SIX

Ace scowled and rolled his eyes lazily. "She already has a boyfriend, but still flirts with me. What else would you call her if not a slut?"

He said that very casually, making Jake angry as he heard it there. His face was flushed with anger, while his firm hands tugged at both sides of Ace's denim jacket collar until the hazel-haired man looked right at him. They were now locked in a bitter stare-down. Neither of them looked like they were going to let up. They were both strong and principled.

"Hey, hey, what are you guys doing?" Nicholas stood up from his chair, spreading his hands between the two men in front of him. One hand held Jake, and the other held Ace. But both of them were determined. They were stubborn.

"You'll die if you insult Elena again!" threatened Jake. He pointed angrily at Ace's face.

"I'm waiting for you to kill me," Ace replied in a sarcastic tone.

Seeing that the two men were not getting along, Nicholas pushed Jake a little harder. Nicholas tried to get them to move away. "Calm down!" pleaded Nicholas with his voice rising. He looked at Luke, then said, "Luke, help me with Ace."

"Yes, Detective."

Luke quickly pulled Ace and made him move away from Jake. Now both of them were back in their seats.

The atmosphere was still not conducive as both Jake and Ace still had anger on their faces. Nicholas is convinced that their relationship is not good and it must be a love affair. Everyone was paying attention, but not Alicia. Instead, Alicia was busy with the cell phone in her hand. The scene in front of her seemed unimportant and Alicia wanted to mind her own business.

The atmosphere was quite tense, until finally, Nicholas broke the silence that enveloped the hall for a few moments by clearing his throat loudly. He then looked at Luke. "Luke Hauld, let's talk, I don't think I can talk to Ace or Jake. By the way, your name is at the top of James' call list. He called you at 09:50, right? That was a few minutes before he was found by Jake."

Luke nodded in agreement. "But I can't tell you what we're talking about here, detective," he told her, glancing at Brittany. "I'll tell you in private."

Nic looked at Brittany and then Luke, understood. He nodded. "I have your word, Luke Hauld."

Nic glanced at Alicia again. She was still busy with her cell phone. An annoyed Nic approached and snatched Alicia's cell phone. "I'll give you your phone back after the investigation is over." Alicia looked flatly at Nicholas. "No one can play with their cell phone while I'm talking."

Nic's hand was about to put Alicia's cell phone in his pants pocket, when someone with a strong hold grabbed it. Nic turned his head. Ace was there.

Ace with his cold gaze was now standing in front of Nicholas. He glanced at Alicia's cell phone in Nicholas' hand, then said, "You can't take someone else's stuff that way. Give it back to her."

Everyone was silent. Looking at the two with horrified gazes, none of them reacted. Silence fell in that moment.

The grip grew stronger, as if Ace's nails were ready to pierce the pulse line on Nic's wrist. "Are you deaf, Detective?" Ace said.

Nicholas pulled his hand away, trying to get free. "Where are your manners, young man? I am a detective and I am much older than you. You have a very bad attitude."

"This is not the time to comment on other people's behavior," Ace replied casually.

Ace didn't respond and Nic again tried to remove his hand. "As a CEO's son, you didn't learn your father's ethics, apparently." Nic said sarcastically. "This is very bad."

On the third attempt, Nic sighed heavily and pulled Ace's body with all his strength, until the man's body fell to the floor and the painful grip was released; though it left a bluish mark there. Nicholas stared at Ace angrily. This was the first time a junior had been so rude to him.

Ace winced, while his eyes looked up at Nic who was standing in front of his face. He hurriedly got up and was about to hit back, if only Luke hadn't stopped him. Ace really had a bad temper, he was very emotional and easily distracted.

Britt got up and raised her hands in the air. "CAN'T YOU TAKE JAMES' CASE MORE SERIOUSLY?!" her eyes glazed over, her cheeks heating up. "I just want this case to be over," she said softly. "But all you're doing is wasting time!"

A glimmer of guilt crossed Nic and Ace's expressions. Even Ace let out a rude sigh and kicked one of the chairs in front of him as Brittany burst into tears and left the hall; the atmosphere was chaotic.

Nic cleared his throat. "Jake, please get Elena in here. I need her statement," he turned to Luke. "Luke, let's talk outside."

After Luke followed Nic out of the hall and Jake called Elena to her dorm room, it was left to Ace and Alicia alone with maximum awkwardness. Ace chose to sit next to Alicia who didn't move from her chair.

"Thank you," Alicia said suddenly.

Ace chuckled. He lifted his chin proudly, about to make a big deal out of himself because he was sure Alicia must admire him like everyone else. It was common for an Ace to be adored by women. He did have a plus point because of his handsome face and his wealth as the son of the CEO of Golden Group. "You know, I just--"

"But you don't have to do that," Alicia interrupted, making Ace bend his forehead deeply as those blue eyes looked faint. There was no look of admiration for him there. How strange.

"What?"

Alicia gave a small smile, then got up. "Stay away, Blake," she said coldly. "You don't have to approach me like a puppy."

The silver-haired girl was about to leave the hall, when a strong hand stopped her. Alicia turned around, seeing Ace standing in front of her.

Ace pulled Alicia's body closer, narrowing the distance until Ace could sniff the vanilla scent of Alicia's body, their eyes met and he asked, "You're saying I'm like a puppy? And I can't come near you, why, what's wrong with you, what's the reason?"

.

.

.

"Because I'm dangerous."