chapter245

Corbyn was sure Lydia would back down, but out of nowhere, she flipped the script and called him out like he'd lost his mind.

"You"

"What about me? Just a reminder, we're on camera. You might want to watch yourself. Lydia stared him down, totally calm, her eyes so cold they looked like they could freeze you on the spot.

Corbyn gave a low, mocking laugh. There was something about this girl that didn't add up. She was way too young to be this fearless, but the way she handled herself, she could have been a battle-hardened general. She just had that kind of confidence, like she was always one step ahead.

"Listen, kid, these cameras belong to us. If I want them on, they're on. If I want them off, they're off. All I have to do is say the word. Got it?" Corbyn leaned in, glaring, his patience wearing thin. He was done playing nice.

Lydia raised an eyebrow and smirked, her lips curling in amusement. "So you're saying you're above the law?"

He scoffed. "In here, you could say that. So let's cut to the chase. Sign the papers and this will all be over. Everyone wins." He was itching to be done with this and report back to Mr. Reeves.

But Lydia just looked at him like she was bored. "You shouldn't be the one interrogating me. Go get your chief."

That made Corbyn laugh, sharp and mean. You think you deserve the chief's attention?"

"Why not? Or is he getting paid for doing nothing?"

He snapped. You're not worth the chief's time. Stop making things harder for yourself and sign!" His hand slammed down on the table, rattling it. He had never dealt with anyone this stubborn.

"Who's your boss?"

Corbyn's frustration boiled over. "Are you interrogating me now?" He sprang up from his chair, grabbed his baton, and stalked toward Lydia, making it clear she'd better cooperate or else.

"Oh, what? You're going to beat a confession out of me?" Lydia's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Corbyn hated that look on her face, like she was still in control, like none of this scared her. "And what if I do? What are you going to do about it? You're just a nobody. I'm telling you, today you're going to confess whether you like it or not. Think it through."

Lydia just stared at him, silent for a moment. Fine. I'll think about it."

Corbyn checked the clock, his voice cold. "You've got ten minutes. If you don't sign it by then, you'll never walk out of here. That's a promise." That's what Mr. Reeves wanted. If she wouldn't listen, there were plenty of ways to make her.

"Unbelievable. This is just unbelievable."

Meanwhile, every screen in the First Division's command center was suddenly streaming Corbyn's interrogation. The whole room froze in shock. Nobody could believe this was happening in the Capital. It was an embarrassment to everyone who wore the badge.

Get to the Fifth Division right now!" Officer Byrne barked out the order himself. "Yes, Chief!" Byron answered, already moving.

They'd already been looking into the Fifth Division because of the

In

Greenward. Parker case, but nothing had prepared them for just how rotten things were. The Fifth Division wasa disgrace, hidinge

hiding behind their

uniforms while hurting the very people they were supposed to

protect.

"This is huge. Report it to the higher-ups immediately."

As soon as Officer Byrne finished, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his

face turning serious before he even picked up.

Before he could say a word, the

voice on the other end exploded with anger. "The whole city just watched the Fifth Division threaten a citizen and abuse their power during interrogation. I want you to take your team and surround that station, right now!"