That was thest bag of pills. He hadn''t been carrying it with him because he''d realized he was developing a powerful dependency on it and was trying to resist the urge to take any more. Before, skipping a dose only meant a headache. Now, it felt like ants were crawling all over his body, biting and gnawing at his bones. The sensation was so excruciating that even with his formidable willpower, it was a living hell.


    "Do you know what this is?" Logan demanded.


    "What?" the man''s voice was low.


    "It''s called ''Crystal Ice.'' It''s one of the most potent and addictive new drugs on the market right now."


    Thaddeus''s pupils contracted violently, his breathing bing uneven. "You said... what is it?"


    "Mr. Thaddeus, we have concrete evidence. There''s no need to continue this act, is there?" Logan stood over him, looking down with a cold re. "Just confess. Don''t waste our time, and don''t waste your own valuable time. It''s your first offense, so the penalty won''t be too severe. Be a man, own up to it, and try to look on the bright side."


    Thaddeus lowered his gaze, his brow furrowing deeper, but a fierce, burning me ignited in his eyes. The medicine hade from Alexia, which meant it came at his brother''s instruction. From the very beginning, his brother had never intended to help him recover. He was luring him into drug addiction, making a deal with the devil to drag him down into hell.


    The realization sent a shockwave through Thaddeus''s mind. His temples throbbed, and his vision blurred in and out of focus. Just then, the interrogation room door opened again. Thaddeus squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, and when he opened them, he saw a well-dressed man with refined features walking toward him.


    The man spoke with a calm, resonant voice. "I am Mr. Thaddeus''s legal counsel, Ivan Dempsey. From this point forward, my client has the right to selectively answer or refuse to answer any unreasonable questions you may ask."


    "Dempsey?!" Logan stared at Ivan in astonishment. As part of the same justice system, how could he not recognize the famous former judge?


    "Mr. Dempsey?" Thaddeus murmured, a thinyer of cold sweat on his forehead.


    Ivan smiled withposed reassurance. "For now, I am simply yourwyer, Mr. Thaddeus."


    Logan scoffed. "Well, well. Leave it to Elmsworth''s top family to hire the famously incorruptible Judge Dempsey."


    "Different roles, different stances. As


    awyer, I believe everyone has the right to a defense." Ivan sat down beside Thaddeus with unshakable calm. Their eyes met in a moment of silent understanding before van leaned in and whispered, "Ms.


    Evadne sent me."


    Thaddeus stared at him, his heart, which had been bound by thorns, beginning to beat wildly, as if trying to break free.


    Ivan then picked up theb report


    and spoke coolly. "Although the test result is positive, that doesn''t prove it was caused by illicit drug use Certain prescription drugs, particrly those banned in this


    country, can also produce a positive result if taken in excess Don


    think basing your case on this alone is a bit of a stretch, Mr. Logan?"


    The officer next to him retorted, "But we found Crystal Ice in his office. It might be


    a small amount, but that''s still possession!"


    "I''ve seen this


    this kind


    of frame-up


    countless times," Ivan said, setting down the file, his gaze as sharp asz an arrow. "Two months ago, our firm took a case where an executive was reported for bribery after police found a box of cash in his car. The investigationter revealed that someone had intentionally broken into his trunk to nt the money. The Abernathy Group tower has thousands of employees. Even with security, can you guarantee that no one could have slipped in to nt this bag and frame my client?"


    A surge of anger rose in Logan, and he gritted his teeth. "Judge Dempsey, you


    truly have a silver tongue. You could argue that ck is white."


    "Furthermore, you''re using my client of drug use. Have you established aplete chain of evidence?"


    Logan''s brow furrowed.<fndef3> This update is avable on find?novel</fndef3>


    Ivan leaned forward, his voice low and firm. "Do you have any proof that Mr. Thaddeus purchased these drugs or had someone purchase them for him? Do you?"