the bullpen, Natalie sat in embarrassment and anger after receiving this huge shock. She had never been in such a position before; she felt this was definitely a very bad start with him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Nicholas, who approached and sat at his desk—unfortunately, right beside her. He laughed mockingly, as if reading her mind, his sarcastic tone and chuckles only fueling her rage.
"This won't be the end, little one. Your end will come by my hands soon."
Natalie cut him off sharply, slamming the pen she held onto the desk. Her eyes blazed with fury—if looks could kill, Nicholas would have dropped dead right there. Her voice rose, drawing the attention of everyone in the bullpen.
"Don't you dare call me little one! I'm not a child. You are at the same rank as me, so keep your limits. And hear this—I won't be the one falling. It will be you. The first move is yours, but the last strike is mine."
Their heated stares and escalating argument were suddenly interrupted by the voice of Chief Frank, who stormed out of his office at the sound of their shouting.
"What is going on here? Are we in a kindergarten?" Frank's harsh tone silenced the room instantly. Everyone stood at attention as he glared at them.
"You two. In my office. Now." He barked the order and turned back inside, slamming the door behind him with such force it made them both flinch.
---
Elsewhere, as always cloaked in mystery…
"It's done, sir. Just as you ordered." said the unknown man to the one he called Master.
"Good. Smart choice—thinking of yourself and your family. You wouldn't survive what I'm about to do."
---
In front of Frank's office, Natalie and Nicholas stood side by side. Their eyes clashed—hers burning with anger, his cold and unreadable, though shadows of mystery lingered between them.
Breaking the silence, Nicholas finally lifted his hand and knocked on the door.
Inside, Frank sat at his desk, exhaling in frustration. Sometimes he felt cursed to be saddled with such catastrophic children. Nicholas wasn't his by blood, but Frank had raised him alongside his own son, and still, he thought of him as one. His thoughts were interrupted by the knock.
"Enter," Frank commanded loudly, already knowing who it was.
Natalie stepped in first, followed by Nicholas, who closed the door behind them. Both stood before Frank, tense, knowing the gravity of their mistake—this was a place of work, not a playground.
Frank, still seated and idly rolling a pen between his fingers, struck with a sudden question in his sharp tone:
"What exactly was happening out there? I want an explanation."
Natalie answered quickly, standing at attention in military posture, though she still shot angry glances at Nicholas from time to time.
"Nothing, sir. We were only chatting, and suddenly our voices rose."
"Hmm… chatting? Together? With the same man you were calling a criminal just a while ago? What exactly did you find so interesting to chat about?" Frank's tone cut through the air as he tapped the pen firmly against his desk.
"Sir, really, there was nothing serious," Nicholas interjected calmly, supporting Natalie's excuse. "We were just… trying to smooth things out between us."
"Hmm. If both of you agree it was nothing, then I won't waste more time. But your salaries this month will be cut—you both need to learn what kind of place this is, and that shouting will not be tolerated." Frank's false innocence and icy tone made their punishment sting even more.
Nicholas frowned in protest.
"What? I haven't even started working yet, and you're already docking my pay?"
"And who said this is your only punishment?" Frank's voice cut through the tension, a cold chuckle escaping as he leaned back, folding his arms and crossing one leg over the other.
Natalie frowned, raising a brow in frustration as she tried to decipher his words.
"What do you mean? We've already been punished with a salary deduction," Nicholas muttered, sulking.
Frank's lips curved in a sharper smile.
"No, no. What's coming is much better. Your punishment is working together… on the first murder case that's about to happen." His tone carried an unsettling amusement as he watched their faces shift between shock and disbelief.
"But— but, sir, I can't work with him, we—" Natalie protested, gesturing furiously at Nicholas.
Frank rose from his chair, towering over them, his voice snapping with authority.
"This discussion is over, Officer Natalie. Do you have anything else to add?" His eyes flicked to Nicholas, daring either of them to speak.
Silence.
"Good. Then get back to your posts." He dismissed them with a wave, retaking his seat. Both Natalie and Nicholas exchanged a glare before heading to the door, their expressions practically spitting sparks.
Just as Natalie reached for the handle, Frank's voice rang out again.
"Not you, Nicholas. Stay. Natalie, you may go."
Natalie slammed the door behind her in frustration, only to bump straight into Luca and Sam, who were returning with bags of food.
"Whoa, someone's having a great day," Luca teased, laughter bubbling from him as Sam and Michael joined in.
Natalie rolled her eyes, brushing past them with a huff. "Cut the nonsense. As if I needed more clowns around me." She shot Luca a pointed glare.
"Hey, don't talk about my best friend like that. Nicholas is a great guy—amazing, even," Luca grinned, half teasing but with a flicker of sincerity.
Natalie groaned, eyeing the food instead. "Enough already. Did you bring lunch? I'm starving."
Sam handed her a sandwich. "Where's the 'amazing' Nicholas, anyway?"
"He's with the captain. Frank wanted him for something." She bit into her food.
Michael tilted his head curiously. "Didn't he tell you why?"
She shrugged. "No idea."
---
Inside the office, Nicholas stood stiffly as Frank abandoned his chair and strode toward him with heavy, deliberate steps that made his stomach twist.
"W–Wait, Frank… why are you walking toward me like that?" Nicholas tried to sound casual, but his voice cracked as he swallowed nervously.
Frank smirked darkly. "Nothing. Just thought I'd teach you a lesson, you damned fool." In an instant, he grabbed Nicholas by the collar and landed a punch to his shoulder, then another to his gut.
Nicholas stumbled back, clutching his stomach. "Hey! Chill out! Why the hell are you so worked up?"
"You really want to know, you idiot? Come closer, and I'll show you." Frank lunged again, but Nicholas darted around the desk, dodging him.
"Frank, relax, old man! You're gonna drop dead acting like this!" Nicholas laughed nervously, hopping from one chair to the next to escape.
Frank's eyes narrowed. "Your end will come at my hands, brat."
"Don't say that! I'm completely innocent here," Nicholas countered with exaggerated innocence, flashing a grin.
Frank exhaled, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips at the man-child before him.
"Come here," he ordered, his tone unreadable.
Nicholas hesitated. "Your hands are too heavy. I know you'll lose control."
"I said come here."
Reluctantly, Nicholas approached—one cautious step at a time—until Frank suddenly yanked him into a firm embrace, patting his back like a proud father.
"Congratulations on your first day," he murmured warmly.
Nicholas returned the hug, whispering his thanks before stepping back, emotion flashing briefly in his eyes.
The moment was cut short by the sharp ring of Frank's office phone. He picked it up, his expression hardening.
"Yes, sir. We'll look into it immediately."
Nicholas leaned closer, curiosity lighting his face. "Another case?"
Frank gave a grim nod.
Nicholas smirked to himself. Showtime.