Sebastian’s hand loosened unknowingly.

Julian pulled Clara toward him with lightning speed, then slammed his knee hard into Sebastian’s abdomen.

Caught off guard, Sebastian let out a cry of pain.

Refusing to back down, he grabbed Julian’s shoulders, trying to pin him to the ground. But Julian was one step ahead; his fists fell like rain on Sebastian, most of them aimed directly at his face.

"Sebastian! You’re a fucking scumbag!"

"You drove her sister to her death and still had the nerve to imprison her! Your ancestors’ graves must have been struck by lightning to produce a beast like you!"

"I’m going to kill you today!"

Compared to Sebastian, Julian lived in a far more dangerous environment. To deal with enemies who could pop up at any moment, he had undergone rigorous combat training since childhood.

Sebastian was in decent physical shape, but he was utterly powerless to fight back in front of Julian.

Clara stood to the side, not even realizing what had happened. In just a few seconds, Sebastian’s face was bruised and swollen, his former handsomeness gone.

Seeing that he couldn't even crawl back up, Julian finally stopped.

He breathed heavily, stepping his leather shoe onto Sebastian’s hand and grinding it down hard. "If you dare come near Clara again, I’ll make you pay the price!"

With that, he took Clara’s hand and walked away, leaving Sebastian lying on the ground like a corpse.

...

The first thing Julian did was take Clara to the hospital.

Blood tests, brain CT scans—he arranged an entire suite of physical examinations.

Clara couldn't refuse and said with a bitter face, "Sebastian didn't do anything to me... and why do I need a brain CT? There's nothing wrong with my head."

"Is that so?"

Mr. Julian’s voice was chilly. "Then why did you accept his ring?"

Clara froze, looked at the ring on her ring finger, and swallowed hard.

The Julian before her gave her a small smile. "Why are you getting nervous?"

Clara didn't know what was wrong with her; she felt a strange illusion of being caught cheating and quickly took off the ring.

"That was to lower his guard!"

"How could I ever remarry him!"

Julian watched her for a long time, and after confirming she showed no signs of lying, he let out a huff. "I know."

Clara breathed a sigh of relief, then blinked playfully. "By the way, that was the first time I’ve heard you swear."

And it wasn't just one word.

This time, it was Julian’s turn to look away, his ears turning red.

He changed the subject without skipping a beat. "The suspect who was the contact for Arthur has been caught. According to his confession, the remaining main leaders are all overseas."

"They should be concentrated in the Southeast Asia region."

Clara’s attention was successfully diverted. She asked excitedly, "Can I go?"

"...Don't even think about it!"

"Oh." Clara felt a bit dejected. "It’s okay, I can work online. I hope we can catch them soon!"

After being discharged, Clara practically lived at the police station.

Her position had been restored, and she continued to dedicate herself to the career she loved. This time, as it concerned the people who killed her parents, she was naturally exceptionally concerned.

Julian understood and didn't say much, only insisting on bringing her meals and soup.

Sebastian would also come.

In the deep of night, occasionally amidst drizzling rain or light snow, he would stand in the darkness, his expression unclear.

The first time Julian saw him, he nearly stood up to go beat him again.

"Calm down, calm down, this is a police station—"

Clara desperately held him back and finally succeeded.

Fortunately, Sebastian just stood there quietly, looking at her through the window without any intention of approaching.

Clara felt a sense of relief but also found it eerie, repeatedly asking her lawyer when they could successfully put him behind bars.

The lawyer explained that Sebastian held a high position and had a professional legal team, and since the evidence was insufficient, it would be a long-drawn-out battle.

Clara had no choice but to endure it.

One evening, her superior contacted her. Based on witness descriptions, she quickly drew the portrait of the mysterious leader.

Her superior, on the other side of the video call, looked moved. "Thank you, Clara. You’ve saved many people."

"It was a collective effort." Clara gripped her pen, her knuckles turning white. "Can we catch him this time?"

The superior pondered for a moment. "The possibility is very high."

"That’s wonderful." Clara lowered her head, not wanting anyone to see her reddening eyes.

That’s wonderful. Could she finally avenge her parents? Could she finally be free from the nightmares?

That day, she finally finished her consecutive days of work and walked out of the police station.

It was late at night, yet there was still a figure leaning against a car, waiting for her.

"Mr. Julian, you don't need to come pick me up; it's so late..."

Clara sighed helplessly while walking forward.

For some reason, Julian’s originally composed and smiling face was suddenly overtaken by tension. "Wait, danger—"

A small, thin figure wearing a hoodie darted out from the side, lunging at her with full force.

Under the cold white streetlights, the blade of a dagger reflected a chilling light.

Someone rushed out, pushing Clara aside with a forceful shove.

The dagger plunged into his chest, and blood gushed out.

It all happened in a flash; Clara’s mind was still a complete blank!

Julian rushed over and subdued the attacker, while the police officers on duty also came swarming out.

Clara looked down sluggishly. "Sebastian...?"

The person lying on the ground who had taken the blade for her was none other than Sebastian.

The color in his face was rapidly draining, and blood bubbles escaped from the corner of his mouth as he spoke.

"Cough... I told you... it was dangerous..."

"You... cough, cough... always refuse to listen to me..."

But it didn't matter.

"I will... always... always... protect... protect you..."

That was several years ago. Sebastian had been just like this, looking at her with gentle eyes and making a lifelong promise.

The warmth was gradually fading, and everything before his eyes slowly blurred into the distance.

He looked at Clara with deep attachment. "Clara..."

"I'm sorry."