lan hurried forward, his face lighting up with relief when he saw it was someone from the Thompson family. He weed them warmly. "Captain Thompson, are you here to see Mr. Salvador? Let us head upstairs!" "No need." Ralph's expression was stern as he pressed his lips together. Keeping his tone strictly professional, he said, "We are indeed here to see Mr. Salvador, but we need him toe with us to the police station to cooperate with an investigation." By now, several Salvador Corporation employees had gathered to watch.
They had all heard Ralph's words clearly. He said "cooperate" not "assist".
The subtle difference between the two words carried a world of implications, and everyone there understood it.
lan's mind raced, and he quickly lowered his voice to an almost pleading tone. "Captain Thompson, there are too many people watching. This isn't good for anyone. Could we go upstairs to discuss this in private?" Ralph's brow furrowed tightly. He understood the procedure better than anyone. But this was not just anyone he was here to take in. It was Justin, the man who had almost be his brother-in-law. The man who had risked his life tand again for his younger sister.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFor the first time, Ralph hesitated.
"I'll go with you." Justin's voice was calm as he stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he locked eyes with Ralph. Ralph pressed his lips together tightly, his gaze conflicted and heavy with emotion.
As two police officers approached Justin, Gregory stormed over with Paul at his side, followed by a group of senior executives from thepany. His face was flushed with anger.
"Your actions are outrageously reckless! Do you police officers have any idea where you are?!" Gregory's fury only intensified when he realized it was someone from the Thompson family.
He roared, "You've brought officers here in full view of everyone to take Justin away for questioning? He's the president of Salvador Corporation! Have you considered what this will do to his reputation? To thepany's image? Can you even begin topensate us for the losses this will cause?!" Turning to his secretary, he shouted, "Paul, call the Salvador Corporation's legal team immediately! Today's incident will not be brushed aside. Justin will not be taken away just like that!" Paul nodded. "Understood, Chairman Salvador." Ralph felt a surge of frustration boil in his chest. He nearly swore out loud. He wanted nothing more than to stuff a shoe into Gregory's mouth to shut him up.
He had intended to take Justin quietly, minimizing the impact. But Gregory just had to swoop in and make a spectacle of it, blowing the situation out of proportion.
"Chairman Salvador," Ralph said with forced politeness, though his tone was firm. "I'm sorry, but I have to take him today, no matter what." en.kikistories UMS Before the situation could escalate further, three plainclothes officers emerged from the crowd and presented their identification.
Ralph's heart sank when he saw the leader.
Leading them was a man with an air of arrogance that made Ralph grit his teeth.
It was Jack Lowe, the captain of the second investigative team and Ralph's long-standing rival.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Who are you?" Gregory asked, clearly baffled.
"I'm Captain Lowe. I've worked with Captain Thompson for years," Jack said with a faint smirk.
He glanced at Ralph mockingly and said, "Since Captain Thompson's younger sister is closely connected to Mr. Salvador, the familial conflict-of-interest rule applies As of now I'm taking over this case entirely. Captain Thompson, you and your team may leave now en.kikistories The arrogance in Jack's tone was infuriating, but Ralph and his team had no choice but to accept it.
Ralph felt a cold weight settle in his chest.
He had not been notified of this change before setting out. How had the case been reassigned so quickly? Something about all this felt off.
Throughout the entire confrontation, Justin remainedposed, his expression betraying no emotion. It was impossible to read his thoughts.
But inside, his mind was racing.
From the moment he had left the hospital and returned to the Salvador Corporation, it felt like someone had been watching him from the shadows.
It was as if someone was weaving a to trap him, forcing him to constantly be on guard.