?Chapter 253:


    Only now did Haley realize how hollow their loyalty had been.


    She slumped into her seat, mind swirling with frustration and indignation. Every contact she’d tried had proven worthless—one by one, they all let her down.


    Then, out of nowhere, a face shed across her thoughts—a person she’dpletely overlooked until now.


    Snapping upright, Haley called out, her voice sharp with urgency, “Officer! I need to make another call!”


    The officer nearby shot her a look of impatience. “Who are you trying to reach now? I already told you—you’re not going anywhere.”


    “Just onest call!” Haley pleaded. Since she didn’t have Ste’s direct number, she ended up calling the research institute instead.


    Meanwhile, Ste was focused on her samples in theb when a knock broke her concentration. Elbert stepped in and said, “Sylvia, Mr. Hoffman’s asking for you.”


    Ste looked briefly puzzled but didn’t question it. She wiped her hands clean and made her way to Paul’s office.


    Paul sat calmly in his chair and got straight to the point. “We just received a call. The person specifically asked for you—it was Haley Smith. Probably calling from the station. It looks like she couldn’t recall your number, so she rang here instead. Said she had something secret to share with you.”


    Ste blinked in surprise. Haley was thest person she’d expected to reach out.


    If she was still in custody, shouldn’t she be calling her mother or Marc?


    Ste’s eyes narrowed as she suddenly realized something.


    Haley must have been truly desperate, so much so that she saw Ste as her only option left.


    Noticing the flicker of change in her eyes, Paul exhaled deeply. “Sylvia, I know there’s history between you and Haley Smith. If you’d rather not see her, we can act like the call never came. Whether you go by Sylvia or Ste, you’re one of ours, and it’s my job to look out for you.”


    ???€$? ???t??я? ?n ??ln?νεl?.c??


    Ste pondered for a moment, then said, “Mr. Hoffman, I’ll go.”


    Paul was a bit taken aback. “You’re sure?”


    Ste gave him a soft smile. “If she wants to see me, she must have a reason. I want to hear what she has to say. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”


    Since she had already made up her mind, Paul knew there was no use arguing. He gave a small nod and said, “Take the rest of the day. Go ahead.”


    “Thank you, Mr. Hoffman,” she replied gratefully.


    At the police station, Ste stood at the entrance in a white shirt and jeans. Her ck hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and her calm, neat look gave off a sharp, confident vibe.


    As she was brought into the room, Haley’s eyes burned with frustration. Ste looked just as put-together as ever, while Haley was a mess—unwashed, tired, and bitter.


    .


    .


    .