"Timothy, Hiroto, and Selina have all been taken into custody," Jonathan announced, his voice steady yetced with an undercurrent of urgency. "The Director is treating this matter with utmost seriousness, having assembled a task force overnight to interrogate them. Hiroto has confessed that Selina ordered him to eliminate Calvin to ensure his silence, and he ims she is also the mastermind behind the recent kidnapping of Mrs. Fullbuster."


    Anneliese felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of Mrs. Fullbuster''s kidnapping. “Selina used Hiroto to reach out to those four thugs. He even recorded her pleading for an introduction. Now, he is eager to confess in hopes of receiving leniency."


    Jonathan''s brow furrowed as he continued, "Selina remains unconscious. With the overwhelming evidence against her, it will be nearly impossible for her to deny her involvement. And Timothy? He shows no regard for the father-daughter bond; he too insists that Selina orchestrated the kidnapping."


    Anneliese blinked in disbelief, her heart racing. "Selina hasn''t woken up?" The thought of her rival in such a vulnerable state stirred a mix of concern and curiosity within her.


    Jonathan gently squeezed her hand, a gesture meant tofort. "She is easily frightened,” he stated, though his eyes betrayed a deeper concern.


    The details of Selina''s condition were grim, and Jonathan wished Anneliese would never have to hear them.


    Nearby, Zion stood quietly, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips. Selina had been brutally stabbed in the abdomen and had endured torment at the hands of several thugs until dawn. By the time she was discovered, she was hardly recognizable.


    To be alive was already a miracle, yet Jonathan described her as someone who "is easily scared"?


    But deep down, Zion couldn''t shake the thought that Selina had brought this upon herself. She deserved no sympathy, not after the chaos she had caused.


    "Why was Timothy released?" Jonathan asked, serving Anneliese another bowl of soup. He had already made it clear to the station that Timothy should remain detained.


    If left to their own devices, Timothy would have been released much earlier, but the station had inexplicably let him go.


    Jonathan''s mind raced with the implications. Selina and Hiroto had intended to escape at the same time, and the timing of this release troubled him.


    "Mr. Pierce informed me that the officers were trying to improve their clearance rates, misunderstood the case, and inadvertently released Timothy. The deputy in charge showed no signs of wrongdoing; it appears to have been a mistake," Zion reported, pausing momentarily as if weighing his next words.


    “Speak up,” Jonathan urged, his patience wearing thin.


    "Zaxton and the others are still outside. They wish to apologize to Madam," Zion added.


    Anneliese looked up, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Huh?"


    Zion borated, "Earlier, Mr. Fullbuster learned that Selina and Hiroto were nning to flee. He instructed Zaxton to monitor them closely, fearing they might harm Mrs. Fullbuster. Zaxton became careless, which led to Madam''s fright."


    Anneliese had beenpletely unaware of these developments. She turned to Jonathan, her heart swelling with gratitude and admiration.


    She had never fathomed that he had been working so diligently behind the scenes to protect her.


    “Just eat,” Jonathan said softly, gesturing for her not to fret.


    "Maybe don''t punish them," Anneliese suggested, squeezing Jonathan''s hand in a gesture of solidarity Nothing truly happened to me and they did find me. That counts for something. Besides, it''s New Year''s Eve."


    The people who had quietly safeguarded her had already borne a heavy burden. Their mistake hadn''t been intentional.


    If me were to be assigned, it rested squarely on Selina and Hiroto, who had been sharp enough to notice Jonathan''s men trailing them.


    In truth, Anneliese felt a flicker of admiration for their cunning.


    Zion''s decision to bring the bodyguards to seek forgiveness was clearly a hope that she would advocate on their behalf-a notion she understood all too well.


    Jonathan was aware of this too. His handsome features darkened slightly as he cast a nce at Zion, yet the gentle squeeze of Anneliese''s hand seemed to dissolve much of his irritation.


    Finally, he spoke in a low voice, "Deduct their year-end bonus. Then send them home to reflect on their actions."


    The bodyguards employed by the Fullbuster family enjoyed generous benefits, and losing their bonuses would sting but it was hardly devastating punishment. This was, in fact, the mildest reprimand possible.


    Zion shot Anneliese a grateful wink, silently thanking her on behalf of everyone involved.


    She returned his gesture with a warm smile. “You''ve worked hard these days too,


    Mr. Hand. Allow me to wish you a Happy New Year in advance.”


    His face broke into a broad grin. "Then I''ll extend my wishes to Mr. Fullbuster and Mrs. Fullbuster as welt. May your love grow even, stronger this year-perhaps we''ll be weing a little one from you two soon."


    He turned to leave, still beaming, leaving Anneliese momentarily speechless.


    A little one... seriously? When had subordinates be so audacious as to nudge


    their boss toward starting a family?


    It was utterly unbelievable.


    But then, a thought crossed Anneliese''s mind, bringing a smile to her lips. She remembered Jessica and wondered whether she had ever bought a pregnancy test and what the oue had been.


    Just as she was about to send Jessica a message, Jonathan''s phone rang. It was Derek.


    Jonathan answered promptly, "Grandpa."


    "Where are you? It''s New Year''s Eve, and you haven''t even shown your face! Is that eptable?!"


    The old man''s voice boomed with authority, and Anneliese could hear every word as if he were standing right next to her.