Chapter 147 Something Is Off


    The officer dismissed Leah''s anxiety, attributing it to natural concerns about criminal


    retaliation.


    "The ss is one-way, Miss Burgess. They cannot see you," he assured her with practiced patience.


    Relief washed over Leah''s tense features as she drew a steadying breath, following the


    officer toward the exit.


    In their wake, Wilbur returned to the room, dropping a folder onto the table with barely contained frustration. "Have you reconsidered your position?"


    "I''ve stated my case. Your disbelief doesn''t change the truth. What more can I add?"


    Corrine''sposure only served to intensify Wilbur''s mounting anger. His fist connected with the table as he roared, "Corrine Hond, enough games! Don''t expect special treatment because of your gender! Trafficking historical artifacts and forging antiquities-either charge alone could destroy your future!"


    Corrine maintained her tranquil demeanor, her voice steady. "I request Chief Hoffman''s


    presence."


    "Chief Hoffman doesn''t grant audiences on demand!" Wilbur''s lips curled into a sneer. "A few days in lockup without meals might loosen that tongue of yours!"


    The officer at his side shifted ufortably, leaning close to whisper, "Sir, something peculiar has caught my attention."


    "Exin," Wilbur demanded, his severe expression darkening further.


    "How does she know Hoffman is our chief''s surname?"


    The question gave Wilbur pause, his brow furrowing in contemtion. "Where''s her


    documentation?"


    "Right here." The officer presented the folder, its contents barely reviewed in the rush


    17-37


    of the investigation.


    Opening it. Wilbur discovered Corrine''s background check contained only the


    most


    basic information


    "Sir, this is..." The officer''s disbelief was palpable,


    Despite their department''s sophisticated resources and skilled investigators, Corrine''s file revealed nothing beyond elementary details-birth date, name, and gender.


    This unusual sparseness suggested either unprecedented innocence or, more likely, an identity deliberately shrouded beyond their clearance level,


    A heavy silence fell over the room as Wilbur and the officer exchanged a look.


    Corrine, for her part, remained effortlesslyposed, as if she already knew what they had found.


    Yet, as far as Wilbur knew, no influential family in Lyhaton bore the surname Hond.


    Before he could press further, a sharp knock interrupted the tense atmosphere.


    An officer stepped in, giving Corrine a lingering nce before whispering to Wilbur, "Sir


    ... Chief Hoffman wants to see you."


    Wilbur''s eyes narrowed. "Wasn''t he attending a meeting in the neighboring city?"


    The officer shook his head. "I... don''t know the details, sir."


    Before he could borate, Arion Hoffman''s thunderous voice resonated through the corridor. "Where''s that troublemaker Wilbur? Get him out here immediately!" Every eye in the interrogation room turned toward Wilbur, gauging his reaction.


    He frowned slightly, passed the file to his colleague, and strode toward the door, nearly colliding with Arion''s approaching figure.


    "Not a single peaceful day with you around!" Arion''s re could have melted steel, his jaw clenched tight. "What sin did Imit to deserve you as my eternal headache?"


    "Chief, that''s hardly fair. You sang a different tune when I was breaking cases." Wilbur extracted a cigarette, offering it with practiced nonchnce. "Care for one?"


    Arion''s exasperation dissolved into bitterughter. "You dare think about smoking now? Go ahead-consider it your parting indulgence!"


    The words struck Wilbur like a physical blow, leaving him momentarily stunned.