The three Ashbourne brothers nodded in solemn agreement.


    "Since we''re on the topic, there''s something I need to tell you all," Evadne said, her expression turning cold and serious. "I strongly suspect that Alexia is actually Acacia."


    The three men stared at her, utterly stunned.


    "I don''t have concrete evidence yet, like a confession or a DNA match. But that day, at the abandoned hospital, when I called her Acacia, she turned around, and her reaction was... off. And her private mannerisms, her little habits, they''re identical to Acacia''s." Evadne''s lips curved with confidence. "More importantly, I trust my intuition."


    "That exins it!" Arnold shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "The first time I saw that woman at the hospital, she brushed past me, and I got this strange, familiar feeling! So... she''s Acacia! My gut was right!"


    Cassius''s expression grew grave. "If that''s true, then Thaddeus is in even greater danger. Acacia has returned with a new face and is hiding by Chad''s side. She must be seeking revenge. After the Stirling family fell and she was publicly disgraced, she''s going to want to make Thaddeus pay for it, twofold. She''ll likelye after you too, Evadne."


    “Hah. Then she''d better hurry up." Evadne rested her arm on the sofa, crossing her slender legs. She lifted her chin, her eyes shing with an unstoppable light. "I''m getting impatient."


    ***<fn7889> ?????? ???? </fn7889>


    After Alexia gave her statement, Logan sent officers to her home andunched a thorough investigation into her personal life. The results were disapponating. There was no trace of drugs in her home, and her private life was squeaky clean. Her daily routine consisted of being by Mr. Thaddeus''s side and visiting the prison in her capacity as a medical doctor to treat inmates. That was it.


    Frustrated, Logan returned to the station, only to be immediately summoned to Chief Roderick''s office. The moment the door closed, the Chief demanded, "Why did you bring Dr. Alexia in for questioning without my approval? Don''t you know how diligently she''s been working as a prison doctor how much she''s helped us? She''s practically a colleague in the justice system! What kind of message does this send?"


    Logan was dumbfounded. "Chief, the medication Thaddeus was taking contained Crystal Ice, the very drug we''re cracking down on. He said Alexia gave it to him. ording to protocol, I had to question her. What''s wrong with that? I don''t care If she works for the system, if she were on my own team, I''d still have to bring her in!"


    Chief Roderick red at him, a look of profound disappointment on his face.


    Outside the door, Aaron had his ear pressed against the wood, employing the Ashbourne family''s hereditary skill of eavesdropping. The door was thick, and he couldn''t hear clearly, but he could tell they were arguing about Thaddeus''s case and heard Alexia''s name mentioned.


    Aaron''s brow furrowed in suspicion. He had always known Logan was Chief Roderick''s man, but while Logan was a sycophant, his loyalty was usually rewarded. This was the first time Aaron had ever known them to be at odds.


    "You will release Ms. Alexia immediately! And this case is highly sensitive, involving Elmsworth''s most powerful family. From now on, before you do anything or arrest anyone, you must clear it with me first!" Chief Roderick snapped, banging his fist on the table.


    The more Aaron listened, the stranger it seemed. If the Chief was so concerned, why had he allowed Thaddeus to be arrested on such flimsy evidence in the first ce? Was the arrest Chief Roderick''s idea?


    Logan paused for a moment, the pieces clicking into ce. "Chief," he asked, surprised, “it''s almost as if... you know Dr. Alexia personally."