Nicolas's POV:
The night was quiet, romantic, but not completely peaceful. Inside the mansion, the butler came in again, this time wearing a look of alarm. "Sir, sir…" he panted. "What is it?" I frowned, I had planned to rest here tonight, but instead I felt more exhausted than relaxed. Seeing the displeasure on my face, the butler drew back, flustered: "Sir, a lot of police are waiting outside. They say they just want to speak with you!"
"Police?" Liliana gasped and grabbed my hand. "Nicolas, why would the police want you?" I frowned and thought for a few seconds, my thin lips set stubbornly: "Fine. Let them in."
"Yes, sir!" the butler replied and went out. Before long he ushered several officers inside. From their uniforms, they were indeed police. I cradled my wine glass, leaning back on the sofa with my legs crossed, shirt collar open to reveal my strong frame.
"Sir, are you well? Here is my card, please take a look." The lead officer aware whose mansion this was carefully offered his business card. I didn't bother to take it and only said, "Butler." The butler understood and stepped forward to accept and pocket the card.
The officer looked slightly embarrassed and forced a smile. "Sorry to disturb your rest tonight." I laughed loud and leaned back in the chair. "You probably don't want to waste taxpayers' money either; but I don't know what you're here about."
"Uh! That… sir!" The officer wiped his brow. "A few days ago we received a report: a woman had her car stolen. According to the license plate, the vehicle was last located here, and you are here, so…" he stammered.
"So you think I stole the car?" I put my glass down, rose languidly, voice dripping with irony to push him to finish his sentence. The officer stammered: "No, no, no, that's not what I mean. How could you steal a car? I mean… did you perhaps open the wrong car by accident?"
"Open the wrong door?" I shrugged coolly and smiled. The officer looked for a way out. At that moment Liliana stepped forward. "Officer, I think you have the wrong man. With his current status, how could he be involved? If you don't leave, don't blame me for filing a harassment complaint!" The officer grew urgent, about to speak, when a junior cop behind him piped up: "We tracked the vehicle. That woman's car is inside William's mansion. If you're innocent, we won't wrong you!" That remark sent a chill down everyone's spines. The chief stepped forward and shoved the junior back, signaling him to be quiet.
"You…" Liliana stood speechless. I smiled and narrowed my eyes; my deep pupils flashed with a rebellious, intoxicating gleam. I rose slowly and walked up to the junior officer like a black panther about to deal with its prey. "Heh heh, he's young and inexperienced. Sir..." the chief began to plead for his subordinate, but I shoved him aside. I came up close to the junior officer, looked down and pointed at his shoulder, asking, "You're new here?"
The junior cop replied stiffly: "Yes, I'm new. Don't think that because you have money you can do whatever you like. Do you know how upset the owner is about her missing car?" I nodded; a glint of approval flickered in my eyes. My thin lips lifted. "Right. I stole the car. I'll go with you to the station to give my statement." The room froze at my words. Did they hear correctly? The illustrious CEO of the William family claimed to have stolen a woman's Ferrari?
Liliana flinched. "Nicolas, what are you doing?" I waved her off and, glancing at the junior officer, gave a strange smile: "Come on, I'll go with you to the station!" "What?" The junior officer was stunned that I admitted it so readily. I placed a hand on his shoulder, patted it, then put on my coat and walked out. People followed behind; at the door I turned back, looked at the junior cop, and murmured ominously, "Your surname is Sam."
After that I sat slightly bemused, legs crossed, listlessly twirling a pen and filling out forms. Since I had nothing else to do, cooperating obediently with the police and playing the role of a "regular citizen" wasn't so bad. I was in the mood to be a good citizen…
"Who the hell turned my car into this?" An angry female voice sounded. Though she tried to hold it back, the fury was obvious. Everyone turned to the door… A young woman in a pure white dress stood in the threshold, her eyes clear, her face carrying a trace of hurt anger like ripples on water. Even when angry, she radiated a fresh, attractive charm; her beauty was like an early plum blossom opening in a dry winter sky, no need to rival proud roses or decadent peonies, she simply exuded her own unique scent.
…
Moona's POV:
A "fresh, pure" girl like me appearing at the police station immediately changed the atmosphere; the male officers brightened noticeably…
"Sis!" Amur, my junior cop, dashed forward at once. Seeing him, some of the anger on my face eased. I put my small arm on his shoulder and patted him: "Are you really okay? First day on the job and you're already involved with a stolen car case! By the way, where is that car thief? That bastard dared to turn my car into something ridiculous like this! You can't tell what it once was!"
At the thought, my eyes flared with rage again. Amur knew his sister well and pointed directly at a man: "Him! He's the car thief!"
By reflex I turned my gaze to where he pointed. The moment my eyes met that man, Nicolas, my furious gaze faltered for a beat… then I quickly hid it. I pulled my hand back, stepped forward several paces, grabbed the collar of his shirt, wanting nothing more than to punch that smiling face.
"You're a despicable bastard! Stealing my car is one thing, but turning it into this mess! Compensate me!" Nicolas didn't struggle; he only looked at me with a disgustingly seductive expression.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Speak!" I growled into his ear, my whole body aggravated by the way he stared at me like he wanted to swallow me whole.
Nicolas rose calmly. His tall, broad figure seemed to dominate the space above me; his deep eyes narrowed dangerously.
"How would you like me to compensate you?" he asked with a sly smile.
Then, suddenly, his hand pulled I gasped and tumbled into his broad chest.
"You… bastard! Let go!" I thrashed wildly, but how could I escape Nicolas's iron-like arms?
"Hey! Let my sister go!" Amur shouted, but he was immediately held back by other officers.
"Are you crazy? He's the CEO of the William family, do you want to offend him?" I found the whole scene laughable. Cowards.
Nicolas didn't care about anyone else; his gaze fixed on my face, only half an inch away. His hand smoothed a few strands of hair behind my nape, then he leaned his head toward my ear.
"What are you about to do? This is a police station! I could sue you for disrespect...!" I trembled and glanced at the officers as if pleading for help.
"Don't move." Nicolas's voice suddenly went low and firm. His grip tightened around my waist so I couldn't move.
I felt his breath dangerous, hot so close. He inhaled deeply as if my scent filled him. I could clearly sense the change in his eyes, darker, more possessive.
Then he whispered into my ear:
"You really are the same as before; your scent drives me crazy."
At that exact moment...
'SMACK!'
I swung my handbag and struck his head.
"Oof! That hurts!" he clutched his head, surprised that I had dared to do that.