Chapter 2: Falling into a scary trap

At this moment, at the police station, Ethan was escorted into the criminal interrogation room. The police asked him questions about the case and demanded that he answer truthfully, but he remained solemn and resolute, asserting his right to remain silent. Ethan believed that there was no one here he could trust, and therefore, staying silent was the best way to protect himself.

"We will provide you with a lawyer," the police said, hoping that Ethan would cooperate so they could clarify the case.

"No need," Ethan calmly declined.

"Are you sure?" The police reminded him, "That's not a wise choice."

"I want my own lawyer to come here," Ethan insisted without explaining anything.

...

As soon as Liam, Ethan's private lawyer and close friend, received the news of Ethan's arrest, he quickly flew from New York to Toronto and went straight to the police station to find out about the situation. After working with the police and the victim's lawyer, Liam also got to meet and talk privately with Ethan.

Currently, the two friends are sitting across from each other in a private room. There are policemen standing outside.

"Ethan, you are accused of raping a minor." Liam began with a shocking announcement.

Ethan was stunned by the news his lawyer had just revealed. How could this happen? Ethan was not the type of person who had an interest in children, let alone had any sexual desire for them. In short, Ethan couldn't believe he was being accused of rape.

"Do not play games with me. You should know this is not the time for jokes," Ethan said angrily.

"That girl is not yet eighteen years old. She will be in a few more days," Liam calmly reiterated the seriousness of the matter, disregarding Ethan's disbelief. "Furthermore, she is still a virgin."

"It's impossible!" Ethan exclaimed, facing Liam's indifferent expression. "This is insane. Utterly ridiculous."

"I'm really sorry, but you're caught up in a very serious case," Liam warned firmly. "That girl and her family have filed a complaint against you for rape."

"I'm innocent," Ethan asserted angrily. "I absolutely did not do that. I can swear."

"Then tell me what happened to you," Liam ordered.

Ethan hugged his head, trying to recall his memories.

"I'm not quite sure." Ethan helplessly sighed. He looked at Liam with a pitiful gaze. "When I woke up, I found myself in this miserable situation."

"Take a deep breath. Stay calm and try to remember slowly. Before the incident happened, where were you, what were you doing, and who were you with?" Liam instructed Ethan, empathetically guiding him. And by following Liam's guidance, Ethan managed to unlock his suppressed memories.

"I received an invitation to a bar with my business partner that evening. It was all to finalize a successful contract. During the conversation, some girls joined us. At some point, when there were more people around, I started feeling unwell. So, I asked for permission to leave and went back to the hotel. Ethan paused as he tried to arrange the images appearing in his mind in the correct chronological order and location.

"What happened next? Do you remember how you ended up in bed with that girl? Did she approach you in any particular way?" Liam continued to shed light on the situation for Ethan.

"I was asked by Director Lee to escort one of the girls, who happened to be his niece, back to the hotel. She seemed quite drunk at that time." Ethan mentioned a detail that briefly crossed his mind.

"Let me guess what happened next." Liam offered his analysis based on his deduction. "Did the two of you have sex in an unconscious state?"

"I don't have any recollection of the possibility you just mentioned," Ethan asserted. "But if it's true, as you speculate, then it was merely a fleeting moment of pleasure, as both of us were under the influence of alcohol or some other stimulant. However, I truly don't remember anything about the time after I returned to the room. I swear, everything I say is the truth. I don't know for sure if I slept with her or not, let alone the fact that she was underage. Liam, please believe me. You know what kind of person I am."

"I believe you. But the evidence that the police have gathered is against you," Liam calmly announced.

"What do you mean? What's the situation exactly? Can I get out of here? I want to leave as quickly as possible," Ethan asked a series of questions, making Liam sigh in frustration.

"I'm afraid it won't be easy for you to get out of here," Liam replied with a worried expression.

"Why not? I'm innocent. For God's sake, please help me prove my innocence." Ethan slammed the table, his emotions running high with anger and indignation.

"The police have gathered substantial evidence of your criminal behavior," Liam recalled with a troubled look. "I have reviewed them, and based on what you just disclosed, all the details in the evidence are compelling, with no loopholes whatsoever."

"Really?" Ethan scoffed, disbelief evident in his tone. "Where did this so-called evidence come from? I haven't done anything wrong!"

"The bar's surveillance cameras recorded your presence that night. And the hotel hallway camera shows you walking with an unconscious girl. Additionally, there are several witnesses from the bar. They said you were harassing the girl and revealed your intention to sleep with her."

"It's all lies!" Ethan slammed the table again, expressing his objection. "That prostitute must have wandered into my room herself."

Liam knew that the situation was dire. The evidence seemed to stack against Ethan, and they would need to work tirelessly to find any inconsistencies or alternate explanations to support his innocence. The truth remained elusive, but Liam was determined to stand by his friend's side and fight for justice.

"Don't be impulsive; I know you're upset, but please control yourself." Ethan's agitation caught the attention of the police, prompting Liam to sternly demand

"Who framed me like this?" Ethan asked with an irritated tone. "If you don't believe me, ask Director Lee."

"He's the one who came forward to accuse you."

"What? How could that be?"

"Why not?"

"What did he say?"

"You were interested in his niece, and maybe that's why you acted inappropriately with the girl."

"That's a lie. Someone must be trying to set me up."

"Yes, everything has been arranged," Liam concluded. "The noteworthy point here is that the fabricated evidence unintentionally coincides with the actions you took—going to the bar, being with the girl, and taking her to the hotel. And the crucial fact is that the girl is a minor. Sleeping with a person under 18 is already a criminal offense, not to mention the accusation of rape."

"Are you exaggerating too much, Liam?" Ethan remarked playfully. He wanted to ease the tension that was building up.

"I'm being serious," Liam firmly affirmed, leaving Ethan feeling desperate.

"For heaven's sake!" Ethan couldn't hold back and cursed, "Those despicable bastards."

"You made the mistake of being caught off guard." Liam continued to assert. "Someone knew that you were drunk, took advantage of it, and meticulously fabricated evidence to slander you."

"That's awful." Ethan sighed bitterly. "And I'm extremely unlucky."

"Now, the evidence and witnesses are against you," Liam warned with emphasis. "It seems that this time, the person who has a grudge against you really wants you dead."

"Is there no other way to change the situation?" Ethan asked calmly.

"I'm afraid not," Liam honestly revealed. "This isn't the US. It is possible that the police here have been bribed."

"What will happen to me if I'm convicted?" Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ethan showed high concentration. He wanted to find a way to clear his name.

"If you're convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, you will face at least ten years in prison, according to the law here."

Ethan grimaced in discomfort. He swore to find the despicable person behind this and make them feel the suffering.

"Even worse, you might be chemically castrated," Liam added, shocking Ethan. "This is at the request of the victim."

Ethan couldn't believe what he just heard. If he were chemically castrated, it would be even more terrifying than death. As a man, he absolutely didn't want to be injected with anti-androgen hormones, reducing the testosterone levels in the male body to the lowest point. This would decrease a man's sexual desire to the minimum, even eliminating any sexual thoughts.

"And that's not all; if news of your case is exposed, it will cause a massive scandal that will destroy your reputation in no time. You'll lose everything. Dear Ethan, you are pitiful when the enemy wants to completely destroy you."

"I can't go to prison. Please save me, Liam," Ethan urged impatiently.

"I'm thinking," Liam said helplessly.

"Just give that girl money; any amount will do," Ethan suddenly proposed. "All those fake witnesses can be silenced with money."

"If it's about money, the person who wants you dead will also pay the girl and their accomplices," Liam said with certainty.

"So, what do I do now?" Ethan exclaimed in frustration. "Oh my God, why do I have to go through this horrifying ordeal? It's so unfair."

"Stay calm, Ethan," Liam advised softly. "For now, endure a few days here. Meanwhile, I'll try to find a way to prove your innocence."

"Isn't there any better solution?" Ethan expressed boredom and helplessness. "I don't want to be here at all."

Unfortunately, there isn't." Liam sternly said, "You'd better cooperate."

"I got it." Ethan expressed his helplessness: "I'll follow whatever you say; just please don't let me down."

"I will do my best to find a satisfactory solution before your first trial takes place."

The conversation ended, and Ethan returned to the holding cell, patiently waiting. Meanwhile, Liam explored every possible avenue to save Ethan from the injustice he was facing.