A flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and someone pushed it open, calling out to him, "Young Master Stevens."
Edward Stephens opened his eyes and saw a middle-aged man in uniform standing at the door. He rose from the sofa and shook hands with him.
The visitor was the Deputy Chief of Banyan City Police. The Ginger Group, as Banyan City’s top taxpayer, generates billions in revenue for the city each year. Earlier this year, Banyan City’s government even rewarded it with 150 million to recognize its contribution.
Government insiders had already received word that Daisy Ginger had been kidnapped by Ervin Osteen. The Deputy Chief, who was on a business trip outside the city, had rushed back overnight, still travel-worn.
"We will do our utmost to rescue Miss Ginger," the Deputy Chief assured Edward Stephens, "No matter what, we will give you an explanation."
Edward Stephens nodded slightly, his demeanor indifferent, "Thank you."
The Deputy Chief looked at this handsome young man and, even in the dim lighting of the room, could see the pallor on his face. He kindly reached out to pat Edward Stephens on the back of the hand and said softly, "Back then... the case involving you was handled by me. You did a great job then. This time, leave it to us professionals."
Edward Stephens’ gaze tightened as he looked up at the Deputy Chief, who wore an encouraging smile and patted him on the shoulder, "Seeing you stand safely in front of me again, honestly, it eases my heart a lot."
Back then, Edward Stephens’ call was answered by him personally. At that time, he was a rookie, and his repeated calms couldn’t stop Edward from risking himself. When he found Edward at the crime scene, the brave young man had already been stabbed several times, lying in a pool of blood.
So many years have passed, but this has always been his deep regret, always feeling that if he had found the crime scene sooner, Edward Stephens might not have been hurt so severely.
Now, the past events are repeating; he received the alert and immediately requested to take charge of this case.
He hoped that this time, there wouldn’t be any regrets like last time. Get full chapters from 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Edward Stephens nodded slightly: "Thank you."
The Deputy Chief smiled at him before turning and hurrying away.
Edward Stephens sat back down on the sofa, lighting a cigarette slowly in the clear morning sunlight.
He weighed the options for a moment, taking the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, and finally took out his phone to call Ryan Smith.
It was evening in the United States, and Ryan answered the call quickly, his voice unchanged, full of mischief, guessing, "Dear, have you been kicked out of the house again by your wife?"
Edward Stephens took a drag of his cigarette and said, "Ryan, you need to get some people over here."
Ryan asked, puzzled, "What kind of people?"
"Daisy Ginger has been kidnapped," Edward Stephens briefly explained the situation, "I need to find her as soon as possible. I don’t have much manpower in Banyan City, so you need to send some over."
Ryan was silent for a while before he asked, "Edward, have you thought this through? This is no joke."
Edward Stephens flicked the cigarette ash off, watching it fall onto the hem of his black coat. Ryan’s words made him chuckle a little: "I’ve spent the whole night contemplating, and there’s no decision more thoroughly considered than this."
Ryan remained silent.
After a while, he said, "I refuse."
"You can refuse," Edward Stephens said, "as long as you can withstand my retaliation."
His tone was calm, yet it was the most serious threat there could be.