Chapter 164 Howard Seriously Injured

"You're right, absolutely."

Leonard looked at me with a complicated expression. His eyes sparkled with a mix of admiration, surprise, regret, and a hint of unintentional melancholy.

My heart sank. If I had any success today, it wasn't because of some extraordinary talent. Leonard's mentorship made me who I am today. My professional standards? I learned them directly from him.

"Nancy, when you left the prosecutor's office, I realize now that it was my fault."

Benjamin glanced over, surprised. Leonard, usually so cautious and meticulous, was admitting fault today.

After a moment's hesitation, Benjamin smiled and said, "Nancy, why don't you come back to the prosecutor's office? In a couple of years, you might get promoted. Imagine us working together as Silverlight City's first female district attorney. No suspect or criminal can evade the arm of justice."

He laughed, slipping back into his usual carefree demeanor.

"Ridiculous! Do you think Silverlight City's law enforcement is your personal playground? You two working together, what, are you planning to create another Ronald? Don't say such foolish things again, or I'll have to reconsider if you're fit to be the future police chief." Leonard snorted, scolding him.

Despite his words, there was a hint of expectation in his eyes when he looked at me.

I had different thoughts. Benjamin seemed to be taking Leonard's criticism, but his words had hit the mark. This guy wasn't just good at solving cases; he had also learned how to say the right things at the right time.

Of course, his intentions were good, and I believed he genuinely cared about me.

But the more they acted like this, the more I felt stifled. Alan once said that people's worship of power was normal, but there were two types of people who despised it.

One type was those who were extremely insecure, so society's constraints didn't bind them, and they disdained power.

The other type was those who are naturally confident, who valued freedom and inherently rejected the absolute, extreme structure of power.

I was the second type. Looking back, Ronald must be the first.

After a moment of contemplation, I decided to be straightforward.

"I'm not going back. If you need me, I'll help. Leaving the prosecutor's office wasn't just about being mad at Leonard; I just didn't like the environment. Compared to the imposing gates, I prefer the freedom of the open fields. To each their own."

I sighed and added, "Besides, this case involves a lot. Thinking about it, Erica, Leonard, and Zoey all seem to have a role in this. I'm Alan's wife, and Howard and Erica did a lot for the kids at the old steel mill. I can't abandon Howard's company. I'm also Zoey's mentor. She's just as talented as I am, and I want to pass on what Leonard taught me to her, hoping she'll go even further."

Leonard and Benjamin, being smart, didn't say anything more.

Benjamin suddenly slapped his forehead, remembering something, and exclaimed, "Speaking of Howard, you mean Howard from the Silverlight City Legal Journal, right?"

"Yes, any news?"

I stood up. Howard had been missing for a while, and I always thought Ronald had him.

"Yeah, I got so busy I forgot to mention it. They found him in the woods by the company's greenbelt, unconscious. The doctor said it was from extreme fatigue. He's in the hospital now."

Benjamin said this while looking straight ahead, not at me.

"Tell me the truth, Benjamin."

Benjamin had a habit, as Cindy once told me. When he lied, he always looked straight ahead, never facing the person directly. She said he did this to appear righteous.

"What?" Benjamin feigned ignorance, turning to me.

"Is Howard in danger?"

Benjamin hesitated, glancing at Leonard. I frowned, feeling annoyed. Where was the straightforward Benjamin I knew?

I sneered, "Why are you looking at Leonard? Is there something about Howard you need to hide from me?"

Before I finished, I glanced at Leonard and said coldly, "Even if the governor were sitting next to me, I'd still have the same attitude. Benjamin, tell me the truth!"

My voice rose a bit.

Benjamin looked embarrassed, rubbing his nose, and said softly, "You're the only one in the state's law enforcement who dares to talk to Leonard like that. Anyone else would be scared stiff. Really, why didn't you take after Leonard in this?"

Leonard coughed a few times, and Benjamin shrank back, saying, "He's not in immediate danger, but the cause of his unconsciousness wasn't just fatigue."

Benjamin said solemnly, "He has injuries. There's a knife wound on his ribs, likely from a dagger or military knife, but it wasn't aimed to kill. The most serious injury is a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. It didn't hit any vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. If they had found him any later... he might not have made it."

"When did this happen?" I stared at Benjamin, asking seriously. 

He hadn't told me, not because he was too busy, but intentionally.

"Three days ago." Benjamin admitted.

"Why didn't you tell me? Being busy isn't an excuse. You've worked three days and nights without sleep, still clear-headed on the front lines. Don't lie to me again."

My anger was evident.

"I told him not to."

Leonard, sitting beside me, sighed.

"Ruben, stop the car. I'm going to the hospital!" I shouted.

Clearly, Howard's injuries were Ronald's doing. He had completely lost it.

"I don't recommend you go to the hospital now. Calm down, Nancy!"

Leonard's face was serious, his voice stern:

"If you can't stay calm about Howard, will you be able to handle the next piece of news?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively asked, "Where's Alan? Is he hurt?"

"I don't think so. We're on our way to the True Love Entertainment Club. The person who gave us this lead is Frank." Leonard replied.

"He's not dead?"

I was surprised. Didn't Alan say Frank was dead?

"Yes. He's with Alan, hiding near the club."

"When did this happen?"

"This morning. Alan called. Frank wants to end all the evil himself. Alan sounded weak, but it's unclear if he's injured. We need to get there quickly to help."

"Frank's alone?"

"Yes, Frank's alone, and he has 1,000 pounds of TNT!"