Aria scanned the police officers standing across from her. Something felt profoundly wrong. Standard procedure dictated that officers ask questions, not issue immediate commands. Clearly, these two, along with Carol Dames, were targeting her."We've never prescribed any medicine, officers. We have records of our livestream, and I can show them to you!" explained Georgina, who was panicking as she stood in front of Aria. One of the officers snapped, "Don't touch me! Interfere again, and you're coming with us too! You're running a stream where you give out incorrect medical advice, and you have the audacity to act innocent?"The officers hadn't conducted a single inquiry, yet they were hurling accusations. Heartbound Hall's stream would surely meet its demise if this wasn't dealt with.Aria's gaze darkened. She reassured Georgina and addressed the officers, "You claim to be police officers. I'd like to see your badges and have confirmation that your bodyworn cameras are recording."
Joel hurriedly stepped forward to support Georgina, his gaze on Aria throughout. "Dr. Carver, are you okay?"If Aria had gotten beat up, his superiors would surely castigate him to no end. They'd entrusted him with the responsibility of watching over her, yet this had happened to her. Joel felt bitterness fill his mouth as he racked his brain for how to explain this after returning to Elmer. Aria shook her head. "They claim to be officers who are merely doing their jobs.""Police officers, you say? Where are your badges?" Joel turned his gaze toward the uniforms both officers were wearing. The officers didn't take the short and portly Joel, who had arrived on an electric motorcycle seriously. One of them said, "This isn't your place to speak on her behalf, so stand aside!"No one had ever dared to speak to Joel that way during his many years in the workforce. "What's your name?""Do you not understand human language?" The other officer rudely brandished the electric baton he
Lucas reacted differently. He'd served in the army before. With his relatively young age—just in his late 30s—he had come to Southbury to gain more experience. He didn't expect to encounter such a situation in this modest alley, but he wasn't panicking. He even saw this as an opportunity to learn about the internal workings of Southbury, so he kept silent throughout.He could only be so calm because of his position in the city hall, which gave him some confidence. What surprised him was the disregard exhibited by Aria; it was as if nothing could affect her."I can come with you, sure." Aria was still smiling, almost evilly. "But take her with you too."She tilted her chin up somewhat, and her gaze fell on Carol, who was trying to sneak away. The police officers looked at each other in confusion. The officer who'd called for reinforcements hadn't mentioned Carol at all. Aria bit on her candy. "What? Do you do things differently based on who you're dealing with? There are 100,00
"Yes, Chief Thompson. I've committed everything you said to memory—only the two of us will know about this. I won't keep you any longer, Chief Thompson. Thank you, thank you!" Karen ended the call with a grin on her face and headed to Kent Group excitedly.Marshall was surprised to learn the news. "Did the country bumpkins she calls relatives really assault a police officer?""I know, right? And they were very arrogant about it." Karen found the situation laughable. "They must have no basic legal knowledge at all."Karen need not worry now. She had already arranged everything, meaning Aria would probably receive a sentence. She had only wanted Aria to suffer. However, things got blown out of proportion. Aria would likely face jail time.Marshall considered it for a while. "Tell Chief Thompson not to overdo it. The authorities are meticulous when it comes to background checks. Just ensure that she has a criminal record so that we can take the streaming account from her. Nothing mo
Aria stated, "The law mandates that a violent or coercive interrogation can lead to imprisonment for up to three years or criminal detention."Sherman's gaze snapped toward Aria. Aria casually added, "I advise you not to act rashly."Sherman was surprised. "Do you possess legal knowledge?""Typically, interrogations require two officers," Aria explained. "One takes notes while the other questions the suspect." She locked eyes with him. "You're alone. Haven't you considered the consequences if something goes wrong?"Aria seemed able to bewitch him with his voice and her persuasiveness. Sherman was already wavering. He'd been briefed on the case beforehand. The suspects were arrested by auxiliary police officers, whose bodyworn cameras inexplicably remained off the entire time.It was illegal, but one of them was a distant relative of Kreil Thompson, the chief of Waterfront Police Station. Aria wasn't wrong. If anything happened, he would bear the brunt of it due to his role a
A big group of people were waiting in the city hall's lobby. Lucas was not the average secretary one might see around, not to mention how he was a member of the Murray family. Everyone who knew enough would know what that name entailed. Almost everyone from all departments of the city hall was present, waiting for their new head to start a meeting. Even the streets seemed tidier these past two days.Time stretched on, but no official car arrived. Frances Yaeger, however, remained unfazed. He had refilled his thermal flask with a fresh brew of tea several times as he waited. Finally, a car pulled up, but it was speeding, which was completely out of character for Lucas' usual driving style.Confusion creased Frances' brow as the driver emerged. "Excuse me," the man addressed the crowd, "is Frances Yaeger here?""Yes, that's me. Is there anything you need with? You can take your time explaining." Frances recognized him. "Aren't you Mr. Murray's bodyguard?" Even though Frances c
Waterfront Police Station would indeed be capable of such actions. While they wouldn't risk it for major crimes, minor cases like Aria's could be a source of easy money.After Sherman left, another officer entered. This officer, a man named Larson Tanner, was slippery and thus more difficult to deal with. He paid the other two men present no heed, merely saying to Aria, "Streamers like you should also follow the rules and obey the laws. "Have you seen any famous doctors treat patients online? The Short family has the best doctors in Southbury, yet they'd never disregard other human lives like you!"Aria said coolly, "The biggest hospitals in the country, as well as the hospitals for the military, have already started their telehealth operations a long time ago. The doctors who treat patients online are also experts from various departments. "This is so patients won't need to travel to and from the hospitals, thus saving unnecessary costs. The Short family hasn't started to treat
Lucas said coolly, "Are you telling us to bribe you?" He knew that a lot of things went on behind the scenes in Southbury, but not that these people would be so blatant when insinuating these acts. Frances had told him on the phone the previous night about how Southbury was now without these problems. Lucas clenched his fists. He'd say a thorough investigation was necessary if anyone asked about the matter. Larson said nonchalantly, "With how you accused a police officer of insinuating bribery, I think there's no need for an interrogation."He set his pen down and looked straight at the three of them. They were quite difficult to deal with, and Larson wouldn't manage to get anything out of them even after nightfall if the three of them stayed together. His gaze fell on Aria—his target. He thought a young woman like her wouldn't be able to handle a hands-on interrogation. And so he said, "She's coming with me—alone!"Joel immediately realized what he was planning. Larson wante