pick me up? Come quickly, I want to be discharged. I can't stand this awful place for another day."
Emily laughed helplessly. "Grandma, your health isn't fully recovered yet, you can't be discharged."
But Margaret had already made arrangements, her voice cheerful. "Don't worry, Emmie, I asked the family doctor, and he said it's the same if I recover at home! Come pick up Grandma, I can't count on that brat Alex."
Emily put her hand to her forehead, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Alright Grandma, I'll come find you right away."
After hanging up, Matthew raised an eyebrow but didn't ask questions, instead directly turning the car around.
Emily looked over apologetically. "Sorry Matthew, Grandma's in a hurry. Let's do it next time."
Matthew smiled gently. "It's fine, the elderly come first."
With that, he drove her all the way to the hospital entrance.
Twenty minutes later.
Emily hurriedly got out of the car.
Matthew watched her retreating figure, his eyes darkening.
Just as he was about to leave, his assistant sent a message.
The assistant's tone was serious. "Mr. Moore, the Baker family is also participating in the bidding for the west district land."
The Baker family?
That would be Alex.
Matthew had his assistant look further into what was really going on with the Johnson family. Additionally, he arranged a dinner meeting with Commissioner King.
He was one of the people in charge of Andrew's case.
After hanging up, Matthew's expression grew somber, and as he looked toward the hospital entrance, he seemed deep in thought.
At the same time, at Baker Corporation headquarters, top floor office.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was a bustling cityscape, but Alex had no interest in admiring it.
Between his slender fingers, the cigarette's ember glowed and dimmed.
His assistant carefully glanced at his boss's expression and respectfully reported. "Mr. Baker, Miss Johnson and Matthew went to see her father at the police station."
"Also, the lawyer you arranged has already communicated with the police station and contacted the bidding parties. Barring any surprises, her father should be released in a couple of days."