Two minutes earlier.
The Pursuit Team's command vehicle screeched to a halt right in front of the main entrance of the Starry Headquarters Building.
The doors flew open almost simultaneously, and Liu Shanhe, Nie Bing, Zhang Hong, Feng Chiyu, and Lin Zhiyuan leaped out without hesitation, striding purposefully toward the entrance.
Witnessing Cifera's brazen appearance on stage during the press conference had sent shockwaves through them.
Cifera knew the Pursuit Team was watching the press conference—this was a blatant provocation.
As if to say:Didn't I tell you? Just watch the press conference, and you'd know where I am. See? I didn't lie.
Liu Shanhe had acted swiftly, ordering all vehicles to activate their sirens and race to the scene at full speed. They arrived just before Cifera could escape.
The commotion caused by the Pursuit Team instantly drew the attention of nearby pedestrians.
Many recognized them immediately.
"Wow, it's the Pursuit Team from Global Manhunt!"
"The tall, leggy beauty leading the charge—that's Nie Bing! She's even more stunning in person than on camera!"
"She's so cool and beautiful! No wonder Cifera loves teasing her so much! A cold beauty with such adorable contrasts—if it were me, I'd tease her too!"
"Keep your voice down! Have you been posting too many abstract comments online? Now you're acting like this in real life?"
"Don't just stare at the pretty girl! The other team members are handsome too!"
"I saw the live stream—Cifera's right there! This is going to be good!"
Ignoring the onlookers' stares and comments, the Pursuit Team hurried toward the main entrance of Starry Headquarters on the ground floor.
Just as they were about to step inside, several Starry Security personnel in crisp uniforms and serious expressions swiftly approached. The leader, his manner polite but professionally alert, held up a hand to stop them.
"Please hold for a moment. How may we assist you?"
Despite seeing Nie Bing and the others emerge from vehicles with sirens blaring—likely police—the Starry Security personnel demonstrated remarkable professionalism by not immediately granting them entry.
Seeing the security team's well-drilled response, Liu Shanhe nodded slightly, a flicker of subtle approval in his eyes. However, at this moment, there was no need for the elderly gentleman to personally handle the communication.
Wang Lei knew he wasn't particularly skilled at solving cases, but he was good at communication—now was his chance to shine.
He immediately stepped forward, a warm smile spreading across his face, while swiftly flashing the Production Team's official credentials and a copy of the agreement signed with the Public Security Bureau:
"Hello, we're members of the Pursuit Team for the Global Manhunt: The Final Heist program."
He clearly identified their affiliation, pointing to the emblem on his credentials:
"We're currently executing a mission for the program, tracking down a critical target contestant—Cifera. We have reliable intelligence indicating she's currently at the Press Conference on the top floor of your company, and she has just disrupted the proceedings through an illegal intrusion."
Wang Lei spoke with crisp clarity, emphasizing the target, location, and severity of her actions:
"Our program has an agreement with the National Public Security Bureau. To some extent, our Pursuit Team operates as a legitimate law enforcement unit, and we have priority passage rights when it comes to apprehending targeted contestants.
"Given the urgency of the situation, we need to proceed to the top floor immediately. Please cooperate by granting us passage."
The Security Team Leader took the credentials and the copy of the agreement, examining them swiftly and thoroughly.
After confirming their authenticity, the wariness on his face eased slightly, but he didn't immediately clear the way. Instead, he replied with respectful firmness:
"I understand the general situation, but I'm very sorry, my authorization doesn't allow me to make a decision on whether to grant access. I must first report this to my superiors and await their instructions. Please wait here."
The Security Team Leader stepped into the lobby. Through the glass, they could see him picking up a walkie-talkie, speaking earnestly into it.
Shortly after, the Security Team Leader emerged again, a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness on his face.
He hadn't expected Minister Lei to respond with a single, inflexible line: "No one is allowed up without my express permission!"
Is this some kind of joke? he wondered. Can this really be used as an explanation for these Pursuit Team experts?
The Security Team Leader was absolutely certain that if he dared to relay such a response directly, he'd be fired by tomorrow for "stepping into the gate with his left foot first."
Despite the awkwardness, he had to grit his teeth to keep his job. Steeling himself, he conveyed Minister Lei's instructions to Wang Lei and the Pursuit Team with utmost courtesy:
"Esteemed experts, I sincerely apologize for the delay."
"Minister Lei has instructed that a critical phase of the press conference is currently underway on the top floor. The area must remain temporarily sealed off, and all visitors are declined to avoid unnecessary disruptions."
"He... he requests that you wait downstairs for a brief period. Once this crucial phase concludes, further arrangements will be made."
"What?!" Zhang Hong's explosive temper ignited instantly!
He strode right up to the Security Team Leader, his massive frame exuding a menacing aura.
"What the hell is Minister Lei playing at?! Cifera is right under his nose! He wants us to wait downstairs? Wait for what? Wait for him to let her escape?!"
Zhang Hong could hardly believe his ears. How dare a corporate security chief refuse to cooperate with the Pursuit Team's operation?
Wang Lei had made it clear: their status was essentially equivalent to a special unit within the Police Force. This obstruction was no different from interfering with law enforcement.
"Ha ha, Brother, you're exaggerating. That's not what Minister Lei meant..."
"Not what he meant? Do you think we haven't been watching the press conference livestream? Your Minister Lei just agreed to Cifera's demands and is about to let her go!"
Feng Chiyu chuckled with amusement.
"Clearly, this is the 'crucial part' Minister Lei mentioned," Feng Chiyu said with a knowing smile.
"Huh?"
The Security Team Leader was completely bewildered. He'd been on duty and hadn't had time to watch the press conference live. So his own Minister was this brazen? He didn't even bother to put on a show for the cameras?
As if reading his thoughts, Nie Bing, who had been silently watching the live stream of Cifera and Liu Ruyan posing together, dragged the progress bar back to replay.
She shoved the replay of Lei Gang's earlier promise to release Cifera right in the Security Team Leader's face!
After watching the replay, the security team breathed a collective sigh of relief. At least Minister Lei wasn't a complete fool—he'd at least put on a minimal act.
Clearing his throat, the Security Team Leader turned to the Expert Team and said:
"Our leaders naturally have their reasons for their actions... I apologize, everyone, but duty calls. We must obey orders. Please rest briefly downstairs. I'll notify you immediately once I receive further instructions."
After the Security Team Leader reiterated his refusal to cooperate, Nie Bing, though silent, locked her icy gaze onto him. A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, and he instinctively took a half-step back, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
This beautiful police officer's oppressive aura is more suffocating than that brute's roaring!
The atmosphere in the corridor grew tense, like a drawn bowstring about to snap. The Starry Security guards at the entrance felt their hearts pounding in their chests.
If these Pursuit Team members try to force their way in, should we resist? Would that be considered assaulting police officers?
Minister Lei has really dragged us into a mess!
Just then, Liu Shanhe, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke:
"Alright, these young men from Starry Security are just doing their duty. Let's not make things harder for them.
"We'll wait downstairs."
Under the Security Team's grateful gazes, Liu Shanhe led the Pursuit Team back to the command vehicle.
Everyone gathered around Liu Shanhe, awaiting his next instructions.
Though Liu Shanhe had conceded, everyone knew he had a countermeasure ready.
His face was stern as he boomed, "It's clear Contestant Cifera is using Minister Lei to obstruct us. She's completely figured out their strategy.
"But that doesn't matter. As long as she's still in this building, we have plenty of ways to flush her out.
"Secure all exits immediately! Forget waiting for tonight's charity auction—we're turning this afternoon into a closed-door cat-and-mouse game!"
"Old Liu," Wang Lei couldn't help but ask, "will Starry Security cooperate with us? Judging by their earlier resistance, it doesn't seem likely."
"They will. Minister Lei doesn't understand Cifera at all. Once he's humiliated, he'll have no reason to refuse us."
Liu Shanhe's sharp gaze swept upward, as if piercing through the layers of obstruction to find Cifera laughing and joking onstage.
Cifera, this time, I won't let you slip away again!