Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Aiden Faulkner, Asking for a Beating
"Hello, we’re from the city’s criminal investigation division. We received a report of a shooting here." Dressed in his police uniform, Ginny Gable had rushed over with his team as soon as he got the call. The moment he saw Seraphina Sterling at the scene, he felt a sinking feeling. ’Why do I run into her every single time there’s trouble?’
"We didn’t make a report." Justin Hale was surprised at how quickly the police had arrived, seeing both Aiden Faulkner and Zion Hale shake their heads.
"I’m the one who called it in!" Wyatt Gallagher said as he walked in. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when he saw that Seraphina Sterling was unharmed.
"How did you know my brother was the target of an assassination, Manager Gallagher? Or do you have the gift of foresight?" Justin Hale maintained his perfect, gentlemanly smile, but his joking tone did nothing to ease the tension. In fact, it only made things more strained.
"You’re joking, Mr. Hale. A moment ago, Seraphina Sterling saw the glint of a sniper rifle and told me to call the police." Wyatt Gallagher returned the smile, but unlike Justin Hale’s flawless, gentlemanly grin, his was more genuine, more alive.
"Heh! Seraphina Sterling, you really are something else. How is it that no one else noticed the glint of a sniper rifle, yet you did? And why, just by knowing there was a shooter, did you rush into our room and just so happen to save Zion Hale? Seraphina Sterling, I’m a little slow, so please, do you mind explaining it to me?"
She sneered inwardly. ’Let’s see how you explain your way out of this one!’
Although Aiden Faulkner’s words were superficially polite, her tone was dripping with sarcasm. Justin Hale and Zion Hale were also clearly taken aback.
Seraphina Sterling remained unruffled, a serene, warm smile on her face. "I’m surprised you’re so self-aware, Miss Faulkner. To answer your first question, the fact that others couldn’t spot it and I could simply means I have a higher IQ. I’m smarter than the average person. Especially smarter than you, Miss Faulkner. Or perhaps we should just say I have excellent eyesight."
Seeing the look on Aiden Faulkner’s face—like she was about to breathe fire—Seraphina Sterling’s serene smile didn’t waver.
"Second, I saw the guest list for the auction. It was easy to identify your room by cross-referencing the list with the sniper’s line of sight. Of course, if you hadn’t been in this particular VIP room, I wouldn’t have come. If Mr. Hale had died here, it would have created a lot of problems for me."
Seraphina Sterling looked at Justin Hale, confident he would understand her meaning.
Justin Hale’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’She’s right. Our deal isn’t finished. The property rights agreement for Philip Hale’s company hasn’t been signed, and the funds aren’t in place. If something were to happen to me now, it would be a huge problem.’
"Officer Gable," Justin said, "I trust the police will investigate this matter with the utmost rigor. My brother was lucky to escape unharmed this time. But next time...?"
Ginny Gable replied, "Rest assured, Mr. Hale. The police will investigate this thoroughly."
The police officers began to carefully gather evidence in the room.
Having recovered from the shock, Zion Hale slung an arm around Seraphina Sterling’s shoulders again.
"Seraphina! Come on, take a look. See anything you like? I’ll buy it for you at the auction!" Zion Hale said, fearlessly walking right up to the window.
Justin Hale frowned, his expression stern. "Zion! Get back here! Aren’t you afraid the sniper will send another bullet your way?"
"Relax, bro. Snipers are a mysterious and highly evolved species. If they miss the first shot, they leave immediately. They never take a second shot. The guy’s long gone by now!" Zion Hale explained blithely.
"Why is that?" Aiden Faulkner asked instinctively.
"Seraphina, answer Ms. Faulkner for me! There’s a prize if you get it right!" Zion Hale practically leaned his full weight on Seraphina Sterling. ’She’s so petite, yet surprisingly curvy!’
"It’s simple. The moment a sniper pulls the trigger, they give away their position. If the shot fails and they don’t leave, are they just going to wait around to get caught?" Seraphina Sterling shook her head, a look of pity on her face. "Miss Faulkner, perhaps you should eat more walnuts."
"Why?" Aiden Faulkner asked reflexively.
"They’re good for the brain," Wyatt Gallagher cut in instantly. He couldn’t help but let out a few soft coughs after speaking. ’He hadn’t realized this girl was so sharp-tongued. She could even insult someone with such artistry.’
"You—" Aiden Faulkner’s eyes looked ready to shoot flames.
"I think this bracelet looks good. It would suit you! I’ll bid on it for you!" Zion Hale completely ignored Aiden Faulkner’s rage, acting so chummy with Seraphina that it was like he didn’t even see her as a member of the opposite sex.
A glint appeared in Seraphina Sterling’s eyes. "What’s your target?" ’Anything that Justin Hale was invested in couldn’t possibly be a simple item.’
