Chapter 576 - 172 Race Against Time

Chapter 576: Chapter 172 Race Against Time

Daniel’s POV

Speeding through the city streets with Jude gripping the wheel, I reached for my phone to contact Inspector Ezekiel, only to find the battery completely drained. Beckett wordlessly handed me his device, and I quickly located Ezekiel’s number in his contacts.

"Ezekiel, this is Daniel," I barked the moment he picked up.

"Daniel! Thank God. I’ve been trying to reach you for a while now. We’ve located Lila’s position and we’re mobilizing now," Ezekiel’s voice crackled through the speaker.

"Excellent. That’s exactly why I’m calling. We need to converge at the municipal notary building immediately." I was about to disconnect when Ezekiel’s puzzled tone stopped me cold.

"What notary building? Daniel, our intelligence points to the old ravine district. Lila’s being held in a safehouse there. We’re already en route."

My blood turned to ice. "Who provided that intelligence?"

"A precinct officer came forward. Claims the local detective captain is working for Connor’s organization. Says he couldn’t stomach being part of it anymore. He’s riding with us now, along with your associates from Thorne."

"Ezekiel, listen to me carefully. It’s a setup. Lila is being held at the city notary building. Connor is forcing her into a marriage contract as we speak. They’ve orchestrated this diversion to clear law enforcement from downtown," I explained with barely contained urgency.

"Are you absolutely certain about this?" Ezekiel pressed.

"Beyond any doubt. We located the holding facility where Lila was imprisoned. The woman there disclosed everything before we left. I’m convinced she was being truthful. Get to the notary building with maximum speed. We’ll rendezvous there." I terminated the call and fixed Jude with a steel gaze. "Push this vehicle to its absolute limit. Now."

Jude floored the accelerator, and I silently prayed we wouldn’t wrap ourselves around a light pole before reaching our destination. The instant we screeched to a halt outside the imposing notary building, I launched myself from the passenger seat before Jude had fully stopped and charged through the entrance.

"Where are they conducting the ceremony?" I demanded, scanning the faces of startled administrative staff. One younger employee refused to meet my gaze, and I stalked directly toward him. "WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?"

Without uttering a word, he gestured toward a heavy wooden door. Finding it securely locked, I drove my boot into it with every ounce of strength I possessed. The door exploded inward, revealing a tableau that sent murderous rage coursing through my veins.

Connor sat positioned in an immaculate ivory suit beside Lila, who was fighting against a massive enforcer restraining her while Claire administered an injection into her exposed arm. A distinguished gentleman in formal attire—unmistakably the notary—observed the entire proceedings with disturbing professional detachment.

Every person in the room froze at my violent entrance, but Claire had already completed her injection. Lila’s struggles ceased abruptly, her body becoming disturbingly limp. When Claire reached for a second prepared syringe, I exploded into motion, seizing her wrist with crushing force.

"Beckett, extract Lila immediately! Transport her to the emergency room—Claire has administered some kind of chemical sedative!" I roared, wrestling Claire to the marble floor and securing handcuffs around her wrists. "Jude, maintain surveillance on this serpent and secure that syringe as evidence. We need to identify exactly what substance she injected into Lila."

I pivoted to observe Connor attempting to slip away quietly, his muscle-bound enforcer shadowing his movement. The notary had pressed himself flat against the ornate wall, frantically dabbing perspiration from his face with an embroidered handkerchief.

"Remain exactly where you are, Connor." I drew my service weapon and discharged a warning shot into the ornate ceiling. Connor turned slowly, displaying that insufferable smugness I’d grown to despise.

"Inspector, you’re making a catastrophic mistake antagonizing me," he sneered with calculated menace. "Scott!"

I spotted Connor’s bodyguard reaching beneath his jacket for concealed hardware. Without a moment’s hesitation, I put a round through his kneecap. He collapsed heavily, and I quickly confiscated his weapon while maintaining my aim on Connor.

"Both of you, take seats immediately," I commanded Connor and the trembling notary, feeling momentarily in control of the volatile situation. We simply needed Ezekiel’s backup to arrive.

"Daniel." Beckett’s voice drew my attention to the shattered doorway. He stood there cradling an unconscious Lila in his arms, but my heart stopped completely when I observed Inspector Andrew positioned behind him, pressing a pistol against Beckett’s skull.

"Place Lila in the chair beside Connor," Andrew instructed with chilling composure.

"What in God’s name is happening here?" I demanded.

"That’s precisely what I should be asking, Inspector Martinez. This is my jurisdiction. You cannot simply storm in disrupting established operations. We conduct business according to different protocols here." Andrew’s voice maintained an unnervingly calm cadence. "Drop your weapon, slide it across the floor, assume a kneeling position, and elevate your hands—unless you’re eager to witness your associate’s cerebral matter decorating these walls."

I complied without hesitation, unwilling to gamble with Beckett’s survival.

"Excellent cooperation. Now, Beckett, you and your colleague will kneel beside Daniel with your hands raised." Andrew circled the spacious room methodically, collecting my discarded weapon before approaching Claire. He handed her the handcuff key, and she freed herself while he kept his pistol trained on our group. "Notary, let’s expedite this marriage ceremony. Afterward, we’ll attend to Scott’s medical needs."

The notary resumed his official position and began reciting the ceremonial words as if the entire situation were completely routine. Connor’s satisfaction was palpable, matching Claire’s vindictive triumph. When the moment arrived for signatures, Lila sat zombie-like, her eyes open but clearly void of awareness or comprehension.

"Claire, what exactly did you administer to her?" Connor inquired, genuine concern creeping into his voice.

"Simply something to ensure her cooperation. She can provide her fingerprint instead of a written signature, correct?" Claire asked the notary.

"Certainly, I’ll retrieve the ink pad." The notary moved toward the destroyed entrance.

"Following the ceremony’s completion, I’ll ensure these individuals vanish permanently. No complications or witnesses," Andrew stated matter-of-factly, pressing his weapon against my skull.

Glancing at Beckett beside me, he silently mouthed "remain calm" followed by "Ezekiel"—reminding me that reinforcements were approaching. Observing Lila in that drugged, helpless state made me want to charge forward regardless of consequences, but I couldn’t risk Jude and Beckett’s lives with reckless action.

I maintained absolute silence, desperately hoping for Ezekiel’s timely intervention. As if responding to my silent prayers, the notary reappeared wearing handcuffs, escorted by Inspector Ezekiel. Armed officers flooded the chamber behind him, rapidly subduing Claire, Connor, and the wounded Scott.

"Damn it all to hell!" Inspector Andrew cursed behind me.