Chapter 542
“Captain Rhodes, the only reason I am willing to cooperate with the police is because I abide by the law and believe in judicial justice p>
A hint of grievance colored Celeste’s fragile voice, her posture calculated to perfection.
“Now that all suspicions have been cleared and the so-called evidence proven to be sheer nonsense p>
I see absolutely no need for the DNA test you previously asked me to take p>
Her tone shifted, the vulnerability in her eyes vanishing instantly to be replaced by a cold edge.
“My mobility is impaired, and my movements are restricted, yet the police have repeatedly harassed me with summons.
You even resorted to coercive measures to force my return to the Capital for this investigation.
If I truly had the capabilities for cross-border money laundering, or the audacity to break the law so brazenly p>
Do you really think I would obediently comply with your summons and allow myself to be interrogated p>
She lowered her eyes slightly, lacing her tone with indignation.
“The Zurich account belongs to the real Celeste. Now that it is proven I am not that person, all criminal suspicion naturally has nothing to do with me.
The police should be investigating and holding the actual culprit accountable, rather than endlessly wasting my time.
This entire farce today has been a baseless misunderstanding and a completely unwarranted smear against my character p>
Celeste looked up, her gaze sweeping over everyone present before landing forcefully on Captain Rhodes.
“From this moment on, I will not cooperate with any further allegations claiming I am the real Celeste.
Captain Rhodes, the next time you summon me, I suggest you solidify your evidence first.
Please do not disrupt my life again with stunts like today’s that waste both police resources and my personal time p>
With that, she didn’t wait for a response.
She simply maneuvered her wheelchair, turning around and heading straight for the door.
Captain Rhodes stood in awkward silence, his face flushing red and then draining of color.
He opened his mouth to argue but ultimately swallowed his words.
Staring at her departing back, he offered a helpless apology. “I’m sorry for the oversight. Take care p>
Watching Celeste boldly stroll right past them, Luna seethed with frustration and turned to the other two.
“That’s it? We put in so much effort, set this trap for so long, and she just walks away completely unscathed p>
Thea gently rested a hand on her arm. “As of right now, we genuinely don’t have the legal grounds to detain her p>
Sienna tilted her head slightly, her face betraying no hint of defeat. “If she were that easy to deal with, the Sterlings wouldn’t have bent over backwards to cater to her for all this time.
The trump cards she’s kept hidden for years are far more complex than they appear on the surface p>
Thea nodded in agreement, soothing Luna. “Don’t panic. Everything is still moving according to our rhythm.
She may seem to have won a total: victory today, but her flaws are already exposed Keep your cool, the real chess match has only just begun p>
As they spoke, Jarred, who had been standing silently by the window, straightened up.
He adjusted the collar of his overcoat and gave Captain Rhodes a curt nod. “Captain, thank you for your trouble.
If you need any further cooperation, just contact me directly p>
With that, he turned and headed for the exit.
His posture was tall and austere, his aura calm and detached, as if the dramatic reversal that had just occurred had nothing to do w him.
Yet his deep, dark eyes had never truly left Sienna, who stood across from him.
Protecting Celeste was a compromise he was forced into, a necessary evil in this hidden game of chess.
But hurting Sienna was the outcome he dreaded the most.
Their eyes locked.
Sienna’s clear, detached gaze crashed straight into the shadowy depths of his.
The eyes that were normally so adept at seduction held zero trace of their usual teasing warmth—only a heavy, biting chill.
Yet, buried in the absolute depths of his stare was a profound emotion no one else could decipher.