Chapter 65: Clue
Kayla didn’t press further; she knew that she wouldn’t get any more useful information.
“I understand. Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Poppy. We’ll take our leave now.”
Poppy stood up, her long legs wrapped in leather pants striding toward the corner, and kicked Joelle, “Show our guests out.”
This was Dragon Alliance; without an insider’s guidance, no one could easily enter, let alone leave.
Joelle, after being kicked, cursed under his breath and got up to escort Kayla and Viola downstairs.
Once Kayla was in the car, gripping the steering wheel, her mind was still processing Poppy’s hint: a wealthy individual, a personal vendetta, Dragon Alliance, an assassin…
The fragmented clues were slowly coming together. Kayla felt a flash of insight, as if she had grasped a critical point.
Viola, meanwhile, exaggeratedly patted her chest, “I’m still alive… Kayla, you’ve got some nerve, openly provoking Poppy like that. She’s infamous for being a cold-blooded monster!”
The Dragon Alliance leader had seven main lieutenants, two of whom were his personal bodyguards. The remaining five managed Dragon Alliance branches on different continents. Poppy and Joelle were two of these lieutenants: Joelle led the assassin group, while Poppy was the top gunner.
When Kayla and Poppy were facing off earlier, Viola was terrified that Poppy would lose her temper and fire at Kayla. Thankfully, nothing bad happened.
Seeing Kayla silent for a long time, Viola asked, “What should we do now?”
“The clue is clear,” Kayla leaned back in her seat. “A wealthy person, a personal vendetta, Dragon Alliance weapons, a foreign assassin… all evidence points to one conclusion.”
Viola, being smart, immediately understood Kayla’s implication, “The employer is someone close to Ethaniel!”
If it were just a business rival, there’d be no need to kill Oliver. So, the answer was clear: the person who hired the hit wanted both Ethaniel and Oliver dead, aiming for the Lacroix Family inheritance.
“Kayla, we shouldn’t get involved in this,” Viola’s voice lowered. “The Lacroix Family’s internal strife is beyond our control. You’ve done enough for Ethaniel. Besides, he’s already returned to Tandoria. This matter is beyond your reach now.”
Kayla didn’t respond, but her face changed instantly.
Ethaniel must not return to Tandoria!
She immediately tried calling Ethaniel, but couldn’t reach him. Looking at Viola, she threw down her phone and started the car abruptly.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Viola was thrown against the seat by the sudden acceleration.
“To the airport,” Kayla said urgently.
If Ethaniel’s enemies could strike in Seatowne, it would be even more dangerous for him to return to Tandoria. She had to stop him!
“Kayla, didn’t you hear what I said? Even if you get to the airport, it’s no use. Slow down… you’re seriously speeding!”
By the time Kayla reached the airport, Ethaniel’s private jet had already left Seatowne.
“Sorry, Miss Green, Mr. Han’s plane has already left the Estrica region.”
Kayla felt drained, weakly stepping back, staring at the cloudy sky outside the glass window, “E… Ethaniel…”
“Kayla…” Viola, seeing her desolate state, didn’t know how to comfort her and could only weakly suggest, “Ethaniel surely has his own plans. The Lacroix Family feud has been ongoing for a long time. If he can become the chief heir, it means he can handle the trouble.”
…
The next day, Mick, expecting to see a disheartened Kayla, was surprised to find her in good spirits at the North District police station.
Concerned, Mick found an opportunity to ask, “Are you okay?”
Kayla gave him a strange look, “Do you want me to be not okay?”
“… Haha, no, I’m glad you’re fine.” Mick dared not mention Ethaniel, fearing a beating.
Kayla seemed oblivious to Mick’s thoughts, donning her police cap, “Mick, I’m heading out on patrol.”
“Alright, be safe.”
Not long after, Kayla’s car radio crackled to life.
Kayla pressed the call button, “This is Kayla.”
“Kayla, please return to headquarters immediately. Repeat, return to headquarters immediately.”
Though puzzled, Kayla complied, driving back to headquarters.
Upon returning, she noticed her colleagues’ odd looks, making her feel uneasy.
“You’re finally back.” Mick quickly led her to the major crimes unit. Opening the door, they were greeted by a youthful, smiling face.
“Kayla!” Clifton’s innocent face made Kayla sigh.
“What are you doing here? Lost again?”
“No,” Clifton grinned, “I missed you, so I came here!”
“Oh-” The colleagues made playful noises.
Annoyed by their teasing, Kayla glared, silencing them.
After shooing away the onlookers, Kayla looked at Clifton, starting to feel a headache, “Who brought you here?”
“Brady,” Clifton blinked, “I missed you. Breakfast soup, very good, for Kayla.”
Kayla noticed the thermos on the table. Clifton eagerly opened it, releasing a sweet, savory aroma.
“Soup, very good!” Clifton looked at Kayla expectantly.
Though knowing Brady’s intentions, Kayla couldn’t fault Clifton. To him, anyone who saved him and treated him well was someone he’d depend on.
Kayla smiled, “Alright, I’ll drink it.”
Clifton beamed, clumsily spooning out chicken and sea cucumber, watching Kayla eat with more joy than if he were eating himself.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
After Kayla finished, Clifton pulled a neatly folded handkerchief from his pocket, “Kayla, wipe your mouth.”
Kayla found it surprising that someone still used handkerchiefs these days… and this one looked quite expensive.
After wiping her mouth with the handkerchief, Clifton carefully put away the empty thermos.
Then, standing up with the thermos, he said, “Kayla, I’m leaving.”
“…” Kayla was taken aback.
“I… I…” Clifton tried to recall what Brady had taught him, “I won’t disturb you… tomorrow… I’ll bring more soup.”
Alright, they had switched to a long-term strategy.
Kayla admired Brady’s cunning. Clifton was innocent; she couldn’t refuse his kindness.
“Bye!” Though reluctant to leave Kayla, Clifton remembered Brady’s instructions:”After Kayla finishes the soup, leave immediately. Come back at the same time tomorrow, and she won’t drive you away.”
He had memorized it well.
Watching Clifton leave in a luxury car, Kayla returned to her office, only to be surrounded by curious colleagues bombarding her with questions.
“All of you, shut up! If you have time to pry into others’ personal lives, do you not have enough cases to work on?”
This silenced everyone, sending them scurrying back to their desks.
Mick sighed helplessly; with Ethaniel gone and a fool in his place… despite working closely with her, other men always seemed to get lucky.
Maybe… he should confess his feelings to her?