Shane seems to have noticed Lucian’s inner conflict, knowing Lucian isn’t as gossipy as Faye and Morgan, but he’s more likely to slip up if Audrey asks him, saying something easy to misunderstand.

So, Shane told him, "When you go back, just say that I went with the police to follow up on the investigation. Keep an eye on them."

Lucian nodded, still preferring to believe Shane isn’t the type to cheat and abandon his wife and child.

Seeing Shane reluctant to reveal more, Lucian didn’t press further, "I’ll head back first then."

"Alright." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Erin exchanged a few words with Franklin, then called out to Shane, "Stop chit-chatting, it’s almost time to change clothes."

Franklin gestured to Shane, "Come with me."

Shane followed Franklin to an empty office, where Franklin handed him a bag with clothes, saying, "Hurry up and change."

Shane took the clothes out of the bag, frowned at the style, and asked incredulously, "Wear this?"

Franklin laughed, "It doesn’t match your usual style, but Old Man Lowell loves these floral suits. Oh, by the way, there’s the tattoo sticker; Old Man Lowell has a tattoo from his back to his neck. Take off your shirt and I’ll help you put it on."

Shane frowned in disdain, "Can’t you find someone else?"

Franklin pulled out the prepared tattoo, peeling it off as he spoke, "If there were someone else, I wouldn’t have asked you. Hurry up, stop dawdling."

Shane had no choice but to take off his shirt, turn his back to Franklin and sit down, asking, "What mission are you executing?"

Franklin: "Capturing drug dealers, and there’s a wanted criminal who fled from Rivia to here. Plus, your two brothers’ stuff. Anyway, it’s all tangled together. Just stay close to Erin, don’t act on your own. She’ll ensure your safety, and our men will be outside the hotel to assist."

"Snap—" Franklin placed the mineral water tattoo gently on Shane’s back, revealing a large black dragon after peeling it off, "Almost done. With your clothes on, it won’t be very visible."

Franklin turned and grabbed a tissue, wiping the water off Shane’s back while asking, "You’re all here? What about my wife?"

"She’s at the hotel opposite."

Franklin paused his wiping, "The one just across the street? That’s where their meeting was scheduled."

Shane was taken aback, thinking that if he walked into the hotel hand in hand with that policewoman, and Audrey happened to see them, wouldn’t it expose everything?

No matter how he thought about it, it seemed imprudent. He should have let Lucian stay and leave this mess to him.

"Hurry up and change. I need to call my wife."

Though Franklin knew Laura was just a street away at the hotel, he felt the urge to dash over to meet her.

But considering his mission, going would only make Laura worry.

It’s better to call and reassure her.

When Laura received Franklin’s call, her heart was in her throat, fearing that if she answered, it might not be Franklin’s voice but someone asking if she was Franklin’s next of kin.

Only when she heard Franklin’s familiar voice did Laura truly breathe a sigh of relief, "Honey, where are you playing?"

Laura’s first words were, "What have you been up to? Why haven’t you been replying to my messages?"

Franklin stood by the second-floor corridor window at the police station, where he could see the hotel building clearly, "Sorry, it’s been so hectic these past days, I didn’t have time to reply. You and our son are doing well, right?"

"Yes, we’re doing well. Just take care of yourself. Remember to stay safe, and don’t rush into things."

Franklin chuckled, "Got it, safety first. You’ve told me so many times."

Laura: "No matter how many times I tell you, you never remember."

Franklin: "I remember. Once things settle here, I’ll come and find you two right away."

Laura: "Mm... we’re waiting for you."

Franklin: "I have a meeting now. Hurry, give me a kiss before I hang up."

Laura glanced around the room full of people, slightly embarrassed, she lowered her voice, "There are people here, how embarrassing. Go tend to your business."

Franklin: "Send me some pictures of you and our son later; I miss you both."

Laura: "Alright, I’ll send you some shortly."

Franklin: "Don’t you miss me?"

His words were cut short as someone called, "Captain Sutton, Director Porter is looking for you."

Laura heard the voice on the other end and didn’t want to distract Franklin, so she said, "Go get busy. Message me when you’re done, even if it’s just a quick reply."

Franklin looked up at the building opposite, softly replying, "Alright, I’ll come find you later."

Inside the hotel.

Audrey came out of the bathroom, carrying Anna, and saw Lucian coming off the elevator.

She looked behind him several times, puzzled, and walked over, asking, "Mor, why are you the only one back? Where is he?"

Lucian hesitated, feeling inexplicably guilty for Shane, especially thinking of the scene he’d witnessed at the police station when he saw Audrey holding the child looking anxious.

"Shane... went with the police to follow up on the investigation."

Audrey immediately followed up, "Is there news from Brother Xavier and Morgan?"

Lucian wasn’t used to lying, and when answering Audrey’s questions, his eyes couldn’t meet hers out of guilt, "There’s... some leads, apparently."

Audrey: "Did he say when he’d be back?"

Lucian: "He should be back soon. He asked you to rest and wait here patiently."

Audrey felt a bit worried, "I’ll call him."

Lucian opened his mouth to stop her, but thought better of it, letting Audrey decide, thinking it’s a matter best settled between them.

Anyway, he’s caught in the middle, feeling uncomfortable no matter which side he helps.

Audrey returned to her room with Anna and picked up her phone, only to find Shane had sent her a message.

It just said he couldn’t come back for a while but didn’t explain why.

Audrey replied: How long will it take to get back? Is it something serious?

On the other end, due to the mission, Shane’s phone had been taken by Franklin, replaced with another phone used for missions, so he didn’t receive Audrey’s message.

Audrey waited for two minutes, but Shane didn’t reply.

She anxiously sent another message: It feels unsafe here. Please come back, okay?