Chapter 9: Captain Sterling, How Am I Not Being Proper?

Leo Sterling had just stepped out of the interrogation room. He was wearing his police uniform shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his lean, powerful forearms.

The hem of his shirt was neatly tucked into his tactical trousers, and a matte black leather belt cinched his narrow, firm waist. He stood tall and imposing—a rugged, cold specimen of raw masculine energy.

"Clara, that's Monica Su from the Information Center," Rocky whispered. "Before you arrived, she was the undisputed 'Belle of the Precinct.' Now that you're here, I'd say the crown is up for grabs."

Since getting closer to Clara, Rocky had started calling her by her name instead of "Forensic Ye."

"Let’s not do that," Clara replied smoothly. "Every woman has her own beauty. No need to compare."

Rocky grinned and nodded. "You’re right, Clara."

Clara watched as Monica followed Leo into his private office.

"Our Captain is incredibly popular," Rocky continued, his voice dropping to a gossipy tone. "I don't know what kind of spell his ex-fiancée cast on him. With all these admirers, he’s only ever had eyes for that vain woman who looked down on him."

Clara looked at Rocky, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "A lot of people chase your Captain?"

"Oh, you have no idea. Monica is just the start—she practically has heart-eyes whenever he’s around." Rocky leaned in closer. "There was even this super-wealthy socialite who got kidnapped. Cap saved her, and she wanted to pay him back with her 'hand in marriage.' She sent ninety-nine roses every single day and treated the whole office to gourmet meals. Cap straight-up warned her that if she showed up again, he’d charge her with harassment."

Clara imagined the scene. It sounded exactly like something the cold, ruthless Leo Sterling would say.

"Rocky, don't be too jealous of your boss. You’re quite a handsome guy yourself. I’ll introduce you to some beauties when I get the chance."

Rocky’s tanned face instantly flushed a deep red. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well... thanks in advance, Clara."

After clocking out, Clara stopped by a supermarket. She had been so busy since moving into her new apartment that she hadn't managed to cook a real meal.

She was carrying her groceries into the elevator when the doors began to close. Suddenly, someone pressed the button from the outside.

The doors slid open again.

A tall, upright figure stepped in.

Leo Sterling.

For a split second, Clara’s eyes widened in surprise.

What is he doing here?

There were other residents in the elevator, and since Leo didn't even glance her way, she played along and acted like they were strangers.

However, her gaze couldn't help but drift toward him from the corner of her eye.

He had one hand in his pocket, his profile sharp and icy, radiating a "do not disturb" aura. Interestingly, he didn't even press a floor button after entering.

Did he find out where I live and come looking for me?

I thought he said no 'friends with benefits' with colleagues?

What a hypocrite. A total closeted flirt.

A smirk she didn't even notice tugged at the corners of Clara’s lips.

Her apartment was on the sixth floor. When the elevator arrived, she stepped out first, keeping a close eye on the man behind her.

Sure enough, he followed her out.

After walking a few paces down the hallway, Clara suddenly spun around.

Leo hadn't expected her to turn. He didn't have time to stop, and she bumped straight into his broad chest.

Leo’s jaw tightened, and he quickly took several steps back to create distance.

Seeing him recoil as if she were a venomous snake made Clara both annoyed and amused. She set her grocery bags down and took a few deliberate steps toward him.

This time, Leo didn't retreat. He looked down at her with deep, unreadable eyes. "What are you doing?"

Clara looked up at him. The hallway light caught his rugged face—the sharp jawline, the high bridge of his nose, and those well-defined lips. He was exceptionally handsome in a very righteous, stern way.

If only he weren't so cold.

Her gaze traveled down to his prominent Adam's apple. Memories of their compatible night flashed through her mind, and she instinctively licked her lips.

Seeing the gesture, Leo’s brow furrowed. "Clara Ye, be proper."

Clara looked into those dark, narrowed eyes that seemed to hide a turbulent undercurrent. A playful smile spread across her red lips. "Sorry. I just remembered the way you... ate cherries that night."

She tilted her head back, revealing her elegant, pale neck. Being this close, he could see the faint blue veins beneath her delicate skin.

Leo pressed his tongue against his cheek, his ears burning. He averted his gaze. "If you have something to say, say it."

Stern, authoritative, and perfectly proper. He was the polar opposite of the man who had gripped her waist and kissed her breathless that night. If he didn't look exactly the same, she’d suspect he had a split personality.

"Why are you acting?" Clara poked a slender finger at his rock-hard bicep. "Aren't you here for me?"

She stood on her tiptoes, leaning close to his ear. "I thought the Captain didn't do flings with colleagues. Why did you follow me home?"

Her fingers lightly hooked onto his shirt button. "I didn't realize Captain Sterling was such a flirt, coming all the way to my door—"

Before she could finish, he pushed her away with cold indifference.

Clara lost her balance and stumbled back several steps, her shoulder blades hitting the wall with a dull thud.

She glared at him, flushed with embarrassment. "Why the act? You followed me here because you wanted—"

The words died in her throat.

She watched as Leo walked to the door directly opposite her apartment, punched in a code, and walked inside.

Bang.

The door closed.

Clara stood frozen, her jaw dropping.

The realization hit her like a freight train: he wasn't following her. He lived there.

Her brain buzzed, and her face turned a scorching shade of red. She stood there wishing a hole would open up and swallow her whole.

Oh my god.

That was so awkward. I want to die.

Clara took a deep breath, grabbed her bags, and bolted into her own apartment. She ran into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. It took a long time for the heat to fade.

While eating dinner, she messaged Alice.

Alice:

I blocked Bianca. They say loving someone is like raising a flower, but Sebastian is just weed-killer. Anyone near him withers.

Alice:

Babe, keep an open mind. Don't write off all men just because of one jerk.

Clara replied:

My mind is wide open. Handsome men are for looking at and playing with. Marrying one is just a shortcut to an early grave.

Her mother called then, asking her to come home for dinner over the weekend. After the call, Clara went back to the app to continue her chat with Alice.

Suddenly, she realized her last message wasn't in the chat with Alice.

She exited the window and saw 99+ notifications in the precinct's official work group.

She clicked it.

Her heart stopped.

She had accidentally sent that message—the one about "playing with handsome men"—to the work group.

When she sent it, someone else had messaged at the same time, and she hadn't noticed the header before hitting send. It was too late to unsend.

The group was in an absolute frenzy.

Rocky:

@Clara Ye, did you just go through a breakup?

Arthur:

@Clara Ye, who hurt you so bad? You've lost faith in all of us!

Vicky:

@Clara Ye, sending hugs.

Even the department's consulting psychologist chimed in:

@Ye, come to my office on Monday. Let's have a little counseling session.

Clara wanted to evaporate. Could she leave the group chat now? Was it too late?

She scrolled through the logs and noticed a comment from someone named Rainie.

Rainie:

Am I the only one whose first reaction is that she sounds like a total player? I hope she doesn't ruin the precinct's reputation with a scandal later.

Immediately after, Monica Su replied:

Rainie, don't talk like that in the group.

Rainie:

Only our Monica is pure and sweet. You guys in Investigations better not get fooled by certain 'player' filters.

Clara’s lip twitched with annoyance. She hadn't even met this Rainie woman. Why was there so much hostility?

Whatever. I'm new here. No point starting a fight in a group chat.

Realizing she had added Rocky and Arthur on WeChat but not Leo, she found his profile in the group list.

His profile picture was a side profile of him in a black windbreaker and sunglasses. High bridge, sharp jaw, cold expression. Even through a screen, he looked impossibly aloof.

But also, strangely, incredibly hot.

No wonder so many women like him. He is quite the catch.

His username was simply "Sterling." Clara added her name in the request and sent it.

It would be easier for work, she told herself. And she needed to apologize for the misunderstanding earlier. She was the type to own up to her mistakes.

She finished the dishes and checked her phone.

The request was still pending.

Maybe he hasn't seen it. I'll wait.

She hung her laundry and took a shower. An hour had passed.

Still no approval.

...!!!

She was starting to get pissed.

What is his problem? Is he ignoring me on purpose?

Clara wasn't the type to suffer in silence. she threw on her robe, marched across the hall, and pounded on his door.