Right then, in Elmsworth.


    <b>Nydia </b>stood alone in front of the Elmsworth Police Station, her jaws clenched tight, as she mustered the courage to step inside.


    “Miss, are you here to file a report?” a female officer greeted her.


    Nydia nodded vigorously and asked in a soft voice, “Excuse me, is Captain Aaron avable?”


    Aaron had been swamped with work for two straight days and nights, and was now catching some Zs in the duty room.


    When he got word that Nydia hade looking for him, he shot up like a fish jumping out of water and went out to greet her. Inside the office.


    Nydia and Aaron sat across from each other, the girl’s fingers inteced and twisting nervously, her knuckles turning white. “Nydia, what’s got youing down here all of a sudden? is something <b>wrong</b>?” Aaron’s gaze was sharp and probing, but his tone was full of concern.


    Though they were half–siblings, Nydia, ever so gentle and shy, had always followed in the shadow of her older sister, Evadne, outshined by her brilliance. But Aaron never yed favorites, always treating her just like his own sister. Whenever he returned from a trip, he’d bring back the same gifts for Nydia as he did for Evadne


    But as they grew older, they naturally drifted apart. Nydia, reserved and introverted, never reached out to her brothers as Evadne did. So, to an outsider, their rtionship seemed less intimate.


    Yet to Aaron, whether Evadne or Nydia, hismitment to them was unwavering.


    After a moment of tense silence, Nydia slowly lifted her gaze to meet Aaron’s prating eyes.


    “Aaron, I want toe forward as a victim and testify against Byron for S**ual assault,”


    Aaron’s pupils shrank sharply, “Nydia, what did you say?”


    “I want to press charges against Byron for S**ual assault.” As Nydia spoke these words, her heart felt as if it were bleeding<b>. </b>Aaron pressed his l*ps together tightly


    He was an exemry detective, with ample professional investigative skills and a strong psychological resilience. But when tragedy strikes so close to his family member, he had to tread <b>even </b>more carefully.


    And yet, he wanted nothing more than to see Byron, that beast, brought to justice!l


    “Nydia, have you discussed this with Myra? Does Evadne know about th


    Nydia shook her head, her voice barely above <b>a </b>whisper, Aaron, if I had told them, do you think I’d be here? Truth be told,st night I went to <b>see </b>my sister and brother–inw, and after I shared my thoughts, they vehemently opposed it,”


    Aaron’sshes quivered slightly, his voice grave, “They’re trying to protect you from potential harm. You’re my sister too, and my feelings for you are no different.


    Do you really think I’d agree to this?”


    <b>“</b>You will.”


    Nydia’s eyes, bright as stars, were filled with determination and deep trust, “Because you’re a cop, Aaron. You stand for justice and uphold thew without bias.


    You’ll do whatever it takes to catch the criminal and get justice for the victim!”


    Aaron felt <b>a </b><b>surge </b>of passion, his blood boiling with fervor.


    But then, his rational side quickly took over, and with a heavy heart, he sighed, “Nydia, I’m proud of you for having the courage to stand up to evil. But your case has been cold for a while now, and the evidence may be insufficient. Plus, Byron’s assault on you was only attempted, and didn’t result in actual physical harm. The chances of convicting him are slim.”


    Nydia’s brow furrowed, her breath caught in her chest, heavy with pain.


    Tve worked on S**ual assault cases before, and because of theplex rtionships between the victims and the suspects, gathering evidence <b>is </b>actually quite challenging


    Aaron bit down on his teeth with anger, “And with the Chambers Group pressuring the victims, they refuse to tell the truth, leaving. us in a very passive position!


    Nydia, I don’t want to discourage you, but even if you doe forward, this case isn’t likely to make much of a ssh. Worse, it


    could backfire on you. I believe your sister and brother–inw had these concerns in mind when they advised against it. So please, don’t <b>be </b>hard on them. They’re just trying to protect you to the best of their ability”


    <b>The </b>office fell into a suffocating silence.


    “Aaron, what can we do to hit Byron <b>hard</b>? Are we really so powerless against him?” Nydia asked with desperate eyes.


    Til arrange for someone to talk to the victims and their families again tomorrow. I’ll assure them that the investigation will remain confidential and that the police will protect their safety to the greatest extent. Let me take your statement now.”


    As Aaron was about to stand up. <b>Nydia </b>grabbed his arm, “But what are our chances?


    My sister and brother–inw already approached those two girls yesterday, but it didn’t look hopeful. If they couldn’t persuade them, can you really do it?”


    Aaron understood that her words weren’t a doubt of the police’s capabilities, but rather a sl*p of the tongue in her anxiety.


    He never made empty promises, so he told her the truth, “Honestly, our chances aren’t great. But if we don’t try, then there’s no chance at all


    There’s another big issue. The incident is losing public interest, and the Chambers Group is furiously controlling the narrative online. Without media attention and public outcry, the victims won’t feel empowered to speak out. If we could stir up a major public uproar, it could inspire the victims and put significant pressure on the Chambers Group.”


    “A public uproar?” Nydia looked shocked.


    “Nydia, things aren’t as simple as you think.”


    Aaron patted her slender shoulder, his eyes filled withpassion as he looked into her clear eyes, “You’re the daughter of the Chambers family, and those bastards still dared to harm you. Other girls are just helpless against such powerful tycoons I’ll take your statement, and then you should go home and wait for the updates.