Chapter 599

Grace Lorenz stopped in her tracks.

She looked at Evelyn Ross, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "What did you just say?"

Evelyn's lips curved slightly. She was about to explain her identity when a cold, hard voice cut her off.

"Forensic Examiner Lorenz."

A young man in a black uniform blocked their path, flanked by two officers from the Special Operations Division. His expression was stern, his gaze sharp as it swept over Evelyn before settling on Grace's face. "The archives are a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are strictly prohibited. You know the rules."

Grace frowned.

The man didn't wait for her reply. His eyes shifted back to Evelyn, his tone scrutinizing. "Or does Forensic Examiner Lorenz believe that with Mr. Wright's backing, she can ignore departmental discipline and bring outsiders into core areas at will?"

He paused, his voice turning colder. "Without proper approval procedures, I have the right to report this."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

From interrogating Nicole Sterling to entering the archives, Grace had indeed taken shortcuts.

Although the Special Operations Division was managed by the Wright family, rules were rules. Especially for personnel on the official roster, they had to lead by example. If the Sterling Family weren't so mysterious, and conventional methods couldn't pry open Nicole's mouth, she wouldn't have put Grace in this difficult position.

However...

Evelyn's fingertips lightly brushed against the phone in her pocket.

Just now in the archives, she had glimpsed that roster. Her name was clearly listed. If push came to shove, she could simply reveal her identity.

As she was thinking, Grace stepped forward, shielding her.

"First, Ms. Ross is a victim in this case. She has the right to know if Nicole Sterling is connected to Susan Langley's case." Grace's voice was calm but carried undeniable force. "Second, I obtained Mr. Wright's approval before bringing Ms. Ross into the archives."

The man—Leo Wright—snorted. "Approval? Show me the written document."

Grace's expression remained unchanged. She pulled out her phone, called up a photo, and held it before Leo's eyes.

"See for yourself."

Evelyn glanced sideways.

It was a screenshot of an electronic approval form. Mr. Wright's personal seal was stamped at the bottom, dated today.

Her lips curved upward.

She had worried unnecessarily. Grace always adhered to the rules. She wouldn't truly violate procedures.

Leo stared at the screen for a few seconds. His face darkened, but he remained unwilling to concede. "Even with approval, the Special Operations Division isn't your family's private property. Who gave you permission to casually approve outsiders entering core areas?"

Grace retrieved her phone, her tone indifferent. "I followed the special application procedure. Mr. Wright personally approved it. If you have objections, you can take them directly to him."

Leo was left speechless.

Grace ignored him further. She took Evelyn's arm and turned to leave.

Only after they had left the archive area did Grace lower her voice. "See? This place isn't exactly peaceful either. The Wright family has managed the Special Operations Division for so many years. There are plenty of people who are jealous. The Wright family is one of them. That Leo Wright just now—his father is my grandfather's deputy. He's always wanted to climb higher."

Evelyn understood.

Mr. Wright's reluctance to retire was blocking someone else's path.

Grace's father's unwillingness to take over the Special Operations Division might also stem from weariness with this kind of scheming. Being a pure forensic examiner was more freeing.

The two reached the entrance of the Special Operations Division building.

Grace stopped and looked at Evelyn. "Don't feel burdened. The exception today was made because the arrest target was Nicole Sterling. My grandfather is very interested in the Sterling Family, so he gave special approval. Also..."

She paused, her tone serious. "Can I record the information you provided about the Sterling Family in the department's files? We need to monitor such mysterious families."

Evelyn nodded. "Yes."

The matter of the Sterling Family was never hers alone.

That family was too bizarre. Co-opting the five major families of New York wasn't enough. Now they were targeting the Castillo family. Their ambition was unsettling. Something big must be hidden behind it all.

She was Chinese.

Between the Sterling Family and China, she would always choose the latter.

The two said goodbye at the entrance.

Grace had to return to interrogate Susan Langley. Evelyn headed toward the parking lot.

Alexander Vance's car was parked quietly there.

She opened the door and got in, glancing back at the unremarkable small building.

Gray-white exterior walls, ordinary glass doors. A plaque hung on the door with the words "Special Operations Office."

Low-key. Mysterious.

Evelyn withdrew her gaze and closed the car door.

Alexander turned his head to look at her. "Nicole Sterling left just now, looking quite smug. What are your plans?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes, silent for a moment.

"Let's do a DNA test tomorrow."

A flicker passed through Alexander's eyes. "You've changed your mind?"

"It's not that I changed my mind." Evelyn looked out the window. "It's that Mr. Castillo seems convinced I'm his granddaughter. Since I don't know who my grandfather is anyway, there's no harm in trying."

Alexander didn't reply immediately.

A brief silence fell in the car.

Evelyn sensed his unusual demeanor and turned to him. "Did you think of something?"

Alexander met her gaze. A certain emotion flashed deep in his eyes.

He spoke slowly, his voice low. "It's just a feeling... you might really be."

Evelyn was taken aback.

A feeling?

Alexander was never one to act on intuition.

She wanted to ask more, but Alexander had already started the car.

The engine hummed softly as the car slowly pulled away from the Special Operations Office.

Evelyn leaned back in her seat, watching the streets recede rapidly outside the window. But Alexander's words echoed repeatedly in her mind.

Might really be...

What if it were true?

She closed her eyes, her fingers unconsciously tightening.

Tomorrow, everything would have an answer.