"Ugh... Where am I?"

Promise Nelson, who was tied to a wooden post, slowly regained consciousness. Her beautiful eyes opened, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with a look of confusion.

Brooke holstered his gun and quickly walked over to untie her, speaking softly, "Don't be afraid. We're the police. You're safe now."

"Police?"

Promise, still groggy from just waking up, was slow to process what was happening.

With Brooke's help, she sat down on a nearby chair. It took her a moment to recall the events at the airport.

Her father had mentioned that someone very important was coming to East Sea City and insisted she personally go to pick them up. She had canceled a company meeting and driven to the airport.

As soon as she got out of the car, someone had covered her mouth and nose with something from behind, and she had lost consciousness...

It was clear now-she had been kidnapped!

"Thank you," Promise said, quickly composing herself. She tidied her disheveled hair, revealing her stunning yet cold face.

"Are you Promise Nelson? It really is you!"

Brooke finally got a good look at her and couldn't help but exclaim, her face showing utter disbelief.

How could it be her?

That jerk's words were true-Promise Nelson, the beautiful CEO of SkyRise Corporation, had indeed been kidnapped!

Promise Nelson smiled kindly and asked, "Officer, when can I leave?"

"Promise, Promise, thank goodness you're awake... it's me, it's me!"

At that moment, the young man squatting nearby suddenly lifted his head and shouted excitedly at Promise.

"Berloff Nelson? What are you doing here?"

Promise turned towards the voice, a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes.

The young man was Berloff Nelson, the general manager of SkyRise Corporation and also Promise's cousin.

Berloff had lost his parents at a young age and was taken in by Magnus Nelson in East Sea City. After graduating, he was placed in the company, starting from the bottom. Due to his outstanding abilities, he was quickly promoted to general manager, assisting Promise.

However, Promise had never been particularly fond of her cousin. She always felt that he was too scheming and calculating, which made her uncomfortable.

The officer holding Berloff noticed that the two knew each other and treated Berloff a bit more kindly, but he didn't remove the handcuffs.

Berloff being at the crime scene was highly suspicious. Until his innocence was proven, he remained a suspect.

Therefore, the three officers were also keen to hear how Berloff would explain himself.

"Oh, that... I was originally at the airport to pick up a friend, but I happened to see you being kidnapped by some men in black at the entrance..."

"Then, I followed the kidnappers in my car, intending to find out where they were taking you before calling the police. But just as I was about to call, I heard some screams from the yard. Worried about your safety, I rushed in without thinking, only to find that the kidnappers were already dead..."

Berloff explained earnestly.

"Oh? Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" The two male officers were skeptical of Berloff Nelson's explanation.

On the surface, Berloff's story seemed flawless and easily verifiable, but it just sounded too convenient.

As members of the criminal investigation team who dealt with major cases daily, they never believed in coincidences.

Every coincidence had a plan behind it.

Berloff shrugged helplessly, looking innocent. "That's how it happened. If you don't believe me, you can investigate."

"You said you rushed in as soon as you heard the scream, right?" Brooke suddenly walked over and grabbed Berloff by the collar, frowning.

"Uh, yes, yes," Berloff stammered, nodding instinctively.

"Did you see the person who killed the kidnappers?" Brooke stared intently into Berloff's eyes, pressing on.

Berloff quickly shook his head. "No, I didn't.

When I came in, I only saw three bodies and Promise. I didn't see anyone else."

"No one?" Brooke released Berloff, her brows furrowing deeper.

Berloff had rushed in upon hearing the scream but didn't see the killer. About five minutes later, the officers arrived, and during that time, Brooke hadn't noticed anyone leaving.

So, the person who killed the kidnappers was still in the mansion?

Where could they be hiding?

The main hall of the house was about a hundred square feet, very empty, with most of the items moved out. The only places to hide were the side rooms on either side.

Brooke drew her gun and suddenly rushed toward the left side room. Inside, there was nothing but an old wooden bed, clearly visible, and no one was hiding there.

"Brooke, what's going on? Did you find something?"

The two male officers beside her also drew their guns, whispering softly.

"I suspect the person who killed the kidnapper is still on the scene. Cover me," Brooke said in a low voice, slowly moving toward the other side room.

The two male officers took deep breaths, their expressions tense, as if facing a formidable enemy. They approached the side room where Campbell Watson was hiding, one on the left and one on the right, guns raised.

Brooke had already figured out the killer's identity.

Based on the police motorcycle abandoned two miles away and the skills of that shameless bastard, the identity of the killer was becoming clear.

Inside the side room, hidden behind some clutter, Campbell Watson heard the footsteps outside getting closer and couldn't help but smile slightly.

He had stayed behind just to ensure Promise Nelson's safety.

Now that the police had arrived and Promise was safe, there was no need for him to stay.

Before Brooke and the others could burst through the door, Campbell flipped and jumped out of the broken window...

Bang!

"Freeze! Police!"

Brooke kicked the door open and rushed inside, shouting as she quickly scanned the room.

The room reeked of mold, and aside from a pile of clutter by the window, the space was mostly empty.

She immediately dashed to the pile of clutter, but it was empty.

"The killer must have fled a while ago. The windows here are broken, making it easy to escape without drawing attention," one of the two male officers said as they holstered their guns.

Brooke stared at the messy footprints on the floor and the half-handprint on the windowsill, her brows furrowing deeply.

That bastard had escaped again.

"No matter where you run, I will bring you to justice," Brooke silently vowed, clenching her fists.

She was a police officer, and upholding the law was her duty.

Even though Campbell Watson had killed a kidnapper, it was still murder, and he had to be punished.

Woo-woo-woo...

The sharp sound of police sirens approached, breaking the silence of the industrial area.

"The captain and the team are here," one of the male officers said as they went out to meet them.

Brooke took a deep breath, quickly adjusting her emotions. Before leaving, she deliberately wiped the half-handprint off the windowsill with her hand.

She also stomped around the clutter, making the already messy footprints even more chaotic, leaving no clear prints behind.

Thud, thud, thud...

A dozen agile detectives, clad in bulletproof vests and armed with guns, rushed in.

"What happened here? Someone explain this to me!"

A middle-aged man with a square, resolute face and a sturdy build stepped forward from the group of detectives. His hawk-like eyes quickly scanned the bodies and guns on the ground before finally fixing on Brooke and the two others who had just emerged from a side room. His voice was stern and commanding.

This man was Captain Hartman of the city's Criminal Investigation Division. As soon as he received the call from his subordinates, he immediately led the team over.

A shooting homicide was a major case.

Since Brooke had been temporarily reassigned from the division, the two male officers began to report the details of the case...

.....

Emperor Grand Hotel, top floor presidential suite, East Sea City.

A young man with delicate features and handsome looks stood naked in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, gently swirling a wine glass in his hand.

The blood-red wine reflected a mesmerizing, seductive glow.

"One day, I will become the king of East Sea City!"

The young man gazed down at the bustling city through the enormous window, his eyes gleaming with ambitious light.

Beneath him, a woman with fox-like allure and a voluptuous figure was diligently working, her sensual moans occasionally escaping her throat, stirring the blood...

Buzz...

The phone on the nightstand suddenly vibrated.

The young man glanced at his phone, raising an eyebrow as he picked it up.

"Mr. Finnegan, there's been an incident..."

As soon as the call connected, a panicked voice came from the other end.

"Why are you panicking? Speak!" The young man frowned deeply, a hint of irritation on his face.

"Mr. Finnegan, according to the intel, four of the kidnappers who took Promise Nelson are dead. Promise has been rescued by the police..."

"Useless! What did you promise me before?

You can't even handle this simple task. What good are you to me?" The young man roared angrily, cutting off the other person mid-sentence.

"Mr. Finnegan, I..."

"Shut up! This failed kidnapping means that old man Magnus Nelson will be on guard now... You're all just a bunch of failures!"

The young man was clearly furious, continuing his tirade without giving the other person a chance to speak.

The person on the other end of the line remained silent, enduring the young man's wrath.

"You said four are dead? What about the fifth one?" The young man finally asked, getting to the point after venting his anger.

"Their leader wasn't there. He survived, but his whereabouts are currently unknown..."

"Unknown?"

The young man's icy voice sent chills down the spine of the person on the other end of the call.

"Mr. Finnegan, give me three days. I promise I'll find out where he is," the voice on the other end quickly assured.

"You have three days to find the kidnappers alive and deal with them. If you fail, you know the consequences!" the young man said before abruptly hanging up the phone.

"Damn it, useless bunch," he muttered angrily.

His face twisted in frustration as he tightly gripped his phone. He then grabbed the hair of the beautiful woman next to him, ignoring her screams, and threw her aside...

Violet Residence No. 1, one of the top three luxury villa areas in East Sea City, nestled against the mountains and by the water, with lush greenery and an incredibly beautiful environment, like a paradise on earth.

Living here meant you were either rich or powerful!

Campbell Watson stepped out of the taxi and glanced at the golden letters on the gate that read "Violet Residence No. 1." He then walked straight towards the entrance.

"Hey, hey, hey, stop right there! What do you think you're doing?"

The security guard, holding a plastic baton, jogged over and blocked Campbell, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Campbell was dressed plainly, definitely not someone who lived in Violet Residence No. 1. Besides, the guard had been working here for five years and had never seen him before.

"I'm here to see someone," Campbell replied honestly, standing at the gate.

"See someone? Who?"

Although the guard didn't believe him, he still asked patiently, as a professional should.

"Magnus Nelson."

"Magnus... President Nelson? Kid, are you messing with me?" The guard's demeanor changed instantly upon hearing the name.

This kid must be looking for trouble.

As a security guard at Violet Residence No. 1, he knew exactly who Magnus Nelson was.

Magnus Nelson was the head of one of the top ten wealthy families in East Sea City, the Nelson family, and the founder of SkyRise Corporation, with a net worth in the billions.

Moreover, he was the developer of Violet Residence No. 1!

An ordinary person trying to reach such a big shot? It seemed like a joke.

"Forget it, I won't make it hard for you. I'll call him myself," Campbell Watson said, tired of arguing with the security guard. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Hello, is this Mr. Watson?"

Soon, a deep male voice came from the other end of the line.

"Yes, it's me, Uncle Nelson. I'm at the gate of Violet Residence No. 1..."

"Ah, Mr. Watson, I'm really sorry. I had sent Promise to pick you up from the airport, but something unexpected came up. My apologies... Promise should be at the gate now. Hold on a moment, I'll call her, and you can come up together," Magnus Nelson arranged over the phone.

"Okay, sure," Campbell replied cheerfully and ended the call.

"You... you really know President Nelson?"

The security guard swallowed hard, now addressing Campbell respectfully.

He had recognized the voice on the phone as Magnus Nelson's, but it was still hard to believe that this ordinary-looking guy actually knew President Nelson.

Moreover, from the tone of President Nelson on the phone, he seemed very polite.

Could this guy be some rich heir who likes to keep a low profile?

Thinking about his earlier attitude and tone, the security guard felt a bit uneasy.

"I don't know him, never met him," Campbell Watson replied casually, then stood quietly to the side, waiting.

Beep beep...

Just as the security guard was about to say something nice, an Audi RS7 pulled in.

"Hey, Wang, what are you standing around for? Lift the barrier... Who's this beggar? Get him out of here, he's an eyesore."

The driver's window slowly rolled down, revealing an arrogant and haughty face.

Campbell turned his head and chuckled.

Well, isn't this a small world? This guy was the same jerk who tried to smother Promise Nelson at the abandoned factory. What was his name again? Berloff Nelson?

"Mr. Berloff, good day..."

Seeing Berloff, the security guard quickly lifted the barrier, nodding and bowing with a fawning smile on his face.

"Are you Campbell Watson?"

At that moment, the passenger door opened, and a stunningly beautiful woman stepped out, her eyes scanning Campbell.

"Miss Promise, good day..." The security guard bent even lower upon seeing the woman.

The woman was none other than Promise Nelson.

She and Berloff had just come from giving their statements at the police station. Since her car was still parked at the airport, she had asked Berloff to give her a ride back.

Just as she reached the gate, she received a call from her dad. He told her that the important guest she was supposed to pick up at the airport was waiting at the security booth and asked her to bring him back.

She initially thought this important person must be quite impressive, but now it seemed otherwise. However, as the head of a corporation, she knew better than to judge someone by their appearance.

So, they quietly sized each other up.

"It's me."

Although she had seen photos of Promise Nelson before, the real person was even more stunning.

"Get in."

Promise Nelson greeted politely but distantly before getting back into the car.

Campbell Watson shrugged, opened the back door, and bent down to get in.

"Hey, hey, hey... Be careful! My seat covers and floor mats are all designer brands, worth thousands... You can't afford to dirty them... Promise, who is he?"

Berloff Nelson was visibly annoyed seeing Campbell sit on his newly bought leather seats.

"He's a distinguished guest invited by my dad."

Promise Nelson explained coldly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Berloff Nelson had no choice but to swallow his remaining words and reluctantly started the car.

Campbell Watson, sitting in the back, glanced at Berloff and Promise, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The security guard watched the Audi drive away and let out a long sigh of relief.

Man, these rich kids are getting more and more creative. Pretending to be poor losers? Looks like I need to be more careful in the future. The city's tricks run deep, and being a security guard is getting tougher by the day.

The security guard shook his head, deeply sighing.

If Campbell Watson knew he was mistaken for some rich young master by the guard, who knows what he would think...

****

Violet Residence, Building No. 1.

The king of the villas, Magnus Nelson's residence.

Driving through the brass gates, the first thing you see is a huge artificial fountain, surrounded by flower beds with various rare flowers and trees. It's like a paradise on earth.

"Hey, we're here. Get out of my car... Damn it, now I have to replace the seat cover!"

Berloff Nelson parked the car in front of the villa and, after Promise Nelson got out, turned his head and shouted at Campbell Watson with a nasty attitude.

Campbell smirked, pushed open the car door, and casually closed it.

Boom!

It was like someone had thrown a grenade under the car.

The brand-new Audi RS7 lifted four or five inches off the ground and then crashed down hard. All the windows shattered instantly, and the car body was severely deformed, emitting a piercing alarm sound.

Not far away, Promise and Magnus Nelson were both startled, thinking they were under a terrorist attack.

As for Berloff, who was sitting in the car, he was so scared by the sudden explosion that he scrambled out of the car in a panic, looking as pathetic as could be.

"You filthy beggar, what did you do to my car?"

In front of Promise Nelson and Magnus Nelson, Berloff Nelson felt utterly humiliated. He couldn't care less about his image anymore and angrily pointed at Campbell Watson, loudly questioning him.

Promise looked at Campbell with a puzzled

expression. The car had been fine just moments ago, so how could it suddenly explode? Could simply closing the car door cause such a massive impact? It seemed too far-fetched.

Promise didn't believe it was human error.

Perhaps there was something wrong with the car.

On the other hand, Magnus seemed to understand, nodding subtly as he looked at Campbell. It appeared this young man was indeed extraordinary.

Facing Berloff's accusations, Campbell looked innocent as he defended himself, "It really wasn't my fault..."

"It was because you, Malik, closed the car door that it exploded! Do you know how much that car is worth? Two million! You worthless beggar, you could never earn that much in your lifetime. How are you going to pay for it..."

"Shut up."

Magnus timely intervened to stop Berloff's rant.

"Mr. Campbell is my honored guest. As for your car, file a claim with the insurance company."

"Uncle..."

"Enough, no more talking. Leave now."

Magnus's stern gaze swept over Berloff, the authority in his eyes silencing him instantly.

Berloff, feeling resentful, shot a venomous glare at Campbell before getting into the deformed Audi. With a puff of black smoke, he left the villa in disgrace.

"This really has nothing to do with me. I just gently closed the car door, that's all."

Facing the gazes of Magnus Nelson and his daughter, Campbell Watson shrugged again, his expression as innocent as could be.

"Haha... Campbell, let's not beat around the bush. Come on, let's go inside and talk," Magnus said with a hearty laugh. He walked down the steps with a big stride and warmly invited Campbell into the villa.

"Such strong killing intent."

Campbell Watson, who had spent years walking the edge of death, keenly sensed that there were at least ten bodyguards hidden around the villa.

These weren't ordinary bodyguards either; they were likely soldiers who had seen combat and bloodshed.

Campbell could feel their cold gazes fixed on him, ready to take him out at the slightest misstep.

With a quick sweep of his peripheral vision, he noted the villa was surrounded by surveillance cameras, leaving no blind spots.

Even he wasn't confident he could silently infiltrate the villa.

Especially concerning was the top floor, where a faint but deeply unsettling aura emanated.

A martial arts grandmaster!

There was actually a grandmaster of the highest level here!

"Damn, that old man tricked me again..."

Campbell instantly regretted his decision.

The villa's formidable security made it clear that this place was far from simple and could very well be life-threatening.

The old man had assured him there was no danger, saying it would be like a vacation, and he had actually believed it...

"Please, have a seat... How is the old gentleman doing?"

Magnus Nelson led Campbell to a redwood sofa in the living room, poured him a cup of green tea, and asked politely.

The old gentleman referred to was Campbell's master.

"Hmm, that old guy is doing well. He eats and sleeps like a champ. He might just live for another thousand years," Campbell Watson said casually, taking a sip of his tea.

Uh...

A thousand years? Only Campbell would dare to say something like that about the old master.

"Haha, you sure know how to joke, my dear nephew," Magnus Nelson laughed heartily, playing along.

Years ago, by a stroke of luck, Magnus had an encounter with that old master. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have been able to invite the master's only disciple, Campbell Watson.

Thinking about the old master's almost magical abilities, Magnus felt a wave of admiration and respect wash over him.

"Back to the point, this is my daughter, Promise Nelson. You've met her before.

Honestly, what do you think of her?"

"She's as beautiful as an angel," Campbell replied, glancing at the stunningly cold and beautiful Promise. His assessment was honest.

Although this mission had no payment and was quite risky, at least the person he had to protect was a breathtaking beauty. That was some consolation for Campbell.

"Haha... good, a great first impression. As long as you two spend more time together, I'm sure your feelings for each other will grow," Magnus said with a smile.

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Promise interrupted, unable to hold back any longer.

What did he mean by spending more time together and growing feelings? This sounded like a matchmaking session!

Campbell Watson also looked at Magnus Nelson with a puzzled expression.

"Ahem... What I mean is, since you two will be living together, you should communicate more..."

"Living together? Dad, what do you mean by that?" Promise Nelson quickly caught the key phrase in her father's words.

"Promise, now that you're the CEO of SkyRise Corporation, your status is different. I went through a lot of trouble to get Campbell Watson here. From now on, he'll be your 24/7 personal bodyguard," Magnus explained earnestly.

"What? A 24/7 personal bodyguard? That means I won't have any freedom! Absolutely not!" Promise immediately rejected the idea.

She couldn't stand the thought of having a big guy in black following her everywhere, let alone having no privacy at all.

"Promise, you saw what happened today. If it weren't for your luck, who knows what could have happened? With Campbell by your side, this kind of thing will never happen again. Do you want your dad to worry about you all the time?" Magnus looked at her with a face full of worry and concern, making it hard for anyone to refuse.

Promise's lips moved as if she wanted to argue, but seeing the gray hairs at her father's temples and the worry etched on his face, she sighed and said nothing, reluctantly agreeing.

"That's the spirit. Nephew, I'm entrusting my daughter to you. Take good care of her," Magnus said, turning to Campbell. However, the way he said it sounded a bit odd.

Meanwhile, Berloff Nelson drove his transformed Audi RS7 away from Violet Residence No. 1, feeling increasingly furious.

"Damn it, Magnus Nelson, that old man, yelling at me for the sake of an outsider. It makes me so mad," he grumbled.

"One day, everything the Nelson family owns will be mine!" Berloff Nelson gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination.

"Blue Wolf, that useless idiot, what kind of people does he hire? He can't even handle a simple task like kidnapping a woman. Damn it..."

Berloff pulled out his iPhone and dialed a number saved under 'Blue Wolf.'

"Hello? Blue Wolf... You owe me an explanation for last time, don't you?"

"Mr. Berloff, please rest assured. Last time was a slip-up. I'll hire some better hitmen next time. I promise it won't happen again," a gruff voice responded on the other end.

"Next time? Are you brainless? This failed kidnapping will make Magnus Nelson even more cautious. It'll be even harder to get him next time..." Berloff snapped angrily.

"Yes, Mr. Berloff, you're right. I have some things to take care of, so let's leave it at that for now. Maybe you can come to the bar later, and I'll apologize properly," Blue Wolf replied nonchalantly before hanging up.

"What the hell? That bastard hung up on me?" Berloff fumed. He tried calling back, but the phone was already turned off, making him so angry he nearly smashed his phone.

"Damn it!"

Berloff pounded the steering wheel in frustration, feeling incredibly annoyed and irritable.

He had originally planned to have the Blue Wolf Gang teach that pesky beggar a lesson, but now it seemed like that would have to wait...

****

Old Temple District, Royal Clubhouse, Blue Wolf Gang Headquarters.

The gang leader, Blue Wolf, sat in a leather chair, taking a deep drag from his cigar and exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. His fierce, wolf-like eyes were hidden in the haze, flickering in and out of view.

"Damn it, who the hell does he think he is, talking to me like that? If it weren't for the fact that you're still useful to Mr. Finnegan, I'd have slapped you to death already..."

Blue Wolf glared at the phone on the table, his eyes filled with a murderous glint. He shouted towards the door, "Tyrell, get in here!"

A lean, dark-skinned young man pushed the door open and entered.

The young man had a cold expression, his eyes sharp as knives, exuding a wolfish aura.

"Boss, you called?" Tyrell's voice was like a knife scraping against metal, sending chills down one's spine.

"Within three days, find the leader of the West Hill Five Ghosts and take him out.

Make sure it's clean, no loose ends."

Blue Wolf leaned back in his chair, issuing his orders.

"Understood."

Tyrell nodded, asked no questions, and left the Royal Clubhouse with his mission...

Meanwhile, in the East Sea City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Team meeting room, the air was thick with smoke.

A dozen elite officers wore grave expressions as they silently flipped through the files in their hands. The atmosphere was heavy, like the calm before a storm.

Thud... Thud... Thud...

The stern-faced Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit, Hartman, sat at the head of the table. His right index finger tapped lightly on the table while his left hand massaged his temples, his forehead furrowed deeply.

After a moment, he stopped tapping and spoke in a deep voice, "You've all read the case files. Every person listed here is notorious in the Western underworld, with countless murders to their names. Their sudden appearance in East Sea City must have a purpose."

"However, they entered legally under the guise of a business inspection. We can't forcibly expel them. Our orders are to keep a close watch on them and ensure they don't cause any trouble. Understood?"

Hartman stood up, leaning forward with his hands on the table, his authoritative and piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled officers.

"Understood!" The officers straightened up and shouted in unison.

"Good. You'll be divided into five teams. Each team will select their targets and begin surveillance. Remember, these individuals are extremely dangerous. Do not engage them directly. If you notice anything unusual, report to headquarters immediately. Is that clear?"

"Clear!" The officers responded loudly again.

Hartman nodded, instructing his subordinates to form teams and choose their targets. He then sat back in his chair, exhaling smoke, a hint of worry appearing on his resolute face.

These adversaries were not ordinary criminals. Given the capabilities of the Criminal Investigation Unit, a direct confrontation would likely result in significant casualties.

Hartman was actually quite dissatisfied with the city government's decision. For the sake of political achievements, they had ignored the dangerous identities of these individuals and allowed them entry, essentially inviting wolves into their midst.

If things got out of control, East Sea City could be plunged into chaos and bloodshed.

Therefore, he had already contacted the Armed Police Unit. The armed police and SWAT teams were on standby 24/7, ready to act at a moment's notice.

The officers quickly divided into groups and selected their surveillance targets. Captain Hartman gave a final reminder before letting everyone collect their gear and start the operation.

"Brooke, hold on a second."

As everyone left the office, Hartman called out to Brooke from the crowd.

Due to the recent incident, the criminal investigation team was short-handed, so Hartman temporarily reassigned Brooke back to the team.

"You're not going on surveillance. There's a kidnapping case today, right? I need you to handle it. We're short on people, so I can't assign anyone to help you. Can you manage on your own?"

Hartman handed Brooke the file on Promise Nelson and spoke in a serious tone.

"Really? Captain, you're really giving me this case?"

Brooke's eyes lit up with excitement. She preferred solving cases over the monotonous task of surveillance.

Hartman nodded, his expression stern.

"Brooke, the perpetrators this time are the notorious West Hill Five. Four of them are dead, but their leader is still alive and might be hiding somewhere in East Sea City, waiting for a chance to strike. Also, the person who killed the kidnappers is a formidable character. Be very careful while investigating. Don't take unnecessary risks.

If you need help, ask for backup immediately. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Captain. I'll be extremely careful."

Brooke picked up the file and saluted with a cheerful smile. "Captain, do you have any other instructions? If not, I'll get to work..."

"Go ahead, but be sure to stay safe..."

Hartman waved her off, though he couldn't help but give one last piece of advice.

"Captain, you can trust me completely... I'm heading out now."

Whether Brooke heard Hartman's warning was unclear, as her mind was already focused on the case.

Hartman sat alone in his office, his weathered and worried face barely visible through the swirling smoke. His heart was uneasy, a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen.

It had been many years since he last felt this way...