?<strong>Chapter 862:</strong>


    The officers, with a firm nod, stepped toward Fiona, their faces set in serious lines.


    Feeling cornered, Fiona retreated step by step. Her guilty conscience amplified her fear, making it clear to everyone there that she had something to hide.


    In a voice filled with terror, Fiona protested, “No! You can’t arrest me! I haven’t done anything. There’s no evidence against me.”


    One officer responded calmly, “We’re just conducting an investigation, ma’am. There’s no need to panic. We’re not going to harm you.”


    Overwhelmed by her fears, Fiona shouted back, “No! Gavin sent you, didn’t he? You’re not real cops. You’re here to set me up, to make me admit to something I didn’t do!”


    No matter how much Fiona screamed and cursed, the police officers still took her away.


    Elyse nced at Gavin and mused, “You know, I’ve always felt that without solid evidence to prove Fiona’s guilt, arresting her doesn’t make much sense.”


    Gavin raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I forgot to mention—about fifty minutes ago, a man walked into the police station and turned himself in. He said that, out of sheer desperation, he met a woman online who paid him to sabotage you. After carrying it out, his conscience caught up with him, so he decided toe clean to the authorities.”


    Elyse was taken aback. “But what does that have to do with Fiona?”


    Gavin exined, “He identified Fiona as the one who hired him—the same guy who ran over another finalist and kidnapped your…”


    Still puzzled, Elyse pressed on, “Wait a second. That doesn’t make sense. Would Fiona have that kind of money? And how could she even manage to hire someone online tomit a crime like that?”


    Gavin shrugged, looking just as perplexed. “That’s exactly why the police have to take her in for questioning. There are too many unanswered questions here.”


    He paused briefly, then went on, “Besides, you know the music hall’s security is pretty inadequate, and there’s no surveince. We still haven’t figured out everything that happened there.”


    Elyse pouted, crossing her arms. “Well, that’s not my problem. It’s yours, Gavin!”


    Gavin noticed her sulking and yfully flicked her forehead. “You heartless little thing! I’m so stressed out over this that I can barely eat, and you’re just brushing it off like it’s nothing.”


    “Ouch!” Elyse yelped as tears of pain sprang to her eyes.


    Gavin, clearly pleased, announced, “There’s a celebration tonight. Mr. Tucker is looking forward to introducing you to his longtime friend. Make sure you make a good impression and don’t let us down.”


    Elyse nodded in response. “I understand. I’ll give it my all!” As Gavin turned to leave, a thought struck him, and he swung back around, adding, “Oh, and I saw Jayden on my way here. He’s down in the lobby, apparently waiting for you.”


    Elyse paused for a moment, her expression turning somber. “I’d rather not see him.”


    Understanding her difort, Gavin suggested, “Why don’t you use the back exit then? I’ll have Irving escort you.”


    Elyse nodded again, her voice silent.


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