The sun had set behind the western hills, and the moon now hung high in the sky.
It was already 11 o'clock at night, yet the streets of Piltover remained bustling with activity.
Near the estate of the Kiramman family in the northern district, more than a dozen enforcers, dressed in blue jackets, plaid pants, and black leather shoes, were coming and going through the iron gates of the courtyard. Clearly, something significant had occurred.
In the main hall of the mansion, Councilor Cassandra, her face filled with gloom, was reprimanding a woman in her thirties with a dark complexion, short black hair, and an air of authority.
"Captain Grayson, haven't your men found any trace of my daughter yet?"
"I'm sorry, Councilor Kiramman. We've already dispatched half of our personnel to search for Miss Caitlyn. We're conducting searches in the streets, alleys, and even the outskirts. Rest assured, as soon as we receive any information..."
"Send more people! Haven't the Kiramman family supported the Piltover Enforcers enough? Now, when we need your help finding a person, you can't deliver?"
Grayson lowered his head, his expression filled with helplessness. "Councilor, Progress Day is approaching, and I have to deploy enforcers to maintain order in the city."
"Is Progress Day more important than my daughter?"
"My dear, calm down," Tobias consoled Cassandra, patting her back. "You know our daughter. She'll be fine."
"I know her well enough to know she wouldn't do something that worries us like this!" Cassandra's eyes welled up with tears, her voice choked with emotion. "She was supposed to be back five hours ago, and now it's deep into the night!"
Tobias sighed, his worry evident in his eyes.
Sheriff Grayson opened her mouth, preparing to inquire once more about Caitlyn's activities and recent whereabouts. But suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Before long, the doors of the meeting room were pushed open, and a young enforcer of slight build rushed to Grayson's side, panting heavily.
"Why are you in such a hurry, Marcus?" Grayson lightly patted his back to help him catch his breath. "Have you found any leads?"
"Councilor... Miss Kiramman is back!"
"What? Where is she?"
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kiramman were taken aback, quickly rushing to Marcus's side, each grabbing one of his shoulders.
Under the gaze that seemed capable of devouring one's soul, Marcus struggled to swallow and turned to look back down the hallway.
Before long, Caitlyn's voice echoed from the corridor. "Mom, Dad!"
"Oh my goodness, Caitlyn!" Cassandra's tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.
She immediately let go of Marcus and, together with Tobias, rushed to embrace their daughter, who had been missing for over five hours.
In the room, Grayson exchanged a glance with Marcus and quietly slipped out of the meeting hall.
"You naughty girl! Do you know how worried your father and I were?" Although Cassandra's words carried a hint of reproach, her joy and excitement were impossible to conceal.
"What are you wearing, Caitlyn, and you're all dirty." Tobias seemed to notice something amiss and circled around Caitlyn, his heart aching. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Dad, it's just that Li Lin..." Caitlyn pouted, deliberately appearing aggrieved.
"Li Lin? What happened to him?" Cassandra's gaze sharpened.
Tobias also rubbed his beard and asked, "Yes, it seems like I haven't seen him all afternoon. Was he with you today?"
"You're thinking too much," Caitlyn said, her voice carrying a trace of resentment. "You should be thanking him! Today, when I was out with him, we were attacked by a group of thugs. He saved me and even took a bullet for me."
Caitlyn blinked her eyes, two tears welled up, and her voice filled with grievance. "Without him, you might not have seen your daughter again."
Given that the Kiramman family regarded Caitlyn as their most precious treasure, they couldn't bear any harm coming to her. Moreover, this time, Caitlyn did indeed feel guilty about involving Li Lin. To prevent him from getting caught up in her parents' anger, she shifted the blame onto the attackers and credited Li Lin for his bravery.
This was her premeditated plan.
"What... someone actually attacked you?!"
Sure enough, as soon as Cassandra heard that her daughter had been attacked, she completely ignored everything else.
Not just her; even Tobias, who was usually mild-mannered, had eyes burning with raging anger.
"Who could have done this? There are several rival families, the Caldwalder family or the Joysen family? I think those old bastards from Odilinke are more likely to do something like this..."
Hearing her husband mention the names of the rival families, Cassandra concealed all her emotions completely. However, from the occasional movement of her cheekbones, it was clear that she was suppressing her anger.
"Is Li Lin okay?" Caitlyn nodded, "He's fine. I had him go back to his room to rest."
"What about the attackers?" Cassandra asked in a low voice.
"I've explained everything to Deputy Chief Marcus of the Piltover Police, and he's sent enforcers to arrest those guys in the Undercity."
"Very well," Cassandra said calmly, looking at her husband. "Darling, have the servants send voice messages to the other five families and Professor Heimerdinger, informing them of the council meeting tomorrow."
She pondered for a moment and then snorted.
"It's been so many years since we've dealt with these bastards. They shouldn't think they can withstand the wrath of the Kiramman family... Well, they've probably forgotten the influence of the Kiramman family for the most part... It's time to show them a lesson while we have the chance."
...
...
Time ticked away.
In the blink of an eye, the clock's hour hand had moved to the area between "2" and "3."
Due to the data system's calculation of life points, Li Lin's wound was healing rapidly.
In just a few hours, the stitches on his left shoulder had already scabbed over and become unbearably itchy.
He lay on his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, as he contemplated matters regarding exoskeleton power armor.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At that moment, Li Lin heard a light knock on his door.
This late at night, who could it be?
He gritted his teeth and got up, grabbing a random coat and heading to the small living room before opening the door.
As a unique fragrance of a young woman wafted into his nostrils, a figure dressed in deep purple pajamas appeared before his eyes.
Who else could it be if not Caitlyn?
"Caitlyn? It's so late, why aren't you resting?" Li Lin was momentarily stunned, then quickly stepped aside to let her in. "Come in quickly; it's cold outside."
"I've been busy late into the night, and now I finally have time to check on you," Caitlyn replied, her face slightly lowered as she walked into the room.
"I'm fine." Li Lin smiled and sat opposite her on the sofa. "Wait a moment; let me make tea for you."
"Let me do it." Caitlyn snatched the tea canister from Li Lin's hand, glared at him, and busied herself. "You're still a patient; how can you do this kind of thing?"
My wound has actually healed quite well...
Li Lin thought with a touch of helplessness.
The tea was quickly brewed.
Caitlyn placed one of the cups in front of Li Lin and then raised her own cup, blowing on the tea before taking a sip.
"I actually came to notify you in advance that tomorrow... we have to attend a council meeting."
Li Lin: ?!