"That's impossible. Dad wouldn't do that," Starley exclaimed immediately.
"Yeah, I know. It seems like someone is trying to set Dad up," Nathan replied. Starley tried to think for a moment; could this be the work of the same person who burned down the Bellamy Corp building?
"You shouldn't go home yet; it's better to stay at Raul's mansion until everything is safe," Nathan ordered. After that, Starley heard someone else speaking to Nathan at his location.
"Young Master, sorry to interrupt. I have some information. The police have arrested your father at the residence, and it seems they will take him in for interrogation," Starley could hear Nathan clicking his tongue in annoyance.
"And Dad didn't resist being taken in?" Nathan asked.
"No, Young Master. He went willingly."
"Alright, I'll head there later," Nathan said to his assistant.
"Then I'll update you again," Nathan called out to Starley.
But Starley quickly said, "I'm coming with you."
"Starley, you don't need to come," Nathan shouted.
"But I need to go; I want to talk to Dad," Starley replied.
There was a silence for a few seconds before Nathan sighed. Knowing his sister was so stubborn, Nathan finally answered, "Alright, I'll send you the address in a message."
After Starley replied with an okay, they both hung up the phone.
"What happened?" Raul asked immediately.
"My dad was arrested; the police found cocaine while investigating the fire," Starley answered. Hearing that, Raul furrowed his brow and looked like he was thinking about something. A few minutes later, Starley received Nathan's address. Then Starley said, "I have to go," standing up from her chair.
"I'll take you," Raul said. Starley turned to Raul and looked at the man in surprise.
"Since when has Raul Blackwell had this much free time?" Starley asked.
Raul chuckled softly, stood up from his chair, gulped down his coffee briefly, then looked at Starley and said, "Since I became your bodyguard, cupcake."
"I don't need you as a bodyguard twenty-four hours, Raul."
"But the evidence shows you need me twenty-four hours. Wait for me to change clothes for a moment," Raul replied. Starley rolled her eyes, then remembered she was still wearing Raul's shorts.
"Ah, right. Do you have any women's pants? I can't possibly go out in these," Starley exclaimed. Raul finally looked at the shorts Starley was wearing.
"Are you asking a bachelor if he has women's pants at his place?" Raul replied.
"Who knows, you might. Maybe you bought them for your girlfriend at first," Starley exclaimed, trying to sound indifferent. Although, in reality, her heart felt a little tight saying that.
Raul stared at Starley for a moment before calling Carlos and saying, "Buy a women's shirt and pants, size XS. Make sure it's the best quality, the latest model with the most comfortable fabric. Right now," in a firm and bossy voice. Wow, Raul even remembered her size. After Raul hung up the phone, he looked at Starley again.
"I don't have a girlfriend, so there are no women's clothes or pants here," Raul casually informed her.
And for some reason, Raul's answer relieved Starley's heart. Starley realized she shouldn't feel relieved. Whether Raul had a girlfriend or not was none of her business.
"Finish your breakfast; we'll leave after Carlos brings your clothes," Raul called out.
Starley's pancake was still half-eaten. She wanted to protest, but it was better to wait for Carlos's clothes. Many reporters would be ready to swarm Starley if they saw her arriving in a man's shirt and pants; they would create new gossip.
Starley sat back down, and Raul went to change clothes. Starley wanted to finish her pancake, but she felt her appetite had vanished since she had received Nathan's call earlier.
Raul finished changing in just ten minutes and returned to finish breakfast with Starley. Starley glanced at Raul; he looked handsome in a black suit without a tie. Even the top button of his shirt was undone; this man could be called a hot daddy without kids. Starley quickly averted her gaze, afraid of being caught staring at Raul.
About thirty minutes later, Carlos finally arrived and entered the dining room carrying a luxury brand paper bag.
Carlos immediately handed it to Starley. She quickly went to change in the bathroom. Carlos had a good fashion sense. He bought the clothes and pants semi-formal: a black shirt featuring white checkered lines, black pants, a light cream coat, black heeled boots, and a bag. Starley would just let her wavy hair down.
After Starley changed her clothes, she headed to Raul's dining room. But Carlos was nowhere to be seen. Raul lifted his gaze from his laptop when he heard Starley's heel steps. Their eyes met, and Raul openly looked Starley up and down.
"I'll reimburse you later when I get the wallet I left at Selene's mansion," Starley exclaimed.
Raul's eyes darkened as he replied, "No need to reimburse me. If necessary, I would buy you an entire store of clothes."
Starley's eyes widened in shock at Raul's words.
"I don't need an entire store of clothes, Raul. Let's go before you start rambling weirdly," Starley shouted. She then walked ahead of Raul. Starley's response raised Raul's eyebrow.
"Rambling? But I was serious about it," Raul said softly so Starley couldn't hear him.
When Raul and Starley reached the car garage, Raul headed towards one of his latest black Bugatti cars. He got into the car first, sitting in the driver's seat. Then Starley followed and sat in the front passenger seat.
Raul started the car and quickly accelerated to leave the mansion, heading towards where Harold Bellamy was being held temporarily. The journey was silent. Starley stared out the window while Raul focused on driving.
"The two men from yesterday are still there, right?" Starley suddenly asked. She was referring to Kade and the pilot. This made Raul glance at her from the corner of his eye for a few seconds before his gaze returned to the road.
"Of course, I won't let them go that easily until I get the information I want," Raul replied. Starley nodded. Suddenly, she remembered the letter that had been sent to her.
"I read the letter yesterday," Starley informed him.
"What did it say?" Raul asked.
"It said he knows a secret about my family that I don't know. And if I help him, he will tell me that secret. He also mentioned that one of his men, Kade, would come at six, and if I haven't responded, he would burn down the Bellamy Corp building," Starley explained. Raul's jaw tightened upon hearing that, his hands gripping the steering wheel tighter until the veins in his hands stood out. Blood felt like it was boiling throughout his body.
"How dare he threaten you," Raul said, no longer thinking about what he was saying.
"What?" Starley asked, confused by Raul's reaction.
"When I find that bastard, I will kill him with my own hands and make him regret ever living in this world," Raul added, not hiding his anger towards that bastard. Starley then noticed Raul's shoulders becoming very stiff and tense. Raul's gaze was wild as he stared at the road ahead as if he genuinely wanted to kill someone. Reflexively, Starley gently touched Raul's shoulder.
"Why are you so tense?" Starley asked directly.
Raul was slightly startled when Starley suddenly touched his shoulder. He didn't know why he was so tense. But the thought of Starley possibly getting hurt because of that bastard made Raul extremely angry. It made him want to do everything to find that bastard and keep Starley safe. Starley seemed to realize she was touching Raul's shoulder. When she tried to pull her hand back, Raul had already taken Starley's hand, which she had placed on his shoulder. Then Raul held Starley's hand.
"Raul, what are you doing? You're driving," Starley exclaimed.
"I can drive with one hand," Raul replied. Before Starley could protest again, Raul added,
"Just for a moment, your hand calms me down."
Raul wasn't lying. Starley's hand was able to calm him. He had felt it three years ago, but feeling it again now made him even more confident that he wasn't wrong back then.
Raul's words heated Starley's face, but she didn't feel disturbed or dislike it. In the end, Starley lets Raul hold her hand for the journey. After half an hour had passed, they finally arrived. Raul reluctantly released his grip on Starley's hand because he had to park the car.
Ten minutes is a very short time, but she had to make the most of it. Starley finally agreed and requested to bring Raul along as well. At first, the woman did not allow it, but Raul stated that he was Starley's bodyguard while showing his ID, successfully convincing the receptionist to permit him.
Before entering, they were checked for sharp objects or weapons. Starley didn't bring anything, while Raul had to surrender his gun to enter. A police officer escorted them to where Harold was being held. After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at Harold's cell.
"Ten minutes," said the officer. Then he walked a little way off but did not leave them.
"Dad," called Starley. Upon hearing his daughter's voice, Harold lifted his head, which had been bowed.
Starley's eyes wanted to cry when she saw her father detained here. But she held it back with all her might. Harold stood and walked closer to the closed cell door, but he could see Starley.
"Starley," Harold said, not believing that Starley was here.
Then his gaze shifted to the tall figure beside Starley, Raul Blackwell. The man slightly bowed while greeting, "Mr. Bellamy."
"And Blackwell. What are you doing here?" Harold asked.
"Dad, tell me this isn't true, right?" Starley asked directly because she only had ten minutes.
Harold sighed and said, "Yes, I was framed, Starley."
"Framed by whom, Dad? I will catch them right away," Starley said immediately.
"I don't know for sure; I have many enemies," Harold replied.
Starley sighed and said, "I will catch them and free you from here."
"It won't be that easy, my dear," Harold said sadly.
"Then, can you give me the names of your enemies? I will check them one by one," Starley exclaimed, starting to lose patience.
"Starley, my dear. Listen to me. Don't get close to danger; let me and your brother handle this," Harold said. Starley began to feel frustrated; even in this situation, her father still said that.
"If you both handle it, what am I supposed to do?" Starley asked.
"Just take care of yourself, Starley. That's enough. Stay strong; I know you are a brilliant and brave woman, but I am just afraid your bravery will bring disaster upon you," Harold said. Starley's eyes softened upon hearing her father's words.
"Dad..." Starley called.
"And also, forgive me, my dear. It seems we are going to lose everything," Harold said sadly.
Those words hit Starley like a decisive blow to the head; she had never thought of that. But if that were the case, would Starley be forced to accept Raul's offer?
…