Matthew followed the officer down a narrow hallway lit by the faint glow of flickering lights. As they approached the cell, he saw ire pacing back and forth, her usual confidentposure now tainted by a mix of frustration and confusion. The clinking of the officer''s keys


    echoed as he unlocked the door, letting Matthew step closer.


    "ire!" Matthew called out, gripping the cold steel of the cell bars.


    She looked up, rolling her eyes as if this were just another minor inconvenience in her day. "Matthew, finally. Do you know how boring it is in here?"


    Matthew raised his hands, as if to defend himself. "Hey, I got here as fast as I could. What happened?" He scanned her face, clearly looking for some answers. "I saw the headline on the news, and I thought... well, I didn''t think this was happening."


    ire sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair in exasperation. "Well, I was in the parking lot at Metacortex, about to leave when a bunch of police cars rolled up. Next thing I know, they''re iming they got a tip that I have evidence rted to the dead man in the trunk." She crossed her arms, her expression growing darker. "And, behold, they searched my car and found a knife. Just like that. Neatly nted for them to find." Matthew''s eyes widened. "A knife? In your car? How did it even get there?"


    She gave an exaggerated shrug. "That''s the question of the day, isn''t it? It doesn''t make sense. I wouldn''t be so sloppy to leave something like that. Someone''s trying to set me up. I can feel it."


    Matthew nodded, considering. "Alright, first things first, I''ll call yourwyer. We''re going to need an alibi too. We just have to show you couldn''t have been there to do whatever they''re using you of."


    "Right," ire agreed, nodding, her gaze hopeful. "You could tell them you were with me all night while we were tracking that anonymous hacker." She tilted her head. "That would count, right?"


    Matthew hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "There''s a problem with that, though. We were using Cryptonic that night, and Billy was in the office with us." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "If we admit that, it''s gonna expose Cryptonic. We''d be dragging it into this mess, and we''re not supposed to let anyone know it even exists."


    ire bit her lip, thinking it over. She nced down, and then whispered, "No. Cryptonic have to stay hidden. We can''t risk that. Try to find another alibi." Her face suddenly lit up with an idea. "Wait! Adrian. I was at the hospital with him that night. He was still unconscious, but his mother and grandfather were there. They could vouch for me."


    Matthew''s face brightened. "Perfect. I''ll reach out to them. They can confirm it."


    ire sighed with relief, her shoulders rxing for the first time since he''d seen her. "Thank you, Matthew. Really."


    He smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "We''ll get you out of here. Don''t worry."


    Leaving the station, Matthew was greeted by a mob of reporters and shing cameras. He grimaced, shielding his face as he squeezed through, the police doing their best to keep the crowd at bay. Once he was clear, he stepped a few blocks away and took out his phone, dialing Adrian''s number. After a few rings, Adrian picked up, his voice tense. "Matthew, I saw the news about ire. What''s going on? Is she alright?"


    "She''s okay for now, but she really needs your help," Matthew exined. "Here''s the deal. The night of your ident, ire was with you at the hospital, even though you were unconscious. Your mom and grandfather were there too. If they could give a statement


    confirming she was with you, it would be a solid alibi."


    Adrian didn''t hesitate. "I''ll contact them now. We''ll head to the station as soon as possible."


    Matthew let out a breath, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you, Adrian. You''re a lifesaver."


    Hanging up, he went back inside the


    station, the questioning crowd


    outside stilf buzzing with their theories and wild spections. As he waited in the lobby, he found his mind facing. Who would go so far as to tip off the police about a nted Knife? And how would they even know where to put it?


    "Suspicious," he muttered to himself, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "It doesn''t add up. Someone''s trying too hard."


    Meanwhile, in his room, Adrian swiftly rolled his wheelchair to find his mother, Adriana. She was reading near the window, but her face turned pale as he exined ire''s situation.


    "ire''s been arrested?" Adriana gasped. "For what? How did that happen?"


    Adrian shook his head. "I''m not sure of the details, but Matthew said it''s a big misunderstanding. ire needs us to confirm she was with us at the hospital that night. Can you and Grandfather go to the station?"


    Adriana nodded firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. "Of course. We''ll leave right away." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You stay here and rest. I''ll make sure we clear this up."


    Adrian gave her a small nod, though a hint of disappointment shed in his eyes. "Tell ire... tell her toe by after. I need to talk to her."


    With that, Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent headed out, determined to get to the bottom of this.


    Back at the police station, Matthew paced anxiously, running through scenarios in his head.


    In the ward, Lisa happened to be watching the news during lunch. Her eyes widened when she saw the headline announcing ire''s arrest. A slow grin spread across her face, and sheughed a loud, unsettlingugh that made other patients nce her way with concern. "Oh, finally," she muttered, not caring who heard. "That arrogant woman finally got what she deserved."


    With a smug chuckle, she pointed at the TV screen, whispering to herself, "Enjoy your cell, ire."


    Meanwhile, Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent arrived at the station, looking a bit bewildered by the chaotic swarm of reporters. They were ushered in quickly, and Matthew greeted them with a relieved smile.


    "Thank you both so much foring," he said, leading them towards the back where they''d give their statement. "This is a big help. ire''s truly innocent, but it''s been a mess."


    Adriana ced aforting hand on his shoulder. "We know, Matthew. We''re here for her. Let''s get her out."


    After what felt like an eternity, ire


    was finally led out of her cell, and she practically flew into Adriana''s


    arms, her usuallyposed face e


    Belfe


    softening as she thanked her


    profusely. "I''m so sorry for dragging you into this," ire murmured, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude.


    Adriana smiled kindly. "Don''t apologize, dear. Now, let''s get you out of here and back to somewhere safe."


    Adriana put a reassuring arm around ire, and they made their way to the car waiting outside. But, naturally, the press was in full force as they stepped outside, cameras shing in their faces. Journalists shouted questions, asking if ire was guilty, if she had ament, and whether she was nning to go to court.


    Ignoring the relentless barrage of questions, ire simply followed Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent''s lead, making a beeline for the car. Once inside, she let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as the stress finally started to hit her. "This is crazy."