Even though an entire floor had been booked, with no other guests around, it was impossible to conceal the fact that so many people had died.
Vera hadn’t planned to keep it a secret.
Half an hour after the conflict, the Chief of Police rushed to the Mandarin Oriental himself.
When this person, responsible for Haojiang’s security, entered Vera’s room, there was no sign of the violent struggle; the carpet by the door was replaced, and bloodstains had been washed away.
"Miss Vera, I am truly sorry,"
The main person in charge of Haojiang’s security immediately expressed his apology, earnest and sincere.
Miss Vera’s face was calm, not at all like someone who had just survived a life-threatening assassination attempt.
"Miss Vera, you weren’t injured, were you?"
Vera shook her head, "The assailants didn’t make it into the room; my bodyguards took them all down."
Jiang Chen, also in the room, remained silent.
As a friend, he felt it was his duty to come and offer comfort after such a major incident.
The chief heaved a sigh of relief, half in lamentation, half declarative, "We haven’t had such a violent case in Haojiang for a very long time."
"Are you saying it’s my fault?"
Faced with Vera’s gaze, the chief quickly shook his head and said with an apologetic smile, "Miss Vera, please don’t misunderstand; that’s not what I meant at all. Rest assured, we will do our utmost to clarify the truth as soon as possible, to provide you with answers."
Vera wasn’t unreasonably persistent, showing a rational demeanor that surprised Jiang Chen.
"Looking forward to good news."
The translation was quite professional.
Given the urgency of the case, the chief did not stay long. Before leaving, he paused, expressing concern, "Miss Vera, would you like me to send some people over to ensure your safety?"
Better late than never.
At least it was an attitude.
"Thank you, but there’s no need. My bodyguards are quite professional."
Vera’s reply was polite yet distant.
The chief, looking embarrassed, did not insist and nodded, "Then we won’t disturb Miss Vera’s rest."
The female bodyguard escorted the chief to the door.
"People say Shenzhou is the safest country in the world, but it seems that’s not always the case."
After the group left, Vera spoke as if talking to herself.
Jiang Chen was at a loss for words.
Even if he wanted to argue, it seemed he had no grounds to do so.
Now wasn’t the time to keep discussing the difference between Haojiang and the mainland, was it?
"Fortunately, it was a close call without tragedy."
He pretended he hadn’t heard anything.
"Two bodyguards died."
Vera looked at Jiang Chen, stating the facts.
Jiang Chen responded with silence.
Despite his calm exterior, clearly, she was raging inside.
And understandably so.
Anyone facing such an ordeal would hardly be able to remain unemotional, especially since she wasn’t known for her patience. That she had stayed calm in front of the chief was surprising enough.
"... It’s part of a bodyguard’s job. They die for those they serve, and you did manage to avenge them," Jiang Chen offered some comfort.
Two lives had vanished.
Yet Jiang Chen realized he didn’t feel much of a disturbance.
He didn’t understand when his heart had become so indifferent.
Although Vera was no pushover, at least she was reasonable and didn’t blame Jiang Chen, who was unrelated to the matter.
Her face was stern, and she quieted down.
"Why didn’t you leave anyone alive?"
Jiang Chen broke the silence.
The last assassin clearly had surrendered, but still ended up dead.
He deserved to die, but keeping him alive could have at least led to some useful information.
All the assassins were wiped out, rightfully so, but it was unknown who had sent them.
"Why keep anyone alive?"
Jiang Chen fell silent for a moment, "Don’t you want to know who sent them?"
"They’re dead, so we can’t find out now?"
Jiang Chen was silent again.
No doubt, the unnecessary final shot was ordered by her.
The reason was simple—it was out of anger.
Although not rational, it was understandable.
To expect clear-headedness in such a situation was too exacting.
"How did you bring guns in here?"
If Vera’s bodyguards hadn’t been equipped with firearms, it was hard to say how the night would have ended.
This time it was Vera’s turn to be silent. She looked at Jiang Chen for a while, then said, "They all had gun licenses. Is there a problem?"
Jiang Chen had thought of that too, but here was Haojiang, and the chief had turned a blind eye to this fact.
It seemed her background was even more formidable than he had anticipated.
Rules are made by people.
Certain distinguished individuals indeed have the prerogative to disregard rules or to expand their permitted confines.
On the news, world leaders carry nuclear briefcases when visiting foreign countries, and no hosting nation asks to confiscate them.
Jiang Chen shook his head, dropping the subject.
She was unlikely to reveal more to him.
"Do you have enemies in Haojiang?"
"Why must it be Haojiang?" Vera countered.
Jiang Chen became silent again, then changed his approach, "Do you have any suspects?"
The assassins were under someone’s command.
A male bodyguard entered, his striking green eyes made him noticeable—it was number six.
It appeared that he was not among the two bodyguards who had died on duty.
"Based on the hotel’s check-in information, they were staying on the twenty-third floor, room 2305."