"It''s true, Ms. Weir. Let''s proceed with your statement first," the police officer said.


    Vrie had little to say. She had passed out so quickly that she couldn''t remember anything afterward. The police officers only asked about her meeting with Stefan.


    During the questioning, Vrie learned the truth-Stefan had invited her out with the intent to kidnap her, and he had gone through with it.


    Once they finished, the police officer said, "Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Weir. You''re free to go now. Please stay home and wait for further updates."


    Vrie nodded. "Alright, thank you."


    As she stepped out of the interrogation room, Brandon was waiting. "Vrie, let''s go home."


    She turned to him. "Brandon, I want to see Stefan."


    She needed to understand why he had kidnapped her and why he had called the police afterward.


    Brandon frowned. "You should already know that he and Michelle are half-siblings. He approached you with an agenda from the start. What''s the point of seeing him now?"


    "I want to ask him why he kidnapped me but then changed his mind and reported it," Vrie replied.


    Brandon retorted, "Does that even matter? The fact is, he tried to hurt you. Why do you still want to see him?"


    "It matters to me," Vrie answered.


    Brandon took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Fine. Go see him. I''ll wait outside."


    Without another word, he turned and left, frustration evident in his stride.


    Ten minutester, Vrie sat across from Stefan in the holding room.


    Seeing her, Stefan smiled. "Veevee, I didn''t think you''d actually want to see me again."


    Vrie met his gaze with a nk expression. "Why did you call the police?"


    "Because I changed my mind. I didn''t want to spend the rest of my life in prison," Stefan said tly.


    "You''re lying. You never nned to follow Michelle''s orders, did you?" Vrie countered.


    Stefan''s smile faltered. "Veevee, you''re overthinking things. I just had second thoughts."


    Vrie lowered her gaze, silent for a long moment, then murmured, "Then let''s just say I''m overthinking it."


    She asked no more questions and stood to leave.


    As she turned, Stefan''s smile fadedpletely. His eyes remained fixed on her back, filled with reluctance.


    He had never intended to kidnap her.


    Drugging her had only been a wan


    incriminate Michelle f?r ordering kidnapping.


    The Snowdens had influence in Saintornia, but they were no match for the Sumners or the Weirs. As long as Brandon and the Weirs pressured the case, Michelle would Surely be convicted.


    Once that happened, Vrie would finally be safe.


    This was the only thing Stefan could do for her.


    ...


    Outside the station, Vrie saw Brandon leaning against the car, smoking. She quickened her pace toward him.


    Hearing her approach, he looked up and flicked the cigarette into a nearby trash


    can.


    "Finished?" he asked.


    "Mm. Brandon, there''s something I want to exin," Vrie said.


    "Get in the car." Brandon opened the backseat door and got in first.


    Sensing his cold demeanor, Vrie pressed her lips together before following him inside.


    Once she sat down, Brandon told the driver to start the car.


    "Brandon, about meeting with Stefan tonight—" Vrie began.


    Brandon cut her off, "You don''t have to exin. That''s your business, and I trust you."


    Vrie took a deep breath and


    looked at him seriously. "But the way


    you''re acting right now, it does seem


    like you


    upset Ljust want to


    exin everything so there''s ho misunderstanding between us."