Chapter23 You're Injured?
Bang!
A dull thud sounded as he executed a precise sidekick, striking the man's wrist hard.
The gun flew from his grip, arcing through the air before landing several meters away.
Almost simultaneously, Clifton reached out with his long arm and snatched the terrified little boy from the man's grasp, shielding him behind his back.
The entire sequence was clean and efficient, fast as lightning!
However, no one expected the man to pull out a knife.
When his first attempt failed, a flash of crazed viciousness crossed his eyes. He suddenly yanked out a dagger he'd prepared from behind his waist and stabbed viciously toward the child in Clifton's arms!
"Watch out!"
Team members' shouts and the child's screams rang out simultaneously.
The sudden change happened too fast. Clifton instinctively turned his body, completely shielding the child behind him.
Slash.
The cold blade sliced through the air with a blinding glint of steel, plunging deep into his left arm.
Clifton grunted, his brow furrowing tightly.
He ignored the sharp pain radiating from his arm and delivered a precise hand chop to the back of the man's neck.
The man's eyes rolled back as he collapsed limply to the ground.
"Captain!"
Team members rushed forward, securing the man in handcuffs while another quickly grabbed the child.
Clifton released his protective hold on the boy and looked down at his arm.
Blood was streaming steadily from the wound, instantly staining the sleeve of his black tactical suit. Drop by drop, it splattered onto the filthy ground.
In the shadows at the alley entrance, a team member saw the expanding bloodstain on Clifton's arm, his face changing drastically.
"Captain, your injury!"
"It's nothing. Just a scratch."
Clifton's expression didn't change at all. He raised his uninjured hand and pointed at the unconscious man on the ground.
"Hostage taking, assaulting an officer. Additional charges." His orders were brief and to the point. "Take him back first. Keep him under tight guard."
"Yes, sir!"
At the city police station, interrogation room.
The harsh white fluorescent lights illuminated everything mercilessly.
Clifton had his wound treated, roughly wrapping it with a few layers of white gauze before sitting directly behind the monitoring equipment.
Time ticked by minute by minute. The interrogation dragged on until after midnight.
Not until the criminal's last psychological defense completely crumbled and he confessed everything did Clifton walk out of the interrogation room, his face expressionless.
In the corridor, a team member immediately approached, exhaustion and concern in his eyes.
"Captain, how did it go?"
"He confessed everything." Clifton's voice carried a trace of hoarseness. "The leads point to C City."
He raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, instructing his team member, "Alright, you all go rest. Spread the word. In a few days, Team One will come with me to C City."
"Yes, sir!"
Three in the morning, at the Prescott estate.
Clifton returned to that familiar bedroom. The spacious room was empty and lifeless. The other side of the bed lay neat and tidy, carrying a hint of coldness.
He knew Miranda wouldn't be coming back tonight.
A flash of fatigue crossed the man's eyes, quickly replaced by his usual coldness.
He didn't bother with that cumbersome wheelchair, walking straight into the bathroom instead.
Warm water cascaded down from above, washing away the smell of blood and the exhaustion of the all night interrogation.
One week later.
In a private room at an upscale restaurant in C City, the atmosphere was lively.
"Here! Let's toast to Miranda! To the successful launch of our Stellar Project!"
"That's right! Working with Miranda, I'm pumped!"
Miranda held her glass, a polite smile on her face as she clinked glasses with each of the project team members.
This past week, the partnership with Universe Capital had officially launched. Alice was decisive and highly efficient. The entire project was progressing in an orderly manner.
Watching the high morale radiating from her employees' faces, Miranda's lips curved upward.
After several rounds of drinks, she stepped out onto the balcony for some air.
Lisa, the project team's deputy director, followed her out with two glasses of champagne, handing one to her.
"I really didn't expect we'd actually partner with Universe Capital." Lisa leaned against the railing, her tone full of admiration and respect. "Miranda, honestly, I really admire you. With you leading us, I believe the Stellar Project will definitely succeed."
Miranda clinked glasses with her, the crisp sound especially pleasant in the night air.
She gazed at the distant city nightscape, her lips curving slightly. "Then here's to hoping we all grow and improve together."
Just as she finished speaking, her phone suddenly rang.
Lisa smiled understandingly. "You take the call. I'll go grab some more food. That roasted lamb rack they made is really good."
Miranda nodded, looking at the caller ID with a flash of surprise in her eyes. The call was from her university advisor.
"Hello, Professor."
"Miranda, I hope I'm not interrupting?" A warm, kindly voice came through the phone.
"Not at all. What can I do for you?"
"Well, the school is hosting a career planning seminar for graduates the day after tomorrow. I'd like to invite you back to give a talk to the underclassmen, share some of your experience. I'm wondering if you have time?"
Return to school for a speech?
Miranda was genuinely surprised, but agreed without hesitation. "I have time. I'll be there."
When the dinner ended, it was nearly nine at night.
Realizing she hadn't returned to the Prescott estate for an entire week, and that she'd be leaving for C City tomorrow to visit her school, she thought briefly before driving directly back to Prescott.
The car slowly pulled into the estate. The living room was brightly lit.
Miranda pushed open the door. Both people on the sofa looked toward her.
When Clifton saw her appear, he only glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the financial magazine in his hand, showing no particular reaction.
Clifton's grandfather, however, immediately broke into a smile when he saw her.
"Miranda's back! Come, sit down!" Clifton's grandfather waved enthusiastically, taking her hand and asking, "You've been busy with work all week, haven't you? You look like you've lost weight. Is everything going smoothly?"
"Very smoothly, Grandfather." Miranda answered with a smile. "Don't worry."
After chatting with Clifton's grandfather for a while, the clock on the wall struck ten.
Miranda went upstairs.
She headed to the bathroom first to wash up. When she came out in her robe, she saw Clifton sitting in his wheelchair by the bed, his back to her, seemingly dealing with something.
He wore a black silk robe, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his solid forearms.
However, on his left forearm, a thick circle of white gauze was clearly wrapped around it.
He was looking down, using his right hand and teeth together, skillfully changing the gauze on his wound.
Probably because it pulled at the injury, his movements paused slightly, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Miranda's steps stopped.
"You're injured?"