Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 977
He did not force any more questions on Allen. He asked the cop. “Officer, can you get someone over to cut the chain off my
cousin?”
The officer nodded. “Of course.”
He took out a walkie–talkie and asked the headquarters for backup.
“I shall take him away,” he said.
“Good.” Lewis nodded. “Tll stay here and wait for the other officers to arrive.”
“What right do you have to take me away? This is my home! You can’t take me away!” Allen struggled violently, but he was
subdued by the officer after a while.
“If you don’t want to be shot, you’ll have to cooperate.” The officer was also about to explode with anger.
“Wait!” Larissa yelled.
The people downstairs looked up.
“Freddy!” Larissa couldn’t go down, so she had to talk to thin air. “That boy! Officer, please take him to the station with you! I
suspect that he’s been abused by his father all along. On top of that please check him for signs of abuse!”
When the officer heard this, his face grew colder.
“Kid.” He waved at Freddy. “Come here.”
Allen said harshly, “Go to your room!”
Freddy looked at the officer, and then at Allen. He felt torn.
“Be quiet!” The officer glared at Allen, but when he looked at Freddy, he grew kind. “Don’t be afraid. I protect you.”
He extended his arm toward Freddy. After a moment’s hesitation. Freddy took it.
The officer smiled. “Good. You’re very brave, kid.”

Freddy widened his eyes and looked at him in shock,
“Tell me. Has your father been abusing you? The officer spoke in a gentle tone so as not to scare him.
Freddy bit his lip. Under Allen’s cold gaze, he dared not speak.
“Can you look after this kid for me? I need to escort this man to the car,” the officer said to Lewis.
Lewis nodded. “Alright”
The officer took Allen away.
Lewis had seen Freddy before with Larissa. He bent down and said. “Hey, Freddy. Remember me? Larissa and I found you in
that alley next to your kindergarten.”
Freddy’s pupils trembled slightly. He looked at him quietly and said, “Yes.”
Lewis patted him on the head.
Freddy knew that he wouldn’t hurt him, so he did not hide.
“Does your father hit you a lot?” Lewis saw how scrawny he was. His gaze was dull and unfocused compared to that of other
children. It was obvious that he lacked love. Lewis heart ached for him.
Freddy took a few seconds to nod.
“But it’s only because I do the wrong things.” Even at this stage. Freddy was instinctively protecting his father.
Lewis had no idea what to say. He sighed and suppressed the anger in his chest, waiting calmly for the officer to come back.
A few minutes later, the officer came back with backup.

The officer stayed downstairs and spoke to Freedy. “Can I see the wounds on your body?”
Freddy nodded and rolled up his sleeves.
There were unidentillable bruises on his skinny arms. Some of them were even bleeding.

It was so harrowing that Lewis couldn’t bring himsell to see them. He turned away,
“Are there more?” The officer’s voice was light. He was fighting his emotions.
Freddy pulled down his pajamas.
His chest and back were covered in bruises. There were even scorch marks from the bults of cigarettes. The officer shuddered
and took a deep breath.