Josephine met the officer''s gaze, anger simmering beneath her steady demeanor.


    "I know all of you are taking bribes from Carlo, silencing anyone who dares speak out against his mine poisoning our town and making people sick."


    "Watch your mouth,dy," the officer sneered. "Stick to the charges and stop throwing around baseless usations."


    It was no secret that every cop in this mining town was on Carlo''s payroll, turning a blind eye for a fat envelope and a promise of more.


    She squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. "I''d rather face false charges than be coerced into anything by you or Carlo."


    The officer''s expression darkened.


    Stepping forward, he grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back sharply. "You''d better take the offer while I''m being nice," he hissed, his grip tightening painfully.


    Instead of cowering, Josephine locked eyes with him and spat in his face. "You''re the real criminal here."


    Rage twisted his features as he wiped the spit from his cheek.


    He raised his hand to strike her just as the interrogation room door swung open.


    Alex stood in the doorway, his eyes cold and unwavering. "I suggest you let her go," he said, his voice dangerously


    calm.


    The officer red at him. "And who might you be?"


    "Her attorney," Alex replied smoothly, stepping inside with an air of authority.


    "I need a moment alone with my client."


    The officer snorted. "This isn''t some big-cityw firm. You can''t just barge in here."


    "Actually, I can,” Alex said, locking eyes with the officer. "Unless you want to exin to your superior why you denied her right to counsel."


    The officer hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face


    "Fine. Five minutes." He released Josephine roughly and stomped out, mming the door behind him.


    Josephine looked up at Alex, a mix of relief and surprise in her gaze. "How did you?"


    "Just tell me what happened, and I''ll get you out," he said softly.


    Her shoulders slumped as she exined and then added.


    "Alex, they control everything in this town. The police, the officials-everyone''s under Carlo''s thumb. You''re not supposed to be here. Please, just go. Don''t put yourself in danger."


    "Trust me." Alex gave a small smile and winked. "In this country, nothing moves without my say-so. Carlo''s thumb isn''t nearly as heavy as he thinks."


    Josephine''s eyes widened before she suddenly burst intoughter.


    "You can''t take on all of them."


    He grinned. "Watch me."


    Outside the room, the officer hurried over to Carlo, who had just entered the station with a smug look.


    "How''s it going? When will she be brought to my vi?" Carlo asked.


    The officer muttered, "She''s being difficult."


    Carlo smirked, his gaze darkening. "Then push a little harder. Make her feel the pain."


    At that moment, Alex emerged from the interrogation room.


    "I need to speak with whoever''s in charge."


    The officer crossed his arms. "That''s me,"


    "Good," Alex replied. "My client has been uwfully detained. I''m demanding her immediate release."


    Carlo scoffed,ughing derisively. "Do you have any idea who you''re dealing with?"


    "Do you?" Alex replied calmly.


    "Watch your tone, young man. You''re speaking to someone in control here. If you


    don''t want to end up buried in this town, you''d better kneel."


    Alex smirked. "So you''re Carlo? I heard you tried to assault Josephine."


    Carlo''s expression didn''t change. "And if I did? So what?"


    Without another word, Alex delivered a punch straight to Carlo''s face, sending him crashing to the ground.


    "I''d say her hit wasn''t nearly enough for you.”


    The officer quickly raised his gun, pointing it at Alex. "I''m arresting you for assault."


    "No, you''re not,” Alex said coldly. "I''m cing you under arrest for epting bribes, along with every officer


    here."


    The officers exchanged nces, one of them chuckling darkly. "Who do you think you are?"


    "Bill, get him," Carlo ordered, wiping blood from his nose, his front tooth chipped and jagged.


    "I want him dead."


    The first officer lunged, but Alex sidestepped effortlessly, delivering a calcted strike that sent the man crashing into a desk.


    Two more officers rushed forward. Alex moved with precision, deflecting blows and incapacitating them with minimal force.


    More officers rushed him, but with swift, well-ced punches and kicks, Alex took them down, one after another.


    "Stop, or I''ll shoot!" shouted the officer with the gun.


    Alex nced at him calmly. "Go ahead."


    "Do it!" Carlo screamed.


    The officer smirked, tightening his grip.


    But as he pulled the trigger, his aim suddenly veered toward Carlo, the bullet piercing Carlo''s leg.


    "Bill, what the hell are you doing?" Carlo shouted, clutching his bleeding leg


    Bill looked utterly baffled, staring at his own hand in shock


    Before he could react, Alex struck him across the head, knocking him out cold.


    Around them, the station was in disarray, officers groaning on the floor.


    Carlo writhed in pain, fury contorting his features.


    "My father is the city mayor-you just wait. You''ll pay for what you''ve done!" Carlo yelled, seething.


    "Really?" Alex replied, barely interested.


    "I don''t think your father will have time to cover for you this time."


    He walked to the interrogation room and knocked. "Miss Josephine, it''s safe for


    you toe out. Let me escort


    you."


    Josephine opened the door, eyes widening at the sight of the officers lying unconscious around the room.


    She looked at Alex in shock, realizing he had taken them all down. "Josephine!" Carlo shouted, his face twisted with rage. "Just wait-my people will burn that orphanage to the ground because of you!"


    Josephine''s face went white at the threat, but Alex reached over, grabbed a thick, leather-boundw book from the table, and ced it firmly in her hands.


    "Seems like he needs a quick lesson inw. Don''t you think?"


    A fierce glint sparked in Josephine''s eyes.


    She took the hefty book, strode over to Carlo, and swung it down hard across his


    head.


    Then she struck again, unflinching.


    "You should know by now, Carlo," she said, her voice steady. "There''sw in this world-not just your money."


    Just then, a team of federal agents burst into the station, led by a stern woman in


    a crisp suit.


    She surveyed the scene with a keen eye.


    "What''s going on here?" she demanded.


    Alex stepped forward. "Agent Collins, perfect timing."


    She gave him a curt nod. “Mr. Alex, I presume. We''ve received your reports of


    corruption."


    Carlo stared in disbelief. "You can''t be serious! He''s the criminal here!"


    Agent Collins ignored him. "Officers, ce Mr. Carlo and the corrupt police staff under arrest. Charges include bribery, assault, and obstruction of justice."


    "You have no right!" Carlo shouted as agents cuffed him. "My father will hear about this!"


    Agent Collins met his gaze coolly. "Your father is already in custody, facing his own set of charges."


    Carlo''s face paled. "No... this can''t be happening."


    She turned to Josephine. "Are you alright, miss?"


    あな


    Josephine nodded, still processing the rapid turn of events. Yes, thank you."


    "You''re safe now," Agent Collins assured her. She nced at Alex. "We''ll take it from here."


    He inclined his head. "Appreciated."


    As they stepped outside, they headed toward his truck, afortable silence hanging between them.


    After a moment, she broke it. "What you did back there... who are you, really?"1


    He chuckled, a hint of mystery in his eyes.


    "Just a guy with some connections from my time in the service." 1