Just as Harvey's fury was about to explode, Asean—who was the second person scheduled for questioning—sat quietly behind the partition, pulled out his phone, and began typing a message.
"Holy crap, Young Master Lancaster! That Caden Voss guy is insane—he's got the Davenport Group backing him! He beat those thugs to a pulp, sent them all to the hospital, and yet he's totally fine! The deputy chief just gave the order—he's being released!"
The message had barely been sent when a reply came through.
Just two words: "Wait there."
Asean silently slipped the phone back into his pocket and waited.
Up front, Caden Voss wore a smug expression, eyes brimming with amusement as he stared at Harvey. "Looks like you lost the bet, huh?"
Even with the deputy chief standing right there, he still had that cocky, teasing tone.
To be fair, Caden had already made the call before walking into the station. With the influence behind him, getting out was just a matter of formality. No big deal.
Besides, what did he have to fear?
So he was getting released?
She still couldn't hold him?
Harvey clenched her fists, the fury in her chest threatening to boil over. For some reason, maybe because of how punchable Caden Voss's face looked right now, her mind flashed to Veil—and her anger doubled.
But just then, a commotion erupted outside the office. The door opened, and in walked a middle-aged man in plain clothes.
"What's going on here? All this noise—this how your precinct handles business?" The man's voice was low and cold, his presence commanding. His eyes swept across the room, sharp and unquestionable.
Harvey, ever the straight-arrow, instantly perked up like she'd just seen her savior. Without hesitation, she launched into a rapid summary of what had happened.
The deputy chief's face paled. He hadn't expected this—not in a million years. The Director of the City Bureau of Veyport, here, unannounced? Dressed in plain clothes for a surprise inspection?
That kind of thing almost never happened!
And there hadn't even been the faintest warning beforehand!
"Sir… technically, Mr. Caden Voss was acting in self-defense. He just… used a bit too much force," the deputy chief mumbled nervously.
The Director snorted. "Self-defense or not, the procedures still apply. If he needs to be detained for a few days, so be it. And the compensation? That's a given."
Then, turning to Harvey, he gave a rare nod of approval. "Good work, young lady. That's how an officer should be—righteous and impartial. Not like some people, just filling a seat and ducking their heads all day."
With one final glare at the deputy chief, the Director turned and walked out.
Just like that—swift and decisive.
Caden Voss sat in stunned silence, feeling like reality had just played a cruel joke on him.
What the hell was that?
An undercover inspection?
Seriously?! All that just for him?!
No way that was a coincidence.
Someone had to be pulling strings behind the scenes.
Victor. That little bastard again?!
His fists clenched under the table. Rage simmered in his chest, his whole body itching with frustration.
Meanwhile, Asean in the back took out his phone again, quickly typing another message.
"Young Master Lancaster, that Voss kid is seriously screwed. The deputy chief was just about to let him go, and then BAM! Surprise inspection from upstairs. Now he's not getting one night—he's getting held for several days!"
…
Elsewhere, at Veyport University… inside the faculty apartment.
"Hngh…"
Lying face-down on the futon, Carlin flinched as a warm hand pressed against her lower back.
She sucked in a breath sharply, her voice low and trembling.
"Big Brother Veil… your hand… it's in the wrong place…"
...
Ding!
Destiny's Favored One, Caden Voss, has lost 500 destiny points. Congratulations to the host for obtaining +10,000 Villain Points!
The system's notification rang in Veil's mind as he glanced at the message Asean had just sent him. A chuckle escaped his lips.
Well, since he's already been arrested, he might as well enjoy his stay for a few days.
That worked out just fine—it gave Veil the time he needed to take care of his next plans.
As for why the chief of the city's central police bureau had personally shown up?
Wasn't it obvious?
Of course, it was because he had made the call.
He hadn't needed Asean's real-time updates. The moment Harvey took Caden away, Veil had already reached out to his connections.
Didn't know the chief personally? Hadn't met him before?
Didn't matter.
Connections didn't require face-to-face meetings. Word of mouth and a few favors were more than enough to make things happen.
If he were to rely on Harvey alone? That girl would've probably gotten so pissed off she'd just let Caden go out of spite.
...
"Veil… Big Brother Veil…"
Lying face down on the futon, Carlin's voice trembled slightly with embarrassment.
She could clearly feel a palm resting on her lower back—and frankly, it was straying a bit too low.
"You… your hand… it's in the wrong place…"
"Hm?" Veil played dumb, putting his phone away and glancing at where his hand was resting. He gave her backside a playful squeeze before quickly lifting his hand.
"Ah—sorry about that. Got distracted thinking about something. Didn't mean to take advantage."
"N-no, it's okay…" Carlin's cheeks flushed red as she mumbled, "I should be the one saying sorry. You've been so busy all day, and you still came all the way here just to give me acupuncture… I must've interrupted your work, right?"
Veil smiled faintly. The real reason he hadn't come earlier in the day was to avoid suspicion.
He didn't want Caden Voss noticing any ties between him and Asean.
But Carlin clearly didn't think that way. She knew how busy Veil was—yet here he was, late into the night, just to treat her legs.
How could her heart not be moved by that?
If she wants to misunderstand, so be it.
Veil could see the little flutter in her eyes. He didn't mind being misunderstood.
He casually waved it off. "Doesn't matter. Yeah, I've been busy—but your legs can't wait. No matter how packed my schedule is, I'd still make time for you."
"Veil…" Carlin's voice grew softer as her blush deepened.
Veil sat beside the bed, tilting his head. "What is it?"
Carlin hesitated, then shook her head. "It's nothing. Just forget it."
God, what am I even thinking? she scolded herself internally.
She'd almost asked Veil if he liked touching girls' butts. And if he did—
What then? Offer mine up?! Are you stupid?!
She mentally slapped herself, cheeks burning even hotter.
Just then, Lyra stepped into the room. Dressed in a simple white T-shirt and a black pencil skirt, she adjusted her glasses and glanced at Carlin, whose forehead was damp with sweat.
"Acupuncture all done?" she asked with a smile.
Veil nodded. "Just finished. Good thing there was an empty room here—otherwise we'd still be on the road heading back."
Lyra gave him a sidelong look, a teasing glint in her eye.
"Veil, I went out of my way to give you a heads-up, but it seems like you didn't take my words to heart, hmm?"
Her voice was gentle, but her tone carried weight. "I specifically told you last night that today's Monday, didn't I? Don't tell me you forgot what day it is. Caden Voss already made his debut on campus, and here you are, showing up at night."
"I got held up by something," Veil replied with a half-smile. "But going by your logic, I guess I'll have to catch up to this Caden Voss guy."
Funny guy… he thought to himself.
Caden's probably spending the night in a detention cell right now—who knows how long they'll keep him locked up?
Lyra smirked. "That's more like it. Since you admit your mistake, I'll let it slide."
She turned toward Carlin, her voice filled with concern. "I heard Jayz confessed to you again today?"
The university campus wasn't large. News spread like wildfire.
A single whisper could turn into a full-blown story within hours.
Carlin nodded. "I told him no—clearly. But he doesn't seem to be giving up."
Lyra sighed. "You need to be careful. If your parents can't pick you up at night, just let me know. I'll take you home myself."
She wasn't just overthinking things—Jayz's reputation preceded him.
He and a few other rich kids were known around Veyport as the 'Four Young Lords.' The trouble they stirred up could fill volumes.
Lyra had heard more than her share of horror stories—some too vile to even repeat.
Originally, she'd thought Jayz's interest in Carlin was just a passing fancy, maybe even part of some twisted bet with his buddies.
But now? A second confession, and in public?
This was getting serious.
Jayz had a long history of using dirty tricks—threatening girls using their parents' jobs, forcing them into submission, then abandoning them afterward. One girl had even been pressured into an abortion.
"Really? I never heard anything like that…" Carlin's voice trembled as she pulled her legs in, fear evident in her eyes.
"That's because you keep to yourself too much," Lyra said solemnly. "You barely talk to anyone, so you miss out on the gossip."
She gave Carlin's forehead a gentle poke. "Don't be scared. Maybe it's just rumors—like I said, I never saw it firsthand. But if you're nervous, I'll take you home."
"Ahem…"
Veil cleared his throat, resting his fist near his mouth. He glanced sideways at them, then quickly looked away, coughing again.
Lyra's eyes sparkled with mischief. She felt an urge to tease. "Got a cold? I've got medicine, you know."
"Stop teasing him," Carlin interjected, flustered. "He's just being kind."
She turned to Veil, her eyes full of worry. "You're not seriously planning to take me home yourself, are you? Don't you have work to do?"
Veil shrugged. "I can't let her take you. She can't even protect herself."
"True," Lyra laughed, recalling how she and Veil had first met. "You've got a point."
After a bit more back-and-forth, they finally agreed—Veil would be the one to take Carlin home.
Pushing her lightweight electric wheelchair barely required any effort.
With one hand resting on the handle, Veil wheeled her down the road toward her family's noodle shop.
They chatted along the way—about everything and nothing.
Carlin, usually so quiet, was suddenly full of life, chirping like a songbird.
And Veil? He answered her every word with patient interest, not a trace of annoyance on his face.
But as they reached the street near the noodle shop, Carlin's cheerful voice faltered.
She saw a crowd gathered up ahead—right outside her home.
Through the gaps in the crowd, she could just make out the broken chairs and overturned folding tables.
Her face went pale in an instant.