"Come to me. If nopany wants you, enter my legal team. I already had a position ready for you."


    Ro smiled at Conrad''s offer, facing him ever so slowly. "Why? Do you pity me?"


    "No. Never." Conrad''s expression was in like always, holding Ro''s gaze. "I am offering this job to you because I recognize your skill, capabilities, talent, and your dedication to your work."


    "That''s nice, man. You make me tear up," Ro humored, but Conrad maintained his seriousness.


    "Ro," called Conrad, watching Ro drink another mouthful of rum. "I am not helping you. What I''m doing is recruiting you. I would''ve done it before, but I knew you would refuse. Working for your friend will blur the lines of friendship when a problem arises at work. I know you didn''t want that sort of thing to end the rtionships you value."


    "However, if cutting friendship with you is the only way that will make you ept this offer, then I am not your friend," he continued solemnly. "Maynard will not dare touch me and even if he does, that is thest time he will ever feel his hand."


    Conrad waited for Ro''s answer patiently. His jaw tightened as anxiety crawled under his skin. At the end of the day, Conrad sees Ro as a good friend and the only person who gave Conrad a challenge during high school and even during their university days.


    Ro was already talented and naturally gifted. His hardworking nature just added to his strong traits. Yet, even when Conrad worked just as hard, he just never beat Ro or dethroned him more than once.


    In other words, Conrad''s respect for this man was more than what it appeared. Seeing that money was suppressing this man''s light angered Conrad. The only reason Conrad didn''t meddle immediately was that he knew Ro. Ro wouldn''t appreciate it if Conrad suddenly jumped in.


    Therefore, here Conrad was, offering the man a job to solve at least one problem before they move on to the next. Conrad just needed to hear Ro agree but to no avail.


    "Thanks." Ro smacked his lips and nced at Conrad. "I really appreciate you, man. I really do. But…"


    He trailed off, setting his eyes on the rum within his grasp. "But I have to decline."


    "Be rational, Ro." Ro''s answer didn''t please Conrad as his expression grew colder. "My offer has nothing to do with your sense of pride or anything of the sort. I''ve said it already. I''m not helping you, but hiring you."


    "I know." Ro let out a brief chuckle. "But I will still decline."


    "Ro."


    "I know you don''t have bad intentions," Ro continued before Conrad could start his argument. "I also know you are sincere with everything you said just now. You''re always like that, Conny."


    Conrad frowned upon hearing what Ro just called him. But he didn''t speak and just remained silent.


    "You know, Conrad, I''ve been thinking a lot these days. Two months ago, the people I thought were on the same boat as I was just pushed me out of that boat because they were afraid the boat will sink. To be honest, I was mad and furious whenever I think about it. They left me drifting in the middle of nowhere and went on with their lives." Ro let out a bitter chuckle. "But recently, I realized that wasn''t what truly makes me angry. It''s not them, but what I cannot understand is why Maynard could go this far?"


    "We''re friends, aren''t we? From high school until two months ago, we''re good friends. You are a busy man, but sometimes, we even talked about having close family ties once we get married. We nned to drag you with us and even thought of finding you someone since you obviously didn''t have the time," he continued in the same tone, reminiscing those good old days. "So, I cannot understand how he could do this to me. Misunderstandings are normal in friendship; that''s how friendship grows stronger. However, isn''t this going too far?"<novelnext></novelnext>


    Conrad had the same question. He didn''t have a clear guess of what fueled Maynard to take such extreme action against Ro. He tried reaching out to Maynard, but the man refused to talk to Conrad. And Conrad didn''t feel the need to pry to know the details. What was important to him was the current and the resolution.


    Whatever sparked this madness, Conrad was certain it was something personal.


    After all, Maynard always had an explosive temper and Ro unknowingly let Maynard have it his way. Conrad could still remember that time Maynard was so pissed that Ro was dating this girl, and did his best, so they break up. Maynard was a territorial person, and sometimes, he would develop dependency.


    pAn,Da-n0v e1,c Whenever Maynard feel like someone who was precious to him would abandon him for another, he would go crazy. The reason Conrad treated him coldly, knowing he couldn''t bear taking such responsibility on his shoulder. He warned Ro about it, but thetter didn''t listen. Or rather, Ro was just too nice and sincerely treasured their brotherhood that he turned a blind eye to this problem.


    Now, both of them were hurting.


    "I''m fucking fed up." Ro shook his head, letting out another wave of chuckles. "That''s why I came in here."


    He then faced Conrad and stretched his arm, nting it on Conrad''s shoulder. "I really appreciate that you want to help me, but at this point, I''m just fed up. Don''t take this personally, but I''m tired of people like you. It''s exhausting that rich people like you can change a person''s life on a whim. You can make it a living hell or take it to another level just because you have money."


    "I know you are not like that." Ro patted Conrad''s shoulder mildly before retrieving his hand. "That is why I came here to refuse your offer."


    "Ro."


    "Thank you for the drink." Ro didn''t let Conrad negotiate, pushing himself up with a grin. "Don''t worry about me. Don''t forget who I am, and this problem? This is nothing."


    Conrad frowned, watching Ro nod his head reassuringly. Thetter didn''t idle, turning on his heel, waving while walking away.


    "I''ll see you around," was the words Ro uttered as he sauntered off.


    Conrad watched his figure going farther and farther. Until this day, Conrad would sometimes think of this night.


    What if he stopped him?


    What would happen if Conrad just turned stubborn and forced Ro to stay? Or just dragged his friend like how that same friend used to drag him around, regardless of Conrad''s refusal?


    Would Ro avoid the worse?


    If Conrad stopped him that night and kept him in check, would Ro avoid being convicted of attempted murder? Which then subsequently led to an actual murder two yearster, taking the life of Maynard''s wife.