In the face of Ellie''s raw honesty, Harvey was a storm of emotions, love and


    resentment fiercely intertwined within him.


    Yet, the overwhelming desire to have her conquered all else.


    He moved to kiss her with fierce determination, only to be met with her desperate resistance, refusing to let him touch her even slightly.


    "Ellie, trust me, this will stay between us. I won''t let you die; I''ll marry you, love you, cherish you..."


    Harvey''s words were charged with emotion, his deration heartfelt, yet they failed to ignite even a spark in Elsie''s ashen heart. "Your past, I won''t hold it against you. Whether you''ve betrayed Mr. Chambers or not... because it''s you, I don''t mind!"


    "You don''t mind? You, who are so loyal to Avery, you don''t mind?"


    Elsie found his statement bitterly ironic, herughter tinged with tears.


    "I said, because it''s you, I don''t mind! And even if Mr. Chambers wants you dead, I have ways to protect you!"


    In his urgency, Harvey blurted out, "Marry me, be my partner, it''s the safest bet! I swear, Mr. Chambers wouldn''t dare touch you!"


    Elsie''s sharp intuition caught the subtle nuance in his words.


    He didn''t say "won''t," but "dare not."


    Though loyal to Avery, self-preservation was a basic instinct, both for animals and humans alike.


    Moreover, in the dangerous game of power, with Avery''s unpredictable and cunning nature, Harvey had to keep some crucial evidence close to protect himself.


    Regaining herposure, Elsie bit the inside of her lip, swallowing the bitterness and blood, and softened in Harvey''s embrace.


    She rested her sweaty forehead against his shoulder, resigned.


    In that moment, Harvey''s heart raced, holding her close:


    "Ellie, let''s go back to Helgen... surrounded by mountains, it''s beautiful there. We''ll get married in that setting. I love you, and I''ll protect you. The only one who can give you happiness is me, Elvis could never do it!"


    Elsie felt as if her heart was being torn apart, her pain raw and palpable.


    *


    The following week, the departmentunched a special investigation into Wayne''s


    case.


    Aaron Ashbourne led a team that uncovered a trove of illegal drugs, an array of firearms and weapons, and even photographs and detailed information on several victims from his residence. It was clear that the member of S-Star Group wasn''t new to murder.


    Aaron submitted all evidence and documents, and the police department prioritized the case, issuing a directive to crack Wayne''s defenses and bring the truth to light for the victims'' families.


    However, despite Aaron and his team''s exhaustive interrogation techniques, Wayne remained silent.


    Though the murder was proven, the motive and whether there were others behind the scenes remained his secrets.


    Progress on the case stalled.


    One day, Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy visited the police station.


    "This man, his psychological fortitude is too strong, we can''t break him!"


    Aaron, frustrated, punched a wall. "Damn it, I''ve interrogated people brainwashed


    by pyramid schemes, and even they weren''t as steadfast as him. This is incredibly tough!"


    "Aaron, don''t rush."


    Evadne, leaning into Thaddeus''s strong arms, her lips a soft pink, her gaze


    steady, said, "Could we perhaps ask your superior if I can go in and have a talk with Director-General Wayne?"


    "Evadne, you have a n?" Thaddeus looked down at her, his gaze deep.


    Evadne offered a wry smile, "Let''s try, nothing to lose at this point."