NovelEnglishThe Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 147
Chapter 147 Something Is Off
The officer dismissed Leah's anxiety, attributing it to natural concerns about criminal
retaliation.
"The glass is one-way, Miss Burgess. They cannot see you," he assured her with practiced patience.
Relief washed over Leah's tense features as she drew a steadying breath, following the
officer toward the exit.
In their wake, Wilbur returned to the room, dropping a folder onto the table with barely contained frustration.
"Have you reconsidered your position?"
"I've stated my case. Your disbelief doesn't change the truth. What more can | add?"
Corrine's composure only served to intensify Wilbur's mounting anger. His fist connected with the table as he
roared, "Corrine Holland, enough games! Don't expect special treatment because of your gender! Trafficking
historical artifacts and forging antiquities-either charge alone could destroy your future!"
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Corrine maintained her tranquil demeanor, her voice steady. "I request Chief Hoffman's
presence."
"Chief Hoffman doesn't grant audiences on demand!" Wilbur's lips curled into a sneer. "A few days in lockup
without meals might loosen that tongue of yours!"
The officer at his side shifted uncomfortably, leaning close to whisper, "Sir, something peculiar has caught my
attention."
"Explain," Wilbur demanded, his severe expression darkening further.
"How does she know Hoffman is our chief's surname?"
The question gave Wilbur pause, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "Where's her
documentation?"
"Right here." The officer presented the folder, its contents barely reviewed in the rush
17-37
of the investigation.
Opening it. Wilbur discovered Corrine's background check contained only the
most
basic information
"Sir, this is..." The officer's disbelief was palpable,
Despite their department's sophisticated resources and skilled investigators, Corrine's file revealed nothing
beyond elementary details-birth date, name, and gender.
This unusual sparseness suggested either unprecedented innocence or, more likely, an identity deliberately
shrouded beyond their clearance level,
A heavy silence fell over the room as Wilbur and the officer exchanged a look.
Corrine, for her part, remained effortlessly composed, as if she already knew what they had found.
Yet, as far as Wilbur knew, no influential family in Lyhaton bore the surnHolland.
Before he could press further, a sharp knock interrupted the tense atmosphere.
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An officer stepped in, giving Corrine a lingering glance before whispering to Wilbur, "Sir
... Chief Hoffman wants to see you."
Wilbur's eyes narrowed. "Wasn't he attending a meeting in the neighboring city?"
The officer shook his head. "I... don't know the details, sir."
Before he could elaborate, Arion Hoffman's thunderous voice resonated through the corridor. "Where's that
troublemaker Wilbur? Get him out here immediately!" Every eye in the interrogation room turned toward Wilbur,
gauging his reaction.
He frowned slightly, passed the file to his colleague, and strode toward the door, nearly colliding with Arion's
approaching figure.
"Not a single peaceful day with you around!" Arion's glare could have melted steel, his jaw clenched tight. "What
sin did | commit to deserve you as my eternal headache?"
"Chief, that's hardly fair. You sang a different tune when | was breaking cases." Wilbur extracted a cigarette,
offering it with practiced nonchalance. "Care for one?"
Arion's exasperation dissolved into bitter laughter. "You dare think about smoking now? Go ahead-consider it
your parting indulgence!"
The words struck Wilbur like a physical blow, leaving him momentarily stunned.
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