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He whistles low. “Alright.”

“My dad just got dragged out of the arena in handcuffs,” I bark, shoving past him. “You think I’m sticking around to play grab-ass on the ice?”

“Shit. Sorry, man.”

I don’t respond. The parking lot’s almost empty, just a few stragglers heading inside for the second period. My car’s parked at the far end, a sleek black Porsche my dad surprised me with when I turned twenty-one. I toss my bag into the trunk, slamming it shut harder than I mean to.

I slide into the driver’s seat and punch the ignition button. The engine roars to life, but it doesn’t calm the storm in my head.

I grab my phone, scrolling to Mr. Coleman’s number. Dad’s lawyer. He’s always handled our shit.

“Come on,” I mutter as it rings. Once. Twice. Straight to voicemail.

“Fuck!” I throw the phone onto the passenger seat.

Okay. Think. Who else?

Ms. Loretta. Dad’s assistant. She knows everything — every meeting, every deal, every stupid detail of his life. If anyone knows what the hell is going on, it’s her.

I hit her number, praying she answers. The line clicks almost immediately.

“Hi, Eli,” she says, her voice soft, familiar.

“Ms. Loretta,” I start, but my voice cracks. “What’s going on? Dad just got arrested. They mentioned ‘questioning.’ What the fuck is happening?”

“Oh, Eli,” she sighs. “Your father didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” I press, my chest tightening.

“Your dad…” She pauses like she’s trying to figure out how to break bad news. “He’s been arrested for embezzling.”

“Embezzling?” I echo, my voice shooting up. “That doesn’t make any sense. It’s his company. How the hell do you embezzle your own money?”

“I don’t know, Eli. I really don’t,” she says. “But the board’s been restless lately. Whispers about missing funds. I didn’t believe it, not for a second. But then this…”

Her words blur together as my head spins.

“Ms. Loretta,” I cut in. “What do I do? I don’t know what to do.”

She hesitates. “Go to the police station. Try to see him. But prepare yourself. This is going to get ugly.”

“Ugly how?” I grip the phone tighter.

“There’s going to be press. The media loves a scandal, especially when it’s a man like your father. Just keep a low profile.”

“Yeah. Okay.” I hang up before she can say anything else.

The drive to the police station is a blur. My mind races, replaying her words over and over. Embezzling. Missing funds. Ugly.

When I pull up, the scene is exactly what she warned me about. Paparazzi everywhere, cameras flashing, reporters shouting questions.

“Shit,” I mutter, pulling my hoodie up and ducking low as I park.

As soon as I step out, they’re on me.

“Eli! Is it true your father was arrested for fraud?”

“Does this mean your family’s company is going under?”