Back at the police station.
Ivy was reading through some documents when a sudden commotion outside caught her attention. She paused, set the papers aside, and walked out of her office.
As she stepped into the lobby, she was met with the shrill voice of a furious woman screaming at an officer behind the counter.
"You little rascals! Do you have any idea who you've arrested? I'll make sure you lose your job!" Mrs. Han barked, her bodyguards looming behind her like silent threats.
"How dare you arrest my son?! Release him now, you worthless piece of trash!"
"M-Ma'am, please calm down. This is a police station, not your living room. Your son was caught harassing our Vice Director," Officer Mack said, attempting to defuse the chaos.
But Mrs. Han wasn't listening.
"Who the hell is this 'Vice Director'? Bring her here! I bet she tried seducing my son, and when he turned her down, she got him arrested out of spite! Bring her to me right now!"
Ivy's eyes narrowed as she approached. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice firm.
The crowd turned at the sound of her voice and bowed slightly. "Vice Director," they murmured.
Mrs. Han turned too, her eyes flaming with rage. "So you're the one who had my son locked up? Do you have a death wish, woman?"
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? And who exactly are you?"
"I'm the mother of Nick Han—whom you've wrongfully thrown behind bars!"
"I don't arrest people without reason, Mrs. Han. Your son was stalking my friend and blackmailing her father. If you want him to stay out of trouble, teach him to respect women."
"You insolent little—are you saying I raised my son wrong—?"
"Who is causing this ruckus in my department?"
The piercing chill of a voice silenced the room.
Everyone turned to see Director Samuel Arnester striding in, his sharp gaze scanning the scene.
"Director!" everyone bowed.
Samuel's eyes narrowed. "Can someone explain what's going on?"
"Mr. Arnester!" Mrs. Han brightened, her tone instantly changing. She turned to him with a practiced smile.
Samuel looked puzzled. "Mrs. Han? What are you doing here?"
Even Ivy seemed surprised by their familiarity.
Mrs. Han's expression hardened as she pointed at Ivy. "Mr. Arnester, your Vice Director has abused her power. She falsely accused my son and had him arrested just because her little friend didn't like him."
Samuel turned to Ivy. "Officer Ivy... is that true?"
Ivy blinked, then stepped forward. "Sir, what Mrs. Han is saying is completely false. Her son has been harassing my friend for weeks. We went to confront him, and things escalated. He and his men attacked us first. I acted in self-defense."
"You liar!" Mrs. Han snapped. "Samuel, I demand you fire this woman and release my son. If you don't, I'll make sure she never works in this city again!"
The entire room held its breath.
Samuel exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Mrs. Han, perhaps this is just a misunderstanding. You know how the younger generation can be. Let's not take things too far. I'll have your son released, alright?"
"Director—!" Ivy started, cutting in.
Samuel glanced at her sternly. "Ivy. Enough. We'll discuss this later." He turned to the officer nearby. "Bring in the ones we arrested yesterday. And get Mrs. Han the release forms."
Mrs. Han smirked in triumph and looked at Ivy. "See, Samuel knows what's right. Unlike you—an uneducated girl who doesn't know her place."
"Excuse me? Who are you calling uneducated?" Evan, a young subordinate, snapped. "I bet our Vice Director has more brains in her pinky than your bastard son ever will!"
"You little—! Samuel! Is this the kind of discipline you teach your officers? You should put a leash on them!"
Ewan clenched his jaw. "With all due respect, Mrs. Han, maybe it's not us who need a leash—"
"Evan," Ivy interjected quietly, shaking her head. "It's not worth it."
He looked at her, then fell silent.
"You got your son back, Mrs. Han. Let's not drag this further. But if he ever bothers my friend again…" Ivy's voice dropped, cold and dangerous, "I won't hesitate to break a few of his fingers next time."
Mrs. Han glared at her, about to speak—when the officer returned with Nick Han and the other detainees.
"Mom," Nick called out.
She rushed to him, inspecting him frantically. "Are you alright, son? They didn't touch you, did they?"
"I'm fine, Mom," Nick muttered, shooting Ivy a sideways glance. "They didn't lay a finger on me."
"Good." Mrs. Han turned to Samuel. "Can we leave now?"
Samuel nodded. "Just sign the forms and you're free to go."
She did so quickly, and with her son in tow, left the station in a huff.
Once the room settled, Samuel turned to Ivy.
"Ivy. My office. Now."
Everyone looked at her, tense.
"Don't worry, Vice Director," Evan said quietly. "The Director knows who's right. He probably had no choice. We're with you."
Others murmured in agreement.
Ivy gave them a faint nod and made her way to the Director's office. She knocked once, then stepped inside.
Samuel stood at the window, hands clasped behind his back.
"Director," she called softly.
He turned. "Officer Ivy. Sit."
She sat, her expression composed.
"May I ask," she said, "why you let him go?"
Samuel sighed. "Ivy, Mrs. Han is the sister of a high-ranking official. If we cross her, she'll come down on this department with everything she's got. And you'll be the first to go. You don't want that, do you?"
Ivy stared at him in disbelief. So power wins again. She clenched her fists under the table.
"Ivy. What are you thinking?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I understand what you mean, Director."
"Good. I don't want any more trouble. And I don't want anyone questioning my decisions. Understood?"
Ivy's lips pressed into a thin line. "Understood. But just know, next time, I won't stay quiet."
Samuel's eyes flickered.
"Good. Now get back to work."
She stood, nodded once, and left the room—her heart burning with restrained fury.
Inside Mrs. Han's Car
"Son, why can't you behave properly?" Mrs. Han snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "You're always getting into trouble! Do you know how furious your father is this time? He refused to bail you out. It was me—I fought with him, begged him, and got you out. So please, for once, don't cause any more problems. Do you understand?"
Nick clenched his jaw, his knuckles tightening into fists on his lap. It's all because of that damn cop girl... he seethed internally. I'll make her pay for this humiliation.
"Nick," Mrs. Han said sternly, "Are you even listening to me?"
He turned to her, masking his rage with a tight, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Mom. I know I've disappointed you. I promise, I won't cause any more trouble."
Mrs. Han exhaled, her tone softening. "Alright. Just remember what I said. And don't forget to apologize to your father. He's still furious with you."
Nick gave a small nod. "I will, Mom."
But as he turned back toward the window, his expression twisted into a cold, sinister smirk.
That girl… Officer Ivy. She humiliated me in front of everyone. She'll regret ever crossing me…