"The hospital just called," the officer said seriously after hanging up.


    "They found a second set of assault wounds on Julian. The attacker was precise and ruthless. If they had used just a bit more force, Julian might not have died but he would''ve definitely been crippled."


    I sucked in a sharp breath. Aside from me, I couldn''t imagine who else would hate Julian this much.


    "Captain, we found something!" A police officer walked over, holding a sealed evidence bag. "It was in the corner."


    As the officer handed it over, I nced at it and immediately felt a sense of familiarity.


    I racked my brain, then suddenly grasped the officer''s arm like I had found a lifeline. "This is a designer cufflink, and it''s custom-made. Doesn''t this prove..... that the mastermind was at the scene too?"


    "Are you sure?" The officer gave me a skeptical look.


    I nodded firmly. "There''s the logo of the luxury brand on the back, but I don''t recall this design being part of their collection. Look at the emblem-it seems to have a special meaning. That suggests it was custom-made."


    My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to keep my voice steady while exining my analysis.


    The officer turned the cufflink over inside the evidence bag, examining it carefully. After a moment, he nodded.


    "We''ll take your suggestion into ount. I''ll have the team analyze it thoroughly. Go home and wait for further updates."


    I finally let out a breath of relief. This cufflink might be the key evidence that clears Alex''s name.


    "Ms. Ashford, it''s getting dark. Let me take you home." Oliver stepped forward.


    I shook my head. "Oliver, inform thewyer toe to thepany. I need to discuss something with him."


    Oliver nodded and left to make the call. Lucas approached me. "Serena, let me take you back."


    I shook my head again. "No need, Luke. Thank you for running around


    with me Pa


    all day. From here on, it''s a matter of Hastings Group, so I''ll


    handle it myself."


    Back at thepany, I told thewyer everything that had happened. His response was reassuring-Alex would be released due to insufficient evidence.


    "How long will that take?" I asked anxiously, standing up.


    "Within 48 hours," thewyer replied, ncing at his phone. "We''ll go to the police station tomorrow."


    Hearing that, the weight on my heart finally eased.


    "You and Mr. Hastings seem really close," thewyer remarked with a smile. "If he knew everything you did for him, he''d probably be really happy."


    If this were in the past, I might have been pleased to hear such ament. But today, I couldn''t feel happy at all. Every time Alex''s name was mentioned, all I felt was deep concern.


    ...


    After leaving thepany, Oliver checked the time. "Ms. Ashford, should I take you home?"


    I shook my head. "Mr. Hastings Senior must be waiting for news. I need to stop by the Hastings residence."


    Grabbing my car keys, I drove there without hesitation.


    When I delivered the news, Mr. Hastings Senior finally rxed. He let out a deep sigh. "Serena, you''ve worked so hard today, running


    around everywhere for Alex''s sake."


    I shook my head. "It didn''t feel hard at all, Mr. Hastings Senior. I just want him to


    be safe."