But Finley clearly hadn’t noticed anything strange about his father. He’d only just come to. His mind was still foggy. The moment he realized he was in danger and saw his father standing ahead, instinct had taken over—he’d cried out without thinking. Now that he’d come to his senses and recognized that the one choking him was Mr. Hugo, Finley saw a golden opportunity to shine. Especially with all those cops around. Hugo, a respected professor, wasn’t going to kill him. And even if he tried, those officers wouldn’t let it happen. Convinced of his safety, Finley puffed up with righteous indignation. “Mr. Hugo! You can’t use my life to threaten my dad! He won’t give in!” Give in to what, exactly? Was Finley really outing him for kidnapping Arthur right in front of the police? Was he trying to get his father charged? Worried Finley might blurt out something even worse, Solivair quickly stepped in. “Mr. Hugo, what are you saying? There’s no need to blow things out of proportion.” He gestured toward Arthur and the others. “We just invited the students over to play a murder mystery game. You know, the kind young people are into these days. Ask them if you don’t believe me.” He shot a pointed look toward Arthur, silently telling him to play along. Hugo squinted suspiciously at Solivair. Was he really giving in this easily? That wasn’t like Solivair at all. Could it be… because of Finley? Hugo said coldly, “If that’s true, then send them over here.” But before anyone else could speak, Finley jumped in—panicked. “Mr. Hugo! Don’t even think about it! Any release must be done simultaneously—” Before he could finish, Solivair cut him off smoothly. “Arthur, go on. Head over.”Finley stared, dumbfounded, as Arthur, Ashley, and Taylor casually walked across the lot. What… what was happening? His dad didn’t even hesitate? He just… let them go? And he called him Arthur? When had he ever used that tone with his own son? Under Finley and Hugo’s stunned gaze, Arthur reached Hugo. The police quickly moved in to surround him, keeping him protected. Arthur gave Hugo a calm, confident look. “He’s telling the truth. He didn’t kidnap us.” Finley was still being held by the throat. Hugo frowned. “Arthur… are you sure you weren’t threatened by Solivair?” Arthur gave a faint laugh. "I’m really fine.” Ashley nodded from behind him. Hugo turned to Taylor. Taylor glanced at Arthur and Ashley, then nodded firmly too. The whole thing had been terrifying. Seeing Hugo again made him want to break down and cry—but if Arthur said this, he had to have a reason. As a true friend, he had to back him up. No way he’d throw Arthur under the bus. Meanwhile, Solivair didn’t even glance at Finley. He looked straight at Hugo and said, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now.” The words stunned everyone—Hugo, Finley, even the cops behind them. Wait… Arthur’s group had just been released, and Finley was still being held hostage! Did Solivair forget that part? Did he forget he had a son, and said son was currently at risk of getting his neck snapped? Hugo’s hand was still on Finley’s throat! What if this had been an actual hostage situation? What if Hugo were a dangerous criminal? Finley could’ve been dead by now. And yet his own father… didn’t even blink? Was Solivair in a rush to reincarnate or something? Why else would he completely ignore the life of his only son? He just turned and walked away like he had somewhere better to be. Finley couldn’t take it anymore. As soon as Hugo’s grip loosened slightly, he shouted, “Dad! Dad! I’m still here!!” He figured Solivair must’ve just been busy. Important people forgot things sometimes, right? He just had to remind him. Then Solivair would definitely care. He’d definitely get worried. Everyone else thought so too. This should’ve been a tense, dramatic standoff. Not… this bizarre, casual release. Even if, as Solivair claimed, they had no ill intentions toward Arthur’s group, seeing his own son being throttled should’ve triggered some kind of reaction. Some panic. Some anger. But instead… nothing.