Chapter 73: Ethan Blake’s Release

Chapter 73: Ethan Blake's Release

Upon hearing this, Welma's eyes flickered with thought.

The security situation in Bluewater City had deteriorated so severely that even if Ethan Blake were reinstated as the captain of the security unit, it wouldn't make a difference.

Once the public realized that Ethan was no longer useful, he would be completely finished.

A cold smile tugged at the corners of Welma's lips:

"That's right. The public still clings to their illusion of Ethan Blake.

But when he shatters that illusion, he'll lose any right to remain in the security system."

She had another idea in mind.

By assigning Ethan to investigate the bombing of the security post, if he failed to solve the case within the given time, he could serve as the scapegoat.

Once the higher-ups had someone else to focus their blame on, neither she nor Vincent would be affected.

Jonathan stroked his chin and continued:

"We can even build him up a bit more, elevate his reputation.

The higher he rises, the harder he'll fall when he fails to reduce Bluewater City's crime rate."

It was at that moment that Welma realized Jonathan wasn't as simple as he appeared.

Her face lit up with a bright smile:

"Jonathan, you're amazing! You wouldn't use any tricks like this on me in the future, would you?"

Jonathan chuckled:

"After working as an inspector for seven or eight years, I've encountered my fair share of cunning officers.

Sometimes, without a bit of strategy, it's impossible to bring them to justice."

Welma paused for a moment.

Were the so-called cunning officers Jonathan referred to people like Ethan Blake?

Did she not know whether Ethan was truly guilty or not?

It seemed that Jonathan had likely sent quite a few wrongly accused officers to prison over the years as well.

Jonathan didn't notice her moment of confusion as he pulled Welma up:

"It's lunchtime. Let's go grab a meal.

I've heard there's a great buffet in Hainan—let's give it a try."

Bluewater City Prison.

Outside the desolate gates, Sarah stood eagerly, her eyes filled with anticipation.

The heavy iron doors slowly creaked open, and a robust man with a missing arm appeared in her sight.

It had only been half a month since Ethan Blake's downfall.

In those two weeks, his hair had turned significantly gray, and his face was unshaven.

It was hard to believe that just half a month ago, he had been the high-spirited captain of the security unit.

"Captain Blake, congratulations on your release. I hope you won't be coming back here," the prison guard saluted Ethan before turning to activate the mechanism that would close the iron gates.

Ethan stared blankly at the slowly closing doors, his eyes empty as he returned the salute.

He always spoke about what had happened to the citizens as a tragedy for the security bureau.

But who would call it a tragedy that he, the captain of the security unit, had been wrongfully imprisoned?

"Master!"

Sarah's cheerful voice rang out as she rushed into Ethan's arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

The scent of her hair brought Ethan back to his senses.

His eyes regained some clarity:

"Sarah, how have you been?"

Sarah had endured too many hardships during this time.

She had been subjected to her colleagues' cold stares and relentless cyberbullying—it was enough to crush her.

She wiped away her tears:

"It's alright, Master. I'm just so glad you're out!"

Ethan shook his head with a bitter smile:

"There are conditions to my release."

He had to arrest the criminals responsible for the bombing of the East District security post within three days, which was no easy task.

Ethan knew full well that he was being used as a pawn by Welma and a shield for Vincent.

He wasn't stupid. Part of him preferred to rot in prison rather than be a pawn for the higher-ups.

Sarah didn't fully understand what was going on.

She nodded, somewhat confused, and continued on her own:

"Anyway, I'm just happy you're out.

You shouldn't stay as the captain of the security unit anymore.

Director Welma only released you so you could clean up the mess in Bluewater City.

Things are in such a mess now, and many people in the bureau are just waiting to see you fail!"

Ethan frowned slightly:

"What do you mean? Are there a lot of criminals lately?"

Sarah had come prepared.

She opened her bag and pulled out a thick stack of newspapers, all detailing recent violent incidents.

"Master, listen to me—just resign.

Look at the recent news in Bluewater City. It's beyond your control now."

Sarah hoped her master would realize how difficult the situation had become and back down.

She didn't want him to end up back in prison because of his position as captain of the security unit.

Ethan took the stack of newspapers and stood at the prison gate, carefully flipping through them.

"'Two Central Avenue shop owners brutally murdered. Investigations suggest the perpetrators were Awakened individuals.'"

"'A woman on her way home from a night shift was found dead on Prosperous Street in the West District, her clothes disheveled.'"

"'Several street brawls in the North District have resulted in multiple civilian casualties.'"

"'Child and woman trafficking ring run by Awakened criminals known as the Black Carbon Gang strikes again!'"

There were too many similar reports, and a striking line of red text stood out on each.

"'The perpetrator is still at large!'

Hundreds of violent incidents had occurred in Bluewater City in just half a month!

An average of dozens per day?

Ethan Blake's frown deepened, his expression growing darker by the moment.

Finally, after holding back for too long, he erupted in fury:

"These scumbags have no respect for the law anymore!

It's pure chaos, no law, no order!

Who's the idiot acting as the current captain of the security unit?"

Sarah pouted:

"They've gone through several acting captains, all useless idiots.

Besides, everyone knows that the position of security captain is reserved by the director for Vincent.

No matter how hard they work, no one's going to actually become the real captain.

And they're all afraid that if they solve too many cases, the director will feel threatened."

Sarah tugged at his arm:

"Let's stop talking about this. I'll treat you to something delicious and chase away the bad luck!"

Ethan's eyes were bloodshot. He shook off Sarah's hand and started walking toward her car.

Sarah hurried after him, her voice anxious:

"Master, there are so many cases in Bluewater City, it's not something you can fix overnight.

Welma just wants to see you make a fool of yourself! Let's not get involved!

Master, where are you going?"

Old Oak Cafe.

The café had remained closed all day. The glass door was shut tight, but the metal shutters hadn't been lowered.

It seemed like they were waiting for someone.

Ethan sat in the car with Sarah until nightfall before finally stepping out and heading toward the café.

From the outside, the café looked pitch black, as if no one was inside.

Ethan knocked on the door—it wasn't locked.

He pushed it open and walked in.

Inside, the darkness felt almost tangible, suffocating, as if pressing down on the heart, creating an unbearable discomfort.

"Is anyone here?" Sarah murmured.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a figure near the bar. Startled, she clutched Ethan's sleeve tightly.

It was a woman.

She was dressed in a tight leather suit that blended seamlessly into the shadows, accentuating her curvaceous figure with an untamed, primal allure.

She resembled the seductive Catwoman from the movies.

But instead of a cat mask, this woman wore a dog mask.

The mask covered half her face, leaving only her tantalizing red lips exposed.

Leaning lazily against the bar, she toyed with a cup of coffee in her hand.

The woman glanced briefly at Sarah, then spoke to Ethan in a seductive, husky voice:

"You've broken the rules."

In an instant, the killing intent from the woman enveloped Sarah.

It seemed as though the next moment, Sarah's blood would splatter across the room.

A chill ran down Sarah's spine.

This place was nothing like it had been during the day!

By day, the café had been warm, cozy, and inviting.

At night, though the furnishings remained the same, it felt as though they had stepped into the jaws of a dark abyss.

Ethan stepped forward, shielding Sarah:

"She'll wait downstairs for me. She won't come up.

I'll explain everything to the president. Please allow me to proceed.

I have urgent business to discuss with him."

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