The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 459

Nora nodded, but a dark thought lingered. "I just hope the reality isn't as horrific as we're imagining."

No matter the industry, the tactics for blackmail and coercion were always the same.

Celebrities had to walk on eggshells constantly. A single misstep could result in complete social annihilation.

Because of that, predators had far more leverage over them than the public could ever comprehend.

Some of the players might have been forced into this nightmare against their will.

Others likely sold their souls willingly to feed their ambition.

And some probably clawed their way to the top without a shred of morality.

But the moment they crossed the line into criminality, they had plunged into a point of no return.

The law had a long reach, and no crime stayed hidden forever.

Nora and Nathan sat in the quiet intimacy of the car for a long time.

Eventually, Nathan's phone buzzed, pulling them both back to reality.

"It's the Task Force. They're probably wondering where we went."

Nathan hit answer as he spoke.

The chaotic, booming voices of his team immediately flooded the speaker. "Boss! Did you and Dr. Hayes ditch work? Why aren't you back in the bullpen?"

"Didn't Mr. Adams say you were buying us lunch today? Where did you go? Did you run away before we could bankrupt you?"

"Shut up, you idiot! The Boss isn't cheap!" Another voice chimed in loudly over the chaos. "Right, Boss? It's just one meal! You're rolling in it!"

Listening to his team hype each other up just to extort a free meal, Nathan let out an exasperated scoff. "Does the precinct starve you guys? Why are you always scheming to empty my wallet?"

Uproarious laughter erupted through the phone.

Nathan chuckled as he started the engine. "Because they trust us implicitly."

"And because they know that no matter who holds the file, the truth will eventually come to light."

"That's the confidence of a good cop."

Nora smiled softly. "You're right."

Minutes later, the elevator doors dinged, and the entire Task Force swarmed the parking garage. Spotting Nathan and Nora already waiting in the SUV, the teasing began instantly. "No wonder we couldn't find you! You guys sneaked down here early to hide!"

"You two are practically glued together."

Nathan shot a lethal glare at the loudest instigator. "Do you want to eat or not?"

"Yes!"

"Obviously! I've been starving all morning. I'm going to eat until I have to be rolled out of there!"