Chapter 74: That’s Just My Tissue

While Benedict’s car was being searched, he ignored it and instead walked over to Benjamin, just as two officers prepared to search Benjamin’s vehicle. Benjamin handed over his keys cooperatively.

“Benji, your friend here has some impressive driving skills,” Benedict said with a smile, his eyes drifting to Benjamin’s car as it was opened. “It’s just unfortunate about the unexpected accident tonight.”

“Mr. Benedict, shouldn’t you keep an eye on your own car while it’s being searched?” Olivia asked, a faint, cryptic smile playing on her lips.

Benedict chuckled. “There’s nothing in my car worth worrying about. Let them search.”

As the officers reached toward the backseat of Benjamin’s car, Benedict’s expression betrayed a hint of anticipation.

“Is that so?” Olivia said, her smile widening.

Suddenly, one of the officers pulled a small, crumpled white object from the gap in Benjamin’s backseat. The moment Benedict saw what the officer was holding, uncontrollable excitement flashed in his eyes.

“Benji, how could something like this end up in your car?” Benedict asked in feigned shock, turning toward Benjamin.

Benjamin looked utterly confused.

“The officers haven’t even opened it yet,” Olivia remarked, raising an eyebrow at Benedict. “How do you already know what’s inside?”

Benedict froze, nearly giving himself away in his eagerness for his plan to succeed.

“I… I didn’t mean it like that,” he stammered, quickly covering. “I just meant it’s surprising that Benji, who’s always so meticulous about his car, would let trash pile up in it.”

By then, the officer had unfolded the crumpled tissue in front of everyone. Benedict’s heart was racing so fast it felt like it might leap out of his chest. But when the tissue was fully opened, it revealed… nothing.

Benedict’s expression shifted slightly. No. That’s not right. Where are the drugs!

The officer tossed the tissue to the ground, deeming it irrelevant. Benedict immediately lunged to pick it up. It was just a crumpled tissue.

“My bad,” Olivia said apologetically to Benjamin, her tone casual. “That’s my tissue.”

Benedict stared at the tissue in disbelief. “Yours?”

Olivia rubbed her nose with a shrug. “I caught a little cold earlier and tossed it in the car after blowing my nose.”

Benedict flung the tissue away as if it burned his hand. The heck! Did I just touch her snot?

The police finished searching Benjamin’s car shortly after. They found nothing. Benedict was utterly dumbfounded. He distinctly remembered placing the packet of illegal drugs in Benjamin’s car. How could it be gone?

“You look disappointed,” Olivia said, her tone light but cutting. “Were you hoping the officers would find something in Benjamin’s car?”

Benjamin, now alert, turned a suspicious gaze toward Benedict.

“Benedict, is there something you’re not telling me?”

Benedict, unable to make sense of what had gone wrong with his plan, quickly shook his head.

“Benji, of course not! I’m just concerned about you, that’s all.”

Benjamin frowned slightly, but Olivia’s attention was already on the officers walking toward them, their expressions grim. She raised her hand and pointed behind Benedict. “Instead of worrying about Benji, you might want to start worrying about yourself. The officers seem to have something to say to you.”

Benedict turned around, only to find two fully armed officers standing right behind him.

“Is that car yours?” one of them asked sternly.

Benedict nodded instinctively, still too stunned to process the question. Before he could respond further, the officers exchanged glances, their expressions hardening.

“Arrest him immediately!” one of them commanded.