Chapter 280
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In Mandino Police Station , a police officer walked in with a grave expression and placed an urgent case file on the desk . “ Jackson , there’s been a criminal case in Briteron . Due to unusual circumstances , it’s been transferred to our department . ”
The victim was a 37 – year – old man named Simon Tate . His parents are elderly . His sister , Alice Colton , was sentenced to two years in prison for child abuse and extortion . The primary suspect in this case is Aria Saxon .
Jackson looked up in shock . “ Aria ? ”
He immediately left his own work . Snatching up the case file , he rapidly scanned through it and barked , “ Go find Captain Fletcher right away ! The chief said anything involving Aria goes straight to Captain Fletcher . ”
“ Copy that ! ” The officer immediately went to find him . Fryderyk had just wrapped up a difficult case and was assigning his team to draft the closing report when he received the news . Without delay , he rushed to the office area .
Fryderyk asked, “ What’s going on ? ”
Jackson hurried over and handed him the case file , explaining , “ From what we’ve got so far , this isn’t a major case . Not a shred of solid evidence – strictly speaking , we can’t even officially label Aria as a suspect .”
Fryderyk scanned through the case file , listening as Jackson continued his analysis .
Jackson said , “ Looks like someone’s deliberately targeting Aria . They even brought Simon’s parents to the station , causing a scene at the entrance and demanding answers from us .
“ They’re trying to use public pressure . If Aria didn’t have strong connections , she’d likely have been framed already . ”
The so – called motive for Aria’s murder – that insurance fraud case from years ago – held no water whatsoever .
Jackson lowered his voice . “ Someone’s pulling strings . The town cops deliberately pushed this case up to force our involvement . ”
Fryderyk’s expression darkened .
While Aria was still toiling day and night in Jamelan to combat the epidemic , someone was scheming behind her back to frame her .
“ We need to get to the bottom of this , ” Fryderyk ordered . “ Let’s head to Briteron – now ! ”
After spending days on end immersed in lab work , Aria simply moved into the lounge to save time .
Aria finally called it a night early . With some rare free time in her hands , she decided to carve a seal .
On the table lay a piece of stone , its deep crimson hue like fresh blood , nearly identical in material to the seal she held in her hand .
Time slipped away unnoticed .
A crisp knock interrupted Aria’s work . Setting down what she was doing , she rose to answer the door .
Outside , the warm yellow light spilled into the night , casting Owen in silhouette . Aria couldn’t quite make out his expression . “ What’s wrong ? ” she asked .
Owen slightly raised his right hand with the late – night snacks in it , his eyes softened with warmth . He said , “ I brought you some late – night snacks – peach pies and chicken nuggets .”
She had barely eaten anything for dinner .
As soon as Aria caught a whiff of the food , her stomach growled right on cue . She stepped aside and said , “ It’s cold out . Come in . ”
Owen stepped inside , set the takeout containers on the coffee table in front of the sofa , and began unpacking them .
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Aria washed her hands and sat on the sofa , her gaze lingering on the food before meeting his eyes . “ Did you make this especially for me ? ”
Owen recalled how the volunteers had mobbed him earlier demanding food , but replied with perfect composure , “ Nope . ”
Unintentionally , he glanced up , his gaze sweeping across the desk behind her , where two pieces of stones caught his eye – one large , one small – their warm – toned surfaces shimmering gently under the lamplight .
Owen asked . “ Are you working on that piece of stone ? “ .
Afia nodded . “ Yeah . ”
With a mouthful of pie , Aria’s voice came out slightly muffled , carrying an unexpected warmth that softened her usual aloof tone .
AD