Emily entered the café, her heart pounding with anxiety. The warm, cozy environment seemed to mock her tense mood. She spotted Detective Max at a corner table, his posture rigid and his eyes sharp. She approached and took a seat across from him.

"Detective Max, I have the evidence," Emily said, her voice quivering slightly as she handed over her phone. "These are texts and photos from Rose. They show how Jack hurt her—cut her hair, burned her hand, and there are pictures of her bruises."

Max took the phone and examined the content with a critical eye. After a few moments, he set it down, his expression unmoved.

"This is disturbing," Max said, his tone cold. "But it's not sufficient for a strong case. We need Jack's direct confession."

Emily's heart sank. "But these texts are clear evidence of his abuse! Isn't that enough?"

Max leaned forward, his gaze hard. "You've previously withheld information when I asked you. If you don't want to face charges for obstructing justice, you need to help us get a confession from Jack."

Emily's eyes widened with fear. "You want me to get close to him? That's dangerous! He already suspects me!"

Max's face remained impassive. "That's your problem to deal with. If you refuse, you'll face legal consequences. This is the only way to ensure we get a confession."

Emily swallowed hard, her anxiety mounting. "I don't have much faith in the legal system providing true justice. It's often slow and flawed. I hesitated to come forward because I doubted it would help Rose."

Max's internal frustration flared. Useless. Just like Lisa. He thought bitterly. All women are pathetic and a waste of time.He forced himself to stay outwardly composed. "This is the process we have to follow. Do you want to help get justice, or do you want to face charges yourself?"

Defeated, Emily nodded. "Fine, I'll do it. I'll try to get Jack to confess."

"Good," Max said, his voice clipped. "We'll meet here later to discuss your progress. Be prepared."

Max stood, his mind already dismissing Emily as another failed lead, much like his wife Lisa who had also disappointed him. As he walked out, he couldn't help but think how much of a waste of time she was, mirroring the frustrations he held towards women in general.

Emily sat alone, feeling the weight of the risky plan ahead. The gravity of what she was about to undertake settled heavily on her shoulders.

When she arrived home later, her parents were waiting. She explained everything—her meeting with Max, his demands, and her own doubts about the justice system.

Her father listened intently, his expression growing grave. "I'll get more information about the case from the detective," he said. "I need to understand what's going on before deciding what to do next."

Emily nodded, relieved but still worried. "Please be careful, Dad."

Her father agreed and left to seek more details. Emily watched him go, her emotions a blend of hope and apprehension. She prepared herself for the challenging task ahead, hoping her father's efforts would provide some clarity and support.