Hearing that name, Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy''s hearts pounded in unison, fiercely and rapidly. There was excitement, anxiety, and even more worry!


    "Elvis, did you meet up with Elsie?!" Evadne asked anxiously.


    "No, it was Elsie who sent me this video on my phone."


    Elvis''s voice was hoarse and broken, "Evadne, I''m really scared. I''m afraid something might happen to Elsie!"


    "Elvis, if the video was just sent to you, then Ms. Archer should be safe for now. Don''t worry too much at the moment," Thaddeusforted upon hearing this.


    "For now... but what aboutter?"


    Elvis gritted his teeth in determination, "I have to rescue Ellie from that hellhole!"


    "Elvis, you can''t act recklessly now! If you do, you might just draw the fire towards Elsie, making her situation even more dangerous. After all, she''s still in Avery''s clutches!"


    Evadne''s eyes were piercing, her decision swift, "This video getting out might not necessarily be traced back to Elsie. But if you act impulsively, it would be like telling Avery that Elsie is the traitor. He could get rid of Elsie in a heartbeat, and your connections won''t be of any use!"


    Elvis took a deep breath, managing to calm down somewhat.


    "Elvis, rest assured, the moment the time is right, Evadne and I will do everything in our power to help you rescue Ms. Archer."


    Coming from someone else, it might have been empty talk. But when Thaddeus said it, it was a vow that gave Elvis immensefort: "Thank you, Thaddeus. Your word means everything to me."


    ...


    Upon receiving the news, the Chief who was still at the Skyrim Agency rushed back overnight and ordered Aaron to immediately release Director-General Wayne and publicly apologize.


    "Let''s forget the apology; after all, Captain Ashbourne was only considering my safety."


    Wayne, adopting a forgiving demeanor in front of the Chief, walked out of the interrogation room with a high and mighty air, "Let''s put an end to this matter. I''m fine. And I hope, Chief, you won''t pursue Captain Ashbourne''s responsibility."


    "That''s uneptable!"


    The Chief responded sternly, "This young man has caused you so much trouble, broke the rules by detaining you for several hours. We cannot let this go; a severe punishment is necessary!"


    Wayne smiled wryly, choosing not to engage further.


    He had no grievances with Aaron. However, Aaron was Evadne''s brother and had a deep connection with Thaddeus. By using this incident as an excuse to suspend him, Aaron would be unable to continue his investigation. Thus, Wayne''s dealings with Avery would remain hidden.


    So, he had no choice but to sacrifice this subordinate.


    However, before they could get far, they were confronted by Aaron, leading two detective colleagues, determined and unwavering, blocking their path.


    "Aaron! What mischief are you up to now!" the Chief exploded in anger.


    Aaron, fearless, locked eyes with Wayne''s dark gaze, his expression stern and resolute:


    "Sorry, Director-General Wayne. Tonight, you can''t leave. We''ve obtained new evidence that connects you to a premeditated murder."


    The Chief was shocked, unable to believe it, "Murder? Aaron, what nonsense are you spouting! How could Director-General Wayne possibly be a murderer?!"


    "Without evidence, the police wouldn''t arrest someone."


    Saying so, Aaron stepped forward and mped the cold handcuffs on Wayne''s wrists.


    Wayne clenched his fists tightly, his face visibly paling.


    Back in the interrogation room, the atmosphere was extremely somber, harsh, and oppressive.


    "I didn''t kill anyone," Wayne stated, his demeanor and mindset seemingly unshakeable.


    "Is that so? Perhaps this video might jog your memory."


    Aaron yed the video right in front of him.


    Wayne''s normally impassive eyes widened in shock-


    The video showed the dark alley behind a nightclub. S-Star Group''s boss, Lionel


    Griffith, was seen beating one of his underlings on the ground.


    After Lionel left the scene, the underling, clearly still alive, tried to get up.


    At that moment, a shadowy figure leaped from the edge of the wall.


    Aaron kept his gaze fixed on Wayne, noticing the stiffening of his facial muscles.


    This man, without a word, stepped on the S-Star Group underling, picked up a rock, and smashed it down on his head!


    One hit, two, three.


    The underlingy on the ground, bleeding profusely, dead.


    The surrounding area was dark, and the killer''s face was obscured, making it difficult to see clearly.


    However, as if fate itself sided with justice, wanting this heinous crime toe to light, the nightclub''s luminous sign changed its lighting at that moment!


    Although it was only for an instant, it was enough to dispel the night''s natural camouge for the killer!


    Wayne, his face sttered with blood, looking sinister and ghostly, was clearly exposed!


    "After receiving this video, we immediately had our tech team examine it. The results confirmed that the video was genuine, without any signs of tampering, and the person in the video is indeed you, Director-General Wayne," Aaron dered, each wordnding with weight, pinning Wayne and his crimes firmly together, "Moreover, we matched your facial features with the traces left at the scene, with a 98% match. Now, with physical and video evidence, even without your confession, we can charge you with premeditated murder and convict you!" The interrogation room fell silent.


    After what felt like an eternity, Wayne suddenly burst into maniacalughter, the handcuffs scraping against the table, making a chilling sound:


    "Indeed, it was me. I did it. After Lionel left, I went back and finished the job, framing him for the murder."


    "Come on, lock me up already. Charge me, convict me. I won''t appeal," Wayne dered with unwavering resolve.


    "Why would you, the head of the police department, with no known grievances or connections to the victim from S-Star Group, end up at the crime scene? And not just show up—you broke in. Why would you brutally murder him and then try to frame someone else? Was someone pulling your strings?" Aaron pressed, his tone demanding answers.


    Yet, Wayne simply closed his eyes, maintaining his calm demeanor. No matter how much Aaron interrogated him, Wayne refused to utter another word.


    *


    The next morning, Avery headed to the headquarters of Chambers Group.


    Along the way, he swallowed a handful of pills. His body hadn''t fully recovered, and if he wasn''t going to check himself into a hospital, he''d have to rely on medication to keep going.


    Walking through the wide, deserted corridors of the building, Avery was apanied by Harvey to the meeting room.


    Suddenly, Harvey''s phone buzzed. He quickly answered it, his eyes widening in shock as he listened, then hung up, trembling.


    "What''s wrong?" Avery asked, noticing Harvey''s panic.


    "Mr. Chambers, there''s been a problem! Last night, Wayne was taken into custody


    by the police. They''re going to charge him with premeditated murder!"


    Avery was stunned. "Premeditated murder? How is that possible?"


    "It seems someone provided the police with video evidence. It proves Lionel didn''t


    Upon hearing this, Avery felt the world spin before him.


    Suddenly, a sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat, and his body lurched forward.


    "Mr. Chambers!"


    Blood spurted from his mouth, staining his pale lips a deep crimson.