Derek immediately turned to have the bar's owner pull the surveillance footage.
Five minutes later, he returned with the video.
On the screen, a woman in a black hoodie and face mask walked upstairs. Her movements were purposeful—she was clearly heading toward their room. But the moment she reached the top of the stairs, she answered a call.
Then turned and ran.
Silence settled over the private room.
No one understood why she had left.
"So it really was a woman who took the case?" Zachary stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then why did she run? That's just weird."
Adrian didn't respond.
He replayed the footage again.
And again.
The figure felt familiar.
But no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't place where he had seen her before.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Keep investigating. Find this woman."
"Yes, sir." Derek nodded. "We've already pulled surveillance from nearby areas, but she avoided the cameras. She disappeared shortly after leaving. Our people are still tracking her."
Both men felt a trace of disappointment.
Zachary couldn't help but grumble, "I should report her on the medical forum. She showed up and then just ran—what kind of nonsense is that?"
"Wait," Adrian said calmly. "See if she schedules another appointment."
"And if she cancels the case?"
"Then report her."
Zachary was speechless. He knew exactly how cold and ruthless Adrian is.
***
After leaving Imperial Bar, Riley returned to the Cole residence with her stuffed bunny in her arms.
Today was her return visit, and she hadn't forgotten.
Elaine and Felicia were already waiting at the entrance. The moment they saw Riley come back alone, their smiles widened.
"Oh my, why would Mr Yates let a fool like you come back by yourself?" Elaine said mockingly. "What if you got lost?"
Felicia stepped forward, grabbing Riley's arm with feigned affection. "Exactly, Riley. We thought Mr Yates would come with you. Are you not doing well at the Yates family?"
She sighed dramatically. "Well, it's understandable. The Yates family is wealthy, but it's normal if he doesn't like you. Just think on the bright side—you won't have to worry about food or shelter anymore."
Both women wore expressions of undisguised schadenfreude.
But when Felicia grabbed Riley's hand—
Something hard pressed against her fingers.
She pulled Riley's hand out to look—
And froze.
A massive pink diamond ring sat on Riley's left ring finger.
Elaine and Felicia's faces instantly darkened.
Felicia's eyes filled with envy as she stared at the dazzling gem. "If I'm not mistaken… this ring is made from a top-grade pink diamond, isn't it? It's beautiful! The pinnacle of dream diamonds! I heard the largest and finest pink diamond in the world is worth over eighty million dollars…"
Her voice trembled with excitement as she held Riley's hand up to the sunlight.
"And the diamond on your ring—it looks like that one! See how it refracts into colors under the light!"
A flicker of jealousy crossed Elaine's face. "How could she possibly have something that expensive? It's probably fake."
"No, it's real!" Felicia's voice rose, her excitement barely contained. "Mom, look closely—it's real! There's light inside it!"
"That's impossible." Elaine's expression turned sharp with suspicion. "How could you have a pink diamond ring? Tell me—did you steal it?"