2026-02-14 14:07:15
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25
"That incident became a wound buried deep in your heart," Michael said. "And because of it, when you grew up, you chose to become a police officer. You've spent your whole life chasing control and order with almost obsessive determination."Ashley stared at him without speaking."Every time you try to help me," Michael continued, "every time you try to drag me back onto what you think is the right path, you're not saving me."He stepped closer, leaning toward her just enough that only she could hear his next words."You're trying to make up for your childhood regrets."His voice dropped even lower."You're trying to save that powerless little girl you used to be."Ashley's body stiffened.She staggered backward until her shoulders struck the side of the mobile command vehicle. For a moment, she nearly lost her balance.Her face was drained of color. Her breathing became shallow. Disbelief filled her eyes.He was right. Every word of it.As she looked at Michael, she finally understood
24
The audio in the video was crystal clear.Young Michael's voice filled the mobile command vehicle as he passionately delivered his argument from the debate stage."We believe that under any circumstances, the dignity of the law must be protected."His voice was steady and confident."Because due process is justice made visible. It is the final barrier between the powerless and the powerful."The audience in the lecture hall listened attentively.Michael continued. "If we destroy due process in pursuit of so-called 'justice in the outcome,' then how are we any different from the very abuses we claim to oppose?"He paused.His eyes swept across the crowd before settling firmly ahead.Then he delivered his conclusion."Therefore, we firmly believe—""Due process must come before everything else."The video ended abruptly.Silence filled the command vehicle.Ashley and Lorenzo slowly turned toward Michael.Both wore complicated expressions.The glow from the monitor illuminated half of hi
23
Michael’s voice echoed clearly through a hidden microphone in the chaotic auction hall.It was the declaration of a judge delivering his verdict.The entire venue fell silent.Every eye was fixed on the painting displayed on the stage. Then their attention shifted, to the frantic reporters, the shocking accusations made by the “Audience,” and finally to Ivan, whose face had gone completely pale.It was a disaster.A carefully orchestrated trial had become a complete farce.The “Audience,” hidden somewhere in the shadows, had spent months laying the groundwork for this moment. Every clue, every setup, every piece of evidence had been carefully arranged.And Michael had shattered it all in public with a move even more ruthless and direct.For the first time, the hunter had been outplayed.A few seconds of silence passed.Then a harsh burst of static exploded through the venue’s sound system.The noise was sharp and unpleasant, carrying the fury of someone who had just been publicly humi
22
Ashley’s breathing hitched slightly as she asked, “What’s your plan?”Michael’s lips curled into a cold, crooked smile. “It’s simple,” he said. “He prepared a fake… so I’ll prepare another one.”Ashley frowned. “Another fake?”“A fake of a fake,” Michael replied calmly. “The one he made is meant to expose the truth. Mine has only one purpose.blur the line between what’s real and what isn’t.”He stepped closer, voice lowering.“I’ll use a perfect replica to replace the one he planted ahead of time. When he proudly plays his ‘reveal’ video and the experts come up to authenticate the painting… they’ll find that the evidence.” he paused, the smile deepening, "...is genuine.”Ashley’s eyes widened.His carefully staged trial would collapse into a farce. He would accuse Ivan of forgery, only for the physical evidence to prove otherwise. In an instant, he’d go from a righteous judge to a sensationalist slanderer in front of everyone.The plan was bold. Reckless. Borderline illegal.Ashley’s
21
The ballroom of one of Los Angeles’ most exclusive luxury hotels glittered like a jewel box.Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like miniature galaxies, scattering light across the polished marble floor and the carefully composed faces of the city’s elite, faces painted with polite smiles and social niceties.Tonight was the annual “Heart of White” Charity Gala.And the event had reached its emotional peak.Liam White, the city’s most celebrated philanthropist, stood at the center of a red velvet stage, microphone in hand.His voice was rich, warm, and perfectly controlled as he recounted one heartbreaking poverty-relief story after another.Every pause was deliberate. Every emotional beat calculated.The audience listened, deeply moved. Some dabbed at the corners of their eyes.Applause swelled again and again. No one in the room knew that the “rescued children” he spoke of were nothing more than statistics, fabricated symbols used to launder vast sums of money.Hidden in plain sight,
20
Lorenzo’s words landed like a bucket of ice water dumped over everyone’s head.The room fell quiet. They were no longer dealing with criminals like William, people whose motives could still be explained through ordinary psychology or greed.The actions of the so-called “Audience” had escalated into something else entirely, something that threatened the symbolic foundations of the entire city.And Michael’s response, tt sounded just as unhinged. Ashley didn’t answer right away. She kept staring at her phone screen.Those three names sat there like weights pressing against her chest.Logic told her Lorenzo was right. This was reckless, a gamble with their careers, their reputations, and the credibility of the whole department.But her instincts, the instincts that made her one of the best detectives in the city, were screaming.She couldn’t forget the way Michael had controlled the situation on the subway platform.She couldn’t forget the kind of dangerous “weapon” she herself had autho
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