"What are you doing here?" "I lost something and was looking for it," Seraphina replied casually. "Just now, we told you to stop. Why didn't you? And why did you turn away and walk off the moment you saw us?" The older officer pressed, firing off his questions one after another. She frowned, an exasperated look crossing her face as she stared back at him. "Officer, could you please lower your gun? If there's an accidental discharge and I get shot, it would be a waste of a perfectly good life. I'm young, and I still have my whole future ahead of me. I'd hate for it to be cut short because of some silly misunderstanding." The older officer exchanged a quick glance with his younger colleague, giving him a subtle signal. The younger man nodded and holstered his weapon. "Don't try to change the subject," the older officer said, his sharp eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Answer the question. Why didn't you stop when we called out to you?" Seraphina crossed her arms and responded, irritation creeping into her voice. "I realized my bracelet was missing, so I turned back to find it. That's all. As for you calling me, how was I supposed to know you were talking to me?" She scoffed lightly. "Do I look like someone who's up to no good?" The older officer chuckled, though his eyes didn't soften. "Troublemakers don't exactly wear a sign on their face that says they're bad. Routine check. Let me see your ID." The police station had received a notice earlier: there had been unusual activity in the area, with reports of an old criminal gang possibly resurfacing. Over the past few days, they had been scouring the neighborhood, hoping to catch a lead. And now, in the middle of the night, there was a young woman, alone in a deserted alley, looking distinctly out of place. It was hard not to suspect she might be connected to the XX gang they had been relentlessly pursuing. She raised an eyebrow, her expression calm despite the lack of identification. Instead of looking nervous, she gave a cold smile. "Who carries their ID around every single day? Are you hunting for someone specific?" "Just a routine check," the older officer said curtly, avoiding the question. Seraphina wasn't fooled. She could sense there was more to this than he was letting on. These two officers weren't her average neighborhood patrol cops. At this time, seeing two people appear in this particular area could only mean one thing: something had happened nearby. She felt a pang of frustration. No matter how much she planned, fate always had a way of throwing in surprises. She had deliberately chosen this chaotic area, where security cameras were practically useless, believing it would perfectly cover her tracks. Yet now, it seemed a rare exception had occurred. The older officer wasn't the least bit surprised when she explained she didn't have any identification on her."In that case, we'll need you to come with us to the station," he said. "Sure," she replied calmly, "but I'll need to find my bracelet first." The older officer exchanged a subtle glance with the younger one, who immediately understood. Without a word, the younger officer moved to stand near the exit, his hand tightening around the grip of his handgun as he positioned himself to block any escape. "What kind of bracelet is it? Let me help you look for it," the older officer offered, stepping closer to her. He bent down beside her, rummaging through the trash pile with her as if genuinely searching. Seraphina appeared to focus on the search. However, her mind was racing, methodically weighing her options. She had to find a way to shake these officers. The situation at Prima Villa hadn't made the news yet, but if she were taken to the station at this exact time and place, she wouldn't be able to control what might unfold after that. Just as she strained her mind for a solution, a sudden sound broke through her thoughts. They were the sound of footsteps. Heavy yet measured, the distinct click of polished leather shoes against the muddy, filthy ground echoed through the narrow alley. The sound grew closer, deliberate and unhurried. The younger officer, catching sight of the approaching figure, tensed instantly, his hand hovering near his holstered handgun. His sharp eyes locked on the man who had entered the scene. Just as the younger officer was about to speak, a deep, smooth voice resonated through the dimly lit alley. "What are you doing here?" Seraphina suddenly raised her head. The dim lighting stretched his shadow long and distorted, making his figure seem larger than life. Though the light behind him obscured his face, making his features impossible to discern, his eyes stood out unmistakably. They were gentle yet brilliant, like a beacon in the depths of night, their radiance not only meeting her gaze but piercing straight into her heart.