Upon hearing the female officer’s denial, Lady Stephens’ eyes, which had brightened for a moment, dimmed again.
She tightly held Edward Stephens’ hand, her fingertips ice cold, still trembling, as she followed Edward into the surveillance room.
Inside, an officer sitting in front of a computer replayed the surveillance footage he had just shown Edward Stephens for Lady Stephens.
When she saw the tall man get off the carriage, Lady Stephens suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! This person..."
All three people in the room turned their heads to look at her, and Edward Stephens looked down, noticing his mother’s excited yet pale face, his gaze darkening.
Lady Stephens hadn’t finished speaking when she immediately bit her lip, fear and tension coloring her expression.
The two officers exchanged a glance and gently said to Lady Stephens, "We have something we’d like you to help us with, Lady Stephens. Could you come with us?"
Lady Stephens lowered her head, her face growing increasingly pale for some unknown reason.
Edward Stephens looked at her and gently called out, "Mom."
His call seemed to startle her, as her body, wrapped in a white down jacket, trembled violently. She raised her flushed, rabbit-like eyes, glanced at Edward, and finally stammered, "O-Officer, what do you want to ask me?"
The female officer made a gesture of invitation, and Edward Stephens and Lady Stephens went out together.
Walking beside Edward Stephens, Lady Stephens lowered her head, clearly showing her nervousness.
When they reached the police officer’s office, the male officer spread a file in front of Lady Stephens, and Edward glanced at the date on the file: it was from eight years ago.
His gaze slightly darkened, and a trace of dark gleam appeared in his deep eyes.
"Lady Stephens, do you remember this person?"
The officer took a photo from the file and handed it to Lady Stephens. Googlᴇ search 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵
It was a young, tall man with a buzz cut, staring straight into the camera, his triangular eyes filled with menace. Even through the photo, it was clear that this young man was no benevolent figure.
The saying that a person’s face reflects their heart was perhaps a bit true; Lady Stephens looked at the photo, her lips trembling several times, and she covered her face, bursting into sobs.
The female officer gently handed her a tissue, calming her down for a few minutes. Once she was composed, the male officer said, "Lady Stephens, let’s keep this brief. This man was just released from prison last month. We suspect he is connected to this kidnapping case. Think carefully now, when you were watching the video earlier, did you recognize him? Please answer carefully; your response is crucial to solving this case."
Holding the tissue, Lady Stephens’ face had lost all color, but she seemed to have calmed down, slowly exhaling, and said in a low voice, "It’s him. Even if he turned to dust, I’d still recognize him—the man who kidnapped Jiu Jiu is this man!"
With Lady Stephens’ affirmation, the male officer immediately picked up the phone and called his superior. After notifying them, he said to her, "We understand. We’ll now dispatch all available personnel to apprehend Ervin Osteen."
She hadn’t thought of that name for many years.
And now, eight years later, that name came back like a nightmare.
Lady Stephens’ body swayed slightly, supported by Edward Stephens’ hand, she finally broke down, sobbing loudly in her son’s embrace.