"Beep beep," a flashy red Ferrari roared into the police station's driveway. Officer Lee, taking a smoke break at the entrance, glanced at the license plate – ML8888 – and gasped. He threw away his cigarette and hurried over to greet the arrivals.
Out stepped a plump, well-dressed woman and an elderly gentleman in a suit.
Officer Lee approached with a smile. "How can I assist you today?"
"I need to see your chief," the woman demanded, her face etched with anger.
"Unfortunately, the chief isn't available at the moment," Officer Lee replied calmly, unfazed by her hostility.
"Then call him," she insisted, guiding the elderly man towards the station.
"It's quite late, ma'am. I'm afraid the chief has probably retired for the night," Officer explained with a hint of apprehension.
"Late? How is it late? Dad, what should we do?" The woman looked to the elderly man beside her.
"Haha, alright, alright. Let me give a call. Let's see if the young man still remembers his old superior," the man chuckled, pulling out his phone. "Hello? It's Frank. I'm currently within your jurisdiction – haha, nothing major. It's just that my daughter's friend was apprehended by your officers, and she insisted I come to understand the situation – what? You don't need to rush over? Haha, what old superior? I've been retired for years – alright, alright, I'll wait for you here then."
He ended the call and turned to Officer Lee with a smile. "Haha, young man, your chief will be here shortly. Just find us a place to sit for now."
"Of course, of course," Officer hurriedly led the way. He initially wanted to offer his arm to the elderly man, but the woman glared at him, and he awkwardly retreated.
Who had the authority to call the chief ? He had no idea. But one thing was certain, he couldn't just usher them into any random room. He found the duty supervisor and explained the situation. The supervisor, also a quick thinker, immediately ordered the opening of the station's most luxurious conference room. This room was typically reserved for visits from high-ranking officials. Air conditioning, tea, and snacks were all meticulously prepared.
Just as Officer Lee finished his reception duties and was about to step outside for a breather, a black Mercedes glided silently into the station's courtyard.
A chauffeur emerged first, then hurried to open the rear door. Out came another woman and an elderly man.
Officer shook his head with a wry smile. Why was this big shot here too?
He recognized this newcomer, having seen him frequently on television. It was Donald Trump, the founder of Trump Real Estate, a local business magnate with a personal fortune exceeding tens of billions. He donated hundreds of millions every month and was treated with deference even by the mayor and party secretary.
"Good evening, Mr. Trump. What brings you here so late?"
"Haha, I have some matters to discuss with your chief."
"The chief will be here shortly. Please make yourself comfortable in the conference room, Mr. Trump."
"Thank you. I spoke with him on the way here," Trump expressed his gratitude politely and followed Officer Lee into the conference room with his daughter.
The first two cars were just the beginning. A stream of luxury vehicles followed.
"I'm from the Prosecutor's Office. I need to see your chief –"
"I'm from the Court. Is your chief available? I have an urgent matter."
"I'm from Skyreach Group. Our chairman's nephew was brought in by your officers. We'd like to understand the situation. This is our lawyer –"
"Hey, where did you take Ethan Wraith? Don't you dare lay a finger on him. If anything happens to him, you'll pay dearly –"
What surprised Officer even more was the arrival of two military vehicles. Both carried fathers and daughters who demanded to see the chief.
Overwhelmed by the influx of visitors, Officer Lee had to request assistance from the duty supervisor, who assigned two additional officers to handle the reception. Anyone who asked to see the chief was directed to the luxurious conference room.
Within moments, the police station's courtyard was filled with luxury cars, and the conference room was nearly packed.
The visitors seemed to know each other, and the room buzzed with lively conversation.
"What brings you here so late at night?"
"Haha, Mr. Dean, you flatter me. This little incident brought me out. But you're here late as well, aren't you?"
"Haha, what can I say? Daughters are always siding with outsiders. She doesn't understand my position and dragged me here, threatening to sever our relationship if I didn't come – oh, Mr. Trump is here too –"
"Are you here for Ethan Wraith as well?"
"Indeed. You too?"
"It's so worrying. Do you think Ethan might be subjected to violence?"
"I certainly hope not. If they dare harm Ethan, I will –"
"Absolutely, not a hair on Ethan's head should be touched –"
Chief was having a hectic day. First, his son got beaten up, then he received a call from the mayor ordering him to make an arrest. After his son's comprehensive medical examination at the hospital and subsequent return home, he received a call from his former superior, announcing his arrival at the police station and requesting a meeting. Although retired, this former superior had a vast network of protégés, including the chief himself, so he couldn't be ignored. Then, the phone calls started pouring in, one after another. His wife begged him to turn off his phone, but he gave a bitter laugh. How could he? Every caller was someone he couldn't afford to offend.
Upon arriving at the station and seeing the cars parked in the courtyard, he drew a sharp breath. It looked like a luxury car exhibition. Today, the station had only arrested one person – the guy who had assaulted his son and the mayor's son. The officers had investigated and found that the young man was just a bartender with no apparent background.
It seemed they had all been deceived. This kid was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing. If he didn't have powerful backing, would he dare to assault the mayor's son? Would so many influential people come to "understand the situation"?
This was another complicated situation. The mayor wanted him arrested, while countless others demanded his release. Being a police chief was truly a difficult job.
"Have they all been accommodated?" Chief asked the supervisor who had come out to greet him.
"Yes, sir. They're all in the large conference room. It's quite lively in there," the thirty-something supervisor, a close confidant of the chief, joked lightly.
"Sigh, who did we arrest? This is quite a spectacle. The son of some central government big shot?"
"Who knows? It's possible. Chief, should we invite them to your office?"
Chief shook his head with a wry smile. "Would it even fit them all? Let's just have a grand meeting in the conference room. It'll be a story to tell. I heard even the military sent someone?"
"Indeed, sir."
As they ascended the stairs, a blinding car headlight shone from behind. Once their eyes adjusted to the light and they saw the license plate, the chief smiled and said, "Hold on, let's go greet the governor first."