The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2057

Lana's brow furrowed instantly as she grabbed Cicely's arm.

Cicely turned and gave her a gentle smile, "Just going in for a statement."

"No way!"

Lana's voice sliced through the air, brooking no argument.

The law enforcement officers beside them darkened in demeanor. "Ma'am, if you continue to obstruct official duties, we are well within our rights to deal with you according to the law."

"You wouldn't dare!"d2

"I'll go with you." Cicely suddenly cut Lana off. "Auntie, this isn't abroad."

Lana's eyes narrowed. After years of being spoiled rotten overseas, Lana had gradually forgotten a lot about the situation back home.

"Lana, you go check on grandpa and make sure someone looks after my dad. I'll go with them. And, could you please go first? I don't want you to see me being taken away, looking like I'm being sent off to do something."

Cicely admitted that thinking about such seemingly sentimental things at this time was somewhat ridiculous, but that was just the kind of sentimental person she was.

Lana took a deep breath with her eyes closed. "I'll go with you."

"No need. With everything that's happened these past few days, there's so much to arrange and deal with, and I don't understand any of it. I'm relying on you to sort things out when you get back. You don't need to come with me. Save some time for other important matters."

Lana was silent for two seconds. "Alright, I'll take care of everything and come to pick you up as soon as possible."

Cicely nodded, "Okay."

*

After Lana left, two officers approached, one lifting Cicely's hands while the other pulled out handcuffs.

Seeing those cuffs, Cicely's eyes suddenly shrank, and she quickly withdrew her hands. The indifferent compliance from just moments ago was replaced by panic and distress. "What are you doing?"

"Ms. Cicely, as a suspect, we need to ensure there's no trouble. Please cooperate with us."

"I don't want to wear those..."

She was a lady of the Ellis family. How could she possibly wear such things? "I promised to go with you and I won't run. So there's no need for those."

The lead officer spoke again: "If you don't cooperate, don't blame us for taking necessary forceful action."

Forceful. And they did just that. Without letting Cicely argue, they clamped down on her hands and with a "click," those delicate wrists were encircled by the cold steel of the cuffs.

Cicely felt a sudden tingle in her nose, biting her lip hard to keep tears from spilling from her eyes. Her hands clenched into fists, shaking, then slowly relaxed.

Just a few steps out, at the emergency exit, Seth stood tall, his face impassive and his deep-set eyes calmly watching her. She slowed her steps.

"Mr. Diaz." The officer nodded at him.

But Seth's gaze remained fixed on the woman between them, especially on the chilling handcuffs around her hands. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly, his hand in his trouser pocket clenched tightly. After a moment, he spoke, "Do you still want to go with your aunt?"

Cicely, chilled to the bone, stared back at him. Despite the sweltering summer heat, she felt a coldness seeping into her from every pore.

Her pretty face, which had just shown fear and panic, was now facing him. Her expression changed from indifference, to anger, to detachment, to a sarcastic curve on her lips.

"Is this the consequence of provoking you? The Ellis family hasn't fallen yet, Seth. Even if I did actually hurt someone, my family would ensure my safety. You think you can make me give in this way? Let me tell you, it's impossible. How many days can you keep me?"

Seth's eyes narrowed dangerously, as if something feral was struggling to climb out from the abyss of his gaze. His hand in his pocket clenched again, hidden from view, veins bulging, knuckles whitening, his palm's circulation cut off.

"Know when to fold, Cicely." His voice was tense, as if something was physically choking him.

Cicely just laughed, tasting his words, "Know when to fold..."

She looked down at the cold, silvery handcuffs on her hands, "Is this your way of showing goodwill?"

After speaking, she didn't wait to see Seth's reaction or hear what he might say, but took the lead in moving forward. "Weren't you in a hurry to get back for the statement? Not in a rush anymore? Even if you're not, I'm in a hurry to get home." The officers quickly followed her out.

Before leaving the hospital, Cicely stopped again. Staring at the handcuffs, she said softly, "Could you cover this up for me?"

Following her request, an officer borrowed a lab coat from the front desk and draped it over her.

Cicely's eyes flickered.

It was ugly. Really ugly.

*

She was whisked away in the police car to the nearest precinct. Straight into the interrogation room, she went. She was then directed to sit in the chair. Suppressing her unease, she pretended to casually look around.

The room was small, with a one-way mirror opposite her, a camera in the corner, and a cheaply varnished table with a recorder on it. Nothing else noteworthy. The working conditions were less than stellar.

Two uniformed officers, pistols at their hips, stood stoically beside her.

The interrogation didn't begin immediately. Cicely sat quietly, picking at a chipped spot on the table.

Time ticked by. She thought about the cop dramas she'd seen.

Some delay the interrogation as a psychological tactic, but did they need to? She didn't hurt anyone.

Through the one-way glass, Seth watched Cicely sitting there, her expression indifferent.

Within a minute, the interrogator entered. The supposed 'statement' was an actual interrogation.

Liar.