“They’re right outside.”

“Let them in,” the officer said.

A forensic examiner?

At those words, Letty’s eyes flicked toward Charlotte and the silent Stella. There was an unmistakable hint of satisfaction in her gaze.

The examiner was supposed to be a friend she’d made years ago while studying abroad. The Adams family had already set everything up. The examiner would say exactly what they needed: the knife was in Stella’s hand, and this was attempted murder. No matter what, Stella would be finished. Letty was already picturing Charlotte dropping to her knees and begging her for mercy.

But just as Letty was lost in her little victory, the smile on her face froze the moment she saw who walked in.

It wasn’t her friend. It was Roger, Charlotte’s cousin.

How could it be him?

If Roger was the one doing the examination…

Letty felt her blood turn to ice. Her mind started to buzz.

“Roger, it’s been a while.”

The officer in charge blinked in surprise when he saw Roger, then stood up so fast his chair almost toppled. Years ago, Roger had helped crack a major criminal case with his forensic expertise, bringing it to a quick close. No one expected him to get personally involved in something so minor.

“Yeah, long time no see.”

Roger looked sharp in a fitted suit with a white lab coat thrown over it. He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose, his whole vibe cool and untouchable, the picture of a gentleman who had never been fazed by anything.

“I happened to be in Cabinda and heard about the case, so I thought I’d come by.”

As he spoke, Roger’s calm gaze swept past Letty and landed on Stella.

Stella was dressed in a crisp white button-down, black jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, showing off a sweet, fresh face.

Just then, she glanced up and met、 Roger’s eyes. Instantly, she tensed, backing up two steps, fists clenched ather

sides as she dropped her gaze to the floor.

Roger noticed and his eyes narrowed just a bit. A small, amused smile played at his lips.

It was weird. They’d seen each other plenty of times, but every single time, Stella

couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye.

Was he really that scary?

“Roger, we’re relying on you,” the officer said, smiling.

Roger was the best in the field. His accuracy was almost machine-like. Having him

in charge meant everyone could relax.

“No.”

Letty cut in before the sentence was

even finished. Her outburst made her wince from the pain in her side. “He’s Charlotte’s cousin. Helb definitely fake Stella’s side,”

“Oh?” Charlotte swung her foot lazily, her tone casual. “Roger’s my cousin, sure, but you’re the one who said I have nothing to do with Stella. He’s examming Stella, not me Does t really matter if he’s my cousin?”

Fedelia and Mahoney just stood there, speechless, feeling like they’d just tripped themselves up.

“Who knows what you may have arranged in secret,” Letty pushed herself up, her voice growing shrill. “I want a different examiner.”

“Alright.”

Roger agreed immediately, catching Letty off guard.

“To make sure this examination is fair and thorough, I actually called in every renowned forensic examiner in Cabinda.”

He nodded, and a crowd of people in white lab coats started filing into the room.

At the front was the doctor Letty had made her private arrangement with. That doctor kept his head down, sweat rolling down his face.

Letty froze. A sense of dread crawled up her spine.