CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 227: CALL ME HUSBAND, AND ALL OF KINGSFORD IS AT YOUR COMMAND

Evan furrowed his brows at her words.

Juliana Jacobs said, "Once I sign, it means I’m admitting to being ’suspected of a crime.’ The cause of the explosion hasn’t even been figured out. I’m just here to cooperate with the investigation; why should I accept such a disguised ’charge’?"

Evan was momentarily surprised by her words, but his tone quickly became anxious.

"Now is not the time to be stubborn. By signing, at least you’ll gain your freedom and can leave here to plan your next moves. Stubbornly staying behind does you no good."

Juliana didn’t argue with him; she merely smiled faintly and then looked away.

Seeing her stubborn demeanor, Evan was about to lose his temper when Quinn Shepherd walked in from outside.

Seeing him, Quinn displayed a formulaic smile, "So, President Grant is also here, what a pleasant surprise."

Evan knew Elias Langley had arrived and half-narrowed his eyes, not believing Elias could persuade this obstinate woman.

So, he replied with a forced smile, "Are you here to face rejection too, Secretary Shepherd?"

Quinn’s smile didn’t change, and his tone was as calm as if discussing the weather.

"President Grant, you’re kidding. I’m just an ordinary citizen passing by, witnessing some irregularities, and here to speak a few fair words."

He then turned his gaze to the leading officer, still maintaining that calm demeanor.

"Captain Wallace, we all know that formally requesting a citizen to cooperate with an investigation, especially when it involves restricting their freedom, requires strict internal procedures and approvals. That’s the basic principle, right?"

The leading officer’s eyes flickered for a moment but immediately regained his composure, "Of course."

Quinn lowered his voice a bit, making it more imposing.

"But I just learned that the procedures you’re following can’t be approved."

His words were like a binding spell, making the leading officer’s body go rigid.

Bringing Juliana Jacobs to the police station was originally under someone’s directive, and the real reason was utterly irregular.

Given Quinn’s identity, since he said so, the approval certainly wouldn’t go through.

Under immense pressure, cold sweat instantly drenched the leading officer’s back.

"Secretary Shepherd, I’m just a minor figure, you understand."

Though his words weren’t explicit, Quinn nodded understandingly, "Turning back at the brink is the best way to handle things."

The leading officer understood instantly and dared not hope to take anyone to the interrogation room for biological sample collection anymore.

"Miss Jacobs, it was a misunderstanding, you may leave now."

Juliana’s gaze swept over the officer’s ashen face, then over Evan’s complex expression, with a hint of self-mockery in her eyes.

She was like an object, brought here with much fanfare and released just as casually. From beginning to end, what decided her fate wasn’t the truth but a power game beyond her reach.

Outside, in the parking lot, inside a red flag car.

Vice Director Wyatt was forced to sit in the back seat, his anger unabated.

"My son is dead, Juliana Jacobs is the murderer! Don’t think you can cover up the law with power."

Elias Langley chuckled leisurely, "Vice Director Wyatt, how have you also learned the ways of a street shrew, splashing dirty water on others instead of admitting your own issues?"

"What... what do you mean?" Vice Director Wyatt shrank back a bit.

Elias threw a file folder onto his lap.

"These are all the gambling debts and high-interest loans your son owed before his death, as well as a recent transfer voucher. We restored his phone data through technical means and intercepted this conversation..."

Vice Director Wyatt looked at the dialogue box screenshot printed in the photo, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

And Elias’s voice continued.

"...The other party promised to pay off his debts, on the condition that he cause an explosion during the Aetherflame New Energy battery test, resulting in Juliana Jacobs getting injured. The surveillance recorded his actions during the test entirely; the pictures you see are screenshots of the scenes at that time."

The iron-clad evidence instantly deflated Vice Director Wyatt’s arrogance.

"This..." He grasped the critical point, "It says here that he only wanted Juliana injured, not dead. Juliana shouldn’t have killed him!"

Elias laughed coldly.

"Intending to cause a minor incident, he ended up reaping what he sowed due to his ignorance of new materials. His diploma was bought by you, his gambling habits were indulged by you, and now that he’s burned himself, you blame others. Vice Director Wyatt, you’re truly a ’spotless’ father."

Vice Director Wyatt’s face turned from green to white.

Elias didn’t bother wasting time with someone like him.

"To maintain your dignity, there’s only one path left for you: cooperate with the authorities for an impartial accident appraisal, or if I intervene, none will escape unscathed, living or dead."

Vice Director Wyatt stood still for several seconds, clenching the folder, gritting his teeth, "I know what I need to do."

He stumbled out of the car, just in time to see Juliana Jacobs exiting the police station.

Their eyes met, and Vice Director Wyatt snorted, raised his head arrogantly, and re-entered the station.

Juliana walked calmly to the car, opened the door, and sat inside.

Elias Langley lounged with his legs crossed in the back seat, tapping his knee with his fingers, his expression as serene as ever.

"Did they trouble you?"

Juliana replied, "Quinn arrived quickly and didn’t give them the chance."

Elias nodded.

She quietly watched his profile, and sensing something, he turned his head, "What do you want to ask?"

"I’m wondering... how you got here step by step?"

His gaze darkened slightly, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Juliana lowered her eyes, revealing a rare vulnerability in them.

"Sometimes... I also wish to wield a blade, to make all of you fear me and heed my words."

Elias turned, gently brushing his fingers over her cheek.

"Why wield the blade yourself? I’m always your trump card. Call me ’husband,’ and the entire Kingsford will be at your command."

Juliana’s lashes trembled lightly, her nose turned sour, and she suddenly leaned in to hug his neck, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Elias..."

The man held her steadily, stroking her back gently with his palm.

"I’m here. Whenever you need me, I’m always here."

He tightened his embrace and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Quinn got back in the car, seeing the two embraced quietly, immediately averted his gaze, sat properly in the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, and reported, "Mason Sheridan bribed people inside, but it’s all been dealt with."

Juliana sniffled, trying to pull away from his embrace, but the man held her even tighter against his chest.

Having no choice, she stayed nestled against him, asking dully, "Who directed Leo Wyatt? And why was Mason Sheridan so determined to have me imprisoned? Why are they all targeting me?"

Casually twirling her hair ends with his fingers, Elias replied calmly.

"It’s the Langley Family’s internal strife. To outsiders, you’re seen as Jared Langley’s fiancée, so inevitably, you’re drawn into these schemes."

He said, while gazing down at her.

"So when do you plan to end your connection with my nephew?"