Seated next to Nie Bing, Lin Zhiyuan had long since steeled his nerves after Cifera thoroughly outwitted him at the base that morning.
Unlike the others who were visibly agitated, he remained as rational as ever, analyzing the pre-announcement on the screen with cold calculation:
"'Eternal beauty will break free from its contractual bonds at any moment...' The target is clear: 'Starry Light'. But the cunning lies in the words 'at any moment', meaning she might not strike at 8 PM sharp. The guardians must remain on edge indefinitely.
"'The cat's footsteps are lighter than moonlight...' This declares she will strike with utmost stealth, in ways nearly impossible to detect. We can't rely on conventional thinking to predict Cifera's moves.
"'Will you honor this starry rendezvous?'... She's issuing an invitation, or rather, a taunt to anyone who tries to stop her—including us, of course."
Lin Zhiyuan pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and glanced up at Liu Shanhe's ashen face and the oppressive aura emanating from Nie Bing.
"Cifera's actions... once again defy conventional prediction.
"I don't believe this is mere arrogance. It's more like... extreme self-confidence, or perhaps... hmm, a desperate gamble driven by some intent we haven't yet grasped.
"Regardless, this move has plunged the charity auction itself, Ms. Liu Ruyan's reputation, the Children's Relief Foundation's future, and Cifera's own public image into a massive, unpredictable vortex of risk.
"The negative impact... is now inevitable. The only question is its severity."
Lin Zhiyuan's words resonated with everyone in the vehicle—
The extent of the damage Cifera would cause depended entirely on whether the Pursuit Team could stop her in time.
If she actually stole the Starry Light, the impact would be catastrophic.
Liu Shanhe, the usually affable retired detective legend, now looked as grim as a storm cloud.
He hadn't been this furious since his retirement.
Though they'd only known each other briefly, he had genuinely grown fond of Cifera.
But the more he cherished her, the more enraged he became when he witnessed her committing such a colossal blunder.
His wrinkled hands gripped the armrests of his seat so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He understood Nie Bing's fury. The girl had practically watched Cifera ignite the very disaster she had most feared, and in the most ostentatious manner imaginable.
When he had earlier issued orders based on Nie Bing's "duty-first" rationale, wasn't he also trying to give Cifera a "dignified" chance to back down?
And the result...
The little girl had hidden herself, yet her actions were as brazen as if she had leaped onto the stage, under the spotlight, and declared to the world:
I'm going to steal the most expensive one tonight!
"Bravo! What a 'Kitty Phantom Thief'! The irony!"
Liu Shanhe's voice was low, heavy with suppressed fury:
"Cifera is tearing a hole in the sky! She's trampling everyone's goodwill and expectations underfoot, using them as stepping stones for her personal spectacle!"
His gaze slowly swept across each member in the vehicle, finally settling on Nie Bing's violently heaving back. His voice suddenly rose, sharp and decisive:
"Police Officer Nie Bing! Your prediction was absolutely correct! Cifera's declaration... no, her declaration of war, we accept it!
"Notify all Pursuit Team members: accelerate to the Starry Headquarters Building!
"Tonight, we're not just protecting the auction's order, but also Madam Liu Ruyan's hope and the future of countless children!
Liu Shanhe's gaze, sharp as a sword, blazed with unwavering resolve:
"And above all, we must defend—
"The dignity of our Pursuit Team!
"And prevent her... prevent Cifera from personally destroying everything she's painstakingly built!
"Do you understand?!"
"Understood!"
Amidst the team's resounding affirmation, Zhang Hong slammed his foot on the accelerator. The command vehicle's engine roared violently, surging forward like an arrow released from its bow, racing toward the Starry Headquarters Building, where a storm was about to break.
Watching the Pursuit Team experts' situation, viewers in the live stream could clearly sense their anger and helplessness:
[The Trials and Tribulations of a Girlfriend's Rebellion: A Live Documentary!]
[She's done for! Cifera has really pissed off Bingbing this time! Domestic violence (aka arrest) incoming!]
[Even Brother Zhang thinks she's gone too far. Cifera is playing a seriously dangerous game!]
[Brother Zhang perfectly voiced the sentiments of us ordinary viewers: What did Sister Liu and the children do to deserve this?!]
[Feng Chiyu: I thought I was crazy enough with extreme sports, but Cifera is even more insane! Respect! (Not the good kind)]
["Able to break free from the contract at any time"... Cifera is planning a drawn-out war of attrition against the Protectors! Brutal!]
[Lord Lin: Cifera's logic continues to defy all predictions. (Translation: She's pulling out all the stops and breaking every rule in the book again!)]
["Stop her from destroying everything she's worked for with her own hands!" Old Liu gets it! That's the most heartbreaking part!]
Liu Shanhe: Retired Comrade Liu's blood pressure is spiking! Cifera, you've committed unforgivable sins!]
[Teacher Wang Lei, the only one who remained silent throughout: I'm just a cook following my passion. I really don't know what to say!]
[Cifera, Cifera, you've gone too far this time! You've completely enraged Bingbing and Old Liu, the two people who've always protected you!]
[I'm so nervous and scared right now! Part of me wants to see Cifera show off her skills, but the other part fears she'll ruin the charity auction and get herself killed!]
[Cifera : a Walking Blood Pressure Raiser, Pursuit Team special edition.]
-
The scene cut back to the press conference.
Even now, only the screen was lit; the other lights stubbornly refused to turn on.
The security chief and technical staff were sweating profusely, barking into their walkie-talkies:
"Investigate! Check the power and control systems immediately! Find the source of the interference!"
But just as the security personnel scrambled in chaos, the technicians wracked their brains, and the entire venue descended into a confused, dark panic—
Snap!
A single, precise spotlight beam, like a divine decree, suddenly struck the center of the stage, right beside Liu Ruyan!
Dust motes danced within the luminous column.
And at the heart of that radiant column stood a slender, graceful figure, who had materialized silently without warning.
It was no longer "Reporter Chen Luo,"
But the Kitty Phantom Thief—wearing a low-cut, hooded bodysuit and sporting a sly, confident smile—
Cifera herself!
"Waaahhhh—!!!"
Instantly, the venue erupted in a roar of astonishment even louder than before!