جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 380

Vicky stood by the corridor window just a few steps away, quietly watching Robin.When he came out, her gaze flickered, and she instinctively took half a step back.Robin frowned slightly and stepped forward, catching her wrist.“The news… you’ve seen it, haven’t you?”Vicky gently pulled free and turned her face away. “It’s everywhere. Hard not to see it.”She tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a smile that didn’t quite hold. “Why didn’t you tell me?”“I didn’t think this was something I needed to report to you,” Robin said, meeting her eyes directly. “Or is it that you still can’t let go of Daniel?”Vicky panicked and retreated another step, lowering her head to avoid his gaze. “I just didn’t expect… that you’d investigate him.”“I didn’t investigate him out of personal motives,” Robin replied evenly. “It was required for the case. Even if he had nothing to do with you, I would’ve done the same.”“Right. You investigated him… what does that have to do with me anyway?” A note

Sunlight flowed along the highway as the Porsche gradually shrank into a point of light in the distance, until it disappeared completely.A faint scent of roses lingered in the apartment. Cecilia padded barefoot across the thick, soft carpet and leaned against the window, peering down.A familiar figure was hurrying into the building below.She immediately dashed back to the bedroom, slipped under the covers, and pretended to be asleep.Moments later, the bedroom door was gently pushed open. The newcomer deliberately softened his footsteps as he walked to the bedside.Cecilia squinted, sensing someone draw close, and suddenly reached out, wrapping her arms around the person’s waist.“Ahem.”The man stiffened instantly, helplessly raising both hands and offering a wry smile toward the doorway.“Liam, control your woman. I’m a married man—let’s keep this appropriate.”Cecilia released him at once, her face burning red as she burrowed back under the covers.Liam walked in, completely ign

Inside the restroom, Vicky was bent over the sink, dry-heaving.Cecilia covered her mouth and stepped back, her own stomach rolling in protest.After Vicky finished throwing up, she slid down along the counter and collapsed onto the floor.A strange look of satisfaction even curved her lips.This was a public restroom. Though it was located in the private dining area on the top floor and saw little traffic, staff members still passed by from time to time.Vicky lay sprawled on the cold tiled floor without the slightest concern for appearances. The scene was unsettling.Knowing she couldn't lift her, Cecilia turned to go find help.Moments after she left, the door of a stall a short distance away quietly creaked open.A man crouched in front of Vicky. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out to touch her face—then jerked back at the last second, as if struck by fear.Half-conscious, Vicky saw a shadow swaying before her eyes. Sensing a familiar warmth drawing near, she suddenly

The corridor of the Inspectorate was deserted, the only sound the steady echo of leather soles striking marble.At the far end of the hall, a figure paused briefly.After confirming that the surroundings were silent, he turned swiftly into the rear courtyard and pushed open the heavy wooden door of an interrogation room.The beam of a night guard's flashlight swept across the yard from time to time, but it never lingered on the shadow that slipped inside unnoticed.Inside the interrogation room, the director had been waiting for a long time.Hearing the faint movement outside, he immediately stood and pulled open the frosted-glass door.Chapman slipped in, hanging his hat and coat on the rack behind the door with the practiced ease of someone entering his own office. "Did you bring her?""As instructed, we temporarily transferred her from the women's prison under the pretext of a supplemental interrogation," the director said in a low voice."She must be returned before seven tomorrow

Liam waited quietly in the hallway.When Cecilia came out, he didn't ask a single question. He simply reached out his hand.She said nothing, placing her hand into his palm.The warmth and steadiness of his grip pulled her instantly back from the tangle of emotions she had nearly drowned in moments earlier.Liam still didn't ask.He just held her hand firmly, his thumb brushing lightly over her cool skin in a silent gesture of comfort.They walked side by side down the long, dim corridor. The wall lamps stretched their shadows thin and long. Their footsteps echoed through the emptiness, devoid of any trace of warmth.Sally had just finished cleaning up the broken porcelain. Seeing them about to leave, she wiped her hands on her apron and hurried into the foyer. "Cecilia, it's so dark out. The road isn't safe at night. Are you sure you won't stay for one night?""Just take good care of him," Cecilia replied without stopping, her voice drifting back toward Sally.Sally frowned, watching