Stirred up a hornet's nest

The following day, at the Los Angeles Mayor's Office.

This place is less like the core of municipal power and more like a battlefield swept by a typhoon.

Mayor Matthew was rubbing his throbbing temples, trying to calm the two angry guests in front of him.

Across the desk, Los Angeles Police Chief Edward leaned forward, his hands on the table, his voice trembling slightly with suppressed anger:

"Mayor Matthew! This is absurd! Simone and his hearing officers destroyed our paranormal team without any evidence! You and I both know the nature of those cases! Chain of evidence? Standard procedure? Often, it's simply impossible! We need results! This is undermining the safety of the entire city of Los Angeles!"

Beside him, State Representative Michael Rollins had a more reserved presence; he simply sat upright, his voice not loud, yet clearly drowning out Edward's lingering words.

"Mr. Mayor, my daughter Amy was just pulled back from the brink of hell yesterday. If it weren't for Detective Qin using some... unconventional methods, I wouldn't be sitting here, but preparing for her funeral! I understand the importance of rules, but when faced with threats beyond our comprehension, some rules themselves can become shackles that bind us or even kill us."

He sighed and added:

"Director Simone's insistence, if I may be so bold, seems more like bureaucratic rigidity than a genuine commitment to justice and security. I feel that the position of executive director... does not seem to suit him."

The mayor sighed deeply, feeling as if he were sitting on the edge of a volcano. He gestured to his secretary, who immediately understood and dialed the number.

Soon, two Los Angeles Police Department Commissioners (LAPC) members who had been urgently summoned rushed to the scene, along with Executive Director Simone.

There was no arguing or excessive debate; Chief Edward and Councilman Michael simply reiterated their points. Then, Mayor Matthew got straight to the point:

"You two have already expressed your opinions. Now I want to know, was the suspension of Detective Qin Jin for investigation too hasty and harsh? We need a reasonable explanation and a solution."

Simone's eyelids twitched slightly. Faced with the questioning of these two heavyweights, he did not back down. After all, he had already received the $200,000, and today he had also received the promised additional $200,000. In the current situation, he could only stand his ground and fight back.

"Gentlemen, I understand your concerns, but the lack of an action report is also a fact, and according to regulations, we must investigate..."

He gave Chief Edward a cold smile:

"Unless the mayor orders a special hearing by the five commissioners to remove me from my post, otherwise..." His gaze was firm, even carrying a hint of arrogance:

"The investigation will definitely continue, and suspension is imperative!"

Faced with Simone's assertiveness, one of the committee members finally stood up for himself. He didn't dare to question the mayor, but he could certainly challenge Chief Edward.

"But rules are rules, Chief Edward!" the commissioner said directly.

"Even supernatural cases must be handled within the legal framework! Detective Qin took away a key figure but could not provide a reasonable explanation for his subsequent whereabouts, which constitutes a serious procedural flaw. Director Simone's insistence on investigating is not inappropriate."

Congressman Michael coldly interjected:

"A reasonable explanation? What kind of explanation do you need? Do you want Detective Qin to report that ghosts, phantoms, or demons caused these events? Or that you were entrusted with the care of a demon, allowing it to escape and even kill more people?! Gentlemen, we all know about cases caused by supernatural forces, but ordinary people don't. Are you going to pretend you don't know either?"

"I don't think so..." Director Simone tried to explain, but was abruptly interrupted by Director Edward:

"That's enough!"

He glared fiercely at Simone, gritting his teeth, his finger almost poking Simone's forehead:

"You're disregarding human life! Let me tell you, without the second team, the next time a citizen encounters supernatural forces, or even if it happens to any of your family members, think carefully about the consequences! Think it through! See if you can bear them!"

A brief silence fell over the mayor's office, broken only by heavy breathing.

The dialogue between the high-level officials tore away all the euphemisms and went straight to the core conflict: the conflict between rules and survival. Although this conflict was instigated by the Tong family and carried out by Simone, it was indeed real and unavoidable.

Just then, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

A middle-aged woman with a powerful aura, dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, walked in. She ignored the secretary's attempts to stop her, and her sharp gaze swept across the room like a scalpel.

She is Merris Logan, the Los Angeles Regional Director of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and wife of Deputy Commissioner Logan.

"Mr. Mayor, excuse me." Merris's voice was as cold as ice. She walked straight to the mayor's desk, but her gaze was fixed on Simone, who sat arrogantly in the corner.

"Director Simone," Merris's voice suddenly rose, filled with undisguised anger:

"I just learned that you've suspended the only team in Los Angeles, and even the entire West Coast, capable of handling paranormal cases. So I'd like to know, Chief Simone, what are you thinking?"

Simone's face remained expressionless, displaying only an almost stubborn indifference:

"Chief Merris, please watch your words. LAPC is simply fulfilling its oversight duties to ensure that police powers are exercised in accordance with the law and procedure. Detective Qin's case is supported by solid evidence and followed due process."

"Due process?" Merris seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. She took a step forward, her voice full of threat:

"Good, very good. Simone, listen to me carefully. Starting tomorrow, I will be personally monitoring you. You, your family, every penny in your name, every transaction you handle—I will examine them under a microscope! Even if you find a damn twenty-five-cent coin on the street, you better declare it and pay taxes immediately! Otherwise, I will show you what IRS due process is all about!"

This blatant death threat from the IRS instantly lowered the temperature in the office to freezing point, even causing the mayor and the two LAPC commissioners to gasp in shock.

The IRS's tax investigation powers are one of the ultimate weapons in the United States, enough to strike fear into anyone's heart.

Simone's expression finally changed, turning from indifference to ashen. He stared intently at Merris, a flicker of offended anger and barely perceptible apprehension in his eyes.

He retorted firmly, "Director Merris, you're abusing your power and threatening a public official! Do whatever you want!"

"Abuse of power? Threat?" Merris sneered.

"I'm just reminding you that following the rules is a two-way street. While you're eyeing other people's loopholes, you'd better make sure you're as clean as crystal yourself! We'll see!"

After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at Simone, nodded slightly to the mayor, and said, "Mr. Mayor, my apologies."

Then she turned around, the sound of her high heels striking the ground like war drums, and left the office with lingering anger.

The meeting ended badly, and the atmosphere plummeted. Simone and the two LAPC commissioners also left with gloomy faces.

Only the mayor, Chief Edward, and Councilor Michael remained in the office.

Chief Edward sighed heavily, his voice filled with helplessness. Representative Michael walked to the mayor's desk, his voice low and serious:

"Mr. Mayor, my daughter's experience tells me that the threats we face are real and deadly. Qin Jin and his team are one of the few effective shields we have against these threats, and Simone's stubbornness may cause us to lose this shield."

The mayor leaned back wearily in his chair, rubbing his increasingly aching temples.

"Michael, Edward, I understand, I really understand. But Simone is the executive director of LAPC, and his appointment is guaranteed for a term. As long as he insists on procedural issues, otherwise... it's difficult for me to overturn his decision with an executive order. That's not in line with the system."

Congressman Michael paused for a moment, a hint of worry flashing deep in his grey-blue eyes:

"Mr. Mayor, the system is important, but the safety of citizens is more important. I respect the rules, but the rules should not become chains that bind our hands and feet. I have a... very bad feeling that Los Angeles... may become very, very dangerous. I suggest you find a solution as soon as possible."

He gave the mayor a deep look, then turned and left, followed by Director Edward.

Inside the office, only a heavy silence and the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm remained.

At this moment, the Qingcao Community is enjoying a rare sunny day.

Qin Jin and Alessa spent the entire day dealing with miscellaneous items, repairing Alessa's torn gothic dress, buying enough food for Yuanxiao, and retrieving the pre-ordered chicken blood from Lao Zhou's shop...

They even went to the Xisen mining area and retrieved what the paper bride had found.

It was a huge cold-water turtle that she had found in an underground pool. Its shell had turned a deep, dark green. Qin Jin and Alessa drew enough blood from the turtle and then put it back into the pool.

Qin Jin showed sufficient respect for this life that was older than himself.

The chilling coldness of turtle blood far exceeded that of snake blood; an indescribable chill instantly surged into every part of my body!

The restlessness within his body subsided almost instantly, like magma frozen in ice!

Both of them could clearly feel that the soul power backlash, which was originally estimated to require at least a month of rest to barely suppress, was greatly shortened in time under the effect of the cold, yin tortoise blood, and the degree of suppression far exceeded expectations!

Qin Jin and Alessa exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes; the biggest threat had been temporarily eliminated.

Before going to sleep, Alessa looked out the window and suddenly asked Qin Jin a question:

"When will we take care of that person?"

Qin Jin knew she was asking about the gunmen who had been monitoring his home. Undoubtedly, they were from the Tong family, but thinking of his promise to the paper bride, Qin Jin smiled.

"Tomorrow!"

He glanced towards the mining area and said casually, "When the time comes, we'll go back to the mining area again, and I don't believe they'll still be able to hold back!"