The female prisoner stared wide-eyed, having witnessed Ann Vaughn’s tactics just now. Even if she was foolish, she didn’t dare underestimate her anymore, her mind filled with fear. They must be crazy to think this woman is easy to bully!! "Don’t come at me, I... It’s not my business, don’t target me..." Before she could finish her sentence, the domineering female prisoner who had bullied countless people in prison fainted on the spot. Ann Vaughn was about to retract the Golden Needle when suddenly a strong arm from behind encircled her neck and tightened heavily! The Inspectorate General’s car arrived outside the station, and the Alfa Romeo immediately hid deep within a lane. Kenny held a telescope, watching Director Carleton covered in a brown leather coat entering the station, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "He’s inside." Kenny said to the sulking Spade J in the corner, opened the laptop, and hacked into the station’s surveillance. On the screen, Carleton had already reached outside the temporary detention room holding Ann Vaughn. The interrogator and patrolman playing cards outside immediately stood up and approached. "Director Carleton, you’re..." Before the interrogator could finish his sentence, Carleton slapped him fiercely, nearly knocking him to the ground. "Blockhead! What do I pay you for?!" Carleton’s tone was violent, completely different from his courteous demeanor on the phone. One slap wasn’t enough; he kicked the interrogator attempting to stand back into his seat. "I told you to be discreet, don’t leave any traces or evidence, and you can’t even manage such a small task—a bunch of worthless fools!" With every insult Carleton hurled, he swung the briefcase in his hand forcefully at the interrogator and patrolman’s faces, showing no mercy. In just a few minutes, their faces were bruised and swollen, painful to the touch. Seeing Carleton about to continue, the interrogator immediately clutched his leg, "Director Carleton, please calm down, we really have erased all traces as you instructed, the road surveillance is destroyed, there’s truly nothing left to accuse us of!!" Carleton kicked him aside, face full of rage, "Your idea of no evidence is having your crimes presented to the Federal Bureau, forcing me to thoroughly investigate this matter?!" "Listen, you trash, if this incident even remotely implicates me, I’ll ensure none of you see tomorrow’s sun, understand!" "Now, immediately bring Mrs. Hawthorne out. If she has so much as a scratch, you all—" Carleton’s words were abruptly interrupted by a voice. "Director Carleton, I’m the lawyer Mr. Hawthorne sent to take Mrs. Hawthorne away. Can I take her now?" The lawyer, dressed in a maroon suit, stood with two Hidden Guards, having waited here for a while. "Of course." Carleton forced a smile, "I’ll have someone bring Mrs. Hawthorne out right away." "No need, we’ll go ourselves." The lawyer said, leading the Hidden Guards towards the detention room. Carleton’s assistant behind him immediately showed displeasure, "This is a restricted area, how can they just enter freely?" As soon as the assistant spoke, Carleton slapped his face heavily. "Shut up! Are you wishing me dead at the hands of those Federal people?!" The assistant clutched his face, too terrified to speak, utterly confused about how this incident involved the Federal Bureau. The moment the detention room door opened, everyone’s expressions changed simultaneously. Aside from the two incapacitated female prisoners on the ground, there was a third person lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. Ann Vaughn’s throat burned from being strangled by her arm, her face flushed purple, the oxygen in her lungs growing more scarce, breathing out more than she took in... Suddenly, the arm strangling her neck loosened abruptly, and Ann Vaughn was freed from her captivity. Follow current novels on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁 "Cough, cough cough cough—" Ann Vaughn coughed heavily, taking deep breaths of fresh air, her brain dizzy from prolonged oxygen deprivation. The Hidden Guards promptly lifted her up, patting her back while apologizing, "Sorry, Young Madam, we startled you." Ann Vaughn shook her head with difficulty, "It’s not your fault. In fact, it’s me who dragged you into running around for me." That package of wooden flowers was targeted at her from the start. It wasn’t initially in the car but was placed by the patrolmen during their search. When destiny calls, who can easily evade? The lawyer noticed the red and swollen marks on Ann Vaughn’s right foot and neck, turning to Carleton who followed them in, his brows furrowed, "Director Carleton, is this how you treat Mrs. Hawthorne? Torture and forced confession?" Carleton’s expression was grim, even though from the beginning he had instructed his subordinates to be as ruthless as possible. "I’ll thoroughly investigate this matter, don’t worry, Merck." "Only an investigation?" Merck sneered, "Director Carleton, do you not realize, the damage your subordinates have caused to Mrs. Hawthorne’s reputation? Oh, let’s add two more charges, intentional injury and attempted murder." Without waiting for Carleton’s response, Merck continued, "Director Carleton is about to be promoted, making such a grave mistake at this critical juncture isn’t ideal, is it?" "Merck, what do you want then?" Carleton suppressed his anger, inwardly cursing those inept fools. It just so happened Cyrus Hawthorne sent his ironclad lawyer, Merck Wilson, undefeated in the industry. Facing him on the court, there’s only losing. "That depends on how sincere Director Carleton is." Merck said unwaveringly. What it means to invite trouble and struggle to send it away—this is it. Carleton personally escorted Ann Vaughn and Merck into the car, then watched them leave. Ann Vaughn had heard of Director Carleton’s notorious reputation, known to be a downright violent man, his methods ruthless and malicious, climbing to Inspector General in just a few years. But upon meeting today... she found him flexible and adaptable, indeed a character. He beat the interrogator and patrolman, and it was more than just venting personal anger? That was clearly meant to be seen by Merck. Otherwise, today’s situation wasn’t going to end well. "Madam, I’ll first take you to Mr. Hawthorne’s residence in X Country, so you can rest. Tomorrow I’ll accompany you to the airport." Merck, dropping his aggressive stance from earlier, spoke amiably. Ann Vaughn placed an ice pack on her face, given by the Hidden Guards, and curious asked, "Cyrus Hawthorne is probably on a plane now. How did he know I got arrested?" "He didn’t know, just..." Merck chuckled, "Before leaving, he called me and said if anything unexpected happened to you here, I should handle it, and if I couldn’t, then contact the Federal Bureau."