Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 265

The truth was wild, almost impossible to believe, and it had already caught the attention of the top brass. Right now, anyone in the Capital who had even a hint of what was going on—whether they were in politics or business—was keeping their head down, hoping their own secrets wouldn’t be the next thing broadcast to the whole police network.

Lydia and Connor headed straight to the First Division. Every single suspect—Leroy, Allen, Corbyn, Miranda, Louise—had already been brought in for questioning, one by one.

By the time Lydia and Connor arrived, Officer Byrne and the others had just wrapped up a half-hour emergency meeting. The man leading that meeting was none other than Anthony, the head of the Capital Police.

Anthony looked every bit the part of a man in charge. He was in his fifties, still tall and solid, with a serious face and thick eyebrows over sharp eyes. There was something about him that made you want to stand up straight just being near him.

As soon as he spotted Connor and Lydia, Anthony walked over with purpose. Officer Byrne hurried along behind him.

“Connor, I really have to thank you,” Anthony said right away. He already knew exactly what had happened today—how Connor had stepped in and taken down Leroy at just the right moment. Leroy wasn’t just anybody. As a division chief, he was tough. If it hadn’t been Connor, it wouldn’t have gone down so smoothly.

“Just doing what I could,” Connor answered with a nod. They’d been colleagues once, though now that Connor had left the force for a business career, they didn’t see each other much. Anthony still thought Connor was a natural leader, someone who belonged at the top. Sometimes fate just had other plans.

Anthony’s eyes lingered on Connor for a second, a flicker of regret passing through, before he turned his attention to Lydia. He bowed deeply to her.

Lydia blinked, caught off guard.

Connor looked surprised too.

“Miss Norwood, both as a public official and as a father, I want to thank you,” Anthony said, voice steady but full of emotion. “Thank you for your bravery, for stepping up and protecting people, and thank you for saving my daughter’s life.”

Officer Byrne spoke up then, “Lydia, just accept his thanks.”

Frankly, he was still shocked by how things had played out. Leroy had crossed a line that should never have been crossed, no matter who the victim was.

Lydia just nodded. She turned to Officer Byrne. “I’m here to follow up on the case with Louise.”

“Of course,” Officer Byrne said. “I’ll take you inside.”

Anthony watched them for a moment, then looked at Connor. “Connor, mind if we have a word?”