Logan, confident the situation was now decided, broke into a smug grin. "The fact that you''ve used drugs is undeniable. There''s no room for argument. It looks like you''ll be spending the next fifteen days here. The food in detention isn''t great, and the beds are hard as a rock. A man of your refined tastes should probably prepare himself."


    A fifteen-day detention for a first-time drug offense was a minor punishment for an ordinary person. But for someone of Thaddeus''s stature and public influence, it meant total ruin. With thebel of "drug offender," he would be barred from all public-facing activities for the Abernathy Group to protect thepany''s image.


    Faced with the damning evidence of the blood report, Ivan''s heart sank. As he scrambled to think of a counter-strategy, Thaddeus, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke, his voice steady.


    "I have not used illegal drugs. Three months ago, after my health began to decline, I started taking medication to manage my condition. Later, my brother, Chad, under the pretense of arranging my treatment, assigned his personal physician to me."


    "His personal physician? What''s her name?" Logan asked.


    "Alexia." Thaddeus slowly raised his head, his eyes still sharp and piercing, not in the least bit broken by his predicament. "After she took over my care, all subsequent medication was provided by her. She told me it was to control my condition, not that it was an illicit drug."


    Logan froze, his brow knitting in confusion. He had thought this would be a simple matter of convicting Thaddeus and reporting back to Chief Roderick. He never expected thisplication-a personal doctor named Alexia suddenly entering the picture. The case was far moreplex and murky than he had anticipated.


    "First, I was unaware this was a drug. As you yourself said, Mr. Logan, this is a new substance that has only been on the streets of Elmsworth for two months. Most people, including yourselves, have likely only recently encountered it. That is certainly true for me," Thaddeus continued. "Second, had I known, I never would have taken it. My health is alreadypromised. Why would Ipound the problem by taking drugs? Am I trying to kill myself? Do I seem like someone with a death wish?"


    Thaddeus sat tall and poised, exuding the dignified bearing of a soldier. He


    projected an aura of integrity that seemed utterly at odds with the image of a man controlled by addiction. How many people on the outside would actually believe he was a drug user?


    While Logan was lost in thought, Ivan spoke up again. "Mr. Logan, I suggest you bring Dr. Alexia in for questioning immediately. If she supplied the medication, she must know its origin. You''ve identified the pills found in my client''s office as Crystal Ice, which makes Dr. Alexia a person of major interest. As a physician with free ess to the Abernathy family estate and Mr. Thaddeus himself, what would you say are the chances she could have entered his office to nt those drugs?" Logan was speechless.


    ...


    That evening, in the study at Windermere Estate, Frederic sat with a heavy heart, his brow furrowed with worry, while Dennis massaged his shoulders.


    "How could Thaddeus... get involved with drugs? In all my years, I never thought he was that kind of person."


    "Father, please watch your health," Chad said, personally pouring a cup of tea and cing it in front of Frederic. "I will handle Thaddeus''s _situation, f''ll do my best to get him out quickly and minimize the impact on the Abernathy Group." <fnde36> Find the newest release on </fnde36>


    "How can you minimize it? It''s all over the news! The stock will plummet again


    when the market opens tomorrow!" Fredericmented.


    Chad remainedposed, a faint smile on his lips. "As long as we secure the A5


    Project, the stock will soar, and we''ll recover all our losses."


    Frederic''s head was starting to ache.


    He shook his head. "I still don''t believe Thaddeus... would use drugs." While he often disapproved of his younger son''s methods, he had always trusted his character.


    Alexia chimed in tentatively, "Perhaps it was because of his


    recent illness, the stress from work, and his breakup with Ms. Evadne...


    beerteo


    brave been


    The pressure may have


    much...


    "Alexia, this doesn''t concern you," Chad said curtly.


    Alexia raised an eyebrow and stepped back.


    Frederic rubbed his temples. "With the project deadline looming and Thaddeus in this mess, I''ll have to handle all the external meetings and events myself."


    "If you trust me, I can assist you," Chad offered, his gaze sincere.


    Frederic slowly looked up, meeting his son''s deep, unreadable eyes. Just then,


    the butler''s anxious voice came from outside the door.


    "Mr. Frederic, the police are here. They say they need to take someone in for questioning."


    Frederic had had enough. "Who?!" he demanded irritably.


    "Alexia. Dr. Alexia."


    All three men turned to look at her. Alexia''s face went stiff, and she quickly nced at Chad, whose expression was unreadable.


    "Go ahead, Alexia," Chad said, his eyes curving into a slight smile, his voice betraying no emotion. "Cooperate fully with the police. Just answer whatever they ask."