Chapter 191

Chapter 191
Emily's POV

I sat in the back seat, feeling my thoughts in disarray.

A terrible idea formed in my mind. If Caitlin was the perpetrator of psychological abuse, then that plan to reshape children was likely created by Caitlin herself.

"I don't understand," Thomas pulled me back to reality. "If she has some grudge against your mother, why take it out on you?"

I watched the raindrops sliding down the window, cold and transparent like tears. "I don't know either, but I know how to find answers—we ask the person directly."

---

I stood outside Simon's apartment building, determination burning inside me like fire. Michael and Thomas remained in the car, ready to intervene at any moment.

When Simon emerged from the building, he was visibly surprised to see me standing there alone.

"Emily," he approached slowly, hands tucked into his trench coat pockets. "Coming to see me alone?"

"Why are you helping Megan?" I asked directly. "Why frame me? You killed Sophia, didn't you?"

A sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, making me want to punch him in the face. "We're not framing you, Emily. We're simply revealing the truth."

"What truth?"

Simon took a step closer, lowering his voice: "Emily Grey, do you truly know yourself?"

I froze, confused by his words. I had always known myself well.

"To identify potential criminals, to eliminate crime threats before they materialize—isn't that your professional ideal?" he said.

"I wouldn't break the law to achieve that goal," I said through gritted teeth.

Simon shook his head with a light laugh, as if I'd said something naively amusing. He didn't wait for further questions and turned to walk away.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, clenching my fists.

"Don't let him get to you," Thomas suddenly appeared beside me, with Michael right behind him. "He's playing mind games."

"Their ultimate goal might be to make you admit you're a criminal too," Michael analyzed calmly, though concern showed in his eyes.

"I'm clear about my professional abilities, and now I'm certain Simon and Megan are involved." I took a deep breath. "We continue investigating."

---


Third Person POV

Nathan Evans broke after five hours in the small interrogation room. His eyes were bloodshot, and he kept scratching his disheveled hair, looking like a frightened animal.

"I'm willing to confess," his voice was hoarse, "if you promise not to use those instruments of torture anymore."

On the other side of the interrogation room, Dennis coldly stared at him. As the new special investigation team leader, he had replaced Aaron, who now sat to the side, watching the process with displeasure.

"Being merciful to criminals means being cruel to victims," Dennis said without sympathy. "You'd better tell the whole truth."

"I know Alicia Powell," Nathan admitted. "She was one of the targets of our reshaping program."

Aaron leaned forward: "Who was in charge of her case?"

"Nightingale," Nathan answered. "She personally managed Alicia's case."

"Nightingale?" Dennis exchanged a glance with Aaron. "Who is that?"

"I don't know, that's what Sophia called her. Sophia was the general manager of MindScope Company, she provided financial support for our plan. She designed it together with Nightingale."

"Explain this 'reshaping program,'" Dennis commanded.

Nathan's voice trembled. "Nightingale wanted to eliminate crime at its source. We used psychological assessments to identify individuals with criminal tendencies, then used cognitive behavioral interventions to correct their behavior and eliminate aggression."

"You're talking about brainwashing," Aaron interrupted.

"No, it's helping!" Nathan defended.

"Who else is involved?" Aaron asked.

"The parents of the children being reshaped. The list is long, I need some time to recall."

"How could it be their parents?" Aaron was visibly shocked.

"Because they also wanted their children to be reshaped," Nathan said excitedly. "Those children were all potential criminals. Reshaping them meant removing evil from society. We weren't committing crimes; we were contributing to society."

"What about Alicia's suicide?" Aaron pressed.

Nathan shifted uncomfortably. "The interventions aren't always stable. There can be... side effects."

"How did Sophia die?" Dennis suddenly asked.

Nathan's face turned pale. "What? Sophia is dead?" He looked genuinely shocked. "I didn't know... I swear..."

Dennis walked over and patted his shoulder. "This is silencing witnesses! But don't worry, with our protection, you'll definitely be safe."

Nathan nodded, his eyes filled with fear, seemingly realizing he was in a more dangerous situation than he had imagined.

---

Michael's POV

The next morning, Thomas and I waited outside the chief's door, both exhausted from a sleepless night. When Chief Charles came out, he didn't seem surprised to see us.

"Come in and talk," he said, skipping pleasantries. "It's more private in there."

We sat on Charles's couch, sipping the coffee he had prepared.

"What do you want to know?" he got straight to the point.

"What was Caitlin Weber like? As a colleague?" I asked.

Charles's gaze turned distant. "The smartest woman—no, the smartest person I've ever met. Professional, calm, logical, and masterful at reading people. But strong-willed. Everything had to be her way."

"Did you work cases together?" Thomas asked, nervously adjusting his glasses.

"With her and the team captain at the time, Lewis Powell. He has a lot of authority now. That guy is just a political animal." Charles's tone clearly expressed disdain.

"There were numerous murders back then, like the body puzzle, brain excavation, and the like," he continued.

Thomas looked surprised. "There were serial killings back then too?"

"Crime rates spike during economic downturns," Charles explained.

"Do you think Professor Weber might have committed crimes?" I asked.

"Why do you ask that?" Charles looked puzzled.

"She severed ties with her father, and we want to know why."

"She never mentioned her family; I thought she was an orphan." The shock was evident on his face.

I leaned back on the sofa, thoughtful. Caitlin seemed to be cutting herself off from her past, why would she do that?

"Michael, state your real intentions."

I shared everything we knew—Emily being framed, the reshaping program, Alicia's case.