Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265

Snowflakes

Σ

“What exactly happened? What happened?”

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Sera’s voice was soft when she responded to my questions, but I couldn’t shake it. The image of Mr. Castle’s neck, raw, unhealing slash across an Alpha’s throat burned behind my eyes. Attacked. In his own bed. Because of this case. Because of me.

“It’s not your fault, Snow. Just… just let it go,” she said again, reaching for my arm.

But I couldn’t. I couldn’t brush it off.

Should we… drop it? Stop before someone else gets hurt? The thought clawed at me. Guilt, fear, anger twisting together.

“No.”

The word came sharp from ahead and sharply, I looked up.

Mr. Castle was walking toward us, coat already on, expression calm but tired.

“I should leave before my Luna gets more worried,” he said quietly. “Eshan will lead the case now. Whatever happens… just let me know.”

He paused. shared a long, wordless look with Sera then nodded once to me.

I bowed as he passed.

We had already left the office and were standing in the hall outside.,

“Ma’am,” the woman from forensics, the only one who stayed came to called gently. “Come on. Mr. Eshan will address us now.”

Sera and I exchanged a glance and followed her toward the larger conference room where we had gathered.

It wasn’t anything formal.

Eshan clearly just wanted to say a few words so we could all leave for the holiday.

I paused beside Sera to listen.

“Given that it’s Christmas Day,” Eshan began, voice steady, “I say we all go home and enjoy what’s left of the holiday. But before you leave, I want everyone to sign an oath of contract.

He nodded over his shoulder.

“Vast, bring the document.”

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17:48 Wed, Feb 18 J BM

Chapter 265

His assistant hurried from the printing room, carrying a thick stack and Eshan’s personal seal.

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I watched my brother take the seal, press it firmly onto the cover page. The word ECHO stood out boldly at the top.

“The director has made it clear I’m in charge the moment this case opens,” Eshan continued. “So I’ve prepared this. We’re eight people. We’re taking this seriously. We’re no longer standard H.O.W.L. staff. For this case, for the next eight days, we are ECHO 8. Whatever we discuss, whatever we discover, stays within these eight. If anyone breathes a word to another party and we find out, I will have the right to prosecute for breach of contract. You will pay.”

No one spoke.

Eshan signed his name first. Sharp, decisive then passed the document around.

One by one, we signed.

When it reached me last, he extended it without meeting my eyes.

I lowered my gaze, pen trembling slightly, and signed.

“Done,” Eshan said, taking the file back and handing it to Vast with quiet instructions.

“Let’s all enjoy Christmas and relax. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Mr. Gerald and Wrinks left first through the main door.

The lone forensic tech followed.

Quince lingered, looked at me, and then offered a small, genuine smile.

“Happy birthday,” he said softly before walking past.

I blinked, wondering how he knew, then smiled back.

When the room cleared, I clutched my bag and turned to Sera to say goodbye,

Eshan’s voice came from behind me.

“Let’s go home. We have words to say.”

He didn’t wait. He simply walked toward the exit, then paused midway.

“I’ll drive you.”

“I brought my car. I’ll follow.”

He looked at me, quiet, searching then nodded once.

After he left, I bit my lower lip and turned to Sera.

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17:48 Wed, Feb 18 J DUM

Chapter 265

“You should give me a ride too,” she said. “I need to grab some things from home.”

I nodded.

We walked out together.

When we reached my car, a small smile touched her lips.

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“Grand. Definitely not with your H.O.W.L. pay, is it? Have you even gotten paid for the time you’ve worked?”

“I don’t think it’s been a full month yet, is it?”

“Few days ago it has. Payment comes late, but it’ll show.”

She slid into the passenger seat, placing a present box at the backseat.

I settled behind the wheel, smiling gratefully to her.

“Happy birthday dear. May your new age brings you joy and peace.” She prayed, filling my heart with happiness.

I pulled out, seeing Eshan’s car already heading toward the exit. We fell in behind him.

Silence settled, soft and yet heavy.

This was the first real privacy Sera and I had shared since the Marcus incident.

“I’m… Sera… I’m sorry about implicating you with my paranoia,” I said quietly. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into any closed case in the first place.”

She smiled, small, tired, but shrugged.

“My dad’s facing too much these days. He was forced to rush the Mr. Lin case and close it in hours. Now the same with Dark Alley. I just hope we solve it before the deadline.”

I nodded, hoping, praying, determined to make it happen.

Then I shifted in my seat, glanced at her again.

“Only goodness knows what’s going on with Marcus now.”

“He’ll face charges but lowkey. My dad will make sure of it.”

“Good.”

I knew I should stay quiet but the question slipped out anyway, gripping the wheel tighter.

“Sera… did you… cheat on my brother?”

She looked at me, sharp then softened.

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