Chapter 738:
Her voice dropped with quiet urgency. “My grandmother has been bedridden for years. I was hoping you might consider a house visit. We’d be so grateful.”
Rylie looked Kailee over. After a brief pause, she replied, “Sure. I can do that.”
With Kailee standing there as the official Animal Welfare Ambassador, making her request in front of everyone, Rylie knew there was no graceful way to refuse.
Kailee, holding the cat close, turned toward the exit and murmured, “Thank you so much. My grandmother is still waiting for me at home, and I have to go back to take care of her. I’ll have to take my leave now. Goodbye, Miss Owen.”
Midway through the gift presentation, a ripple of disturbance spread across the banquet hall.
Three police cars skidded to a stop at the front entrance, sirens screaming, cutting through the lively chatter like a knife. Every head swung toward the doors in surprise.
“What’s the police doing here at this hour?”
“So who are they after?”
Laurel’s gaze hardened, a sly, almost menacing smile tugging at her lips. The timing could not have been better — they had finally arrived.
At the banquet hall entrance, Patrick strode in, flanked by several city police officers and sheriffs from Malvren.
Clutching the arrest warrant from the Malvren Police Station, they advanced to the center of the room and held the document high. Their voices cut sharply through the quieted murmurs, crisp and unnerving.
“Apologies for the interruption. We represent the Malvren Police, operating jointly with the Crolens Police,” the lead Malvren sheriff announced, his expression stern, eyes locked on Rylie standing on the terrace. “By order of the Malvren Police, we are executing a compulsory summons for the suspect, Rylie Owen!”
“Suspect?”
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“They’re calling Rylie in?”
“Is the daughter of the prestigious Owen family about to be dragged into a scandal on the very day she returns?”
A stunned silence fell over the room, quickly replaced by whispers and murmurs. Shock and disbelief flashed across every face.
Ignoring the growing commotion, the sheriff continued, his voice steady and formal. “According to the reports and statements compiled by the Malvren authorities, Miss Owen, you are being investigated in relation to the recent vanishings of multiple villagers.”
Preliminary findings point to your possible involvement in serious offenses, including abduction and unlawful confinement. This notice serves as your official summons. Miss Owen, you are required to cooperate and accompany us for questioning.”
A ripple of shock ran through the hall.
“Wait, abduction?!”
“What… How could Miss Owen possibly abduct villagers?”
“Oh my, tonight’s banquet just keeps getting more dramatic!”
“Malvren? Isn’t that where Laurel said she went before? Is it possible? Did Rylie actually take a specialist just to secure fabric for the Meridian Future competition?”
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