The tension radiating from Ai's side was palpable, almost tangible in the air, yet they managed to restrain themselves with a controlled firmness befitting someone of her status.

And by the time the officer finished presenting the details of the case involving Al, the atmosphere, surprisingly, remained stable enough to avoid immediate escalation.

The officer dipped his head respectfully and stepped back, deliberately making room for the battlefield of arguments to unfold — a brutal tug-of-war between the elites and the boy from the orphanage.

Ai exhaled softly, straightening her posture with a poised grace.

"I didn't expect all of you to stoop this low," she said, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment that cut sharper than open hostility.

"Elites and professionals like you… and this is the excuse you present to justify 'protecting' this child? These absurd reasons?"

She added, her tone turning even colder,

"Everything you've explained is riddled with flaws. Even a kindergarten kid could look at this and assume it's some poorly written story instead of legitimate, verified data."

Santo stiffened, stunned for a moment at being criticized so bluntly — and in front of his own subordinates, no less.

The humiliation stung, but for the sake of professionalism, he had to endure it with composure.

"Miss Aiza," he said politely, "allow me to remind you that we are conducting an official investigation."

"As his guardian, you absolutely have the right to accompany him. However, I ask that you maintain proper conduct during this procedure. Your criticism will be noted, but please keep it within procedural context."

Ai nodded calmly.

"Ah… I suppose I went a little too far. I momentarily forgot that this is the Indorosian police force — the culture here is quite different from back home." She spoke evenly.

"My apologies if my words seemed rude to you."

Santo nodded back, relieved that the tension dipped slightly, but Ai was far from finished.

"Anyway… as his guardian, I formally object to this child being designated as a suspect. I request that all evidence and witness testimony be reviewed again before any official decision is finalized.

"And please don't act like you're in such a hurry — I don't see any reason for this kind of rush."

Her eyes swept across the room.

"Record my objection in the investigation report."

Santo inhaled deeply before responding.

"Miss Aiza, this is not rushed according to our protocol. And the evidence is sufficient for elevating his status to suspect."

"This might sound like an assumption," he added cautiously, "but I believe you think we intend to make decisions that will disadvantage this child."

"But that's not the case. We are actually trying to protect him while the investigation continues."

Ai shook her head lightly.

"Both the so-called evidence and the decision to detain him 'for protection' sound absurd and rushed," she replied.

"And if the sole purpose is ensuring his safety until the investigation is complete, then Alasia Group is more than capable of providing that."

She let out a small sigh.

"So here's my simple suggestion: run an audit on this evidence — which is merely a set of blurry photographs. Delay any finalization of his legal status until you have something genuinely valid."

"In the meantime, let us handle his protection. You are free to supervise him as tightly as you wish."

Santo knew she was right — everything about this case was rushed, regardless of the importance attached to it due to the people involved.

With Darius and Lefon already being prominent names, and now Ai stepping in, everything had turned more complicated than expected.

To guarantee victory for the elite fathers with fabricated evidence and false witness statements… he wasn't sure he could force it.

I can't believe this girl is only eighteen, Santo thought, struggling with the pressure.

She's not just skilled at negotiation—she's overwhelmingly dominant. What should I do?

He glanced at the elite fathers, hoping for support, but all of them pushed the burden entirely onto him through their silence.

He sent a telepathic message to Kugo,

"Senior, what am I supposed to do? Her request is valid. I'm not confident I can push this case the way you want."

Kugo replied sharply,

"Don't you have a method? You're the chief of police. Aren't your decisions absolute?" he said.

"That child hurt my son Jogo. You treat Jogo like your own son too. Don't you want to make that boy pay?!" he added.

"Of course I do," Santo replied, frustrated. "But I can't act recklessly. Her status is too big for me to force anything. One wrong move and I'm finished."

Kugo fell silent, unable to push further.

Santo, receiving no more responses, could only curse internally.

Ugh… if only they had more valid evidence.

Meanwhile, Ai — who had waited long enough for Santo to stop standing there silently — called out with a sharp tone,

"Sir. Your answer?"

Santo startled.

"Ah— yes, yes. Sorry, I was considering it," he said awkwardly.

He exhaled heavily, then nodded.

"We appreciate your input. And… fine. We will take your request under consideration."

The elite fathers clenched their jaws, displeased.

Al, on the other hand, slouched lazily, finally able to breathe a little easier.

At least this part was over… or so he thought.

But reality had other plans — and they were mildly infuriating.

Just as Santo prepared to speak again, Lefon stepped forward.

"My apologies, Chief of Police… Miss Aiza."

Lefon raised both hands slightly, as if asking everyone to pause.

"But a decision cannot be made simply because one side applies pressure," he said, firm yet gentle.

Everyone turned their attention to him.

"I believe I have some grounds to speak," he continued. "I'm not a victim, nor am I a family member of one. I'm merely a friend of these parents…"

He gestured lightly toward Darius and the other elite fathers.

"…and I also happen to be the owner of the school where this child, Al, is enrolled."

His breaths were steady, tone neutral.

"Additionally, Alasia Group and I hold a positive relationship. So if anyone could be considered neutral in this room besides the police, that would be me, correct?"

Santo silently sighed in relief — finally, someone stepped in.

Lefon's position indeed made him the safest person to speak. He nodded, signaling permission for Lefon to proceed.

Ai also nodded faintly.

She knew Lefon was technically on the opposing side, but his words were valid — and the police seemed willing to hear him out.

For now, she chose to observe what kind of game Lefon intended to play.

The only one suffering was Al.

Arghhh… it's still not over?! Politics and business are full of unnecessary drama… so not my thing. This is exhausting…

He sank deeper into his seat, fully surrendering to fate.

Lefon began to elaborate on the entire situation, attempting to normalize the issue as though this was merely an unfortunate but expected complication.

He explained that this case was far too heavy to be handled in a simplistic manner.

He laid out how the matter had already entered the sphere of the elites, how the victim card was unavoidable, how the families of the supposed victims were deeply shake.

And how, under such circumstances, designating Al as a suspect and placing him in custody was, according to him, the most reasonable and safest course of action.

Ai merely shook her head at that explanation.

"So what you're implying," Ai said, her voice steady, "is that you actually doubt the competence of Alasia Group in guaranteeing this child's safety?"

"And honestly, this is strange," she added, her gaze sharpening.

"You're talking as if Norvalien and Karagara are already guaranteed to retaliate against a child whose guilt isn't even confirmed."

Her eyes shifted toward Darius and Kugo.

"Don't tell me you two are entertaining the idea of carrying out retribution against him—meaning physical harm?" she said, her tone turning cold.

The two fathers, who had pinned most of their hopes on Lefon's intervention, instantly felt irritated. Now it seemed they were the ones being put on the spot by Ai's accusation.

Even Santo and the principal could only exhale and shake their heads.

Kugo shook his head first.

"Of course not, young lady. If we intended to do something like that, we would have done it from the beginning. Especially since this incident occurred several days ago."

Darius nodded and finally spoke again.

"We would not calmly wait and negotiate if we actually intended to injure or punish him."

Lefon felt his throat tighten.

He didn't expect Ai to counter him so easily even after he had pulled out the victim card. Yet he finally exhaled with some relief after hearing Darius and Kugo's clarification.

"So what exactly is it that you want?" Ai asked bluntly.

The question pierced straight at their intentions, and naturally, they could not reveal their true objective.

"We… only want justice for our children," Darius replied briefly.

"From the evidence we saw and the testimonies given, everything clearly points to him attacking our sons."

"How could we possibly sit still and watch him walk around freely while our boys are lying unconscious?" he added, his tone carrying a tremor of emotion.

"Correct," Kugo added.

"He should be grateful we're not acting impulsively, and that we're still trying to find the best course of action for everyone involved."

He let out a small huff, attempting to suppress his annoyance.

"So holding him for now is simply the best option."

But Ai shook her head, unmoved by their emotional justification.

"I understand your grievances. But those only matter if this child is actually proven to be the perpetrator. What you're doing is forcing him to be the culprit based solely on your personal analysis," she said firmly.

"You might feel satisfied seeing him detained or punished. But is that justice? What if he isn't the culprit? You're overstepping."

This time, none of them responded immediately. Silence filled the room.

Until Kugo, unable to restrain himself, fought back again. He slammed his palm on the table.

"It's obvious he hurt my son! What else is there to prove?! I want him punished properly!" he barked.

Frustration pushed him into acting impulsively. His energy flared again, baring his recklessness right in front of Ai.

Santo, who could sense energy, froze for a moment at the sudden surge from his senior.

He wasn't sure he could hold Kugo back if things went south. All he could do was brace himself to jump in.

He turned toward Ai's group, thinking they would to at least look pressured or intimidated.

But—unfortunately for him—they weren't.

Sebastian and Reina were still sitting there casually, while Al and Ai stared at Kugo like he was nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum.

And what scared him the most…

Ai's bodyguards were already on standby. Standing tall. The two stationed inside the room alone were radiating an aura just as terrifying.

Not to mention… the dozen more outside. Santo could clearly feel the pressure flooding the entire area, all of it seemingly aimed straight at the investigation room.

Kugo felt it too. At first he thought only Sebastian was dangerous. But even Sebastian was still sitting calmly. And those bodyguards… they were far worse.

Both Kugo and Santo felt chills run down their backs, cold sweat forming. They never imagined they'd be the ones getting pressured.

Slowly, Kugo lowered his energy.

"Senior. You feel that?" Santo asked telepathically.

"Of course. Those two alone are on my level. Maybe stronger." Kugo answered while glancing at the two bodyguards standing by.

He still couldn't believe bodyguards were intimidating him like this. But reality was reality. These weren't normal bodyguards.

"Senior… they're not ordinary people. I think we were a bit careless. A group like Alasia would definitely have top-tier fighters," Santo replied.

Kugo didn't answer this time, focusing on suppressing his energy.

"Senior… what do we do? What if they get offended and attack? Don't tell me I'll have to fight too?" Santo pressed.

Kugo clicked his tongue, annoyed, before replying,

"No idea. Just be ready."

And right then, the two bodyguards moved. Their aura intensified, compressing the room and making it lightly tremble.

Even Darius and the others—who had no magical energy—could feel the vibrating pressure and the intimidation washing over them.

Kugo and Santo grit their teeth, bodies tense, ready to fight.

But fortunately—

Ai raised her hand casually.

"You don't need to act. This is nothing," she said calmly.

And with that single instruction, as if perfectly trained soldiers, the two immediately halted, bowed, and stepped back to the corner of the room.

"Yes, my lady," they said together.

Even the ones outside started calming down.

Kugo and Santo both exhaled in relief. They genuinely felt like death had brushed past them.

Al simply flashed a faint smile.

"They're too tense, as always," he said to Ai telepathically.

Ai smiled lightly.

She then refocused on the matter at hand.

She lifted a brow and looked at Santo.

"It seems the victims' families aren't in a stable emotional state. I trust you know what to do."

Santo flinched slightly, then nodded. He walked over to Kugo.

Even Darius and the others stepped forward slightly, placing their hands on Kugo's arm to hold him back.

"Mr. Karagara… you can't act like this," he reminded politely. A little acting, so Ai wouldn't think he was losing professionalism—even though he already knew Kugo had backed down.

"Huft… this is really frustrating," Kugo muttered under his breath.

Ai, on the other hand, felt the atmosphere deteriorating rapidly. The air in the room had become heavy, unstable, no longer suitable for continued negotiation.

Her gaze naturally drifted toward Al—who was visibly bored out of his mind, slouching slightly as if this entire drama was nothing more than a tedious commercial break.

Seeing that her master was already exhausted, she finally stood up.

"I didn't intend to lecture any of you, and I've been trying to respect the investigative procedures of this police department," she said coldly.

"But you all seem far too insistent, as if you're intent on making this issue far more complicated than it actually is."

"Alright, if that's really what you want," she said calmly, her tone ice-cold. "Then let me explain first."

She flicked the photo evidence sharply across the polished surface of the table, letting it slide directly toward the elite fathers, her tone ice-cold and utterly unwavering.

"None of these pictures show his face—or even his shadow. And the witnesses you brought are your own people, who clearly have potential bias," she explained sharply.

"They claim they were poisoned, yet there is zero proof that they were poisoned. And you call this clear evidence? I've been exceedingly tolerant with this investigation. Do not disappoint me."

Her words sealed every hole they could use to counterattack. The men across the table were left speechless.

But Ai wasn't done.

She exhaled softly, then continued:

"Then... let's do this," she said, her tone temporarily gentler.

"Let him finish his national exams. During that period, we will secure him, and the police may continue their review and maintain surveillance if necessary."

Her voice turned frosty again.

"And after that, prepare your entire legal arsenal, because we will battle it out in court. I, and Alasia Group as his guardian, will handle every aspect of his legal defense."

And thus, the declaration of war was made.

Al smiled faintly at that—feeling that this was a far more satisfying conclusion to the exhausting exchange.

Darius and Kugo stiffened, genuinely shocked that Ai would bring Alasia Group into a legal confrontation against them.

And they knew… despite Santo's influence, their chances of victory were not reassuring. Court was an entirely different battlefield from the police station.

The most stressed were, of course, Lefon and the principal.

Their standing with Alasia Group was already uncertain, and now they had been dragged straight into the center of the storm.

Santo and the other officials present could only shake their heads. There was a hint of regret for ever getting involved.

He knew that if Alasia deployed its legal division, this would no longer be about defending the orphan boy.

It would become a counterattack—one far more devastating than anything the fathers had intended.

Especially since it was painfully clear that the elites had no solid evidence to anchor their case in court.

And what happened afterward… was something Al found surprisingly pleasant.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.