Under the Heiress' Facade

Meanwhile, Eric drove back to the main house. He leaped out of the car and checked his phone, finding no signal connection.

"This is strange," he muttered to himself.

"Why isn't there any signal here? I always get reception in this spot. Is the transmitter acting up again?"

He urgently needed to call Queenie to inform her that Hera had escaped. Just as he looked up, he noticed movement inside the house. Before he could react, a booming voice echoed behind him.

"Freeze! Put your hands up! You're surrounded!"

"Who the fuck are you?" Eric cursed.

He turned around to find himself surrounded by a group of special forces from the police department, each aiming a gun at him.Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

One wrong move and he could instantly be riddled with bullets.

However, Eric was no stranger to this kind of situation. He was a regular at the police station, and his frequent visits had familiarized him with Stephen from the department, though the buzz-cut man beside him was new.

"Mr. Hall, what's with the grand entrance today?" Eric asked with a sly grin. He then pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Stephen.

Without hesitation, Stephen seized Eric's arm, swiftly flipped him over, and pinned him to the ground in a single fluid motion. Eric's face was slammed into the ground alongside his dropped cigarette.

"Where did you hide her?" Stephen demanded sharply.

Eric winced in pain but still played dumb.

"Who? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Stephen twisted Eric's arm even harder.

"Hera Youngworth! Where is she?"

Eric groaned but was still defiant.

"I really don't know what you're talking about! This is police brutality! Let me go, or I'll report you!"

Nathan stepped forward and patted Stephen's arm.

Thinking Nathan was concerned about Eric's threats, Stephen reassured him, "Don't worry about him. This guy has a long rap sheet. He's not going to talk without some rough persuasion."

Nathan simply pointed to the sky and urged, "Hurry up. They're coming."

Stephen heard it, too—the approaching helicopter. As it hovered above them, the rotor blades swayed the surrounding trees.

Eric's heart leaped, hoping it was Amelia returning. But as the ladder descended, two men emerged instead.

The first was a baby-faced man in camouflage, and the other was a strikingly handsome man in a tailored black suit, exuding an intimidating presence.

Eric gulped, and his earlier hope dissipated as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. These two looked like Bernard and Aaron.

"Mr. Killian, Mr. Ludden," Nathan and Stephen greeted respectfully.

"Have you found her?"

Bernard's sharp eyes locked onto Nathan.

"No," Nathan replied with a shake of his head.

"We've searched the house and the surrounding area, but there's no sign of Hera. We only found someone tied up in the woodshed who claims Hera knocked him out and left."

With a frown, Bernard's gaze turned cold as he looked at Eric.

"Has he told the truth yet?"

"Not yet. He's a tough nut to crack. Give me some time, and I'll get him to talk," Stephen replied.

"Aaron."

Bernard turned to Aaron with a meaningful look.

Aaron nodded, signaled to two special forces members, and then walked toward the back of the house. The soldiers quickly took Eric from Stephen, each gripping one of his arms as they followed Aaron.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Eric struggled and shouted, "What are you doing? Let me go! You can't threaten me like this!"

Stephen and Nathan exchanged glances, then...