Chapter 1169: Meeting Addison, the Truth

Little Bunny waited half an hour at Theodore's upscale residence before Laird sent a car to take her to the detention center. The journey was agonizing.

She received a call from Yuna after 2 AM. "Little Bunny, how's it going? How's the investigation?" Yuna asked anxiously.

"The results are much the same as the police report," Little Bunny replied. "But don't worry, I'll see Addison at the detention center and update you afterward."

"Thank you so much."

Little Bunny ended the call, her heart heavy. Fortunately, the car was fast, and they arrived at the detention center quickly. She went straight to a private cell and found Addison, looking dejected, with a scruffy beard and lacking energy.

He was surprised to see her, unprepared for her late visit, and visibly uncomfortable.

"Miss Little Bunny, we're waiting for you outside," the prison guard said respectfully.

"Thank you," she replied.

The door closed. Addison remained silent, their eyes meeting. Just as Little Bunny was about to speak, Addison suddenly embraced her tightly, startling her. She let him hold her for a long moment. Finally, she said, "Addison, let go. I came to talk."

He reluctantly released her. Seeing her, he broke down, tears welling in his eyes. Little Bunny's own eyes filled with tears. Trying to remain calm, she asked, "Are you okay? Have you been abused?"

"No," he answered, "it's just the mental pressure. The media coverage must be insane."

He fell silent, unable to maintain the pretense. Although his agent had advised him to stick to the story of being framed, he couldn't deceive her.

"Addison?" Little Bunny prompted when he remained quiet.

"I'm sorry," he said, apologizing.

His apology explained everything. Little Bunny felt a complex mix of emotions; she struggled to reconcile his actions with her image of him.

"It was my idea," Addison confessed. "That day, I was feeling down, and my friends suggested drugs to help me forget. I was depressed about missing you, and my agent had stopped my work due to my poor health. So, that night, I agreed, just to experience it, to see if it could make me forget everything. But everything went wrong." He continued, his voice laced with regret, "My agent told me to stick to the 'set-up' story to protect my reputation, but now I'm terrified. I don't know how this will end."

Little Bunny felt helpless, both to comfort him and to reconcile her own role in his actions.

"I can't confess now," Addison said painfully. "If they discover the lie before catching whoever framed me, things will only get worse."

Watching his suffering, Little Bunny felt uneasy. His bright future was in jeopardy because of a single lapse in judgment.

"Don't worry about me," he said nervously, seeming to anticipate her thoughts. "I don't want you involved in anything illegal, or seeing Theodore on my account."

Little Bunny felt conflicted. She knew she bore some responsibility for his actions, yet she also knew what he did was wrong.

"Little Bunny, it's late. You should go. When you leave, ask the guard to check for paparazzi. I don't want you caught on camera."

She nodded; staying wouldn't help. "Addison, take care. Don't blame yourself. As for confessing, wait for my message."

"Little Bunny," he began.

"Don't worry, I won't implicate myself," she reassured him.

He nodded heavily as she left.

On the drive home, Little Bunny wrestled with her conscience. She couldn't bring herself to ask Laird to illegally extract Addison. The thought was foreign to her. Yet, the thought of his suffering because of her filled her with guilt.

These thoughts occupied her until they arrived home. Opening the door, she was hit by the strong smell of alcohol. Theodore was passed out drunk on the couch. She knew he’d been drinking, but hadn't expected him back so soon.

Approaching him, she said softly, "Theodore, let me help you to your room."

He opened his eyes, saw her—the woman he loved, the woman who doubted him because of another man. He suddenly pinned her down, wanting only her body, not her heart. Winning her heart felt too difficult, too painful. He didn't want to try anymore.