Chapter 840

She hated the feeling of being kept in the dark.

When Tessa saw Julian walk back in, head hung low, she pretended not to know anything and stepped forward with concern.

“Julian, what happened?”

She smiled gently. “Didn’t you go out to make a call? What’s wrong? Couldn’t get through?”

Her tone was soft and calm, like she was just chatting about something ordinary.

But Julian reacted as if a nerve had been struck.

He lunged forward and grabbed her by the neck, his fingers tightening viciously.

“This is all your fault—if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess!"

“You’re so cruel! I went through all that trouble, and you still had to betray me!"

“I don’t understand you, Tessa. What kind of woman are you? I was so wrong about you!"

“If you want me dead, then none of us are leaving here alive!”

Tessa’s eyes rolled back as he choked her, oxygen rapidly slipping from her lungs.

She kept reaching toward him, trying to push him off.

But the difference in strength between a man and a woman was too great, especially when that man was blinded by rage.

It all happened so fast that even Hector, standing nearby, didn’t react in time.

When he finally snapped out of it, he rushed forward to separate them.

“Julian Hayes, what the hell are you doing?!”

Hector barked, “Let go of her right now! You’re in a police station. Are you trying to die here? Do you even have any respect for the law?”

He pulled with all his strength, but Julian wouldn’t budge.

In the end, it was another officer who saw what was happening on the surveillance feed and rushed in to help break them apart.

Luckily, they got there in time.

Tessa collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, her hand clutching her throat where deep red finger marks stood out vividly.

Even without a mirror, she could imagine what she must look like.

Her hair was a mess, and her voice had gone completely hoarse. “Officer… I… I don’t want to be in the same room as this man anymore."

“I’m scared, I want to leave. Please let me go, I’ll cooperate with whatever you need!”

Tessa’s hair was a mess, her cheeks streaked with tears, and her pale, slender neck covered in bruises made the sight even more pitiful.

The scene softened the hearts of several officers nearby, all except Hector.

He narrowed his eyes, the hand by his side curling slightly into a fist.

After spending time around this woman, he knew exactly what kind of person she was.

She had clearly provoked Julian just now.

And she’d done it with a purpose.

Even the lead officer couldn’t stand watching anymore.

He turned to Hector. “If there’s anything you still need to ask, do it now."

“Once you’re done, take Miss Walton to the hospital for a checkup."

With that, the lead officer shook his head and started to leave.

What a day.

It was nothing but chaos.

A suspect brought in for questioning ended up nearly strangled in their station.

If word got out, what would happen to their precinct’s reputation?

It would be an utter disgrace.

It’d make them look completely incompetent—couldn’t even keep one suspect under control.

What would other precincts think of them after this?

Hector hesitated, then followed after the lead officer, lowering his voice to explain what the chief had instructed him to do.

“So… sir, we probably can’t let Tessa Walton go just yet, right?”