Chapter 180

Ingrid was arrested in front of a crowd. Panic seized her; her immediate worry was whether her overseas activities had been discovered. Seeing the surprised and questioning faces around her, she forced a smile and said calmly, "I'm sure this must be a mistake. I'll find out what's going on."

Her three roommates exchanged worried glances, watching helplessly as Ingrid was led away. "What's happening? I'm confused," one said.

"Nothing will happen to her, right?" another asked.

"What should we do? Should we contact her parents?"

"Do you have their phone number?"

The roommates shook their heads. Then Mia Brown remembered that Hansel had given them his business card when he'd dropped Ingrid off at the dormitory. She quickly returned to search for it and called the number.

Hansel had just finished a meeting and was preparing to leave for the day when his personal phone rang. He had two phones; few people had the number to this one. Although the number was unfamiliar, he answered.

"Is this Hansel Johnson? I'm Ingrid's roommate. The police just came to the college and took her away. I'm worried something might happen to her. Can you check at the police station?"

He frowned at Mia's panicked voice. "Got it," he replied calmly. "I'll handle it."

He put on his coat, went downstairs, and got into his car. "Take me to the police station," he instructed the driver.

Hansel found it hard to believe the police would take someone without reason. He assumed there must be an explanation. As he fidgeted with his phone, a cold glint appeared in his eyes. He called Joe and said, "Ingrid has been taken to the police station. Find out what happened."

At the police station, events unfolded as the senior officer expected. Since the incident had occurred abroad, holding anyone accountable was difficult. At most, Ingrid would receive a mild verbal reprimand before being released.

When she finally walked out of the station, her heart still racing, she saw a sleek Cayenne parked out front. Leaning against it was a tall figure, holding a phone and absently playing with it. It was Hansel.

"Dear, did you come to pick me up?" Ingrid's excitement faded as she saw the coldness in his eyes. Her smile froze, and she stood there awkwardly.

Hansel straightened and walked toward her slowly. "Did you cause the incidents in Marvedis?"

Scared, she instinctively reached for his hand. "Dear, it's not what you think. Please let me explain."

He brushed her hand away, looking at her with icy contempt. "What's there to explain? The facts speak for themselves."

When Joe called, Hansel had just arrived at the police station. He listened to the entire story with a grim expression, realizing the Marvedis incident wasn't an accident; Ingrid was the mastermind. He felt foolish for not seeing the truth sooner. Despite Sam's repeated warnings, Hansel had trusted Ingrid's supposed innocence and never doubted her. Now, he felt deceived.

Ingrid shivered under Hansel's icy gaze, but remained defiant, refusing to admit anything.