I stared at Julian. His eyes gleamed with arrogance, as if he held the power to control others'' fates.


    Disgust surged within me.


    "How shameless!" I picked up my bag. "Julian, if he didn''t do it, then he didn''t do it. I''ll find the evidence. The moment I prove Alex''s innocence will be the moment I sue you for nder and defamation."


    I turned and walked out of the hospital ward, with Oliver following closely behind. Behind us, Julian''s furious voice echoed through the hallway.


    "Serena, this is your only chance! You''ll regret this! You''lle begging me!"


    I was still seething after leaving the hospital.


    How could I have wasted three years of my life on someone like Julian? And now, he was dragging Alex into this mess.


    It had been five hours since Alex was taken away by the police.


    It was now 5:00 pm, and despite running around all day, I hadn''t made any progress. A sense of helplessness crept in.


    "Ms. Ashford, I recorded what Julian said and sent it to thewyers. It should be useful," Oliver informed me.


    I nodded, letting out a long sigh. My voice wasced with exhaustion. "Oliver, I want to see the crime scene."


    "I''ll drive," he responded without hesitation.


    Just as I was about to open the car door, my phone rang. I nced at the screen


    and saw that it was Lucas. After a brief hesitation, I answered.


    "Serena, are you okay?" His voice was filled with concern and urgency.


    I let out a soft hum. "We''re heading to the crime scene now."


    "I just found out that the abandoned factory is actually an old address of one of


    my family''s subsidiaries. Let me go with you."


    I nodded. "I''d appreciate that."


    ...


    At the scene, the police stopped us at the entrance.


    in


    "I''m with Hastings Group." I took out my work ID to prove my identity. "This incident has greatly impacted ourpany. Can''t we at least get some information?"  fo


    The officer nced at me, then firmly shook his head. "No unauthorized personnel allowed."


    "I''m awyer." Lucas suddenly produced his credentials. "And this factory belongs to my family. I''m also the legal representative entrusted by Hastings Group.


    The officer examined his documents, verified them, and finally let us through.


    Lucas tucked away hiswyer''s license with a small smile. "Never thought the certificate I got out of boredom would actuallye in handy."


    I cast him a grateful look.


    Inside the abandoned factory, the police, wearing white gloves, took notes and photographs. After surveying the area, we stepped back beyond the caution tape.


    "Based on the evidence, there were three assants, with one being the leader," an officer exined.


    "And from the scene, we found no footprints or traces indicating that Alex was ever here."


    "Then doesn''t that prove he''s innocent?" I asked urgently.


    The officer nced at me. "It''s not that simple."


    "Don''t panic, Serena," Lucas


    reassured me in a gentle voice. "The


    police have to be thorough. Aet


    all,


    the mastermind doesn''t always have to be physically present."


    My heart sank.


    Just then, a police officer''s phone rang. He answered, and his expression


    suddenly turned grim.