Chapter 558

Finnian hadn't joined forces with Sophia, a thought that plagued Orson. "Orsen, help! Odalys set me up," Finnian cried, playing the victim. Orson, without hesitation, kicked Finnian in the face, knocking out two teeth. Finnian, mouth bleeding, looked up in pain and astonishment.

"My men have watched you since you kidnapped Sophia. I know what you did," Orson said. "Finnian, why did you choose this path? How dare you try to kill a police officer's family? Are you tired of living?"

"If so," Orson growled, "go to hell."

A police officer apprehended Grace. Seeing her wounded, bloodied husband in handcuffs—not in uniform—she cried, "Honey."

He looked at her with despair. "You're a jinx! You ruined me!" He lunged at her, knocking her to the ground and kicking her repeatedly.

As she fell, Grace saw Zoe and Norah in the corridor. She believed Zoe was laughing at her, despite Zoe's expressionless face. "Zoe, you're laughing at me, aren't you? Lee is capable, but so what? He'll die anyway. I'm not the only one who wants him dead!" Grace laughed hysterically as the police led her away.

The building was in chaos. Many residents were arrested; without solid evidence, they couldn't excuse themselves. "Orson, save me! I'm a Lark, your little brother!" Finnian pleaded, struggling as the police took him away. Orson's eyes flashed with fury. The memory of Finnian now disgusted him. The Lark family had made Finnian a celebrity, yet he'd colluded with criminals to kill a police officer.

A police officer shook hands with Percival. Odalys softly stroked Norah's head. "Are you scared?"

"No! Mommy told me to be tough," Norah replied obediently.

Zoe, eyes red and legs trembling, whispered, "Ms. Stone, thank you very much." She wasn't usually sentimental. Odalys hugged her tightly. "You were very brave, just as brave as Lee."

"You too," Zoe responded.

Chapter 558 (continued)

Despite meeting that day, Odalys and Zoe felt a connection. Norah hugged both women's legs. A policeman took Zoe and Norah to a safer location.

After saying goodbye, Odalys turned to Percival. Fifteen residents, close to Grace's husband, had been arrested; some had secretly targeted Lee.

"There will be a reshuffle," Odalys commented.

"Yes, a reshuffle," Percival replied gravely.

Odalys chuckled, patted Percival's shoulder, then squinted. "You disappeared this morning. Did you arrange all this?"

"Yes," Percival replied.

Orson approached the Stewarts, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He was still furious. "Are you going to protect Finnian?" Odalys asked.

The mention of Finnian nauseated Orson. "No! I was blind last time!" he raged. Fortunately, the Lark family had disowned Finnian, protecting their reputation.

Percival's phone vibrated. His face froze in shock. The call ended. He looked at Odalys, worried. "Something bad happened to Lee."

"What?" Odalys frowned.

Percival cleared his throat, glancing at Orson. "We planned to arrest the drug dealers after Lee lured them into the valley. Lee and I agreed last night, butan accident happened. He chased a dealer when he should have retreated. A gunfight in the woods triggered a mudslide."

"There's little chance of survival."

Orson's cigarette dropped. "Why did he chase him?" he asked, breathless. Experienced officers should control their impulses; drug dealers often set traps. This dealer was the suspected murderer of Lee's best friend, a case Lee had been pursuing for ten years. When he recognized the murderer, he told his men he couldn't wait another decade.

Odalys remained silent, her feelings complex. She looked to the sky as thunder crashed and heavy rain began. Police secured the building where an explosion had occurred. Odalys, Percival, and Orson stared blankly at the rain.

A taxi passed, its window rolling down to reveal Sophia. Her gaze fell on Odalys.