When he was a kid and got himself into trouble, it was always his grandfather who stepped in and cleaned up his mess. Later, when he took over Ratcliff Global and faced all kinds of challenges, it was his grandfather who had his back, giving him the strength to push through.


    His grandfather used to say that all he wanted was for Sebastian to be happy. Not just sess at work, but someone to love him, someone to stand by his side.


    "You brat, Reese is a good girl. Treat her well. Don''t let her get hurt. Sometimes you have to take a step back. That''s how you make a life together."


    Sebastian never really took those words to heart before. But now, they kept echoing in his mind and just wouldn''t leave him alone.


    So did Reese''s smile, the way she''d quietly given so much to the Ratcliff family over the years, always looking out for him, never saying a word about how badly Jane treated her.


    And what had he done in return? He''d had her sent to the police station.


    Sebastian couldn''t sit still anymore. He grabbed his jacket and got up, turning to the bodyguard nearby. His voice was tight and serious. "Keep an eye on Grandpa. If anything happens, call me right away."


    Meanwhile, in a holding cell at the police station, Reese leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, trying to figure out how she could get to the bottom of her mother''s car ident.


    The door clicked open and a police officer came in, his tone softer than before. "Reese, you have a phone call. Come with me."


    She paused, confused. George hadn''te back. Hank had left after their fight. Who would be calling her now?


    She followed the officer to the front desk, picked up the phone, and spoke quietly. "Hello?"


    "Reese, it''s me."


    The voice on the other end was steady and familiar, instantly calming her.


    "Matthew..." Just hearing his voice made her eyes sting, and for a second, she almost lost control of all the emotions she''d been pushing down for days.


    "I heard about grandfather. And I know the police brought you in."


    Matthew''s voice was calm and sure. "I know you''d never hurt him. Don''t worry. I''ve already hired the best criminalwyer in the country he should be on his way to the station now.


    "I also got the new medication, and a whole medical team is on their way back to Bridger Lake.


    "Trust me, Reese. I''ll make sure your grandfather wakes up. I''ll make sure your name is cleared."


    Reese tightened her grip on the phone.


    Through Sebastian''s pressure, Jane''s coldness, Hank''s misunderstanding, she hadn''t cried once.


    Everyone else seemed ready to me her or doubt her. But not Matthew. He never questioned her not even for a second. He''d quietly taken care of everything, even before she thought to ask.


    Right then, the tight knot in her chest finally loosened, just a little. She could finally catch her breath.


    "Thank you,” she said, sniffling and trying to keep her voice steady. "I''m okay. Drive safe, all right?"


    "Yeah," Matthew replied, pausing for


    a beat, like he could hear she was close to tears but chose not to call her out ortit, Don''t worry, I''m here if you need anything, call me anytime. Thewyer will contact you as soon as he gets there."


    At that moment, Sebastian appeared at the entrance to the duty room.


    From a distance, he watched Reese holding the phone, a small smile on her face


    as she talked. His expression grew even darker.


    He nced at the officer next to him, his voice cold. "Who called her?"


    "It was a call from the military, sir... but I''m not sure exactly who."