Girlfriend?!

"You recognized him?" Charlotte thought Eleanor had remembered something.

Eleanor nodded, her heart a mix of emotions. How could it be him? Eleanor couldn't believe her eyes. She had sold herself to him for three thousand, but he gave her over four thousand, didn't take advantage of her, and even advised her not to go to such places!

He was a good person. How could he possibly ** her? He didn't take advantage of her when she offered herself, so why would he turn around and ** her? Eleanor was confused. Either there was a mistake, or this person had a mental problem!

"Was he the one who... did that to me?" Eleanor thought the identification procedure would involve several people to mix things up, just like in the movies.

"Yes, is there a problem?" Ava Fei had already sensed that Eleanor might know Ethan Parker. If so, this might work in Ethan Parker's favor!

Eleanor shook her head, suddenly remembering what Charlotte had once told her—that Ethan Parker had been framed! At the time, she was too upset to pay attention to Charlotte's words. Now, thinking back, she finally recalled.

So that's it! Eleanor nodded. Her view of Ethan Parker changed, thinking he was a good person after all.

Before seeing Ethan Parker, Eleanor had cursed this man countless times, blaming him for the indelible pain he caused. But seeing him now, she didn't feel the same hatred. Instead, she started to worry about him. He was still a student; if he were convicted because of this, what would his future be?

"Captain Ava, I... I want to ask..." Eleanor bit her lip and finally asked, "Can Ethan Parker avoid being sentenced?"

"What? Avoid being sentenced?" Charlotte was puzzled. "Eleanor, what are you talking about?"

"I mean, can you let him go?" Eleanor whispered.

"Eleanor, if you withdraw the complaint, then yes, it's within your rights since the case hasn't been submitted to the court yet," Ava Fei said, "but why would you want to do that?" Although Ava Fei also hoped Ethan Parker would be okay, as a captain of the criminal investigation team, she had to be responsible to the victim.

"I... I... I'm his girlfriend!" Eleanor hesitated for a long time before blurting this out. She didn't want to reveal the details of selling herself; it was too humiliating.

"That reason is enough! So, you didn't know it was your boyfriend you had relations with, and it was all a misunderstanding?" Ava Fei asked.

Eleanor nodded firmly.

"Alright, Charlotte, take her back and revise her statement, then we can release Ethan Parker," Ava Fei sighed. If only they had let Eleanor and Ethan Parker meet earlier.

Although Ava Fei knew Eleanor's reason was flimsy, she decided to respect the victim's decision. Besides, Ava Fei could tell from Eleanor's expression that she and Ethan Parker must have known each other, maybe even had feelings for each other. This made Ava Fei more accepting.

"There's one more thing. Can I have that bedsheet used as evidence?" Eleanor asked Ava Fei, a bit embarrassed.

Ava Fei was surprised but then laughed, understanding. "Sure, I'll have Charlotte get it for you!"

Charlotte also smiled, understanding that girls often value their first time, and the bloodstain on the bedsheet was proof of that.

Walking out of the police station, Eleanor felt a weight lifted off her shoulders, her gloom of the past few days swept away. She decided not to see Ethan Parker again. Though she could use this to get closer to him, she wasn't the type to seek rewards for her actions.

Besides, she felt Ethan Parker deserved his freedom. He had paid, so he owed her nothing. Despite her growing affection for him, Eleanor didn't want to make Ethan Parker feel obligated to her because of this incident. She saw herself as someone who had once sold herself and felt unworthy of Ethan Parker.

"My girlfriend?" Ethan Parker was puzzled. When did he get a girlfriend? If he had one, it would be Ava Bennett! Or could it be Sophia Turner? Unlikely. Ethan Parker recalled the girl's appearance, although he was too drunk to remember clearly, but she definitely wasn't Sophia Turner unless she had undergone plastic surgery!

Leaving the police station, Ethan Parker was still confused. This question would have to wait until he could ask Captain Ava.

Ethan Parker didn't expect to be out of the police station after just one day. Bull Sanli seemed reluctant to see him go, having genuinely come to regard Ethan Parker as a brother. Ethan Parker had to promise to keep in touch after Bull Sanli was released.

Ethan Parker didn't mind people like Bull Sanli. He had once been like them, engaging in extortion, fighting, and nearly crossing the line into more serious crimes.

Ethan Parker believed that everyone who ended up in a life of crime had their own reasons and hardships. If they had other choices, they wouldn't take such dangerous paths.

Some did it out of anger, others out of necessity. Of course, some kids thought being in a gang was cool, but that was a different story.

Ethan Parker had arrived at the police station in a patrol car, but now he had to take a bus home. The problem was he had no money!

With no other option, Ethan Parker started walking towards the city. The police station was in the suburbs, making hitchhiking unlikely. As he was lamenting his situation, a police car pulled up beside him.

The window rolled down, and Ava Fei leaned out. "Get in, Ethan Parker! I'll give you a ride!"

"Captain Ava?" Ethan Parker was surprised and deeply touched. He and Ava Fei had no special relationship, yet she cared so much for him!

"Come on, get in. I need to head back to the station after dropping you off. I knew no one would pick you up, so I came," Ava Fei smiled.

"Thank you, Captain Ava!" Ethan Parker nodded and got into the police car.