Chapter 569
Only Celeste, sitting silently off to the side, involuntarily furrowed her brows. A fleeting flash of panic darted through her eyes.
Jarred lowered his gaze, staring at his weeping mother on the floor. She had completely lost the poise of a high-society matriarch, and his face was etched with exhaustion and icy hostility.
He didn’t answer her. His gaze casually swept past the chaotic living room, landing on the red-eyed, supposedly frail Celeste. The chill in his eyes deepened significantly.
He turned his head and shot a cold, heavy look at Declan Ward standing behind him. “Inventory the entire collection, audit the transaction records, and calculate the total losses p>
“Right away, sir p>
Declan acknowledged the order and immediately stepped forward to begin the tally.
Only then did Jarred lift his gaze, his deep voice addressing the room. “These two officers are in charge of this case. They will explain the rest of the details p>
He then turned to the two police officers, stepping slightly aside to clear their view. “Captain Rhodes, thank you for your time. Please, have a seat p>
He stepped aside and gestured for the officers to sit, his overwhelming presence dominating the space.
Captain Rhodes and his partner sat on one of the sofas.
Sienna also took a seat on a separate, single armchair near the edge.
Jarred’s eyes never left Sienna.
Watching her sit, he casually perched himself on the armrest of her chair.
Feeling his proximity, Sienna shot him an annoyed glare.
He kept one hand tucked in his overcoat pocket, the other resting by his side, completely unbothered by her reaction.
However, his piercing gaze was locked on Captain Rhodes opposite them, as if his choice of seating was purely coincidental.
“Madam, Mrs. Sterling, Ms. Carlyle Captain Rhodes spoke up.
No one in the room dared to breathe, sitting upright as the atmosphere grew incredibly thick.
Sienna looked away, instinctively shifting her body in the opposite direction.
Captain Rhodes opened his notepad, his expression entirely serious. “After receiving the police report, we immediately pulled the relevant files.
By cross-referencing your financial flow, the management firm’s records, and conducting multi-departmental tracing, we have essentially confirmed that this large-scale jewelry swap, high-end forgery replacement, and asset money laundering operation was no accident.
The entity pulling the strings is an international jewelry fraud syndicate operating across borders. They are a major, highly-wanted criminal organization p>
Helena stared at him blankly, her face awash with disbelief. “Impossible… All of our jewelry was purchased through legitimate channels!
Top-tier international auctions, high-end private collectors, or luxury brand boutiques at the very least.
Everything was completely legal and compliant. How could it possibly be tied to an international fraud ring p>
The matriarch also denied it. “Exactly, Officer. We couldn’t possibly cross paths with people like that. How could we fall into their trap p>
Celeste sat expressionless in her wheelchair.
Seeing the two older women getting visibly agitated, she quickly put on the innocent face of a victim. “You must have made a mistake p>
Captain Rhodes maintained his composure. “The core operator of this syndicate, meaning the head of their domestic operations.
Is the very man who has been providing you with jewelry management, rental returns, and maintenance services. The head of that firm, Tristan Devereux p>
That name dropped like a crushing shackle directly onto Helena’s heart.
Her pupils dilated, and it felt as if the blood in her veins had instantly frozen.
She sat frozen on the floor, paralyzed, her mind entirely blank.
Clinging to Helena’s arm, Celeste could clearly feel the older woman’s body rapidly turning ice cold.
Celeste instantly wiped away the indifference in her eyes. Her voice trembled as tears rapidly filled her eyes, staring right at Captain Rhodes.