Chapter Twenty-Four: Revelations

Hi, everyone,

I hope everyone is safe and well in these hard times.

Here is the new update of Through the Darkness.

I'm sorry because it's kinda short, but I hope you'll like it. Your reviews, comments and votes are highly appreciated and welcomed.

This chapter was edited only by Grammarly. Please excuse my mistakes.

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Monday Morning,

Kongphop drove as fast as the traffic laws allowed him to his parents' house. He was in the hospital with Kiet and Arthit who had just entered Siriporn's clinic when his father called and asked him to come home urgently.

Something seriously wrong was going on since his father was at home at such time instead of the company, not to mention the grave tone his father had used while talking to him!

Reaching his house, Kongphop parked the car in front of the house and rushed inside. He found his parents, his eldest brother-in-law and the family lawyer sitting in the living room.

"Good morning," he greeted solemnly, fully noticing the grim expressions on the four people in front of him.

"Good morning, Kong," his father was the only one who replied as he stood from his seat. "Have a seat, son."

Nodding, Kongphop joined the four people in the living room. "What happened?" he asked.

"Mr Kongphop," the lawyer spoke. "Your father informed me that there is an investigation of a kidnapping and rape case related to your family is currently undergoing, is that true?"

"Yes," Kongphop replied, unsure where this was leading to.

"And the victim was your ex-boyfriend, is that right?"

"P'Arthit is my boyfriend," Kongphop corrected, glancing at his mother. "and yes, he is the victim."

"I understand that the—incident had taken place on Suthiluck's property, and one or more of the company's employees were involved."

"Yes, that's correct," Kongphop replied. "Why are you asking me all these questions?" he asked. "What's going on?"

Taking a deep breath, the lawyer took out a couple of papers and showed them to Kongphop.

"These are two summoning orders from the police," she explained. "requesting the presence of Mr Leelawat and Mrs Suthiluck for questioning. Your father thinks that it is related to your boyfriend's ongoing investigation."

Kongphop stared at the lawyer with utter shock before he looked again at the papers in his hands. He could understand why the police were summoning his brother-in-law, but his mother?

What did his mother have to do with anything?

"I don't understand," he said. "Why would the police call my mother?"

"We're not sure if Mrs Suthiluck's summon has anything to do with the case," the lawyer replied. "But since both summonses came from the same police station and bearing the same investigator's name, we could safely assume that they are related."

"What exactly does that boyfriend of yours want, Kong?" Mrs Suthiluck, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly snapped. "Does he want to tarnish our family's good name?"

"P'Arthit has nothing to do with this, Mom," Kongphop said sternly. "He has no idea what is going on."

"Isn't his father a detective?" Aat, Kongphop's brother-in-law, asked. "I'm sure that he has some influence on that Detective who's handling the case."

Kongphop glared at the older man, seriously considering strangling him to death.

"If your so-called boyfriend wants money," his mother said. "he should've asked for it from the beginning; instead of resorting to such cheap and despicable tricks!"

"Waen, that's enough!" Kerkkrai's voice roared through the entire house as he glared at his wife.

"But—"

"I said enough!" Kerkkrai cut Waen off before she could complete her sentence. "I don't want to hear another word against Mr Arthit when we're not even sure that this summons is related to his case."

"What if it is, father?" Aat asked. "What if that man and his father are trying to smear our family's reputation?"

"I thought I said I don't want to hear another word against Mr Arthit," Kerkkrai hissed at his son-in-law. "Detective Gun is expecting us at 3 pm today. After we're done from the police station, we'll sit together and talk. Before that, I don't want to hear any word on this matter. Is that understood?"

Everyone nodded their heads before the lawyer asked Kongphop to sit with him in private so he could explain to her the case and its circumstances.

The young man agreed, and the two left to sit alone in Mr Kerkkrai's study.

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Waen marched in her room, sulking. Her husband had never talked to her like this in all the years of their marriage. But now, he had reprimanded her in front of others for the sake of that man, who was trying to ruin their family?!

How could he?!

"Waen!" Kerkkrai called her as he entered the room. "We need to talk."

"About what?" she asked in a bitter tone. "Are you going to continue your reprimanding? Why didn't you finish it in front of our sons?"

Kerkkrai sighed as he sat next to his wife on their bed.

"I'm sorry if my tone was stern and sharp," he said. "However, we seriously need to talk about our son."

"You want to talk?!" his wife asked. "Fine! I'll talk! Heaven knows I've been silent enough about this absurd situation! I think our son is blind and fool about his obsession with that man!" She said with a snort.

"No," the man said. "He's neither. Kongphop is a good judge of character. And his lover is a good man. Can't you see that you're hurting him with your comments about his boyfriend? You were okay with their relationship, what changed?"

Waen remained silent for a few moments before she spoke. "I was never okay with their relationship," she admitted. "I hated that my son is involved with a man. I hated that I would never see his children…our grandchildren!"—she inhaled deeply—"But at that time, I couldn't say anything."

FLASHBACK

Waen was sitting in the garden, drinking her morning tea when her husband and son came and joined her.

"Good Morning, Mom," Kongphop greeted as he sat opposite to her while Kerkkrai took a seat beside his wife.

Waen frowned slightly at the hesitant tone she could hear in her son's voice but didn't comment. Instead, she smiled and greeted him back.

"Mom," Kongphop spoke after a brief period of silence. "I want to tell you something."

"What is it, dear?"

"It's about my love life," he said, smiling nervously at her. "The truth is, I've been seeing someone since my first university year."

Waen stared with evident shock at her son. He had been dating someone for four years, and he hadn't told her at all.

"Who is she?" she asked. "And why you didn't say anything before now?"

"Well," Kongphop replied. "I—I guess I didn't know how to break the news to you."

"Did you know about this, dear?" Waen asked her husband.

"I've become aware of it recently by chance," Kerkkrai replied. "But Kong had only confessed to me last night."

"Who is she?" Waen asked her son, suspiciously.

"Well, it's a he," Kongphop replied.

Waen stared at her son, thinking that she had misheard what he had said.

"I beg your pardon," she said.

"I'm in a relationship with a man, Mom," Kongphop said. "He was my senior in university. And I'm deeply in love with him."

There was nothing Waen could do other than to stare at her son in complete silence. Hope mixed with anxiety were filling her son's dark orbs as he looked back at her. She felt the refusal that she wanted so desperately to voice out was being smothered by her desire not to break her son's heart. She almost chocked because of the lump that was forming in her throat.

Forcing a smile on her face, Waen spoke. "Well, as long as you're happy, I don't mind."

The bright smile that Kongphop gave her in response only made her feel guiltier.

END OF FLASHBACK

Waen let out a deep breath. "I was delighted when that man broke up with Kongphop at the end. I said to myself that my prayers had finally been answered. And though it was hard on me to see Kong suffer in the aftermath of the breakup, I consoled myself that it would be a temporary phase. Kong would soon overcome his sadness, and he would eventually find a suitable woman to marry and build a true family."

Kerkkrai listened to his wife in complete silence as she expressed her true feelings towards their son's relationship, with mixed feelings. He had never expected that his wife was harbouring such resentment. A small fear stirred inside of him all of a sudden, but he quickly squashed it before it grew, saying that his wife might have hated Kongphop's relationship with a man, but she couldn't do anything extreme.

"So," he said. "no matter what happens, you will never accept Mr Arthit into our family?"

"Never," She replied.

"Even if our son insisted?" Kerkkrai asked. "Even if being with Mr Arthit means his happiness?"

Waen glared at her husband before she stubbornly averted her gaze. "If he wants to remain with that man, then he will not be my son!"

Kerkkrai nodded his head in defeat. "Noted," he said with a sigh. "But do me a favour, please, darling,"—he looked at her pleadingly—"just for the time being, until this mess is over, please, refrain from saying anything that might hurt Kongphop's feelings. Our son is under great pressure already!" Without waiting for his wife's reply, Kerkkrai stood up and left the room.

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Arthit bit his lower lip nervously as Kiet drove the two of them back home. He was surprised when he left the clinic at the end of his session only to find Kiet alone waiting for him. The policeman informed him that Kongphop had to leave shortly after he entered the clinic because of what it seemed to be a family emergency. Arthit felt as if a heavy boulder had been placed on his heart. He didn't know why but the fear of losing Kongphop once more filled his soul all of a sudden and was threatening to overwhelm him.

Kiet glanced at the man beside him and let out a soft sigh. He could clearly see that the other man was distressed for some reason, but he didn't know how to comfort him. The policeman also doubted that Arthit would tell him of what was bothering him if he asked. Kiet made a note to call Knott once they reached the house.

The two men were surprised when saw Knott leaning on his car in front of the house, waiting for them.

"What are you doing here?" Kiet asked as he climbed down his car after parking it and headed to the waiting man.

"I got a call from N'Kongphop," Knott replied, staring at his best friend. "He told me that he had to leave for a family emergency. So, he asked me to come in his place."

"He's not returning?" Arthit asked in a small voice.

"He's not sure when he could return," Knott replied. "He might not be able to spend the night here."

"I see," Arthit said in a voice full of disappointment before he walked away and entered the house.

Kiet and Knott let out identical defeated sighs before they followed their charge inside. It was going to be a very long day!

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Kongphop tried to relax in his bedroom after finishing up with the family's lawyer but couldn't. His mind kept thinking of the reason behind his mother's summon to the police station but couldn't come up with one. He was lost in deep thoughts when his phone rang. Without looking at who was calling him, Kongphop picked up his phone and answered.

"Yes?" he said uninterestedly.

"Kongphop," Arthit's voice came across the line.

"P'Arthit?" Kongphop took a glance at the caller ID to discover Arthit was calling him from Knott's phone before he returned to the call. "How—how was your session today?"

"It was fine," the older man replied tonelessly. "why weren't you there when I got out?"

"I'm sorry, P'," Kongphop replied. "My dad called, asking me to return home for a family emergency."

"I see," Arthit replied, sensing that his lover didn't want to elaborate. "Is it over?"

"No," Kongphop replied with a sigh. "not yet."

"Will you come home tonight?"

"I'm not sure I can," Kongphop replied. "But I will try my best to come."

"I see," Arthit simply said. "Well, I hope you manage to resolve your family emergency."

"Thank you, P'," Kongphop said before Arthit ended the call.

Kongphop sighed deeply. He had no idea why he felt uncertain. There was unnamed unexplained foreboding feeling growing inside of him. Suddenly, he was afraid of what the few next hours might carry.

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"Are you assured now?" Knott asked as soon as Arthit hung up the phone. The latter shook his head before handing over the phone to his friend.

Seeing how his friend was troubled about his missing boyfriend, Knott called Kongphop and handed the phone to Arthit to talk to the younger man.

"He said that he's not sure that he can come tonight," Arthit said in a low voice.

"He's been staying here for some time now without going back to his house," Knott reasoned. "His father maybe needs him in some work."

"No, there is something big had happened, but Kongphop didn't want to say anything to me," Arthit said with a sigh.

"Arthit, be frank with me," the bulky man said in a stern, serious voice. "what is truly bothering you? You've been acting strangely for a while. I've never seen you clinging to anyone like this before."

Arthit stared at his friend with clouded eyes. "I'm afraid that my time with Kongphop is coming to an end soon," he confessed. "So, I'm trying to spend as much time with him as possible."

"These are just unfounded fears, Arthit. Don't overthink about them. I don't think that N'Kongphop will ever leave you again."

"They are not unfounded, Knott!" Arthit snapped at his friend before he sighed deeply as he averted his eyes to the window of his bedroom. "I broke up with him to spare us both the pain, but life brought us back together only to tears us apart." —Arthit closed his eyes to prevent a tear from falling— "I shouldn't have accepted him back."

Knott squinted his eyes at his friend, feeling that the other man was hiding something serious from him. It wasn't the first time that he felt that way, but in the past, he couldn't press Arthit for answers in fear that the other man would snap.

"Tell me, Arthit," He said after few moments of silence. "Why are you so sure that Kongphop will leave you? Are you hiding something important from me?"

Arthit hesitated for a few moments before he sighed. "If I told you, would you promise that you won't breathe a word to anyone?" he asked.

Knott frowned deeply but nodded his head, nevertheless.

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Unknown to the two, Kiet was standing outside the room, listening to their conversation through the partially closed door. He had come initially to check on Arthit and see how Knott was going to handle him and his dark mood. He was about to leave when Arthit snapped at Knott. His sentence rose curiosity inside the policeman. Kiet, too, wanted to know the source of Arthit's certainty of his impending breakup with Kongphop.

So, he remained in his spot, listening with attentive ears to Arthit's confession until he was done. Smirking to himself, Kiet walked away as he fished his phone out of his pants pocket and dialled Gun's number, while Knott's angry voice filled the entire corridor unexpectedly.

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"I can't believe that you kept something like that from everyone!" Knott grumbled angrily as he paced back and forth in front of Arthit's bed as he had been doing for the past half hour. "Argggh! I have half a mind to strangle you right now!"

"I couldn't say anything, Knott!" Arthit defended himself. "Kongphop would be crushed if I uttered a word about this! I couldn't do this to him!"

Knott stopped on his tracks and glared at his best friend before he sighed in defeat. He was torn between his anger at his friend and between his admiration of the amount of love that both Arthit and Kongphop to each other.

He couldn't imagine the amount of pain his best friend had to go through because of his love.

"What are you planning to do now?" He asked as he joined his friend on the bed.

"Nothing," Arthit replied. "You must keep quiet as well."

"You know that Detective Gun may reach the same conclusion sooner or later," Knott pointed out. "This might be the reason why N'Kongphop was called back to his family house."

"I know," Arthit replied weakly. "But I prefer that Kongphop hear this from someone other than me or someone close me."

Knott opened his mouth to voice his disagreement but changed his mind. His stubborn friend would surely refuse to listen to reason; so, all Knott could do was to sigh defeatedly in response.

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At 3 pm sharp, Mr Kerkkrai, his wife, son and son-in-law marched into the police station accompanied by their family lawyer. Gun, who was eagerly waiting for their arrival, decided to start with Mr Aat Leelawat at first. While Mr Kerkkrai, his wife and son, were taken to a restricted waiting room next to the interrogation room.

Gun gave the man and the lawyer sitting in front of him a mysterious smile before he started the interview.

After Gun had explained the reason behind this summoning to the lawyer briefly and had asked Aat the routine question of his name, age and occupation, the Detective asked. "Mr Leelawat, could you tell me the exact procedures done before hiring an employee in the company?"

"Different procedures are depending on the positions of the employees," Aat replied. "Those who are hired for high-ranking positions must present a set of an outstanding college degree, resume and references. They also go through a set of exams, and a strict training period, during which they must excel and outshine."

"And the low-ranking jobs? Like workers and drivers?"

Aat shrugged dismissingly. "They must present a clean police record and must pass a trial period of working without a salary."

Gun raised an eyebrow but didn't remark. He pushed Kla Gruemor's file in front of the other man. "Do you know this man?" he asked.

Aat stared at the picture at the right top side of the file before he spoke. "Mr Benz Onruang asked me to sign his employment papers." He said in an indifferent tone. "He said that he's a poor childhood acquaintance of his, who requires a job."

"Did you meet the man in person?"

"Of course not," Aat replied. "I don't meet lowly workers, Detective. I don't have the time."

"Did you run the standard procedures before hiring him?"

"No," Aat replied. "Since he's Mr Onruang's acquaintance, I didn't bother."

Gun smirked. "This man, Mr Leelawat, is a wanted criminal by the name of Yuthakon Tangtrongchit," he stated casually.

Aat's face paled upon hearing this. He stared down at the picture before he looked up at the Detective.

"What?"

"He's a wanted sex-offender," Gun answered. "who has been fleeing from the police for four years."

Aat blinked several times, not knowing how to answer to such a thing.

"I didn't know that," he finally said weakly.

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Almost hour passed before Gun followed by a worn-out Aat and a frowning lawyer entered the room where the Suthilucks had been waiting.

"Mrs Suthiluck," Gun said. "If you would follow me, please."

Waen pressed her lips in clear annoyance but stood up.

"Can I join her?" Kerkkrai asked.

"I'm sorry, Sir," Gun replied. "No one other than the lawyer is allowed to be present in an interrogation."

"What she's accused of?" Kongphop asked. "Don't we have the right to know?"

Gun looked at Kongphop with an unreadable expression before turned his attention to Mrs Suthiluck.

"Mrs Suthiluck if you please?" he said before walking away.

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Waen sat confidently opposite to the Detective in the interrogation room. She proudly stated her basic personal information when asked as Gun officially began the questioning.

"Mrs Suthiluck," Gun asked. "do you know a man called Arthit Rojnapat?"

"Yes," she replied tonelessly. "He was my son's boyfriend for a while."

Gun raised an eyebrow at the hint of hostility in Waen's voice but didn't comment.

"And do you know a man called Mr Benz Onruang?"

"He's one of my husband's secretaries," replied Waen.

"How do you describe your relationship with Mr Rojnapat and Mr Onruang, Mrs Suthiluck?" Gun asked.

"Why am I here?" Waen asked impatiently. "I won't answer any of your silly questions before I know why I was called here like a common criminal!"

Gun smiled in response before he spoke with a very calm tone. "As your lawyer has already been informed earlier," he said. "Mr Rojnapat had been kidnapped and assaulted by some employees in your husband's company. And one of them accuses you of being the mastermind behind it."

"WHAT?" Waen exclaimed. "This is ridiculous!"—she stood up—"I'm leaving!"

"Mrs Suthiluck," Gun said in a grave tone as he stood up as well. "This is an official interrogation of a serious crime. Any refusal to cooperate with us will not help you in court."—he glanced at the lawyer—"Isn't that right, Ma'am?" he asked.

"Mrs Suthiluck," the lawyer said quietly. "please, sit down and answer the Detective's questions. It is a grave matter that touches your family's future and reputation."

Waen toured her glares between the Detective and the lawyer before she reluctantly sat down.

"What do you want to know?" she asked snappily.

"Can you describe your relationship with Mr Rojnapat?"

"I told you he was my son's boyfriend."

"How did you feel about their relationship?"

"Not thrilled at all," she replied challengingly. "I hated that my son has chosen a man as a lover. But there was nothing I could've done to change Kong's mind."

"Did you talk to him whenever he was visiting your villa?"

"Hardly," Waen replied. "I barely tolerated that man's presence whenever he visited the villa. The only words we would exchange were greetings."

"I see," Gun commented. "and Mr Onruang? How is your relationship with him?"

"Since he's my husband's secretary, he often comes over to our house, bringing some papers and documents to my husband," Mrs Suthiluck replied. "And he drives me around or finish some errands for me sometimes."

"What sort of errands?"

Waen shrugged. "Picking up some merchandises I bought over the phone or conveying things to my friends or neighbours."

"His fiancée says that you were fond of him," Gun remarked. "and you've even gifted her an expensive present when you knew that they've got engaged."

"So?" Waen commented. "He's a good and helpful man. It's my way to show my appreciation to him."

"Tell me, Mrs Suthiluck, do you know a man called Kla Gruemor?"

"No." came the stoic reply.

"How about Yuthakon Tangtrongchit?"

"I don't know such man," she replied impatiently.

"Mr Onruang and Mr Yuthakon Tangtrongchit are accused of kidnapping and raping Mr Rojnapat—"

"Is that what that man said?" Gun was surprised when Waen interrupted him before he could complete his question. "Are you sure that he was truly kidnapped and raped? My son-in-law thinks that that man is trying to soil our family's name by claiming that our company's employees had kidnapped and raped him! I think he's right!"

"And why would you think that, Mrs Suthiluck?" Gun asked in a quiet voice that didn't reflect the irritation he was currently feeling inside.

"Isn't obvious why?" Waen replied. "He's trying to get my son back into his clutches, or he's trying to blackmail us for money. I never trusted him from the beginning. He's nothing but a gold-digger if you ask me!"

Gun felt a jolt of anger filled his entire body upon hearing this. He might not know Arthit that well, but he knew Phet very well to be sure that no son of his would turn out to be a gold-digger or lowly schemer. It took all of Gun's will-power to keep his temper under check upon hearing the indirect insult on his P'.

"I think you're wrong, Mrs Suthiluck," He said. "Mr Onruang had already confessed that he had indeed kidnapped and raped Mr Rojnapat. He also said that he had done that upon your orders."

Waen's eyes widened in shock at the Detectives' words. "Lies!" she exclaimed. "I'm a respectable woman! I would never do such a thing! He's obviously lying!"

Gun studied her for a few moments before he pressed a small button by his side. A policeman entered the room, and Gun asked him to bring Benz from detention.

A few moments later, the policeman returned with Benz. Sitting opposite to Mrs Suthiluck, Gun asked Benz.

"Do you know this lady, Mr Onruang?"

"Why did you kidnap and rape Mr Rojnapat, Mr Onruang?"

"Because Mrs Suthiluck told me to," Benz replied.

"Liar!" Waen exclaimed as she stood up from her seat.

"Mrs Suthiluck, please sit down!" Gun ordered firmly before he returned his attention to Benz. "Why did Mrs Suthiluck ordered to do so?"

"Objection, Detective," the lawyer interrupted. "you're assuming that Mrs Suthiluck was indeed behind this."

"I'm merely going along with his allegation," Gun replied with a smooth tone. "I'm not in the position to pass judgment, Ma'am."

The lawyer frowned but said nothing as Gun flashed her a provoking smile before he resumed his interrogation.

"Why did Mrs Suthiluck order to assault Mr Rojnapat?" he repeated his question.

"Because she wasn't pleased with her son's relationship with Mr Rojnapat!" Benz replied.

"I don't have to sit down and listen to this nonsense!" Waen protested, sending murderous glares in Benz's direction. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing?"

"You've paid me to get rid of him," Benz said challengingly. "A cheque for one million baht."

Waen's face flushed upon hearing this. Seeing this, Gun ordered the policeman to take away Benz.

"Well, Mrs Suthiluck," Gun said. "You have anything to say?"

Waen looked at the Detective with disinclination but said nothing.

Gun sighed before he summoned another witness; Phailin Jaturapattarapong.

The secretary was also detained after Gun had questioned her during the last two days. Phailin confessed that Benz had asked her to change the destination of the trip and use Kongphop's phone to lure Arthit to the cabin.

Phailin came in and sat silently in front of Mrs Suthiluck with her downcast.

"Ms Jaturapattarapong," Gun began. "You've told me that your fiancé had asked you to try luring Mr Rojnapat to the cabin on the day Mr Kongphop Suthiluck left for Pattaya, is that correct?"

"Yes, he did." Phailin replied. "He asked me to take Mr Suthiluck's cellphone and message Mr Rojnapat, asking him to go to the cabin where Mr Suthiluck was supposed to be going with his clients."

"Did you ask him why?"

"I did," she answered with a quivering voice as she stole a glance at Mrs Suthiluck. "He said that he's doing this for Mrs Suthiluck, who asked him to tear her son away from his lover. He also said that she had offered him a cheque for one million baht."

"Did you see the cheque?"

"I did," she replied. "and I immediately recognized Mrs Suthiluck's signature."

"Is this the cheque in question?" Gun asked as he took out a piece of paper from a file in front of him.

Phailin nodded her head after quick inception of the cheque. The lawyer asked Gun to pass her the cheque to incept it as well which he did.

"Why did you keep the cheque and not spend it, Ms Jaturapattarapong?" the lawyer asked.

"I was saving it for my wedding expenses," the secretary replied in a sad tone as tears filled her eyes.

After dismissing Phailin, Gun looked at Waen. "What do you say now, Mrs Suthiluck?" he asked.

Waen took a deep breath before she spoke. "I did give Mr Onruang the cheque," she admitted. "But not to do whatever he had done!"

FLASHBACK

Waen took a deep breath as her Limousine parked in front of Ocean Electric a few minutes before the end of working hours. She looked at the man sitting next to her. "Is that his company?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," Benz replied.

"Alright, let's be done with this," Waen said tonelessly.

As soon as the company's employees started to leave the building, Benz climbed down the car and headed towards the entrance.

Waen took several deep breaths as she waited in the car. She was feeling slightly nervous about what she was about to do. However, she knew that it must be done. Her son was adamant about continuing with his plans to marry his male lover and wouldn't have listened to her if she objected. Thus, she must try her luck with that man instead. She must convince him to leave her son at all costs.

She didn't wait long before the door of the car opened, and Arthit and Benz entered.

"Good afternoon, Mom," Arthit said as he waied respectfully. "How are you?"

Waen shot him a dislike look. "I don't recall allowing you to call me, 'Mom', Mr Rojnapat," she said.

Arthit stared at her, stunned before he nodded his head. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Mr Rojnapat, I came here for a specific reason," she said emotionlessly. "My son is deeply infatuated with you. However, we all know that this relationship has no future, especially for Kongphop, who is supposed to inherit his father's place as the CEO of the company and as head of the Suthiluck family." —she gave the young man a demeaning look— "As the such, he's expected to marry someone who would uphold his social status even uplift it and provide him with children who carry on the Suthiluck's blood. Things that you're unable to provide for him!" Waen paused as she observed the effects of her speech on the man sitting in front of her before she continued. "Of course, Kongphop wouldn't understand all of these concerns. He's stubborn and would do whatever he wants, mindless of its consequences, or what others would think. So, I'm here to ask you to end this relationship, if you truly love him and want him to succeed in his life."—she opened her handbag and took out a piece of paper— "This is an open cheque," she said as she presented the cheque to Arthit. "You can write the amount you like in exchange for leaving my son's life forever."

Waen smiled slightly as Arthit slowly reached out his hand and grabbed the cheque, but her smile turned into an angry scowl as Arthit tore the paper into tiny pieces before he looked up at her.

"Have a good day, Ma'am," he said tonelessly before he waied and left the car, slamming the door behind him.

Waen let out an angry huff. "How dare he?!" she hissed with gritted teeth.

"Calm down, Ma'am," Benz tried to douse her anger.

"I want that man out of my son's life!" Waen hissed. "I don't care what would you do, just make sure that he's removed from my son's life forever. I'll give you one million baht if you succeed!"

END OF FLASHBACK

Gun stared at the woman, unsure how he should react or feel. He couldn't believe how indifferently Mrs Suthiluck was retelling her story. "You offered Mr Onruang money, so he breaks up your son and Mr Rojnapat?" he asked.

"Yes," Waen replied coldly. "Kongphop wouldn't have listened to me. So, I had to take desperate measures to remove that man out of my son's life."

"By kidnapping and raping?" Gun spat.

"I didn't tell Mr Onruang to do that," Waen snapped. "I just told him to make sure that that man is out of our lives forever and he did. A week later, that man had broken up with Kongphop and gone out of his life."

"And weren't you curious of what Mr Onruang had done to Mr Rojnapat?" Gun asked.

"No," Waen replied bluntly.

Gun took several deep breaths to calm himself down before he looked up at the two women in front of him. "Mrs Waen Suthiluck, you are under arrest for inciting kidnapping and rape," he said in a calm voice before he stood up and called a policeman.

"What?" Waen exclaimed. "You can't do that!"

"Yes, I can," he said firmly. "I suggest that you don't make a scene."

At this moment, a police officer entered the room and Gun ordered him to escort Mrs Suthiluck to a detention cell.

"I won't go!" Waen said. "I'm a respected society lady!"

"Mrs Suthiluck," the lawyer spoke. "I will do my best to release you as soon as possible. Please, be sure of that!"

Seeing a pleading look in her lawyer's eyes, Waen pressed her lips into a thin line, but at the end, she stood up and followed the policeman out.

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Kerkkrai, Kongphop and Aat had been waiting for Mrs Suthiluck for an hour in complete silence. The two Suthiluck men did ask Aat why the Detective had summoned him, but the man refused to answer. Suddenly, Gun and the lawyer appeared.

"What happened?" Kongphop asked as he jumped on his feet. "Where is Mom?"

"Mrs Suthiluck is under arrest for inciting kidnapping and rape," Gun declared in a solemn voice. "I'll be interrogating her a second time tomorrow."

A heavy silence shrouded over the place as the three men tried to digest the bomb that Gun had just dropped.

"Excuse me?" Kongphop was the first one to find his voice.

"Mrs Suthiluck had confessed that she had paid Mr Onruang one million baht to remove Mr Arthit from your life," Gun explained in a cold voice that pierced Kongphop's heart. "She is the one who instigates him to commit such a crime."

The young man stared in disbelieve at the Detective before he collapsed on the chair. He looked up at his father, who also was having a difficult time even to picture the Detective's statement. Both Suthiluck men looked at the family lawyer, hoping that she would negate the Detective's claim, but her expression killed any hope they might have.

"This couldn't be true," Kongphop mumbled. "My mom has nothing to do with what happened to P'Arthit!"

"She already confessed," Gun stated.

"I—I want to see my wife," Kerkkrai said at last.

"You may see her later on, Mr Suthiluck, when the investigation is over," Gun replied. "Right now, only her lawyer can see her."

"Detective, can we apply for bail?" the lawyer asked.

"We can discuss this tomorrow after the interrogation," Gun replied.

Kongphop felt his chest tightened as Gun's earlier words repeated over and over in his mind until he felt suffocated.

Abruptly, he jumped on his feet and rushed out the room and out of the entire building, completely ignoring his father's calls to stop. He wanted to run away from the hideous reality that suddenly he found himself in. He didn't care where he was heading as long as he got away from the nightmare that had become his reality.

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To Be Continued…

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Glossary:

Aat (M.): Someone who is daring

Waen (F.): Ring

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I hope you like this chapter. I'm not a legal expert, so I'm not sure if what happened during the interrogation is correct or not, so please pardon me.

Since most of us are under lockdown, I'll try my best to update more frequently. Until next update, please stay home, stay away from crowds and regularly wash hands with alcohol or soap and water.

May God saves us all!