Chapter 4

Jessica's mind went completely blank. Her heart felt like it was about to leap straight out of her throat.

Where had she been last night? She certainly couldn't tell him the truth!

"I... I was home last night." Jessica forced herself to stay calm, though her voice trembled uncontrollably. "Sarah can vouch for me."

Panic surged through her. Earlier that day in the conference room, Sarah had asked why she hadn't come home last night.

She could only pray he wouldn't actually go verify her story with Sarah.

Michael's eyes darkened. A cold smile curved his lips. "Officer Brooks, my patience has limits. Lying is one of the things I tolerate least."

He released her wrist, but the invisible pressure only intensified.

Jessica felt her legs weakening, threatening to give out beneath her.

This was it. He knew everything.

Was he waiting for her to confess, and then he'd kick her out of the force?

Just as Jessica was about to crack under the psychological torture and blurt out the truth, the man suddenly stepped back, putting distance between them.

Jessica exhaled in relief.

"I'll let it slide this time." His expression returned to its usual stern coldness, his tone unreadable. "Remember your mission. Remember your role. Don't let me catch you lying again."

With that, he turned and walked back behind his desk, picking up a document as if the suffocating confrontation had never happened.

Jessica stood frozen, taking several moments to process what had just occurred.

He was... letting her go?

Not daring to overthink it, she grabbed the file from the desk and practically fled the study.

Over the next few days, Jessica lived on edge.

She forced herself to memorize the fabricated background information while constantly monitoring Michael's every move.

After several days of observation, though, he seemed to have genuinely forgotten about that evening. Beyond discussing mission details, he barely acknowledged her existence.

This allowed Jessica to relax somewhat.

That afternoon, Jessica was in the living room rehearsing protocols for the upcoming gala when Michael's assistant, Justin Martin, knocked and entered, handing him a document.

"Chief, the information you requested." Justin spoke respectfully. "Sarah Bennett, probationary officer at Halton Precinct, currently Jessica's roommate. According to the jeweler's custom order records, she commissioned that diamond necklace a month ago."

Jessica's mind went into freefall.

He'd tracked down Sarah. Next, he'd ask Sarah about the necklace's whereabouts.

And then... then he'd trace it straight back to her.

She was finished.

Jessica's hands began to sweat, her fingertips ice-cold.

She was already calculating where she could find work after getting fired—somewhere that would let her pay Sarah back for that necklace.

She watched Michael cautiously. He merely hummed in acknowledgment, flipped through a couple pages, then told Justin: "Contact her. Tell her I apologize for damaging her personal property and wish to make amends. Arrange a time—I'll speak with her personally."

Justin departed to carry out the order.

Jessica stood frozen, unable to move for a long moment.

Compensation? A personal meeting? What did he mean? Did he think the woman from that night was Sarah?

The thought flashed through her mind. Panic flooded her chest.

She tossed and turned all night, barely managing to make it to the next day.

Throughout the entire day, Michael showed no unusual behavior. At lunch, he even grilled her about several case details related to the mission, his tone as icily professional as always, with no hint of suspicion toward her whatsoever.

Jessica was completely baffled.

Could it be... he was letting her off the hook?

Relief washed over her, her entire body relaxing.

As long as he didn't come after her, she'd never bring it up herself.

At least her job was safe!

Meanwhile, Sarah sat in an upscale café, nervously stirring the coffee in front of her.

She never imagined the newly appointed Chief Michael would personally ask to meet with her.

When Justin had called, she'd thought she'd heard wrong.

Soon, the door to the private room opened. A tall, imposing figure entered.

The man wore an impeccably tailored black suit, his bearing aristocratic yet distant.

When those ice-blue eyes landed on her, Sarah's heart skipped a beat.

This was Michael—even more handsome than he'd appeared at the swearing-in ceremony, and far more intimidating.

"Ms. Bennett?" Michael took the seat across from her, getting straight to the point. "I apologize for the sudden invitation. It's about your missing necklace."

He produced a velvet box from his pocket and slid it across the table.

Sarah opened it to find a diamond necklace identical to the one she'd lost—except this was brand new.

"I sincerely apologize," Michael said, his tone polite but his eyes still cold. "That night, I didn't mean to... I'm sorry for hurting you and damaging your necklace. As compensation, I've purchased you a new one. Please also accept this check."

He placed a check on the table.

Sarah glanced at the figure written on it. Her eyes went wide.

That amount was enough to buy a small apartment in the city center.

Her heart pounded wildly.

That night? Hurt her?

She remembered Jessica staying out all night, then coming home claiming she'd lost the necklace.

Could it be...

A bold idea began growing wildly in her mind.

Seeing her prolonged silence, Michael's brow furrowed slightly. "Is Ms. Bennett dissatisfied with the compensation amount?"

"No! Not at all!" Sarah snapped back to attention, waving her hands frantically. She looked at the devastatingly handsome, wealthy, powerful man before her, then at the check that could change her entire life. Greed and jealousy instantly overwhelmed everything else.

Why should Jessica get this kind of opportunity? If she was too scared to claim it, then this chance belonged to Sarah now!

Sarah lifted her head, her face taking on a perfectly calibrated expression of shyness and grievance. She looked at Michael carefully, her voice soft and gentle. "Chief, about that night... I... I don't blame you."