Chapter 10 Standoff

The security manager, panting and out of breath, rushed to the scene.

"Who's Declan Harrison?" he asked, his forehead still glistening with sweat.

Austin and Khloe assumed the manager was already in the loop about Declan's misdeeds and thought there was no need for further investigation. They pointed accusatory fingers at Declan and responded, "That's him right there."

The two braced themselves to watch what would happen next to Declan.

They could not wait to see him cornered by security, roughed up a bit, and then carted off in restraints.

However, things took an unexpected turn. Upon laying eyes on Declan, the manager nodded with utmost respect. "Mr. Harrison, my sincere apologies. I'll strengthen the security and make sure this never happens again."

Austin and Khloe exchanged confused looks. Why was the manager siding with Declan? Did he get it all wrong?

Austin, still in disbelief, spoke up. "Sir, there's been a mix-up. This is Declan! The one who assaulted me and swiped the access card for the Paradise Villa."

The manager fixed them with a stern gaze and snapped, "Do I need you to teach me how to do my job? Mr. Harrison is a man of great importance. Why would he need to steal anything? I suspect you two set him up! Security, escort them out!"

"We own a home here!" Khloe interjected, aghast at the security's attempt to oust them. "How can you, just a security manager, treat us this way?"

With fire in his eyes, Austin chimed in, "You must be working with that cripple! Why else would you back him? I'm reporting this! Trust me, your days as a manager are numbered."

Seeing the situation getting out of control, the detective furrowed his brow and said, "Hold on. What's going on?"

"Officer, the manager and Declan must know each other. How else would Declan get his hands on the Paradise Villa's access card?" Khloe accused, her voice laced with conviction.

"Exactly!" Austin jumped in. "It's definitely the manager's doing! He must've roped Declan in to swipe something from the villa, and then they'd split the loot later. And since we blew their cover, he's mad. Officer, you should arrest them both!"

His words painted a picture as though he had witnessed Declan and the manager's conspiracy firsthand.

Sensing an opportunity to get in Austin's good books, the detective shot the manager a steely look and ordered, "Take them in!"

"Mr. Harrison did nothing wrong!" the manager shot back indignantly. "They're the ones who should be arrested!"

As the officers circled them once more, the manager swiftly positioned himself in front of Declan and signaled the security to escort Austin and Khloe away.

However, the detective intervened, "Austin brought this to our attention. He's not going anywhere. He's a key witness. I intend to dig deep into this theft."

Both sides were now at a standoff, and neither group was backing down.

At this moment, Austin smirked and taunted Declan, "See that, Declan? The cops are on my side. Do something funny, and I'll make sure you and your accomplice pay."

His confidence soared as the detective firmly accused Declan.

The detective turned to the manager and asserted, "Regardless if Declan's a suspect or not, I need to enter the villa to investigate. Any resistance from you, and you're obstructing justice!"

"The community has rules. Nobody is allowed to enter Paradise Villa without the green light from the owner, and that includes the police."

The manager remained unyielding and motioned for his security team to form a barrier, keeping the police at bay and shielding both Declan and the villa.