When we returned to Calviera, my father had me move back into the manor and arranged a mid-level position for me in the company.
For a while, life seemed calm.
Linda and Leroy greeted me with smiles whenever they saw me. But I knew that calm was only on the surface—deep down, a storm of problems was quietly brewing.
During the company’s Mid-Autumn Festival dinner, the higher-ups lined up to have a toast with me. After a few rounds, my head was spinning and I slipped into an empty room next door to rest.
Just as I started to doze off, the door burst open.
A woman I didn’t know stumbled in. Before I could react, she screamed, “Help! He’s trying to rape me!” Then she began tearing at her own dress and ripping her stockings, exposing her fair thighs.
The shock sobered me instantly. Before I could respond, Linda barged in with several colleagues and pinned me down. Chaos erupted.
Someone called the police immediately. By the time the officers arrived, my father appeared —at last, standing beside them, his face full of feigned sorrow.
“This is my fault, Officer. I have failed as a father,” he said gravely.
“I never thought he’d do something like this. Please handle it according to the law. I won’t interfere. If he is proven guilty, punish him to the full extent of the law. Our family will not protect a criminal.”
Linda pointed at me, wailing, “He’s always been pervert, Officer! He used to peek on our maids in the shower when he was a boy! I never dared say anything before, but now… just thinking about it now gives me chills!”
Leroy quickly added, “Yeah, he stole their stockings too! I’ve seen it more than once! And… his computer’s full of blue films and their sites!”
Their accusations caused an uproar among the onlookers. My coworkers whispered to each other:
“You never really know someone, huh? He always seemed like a decent man.”
“I’ve noticed him staring at our female-coworkers’ legs.”
“Guess the alcohol brought out his true colors—a total pervert.”
“It breaks my heart to see Mr. Crowe turned his own son in. Must be tough.”
“He makes our working-environment not save for women. Put him in jail.”
Their voices weren’t loud, but every word hit my ears clearly.
When the police came forward, just as the handcuffs were about to close around my wrists, I spoke calmly.
“Officer, before you take me away, I’d like to make a phone call.”
“Who are you gonna call?” My father sneered, crossing his arms. “Go ahead. Not like it’s gonna do you, anyway. Not even your grandpa can save you this time.”
Leroy laughed beside him, his tone mocking.
“Just admit it, Leo. They’d probably cut your prison-time if you admit it.”
I ignored them.
“By procedure, I have the right to contact a family member or lawyer before any measures are taken,” I said.
The officer hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Okay.”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, I took out a crumpled piece of paper—one of Grandpa’s cigarette wrappers.
When my father saw the number written on it, his pupils shrank sharply.
