Trapped with a Lawyer novel Chapter 77

"Someone has reported you for assault. The other party is pressing charges and will not accept private mediation." Before she could begin to protest, Ella was forced into the back of the police car.

Twenty minutes later, Ella's belongings were likewise confiscated. Afterwards she was placed in a small, oddly TV-set-like, jail cell. A small room with iron bars.

As Ella was pushed into the jail cell she noticed another woman, sitting on the floor squinting at the intrusion.

Ella quickly surveyed the cell, her mind blank.

Trying to keep herself calm, Ella squatted down in a corner of the room and placed her arms around her knees.

30 minutes later, a serious-looking policewoman opened the cell door and asked Ella to come out to, "record your confession."

The policemen shuffled around the station busily, caught up in various matters. Several people, clearly injured through extortion, stood lifelessly around.

The two women, sat face to face.

"Ella." This serious, though undeniably beautiful policewoman said her name in a grave tone.

Hum?"

"Last night, do you admit that that in the alley adjacent to 'the Dominator' on Shengli Road, you assaulted Miss Catherine and propositioned a man to rape her?"

"I admit to the first part, but deny the second." Ella's voice flat and unemotional. She was good at hiding her feelings from others.

The policewoman looked her over curiously, and said in an even more serious tone, "We show leniency to those who confess, and severity to those who refuse."

"I refuse to admit to something I didn't do." Ella was a firm believer in the value of chastity, she would never take part in the latter accusation. Although she hated Catherine, beating her was enough.

"Stop lying, only honesty can save you now." The policewoman, though young, was experienced. She had been through 'the run-around' many times. She set down her pen and looked at Ella, who had wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

Ella leaned forward and looked at the policewoman with a similar, solemn expression. "I'll say it again. I admit to the first crime, but not to the second."

After about half an hour, the policewoman grabbed her recording device and notebook and stood up. "Wait for the law-suit proceedings then.." With that, the policewoman stood up and left the room. "Take her back to her cell."

Again imprisoned, Ella asked the guard, "How long will you keep me locked up?" "I have recorded the confession!" She asked the question with a weakening voice. She hated the cold, damp cell and wanted to go home.

The guard frowned before answering, "It all depends on whether she presses charges or settles privately."

"Catherine, Catherine, Catherine......" Ella repeated this name in her mind over and over again.

The first person to notice Ella was gone was Melody. She had been concerned when Ella hadn't returned the old house for several days.

Melody had left countless messages on her phone, but Ella had kept it turned off the entire time. In the evening, when she still couldn't get ahold of Ella, she had called to the Villa and asked both Joy and Liu if they had seen her.

Melody had also tried Samuel's phone, which was likewise kept off for the entire day. Upon further investigation, Anna had told Melody that Samuel hadn't come to work that day.

'What is wrong with these two kids?'

At 10 p.m., with no other choice, Melody had called Eason. She had immediately asked him whether he had seen Ella.

Eason having just arrived in France, had just finished handling the matter of his deceased parents' belonging.

He was weary from travel and jet lag when he answered the phone.

"Hi, grandma." Eason's voices crackled a bit due to his sleepless night.

"Samuel and Ella are missing. Do you know where they might be?" Becoming more and more worried about the two, Melody skipped all pleasantries and asked Eason abruptly.

Sensing the urgency in her voice, Eason become confused. Samuel and Ella were missing? He was talking to his sister yesterday when he boarded the plane.

"Grandma, calm down. I will call around and find them."

"OK, call me back later." Melody hung up the phone and looked at baby Jerry, sleeping peacefully beside her. She said a quick prayer for the safety of the boy's parents.

Samuel and Ella were both missing. It was Eason, by way of Anna, who finally contacted Samuel.

Samuel had been off-grid at his island villa in County C. He had been out sailing his yacht.

Returning to the villa that evening, he was shocked to see his satellite phone voicemail over-flowing with messages.

He frowned, knowing that only Anna had access to the number. He had warned her only to call in case of emergency!

On his yacht, at sea, Samuel was alone. The villa and island views were his own personal escape.

He only came here when he really needed to be alone. And Anna had clearly disregarded this need of his.

"Hi." Eason was surprised at the sudden answer after so many fruitless calls.

"Samule, where are you?" Eason's voice was saturated with worry and anxiety. He wanted to fly to Country C immediately to see Samuel with his own eyes.

"What's the matter?" Eason adjusted his posture in a stiff European-style leather sofa.

"Have you seen Ella yet?"

"Where is Ella? Is she with you now?"

Ella? What was the matter now, Samuel thought to himself. Samuel sat bolt-upright and response firmly, "No."

"Danm it, Samule! Where is Ella?" Hearing of their separation, Eason got mad.

After Eason told Samuel of Ella going missing, he had a bad feeling in his stomach.

This is bullshit, Eason thought. "It's already been 24 hours. If you can't get in touch with her ASAP, I will call the police." His parent were gone. Ella could now only rely on him and maybe Samuel.. Eason felt helpless. He was not even in Country C. How could he help her now?

"Maybe he should ship his career back to Coungtry C for his little sister."

They can't get in touch with Ella? Samuel thought to himself. Had she run away from home? Quickly saying goodbye to Eason, Samuel turned his work cell phone on.

Suddenly, hundreds of missed calls appeared. Some from Anna, some from Eason, some from clients and many from his grandmother.

He immediately made a call to the home villa, where Joy Liu promptly answered. Joy gave him the same story she had given Melody and Eason: "Mrs. Ella's car is still parked at the front door. I haven't seen her since yesterday."

At once Samuel was convinced that something bad had happened to Ella.

Samuel went upstairs and changed out of his sailing attire. He grabbed a bag and headed out the door on his way to Country C.

It was 12 p.m., when Samuel finally found Ella.

The door of the detention room open, he saw a small, pitiful figure hunched in the corner of the cell.

Consumed with feeling of pity and self-hate, Samuel felt his anger towards Ella evaporate.

When she heard the sound of the cell door opening, Ella looked up suddenly.

A tall man standing in the entrance blocked the light. So she closed her squinting eyes.

Having been detained for over 24 hours, Ella felt broken.

Her parents gone, her brother far away, Ella felt alone. Was there anyone left who cared about her?

Samuel stooped lowly and picked up Ella. Ella pulled her eyes closed and tried in vain to fight back tears.

Outside the station, Ella and Samuel climbed into the back seat of the porsche.

Anna let out a long sigh in the front seat. Samuel had pulled many stings to find Ella.

Having torn apart the whole country looking for her, he had never thought that she could possibly be in a cold, dark cell.