Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Just as he was about to pull open the car door, his phone buzzed abruptly in his pocket.

"Speak." Michael answered, his voice cold and clipped.

"Chief Sullivan, Ms. Brooks met with Sarah after work today. They had a confrontation." Justin's words came rapid-fire, then his tone shifted, barely containing his excitement. "And there's something else! That hotel surveillance you had me investigate,the tech team finally finished the deep data recovery after all these months! I've sent the video from that night to your email."

Michael's pupils constricted sharply.

He yanked open the car door and dropped into the driver's seat, ripping off his tie in one swift motion as he opened his laptop.

The interior remained dark, the screen's cold blue glow carving harsh shadows across his taut features and rigid jawline.

He clicked open the email. The attachment was a restored video file.

The footage was grainy but the hallway's outline remained clear.

He dragged the progress bar to the early morning hours.

A slender figure stumbled out of a hotel room door.

The girl's clothes were disheveled, her long hair cascading messily over her shoulders. She hadn't even bothered with shoes,her bare feet pressed into the thick carpet as she fled like a startled deer, desperate to escape.

Michael's breathing stopped completely.

It was Jessica.

Michael stared at the screen, transfixed by that fleeing silhouette.

Wild joy, shock, and crushing regret crashed over him like a tidal wave.

It had been her all along.

Sarah, that liar, had stolen everything that rightfully belonged to Jessica.

And he,he'd been blind enough to mistake one for the other.

Now he finally understood why Jessica had resisted him so fiercely.

She'd watched him treat Sarah as that night's savior. Watched him remain completely deceived. How betrayed must she have felt? How humiliated?

No wonder she'd resigned. No wonder she'd rather become a minor civilian consultant in Autumnleaf District than remain anywhere near his world.

Michael slammed the laptop shut and slumped back against the seat, tilting his head back as his Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He raised one hand to cover his eyes, a low laugh escaping his throat. The sound echoed through the silent car.Part relief, part unhinged determination.

Since fate had delivered her to him, this time he absolutely would not let her escape.

But brute force and intimidation would only drive her further away.

He needed a different approach.

He would court her properly, openly. He'd cherish her, hold her precious. Every slight she'd suffered, every injustice,he'd repay it all a thousand times over.

 

The next morning at City Police Department headquarters, Major Crimes Unit.

The office atmosphere was remarkably normal,one might even say sunny.

Evelyn clutched a stack of case files, knocking tentatively on the chief's office door.

"Chief Sullivan, here are the files you requested..."

"Leave them there." Michael sat behind his massive desk, but instead of his usual scowl over paperwork, his demeanor seemed almost relaxed.

Today he wore a deep navy shirt, no tie, the collar slightly open. His entire bearing radiated an unusual contentment.

Evelyn set down the files and prepared to make her escape.

"Wait." Michael's voice stopped her.

Evelyn's heart lurched as she straightened. "Chief Sullivan, is there something else?"

Michael's long fingers drummed lightly against the desktop, his penetrating ice-blue eyes fixed on her, his tone unexpectedly mild. "You're friends with Jessica. You two get along well."

Evelyn blinked in confusion, nodding cautiously. "Yes. Jessica's wonderful."

"What kind of gifts do women generally like?" Michael paused, seeming to realize the question was too broad. "What does Jessica like?"

Evelyn's eyes went wide, her jaw nearly hitting the floor.

Her mind exploded with gossip possibilities. curiosity written all over her face despite her best efforts.

But given Michael's intimidating presence, she could only suppress her grin and consider the question seriously.

"Well..." Evelyn ventured carefully. "Jessica isn't really into flashy things. She loves reading—she's particularly interested in rare first-edition criminology texts in their original languages. Oh, and she once mentioned she loves the chestnut cake from that bakery in the South District, but they only make limited quantities each day. It's nearly impossible to get."

Michael filed away each detail, nodding slightly. "Got it. You can go."

Evelyn turned toward the door with relief.

"Also," Michael's voice drifted from behind her, carrying an unusual lightness, "everyone's been working hard lately. Major Crimes gets the afternoon off. Spread the word."

Evelyn whipped around, her expression one of pure disbelief.

Time off? Michael was voluntarily giving them time off?This was unprecedented.

"Thank you, Chief Sullivan!" Evelyn practically bounced with excitement as she bolted from the office.

 

Autumnleaf District Precinct.

Jessica sat at her workstation organizing a thick stack of case files when her phone screen suddenly lit up.

A barrage of messages from Evelyn.

[Jessica! Huge news! HUGE!]

[Chief Sullivan completely changed today. He asked me what kind of gifts you like and he gave Major Crimes the afternoon off.]

[Oh my God, he's definitely in love with you. He's going to pursue you.]

Staring at the cascading messages, Jessica's heart skipped a beat.

Michael was asking about her preferences? What was he playing at? Last night's intrusion wasn't enough,what game was he playing now?

Jessica's fingers flew across the screen: [Don't jump to conclusions. He probably just feels guilty about being harsh at work before. Trying to make up for it.]

Evelyn: [Don't try to fool me! Jessica, confess.is something going on between you two?]

Jessica stared at the screen, her mind in turmoil.

[No. I need to work. Talk to you later.]

She sent the curt reply and flipped her phone face-down on the desk.