Chap 8: Their Second Meeting

"Looks like your attempts at framing someone still suck, Simon," Rudolf said when met Simon at the police station.

Simon was now forced to go to the police station for a confession. Moments ago, the manager of Malibu Gety Restaurant confessed that he received orders from Simon to frame Austin.

This was expected Simon.

Therefore, Simon came with Ellina and Jack. How surprised they were to see Rudolf who really freed Austin. They didn't even think that Rudolf knew Austin.

"How could you help that poor, useless man?" asked Simon guiltlessly.

Rudolf didn't want to explain. Actually, he was hesitant whether to involve himself or not. Austin's request to conceal his identity made Rudolf worried that it would derail the plan.

Unfortunately Rudolf's anxiety about Austin's situation was much greater. Rudolf has prepared himself to deal with Simon. Since finding evidence that the manager of Malibu Gety Restaurant was only deliberately framing, he had guessed Simon would be called to the police station.

"Don't call someone that," Rudolf replied firmly. His gaze was calm. "I don't know him. I know from the television news that the embezzler has been found. But, how strange..."

Rudolf's words paused for a moment. His calm yet sharp gaze watched Ellina and Jack as well.

"...why was it so quick to find evidence that Austin was the culprit?" Rudolf continued.

Simon was silent. He wore a relaxed expression. Secretly trying to cover up his concern that Rudolf had managed to find other evidence.

"I really regret that your way of framing someone is so obvious, Mr. Simon. You should be more clever if you want to bring people down," Rudolf replied.

"Me?" Simon pointed at himself, then laughed sarcastically. "Why are you blaming me? I'm not involved in this case at all."

"You gave the restaurant manager the order."

Simon immediately laughed while looking away. "I didn't give any orders. I told you, I'm not involved," he retorted.

"Mr. Rudolf..." Ellina said. She had a reluctant look on her face. "You shouldn't have intervened to free Austin. You don't even know him."

Rudolf turned his gaze to Ellina, then chuckled. He looked at Ellina for a split second. He remembered Austin's words that this woman was his ex-wife who cheated on him and asked for a divorce.

"I saw him yesterday during our VVIP meeting. And... having only met him once, somehow I'm sure he won't do anything illegal," Rudolf replied.

Jack laughed sarcastically at Rudolf's answer.

"You've only met him once, but you can come to that conclusion?" Jack asked.

"Then, have you known him for a long time?" Rudolf turned the question back to Jack. He knew that this family wouldn't recognize Austin.

Because in their eyes, Austin was just a useless man who would bring shame to their family name.

"I... don't know him," Jack replied, as Rudolf had expected. "But still. Even so, the lowly people don't seem to have any money. There's a good reason he's an embezzler. He must want to make a lot of money!"

Rudolf stifled a laugh after Jack's reply. At that moment, he was so furious that he wanted to tell him that Austin was not a poor man.

"You don't know him yet but you're already very confident in your assessment of Austin," Rudolf replied with a chuckle.

Before Jack could reply to Rudolf, his eyes were fixed on something. Likewise, Ellina and Simon's gaze simultaneously moved behind Rudolf.

The curious Rudolf followed where their gaze was headed. It turned out that there were two policemen walking alongside Austin. Rudolf's smile almost spread wide, but was immediately held back.

So, Rudolf only gave a faint smile as a formality.

Meanwhile, Austin seemed to nod awkwardly to Rudolf to return the greeting. Austin had time to look at Jack, Ellina, and Simon who looked at him full of annoyance.

After Austin's steps arrived in front of Rudolf, two policemen immediately let him free from handcuffs.

"Congratulations, Mr. Austin. You've been cleared of embezzlement charges," said one of the detention police.

Austin thanked him with a brief nod of his head. He turned his gaze to Rudolf.

"Mr... Rudolf? Thank you for your help. I don't know how to repay you," Austin said as he bowed to Rudolf.

Rudolf immediately straightened Austin up. He patted Austin's shoulders twice, laughing softly.

"There's no need to thank me or repay me. I knew when we met yesterday, you were a good person," Rudolf replied pretending not to recognize Austin.

"So when I saw you on television as a suspect in an embezzlement case, it seemed impossible," Rudolf continued.

Austin gave a faint smile.

"Of course you can't repay Mr. Rudolf," Jack said. "What can you do? You have no money, you're just an office boy, and you're no match for Rudolf, the most famous trillionaire in the country."

Hearing Jack's words, Austin's eyebrows furrowed. Austin had been wondering since yesterday, who had gotten him accused of embezzlement?

Now when he saw Ellina, Simon, and Jack looking upset that he was free, Austin had found an answer. Secretly, Austin was convinced that the three of them had set him up on purpose.

"Mr. Jack..." Austin stepped forward toward Jack. Until they were one step apart. "If I don't have money, it doesn't mean I don't have pride. I wouldn't do that such an illegal thing."

Jack raised both eyebrows with a lopsided smile.

"Woah, what did this boss's obedient dog just say?" Jack quipped. "As if you were a wise man. What pride does a poor guy like you have, huh?"

Austin's hands were secretly clenched tightly when he heard Jack's words.

It should have been a normal thing for Austin to get a sentence like that. But this time, because Austin got it so hard, he almost lost his temper.

"Even though I'm poor and useless in your eyes, you're still watching over me. Isn't that right, Mr. Simon?" Austin's gaze shifted to Simon at the end of the sentence.

Simon gasped after getting a sharp, murderous glare from Austin. Without answering, Simon just pretended as if nothing had happened.

"Austin, let's get out of here. Let them run the investigation," said Rudolf who pulled Austin's hand from behind.

Finally Austin's fist loosened slowly. His emotions subsided a little. Austin took a few steps back from Jack without looking at Simon, Jack, and Ellina.

At that moment, Ellina couldn't say anything. From the look in Ellina's eyes, Austin realized there was a sense of unease. Like she was nervous about something. Ellina didn't seem to realize that Austin had Rudolf on his side.

Of course he did. Who wouldn't feel threatened if their enemy had the backing of a powerful trillionaire in this country?