CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 270 DISMISSAL PART 1

"Anbei?"

Early in the morning, Dean received a call from Anbei.

Ever since Dean had asked Anbei to monitor Monet, the two had basically lost contact. This call gave Dean a bad premonition.

"Sorry for waking you up so early, but you don’t have much time left," Anbei’s voice held a hint of amusement, as if he was looking forward to Dean’s embarrassment.

"So, what’s the matter?"

"Monet, your former boss, issued an investigation order against you first thing this morning. If I’m not mistaken, as soon as you go to work today, people from the Internal Affairs Department will come to take you away."

Fuck!

Hearing Anbei’s words, Dean couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Although he had sensed something was amiss since his administrative leave, he hadn’t expected Monet to actually make a move against him.

After a moment of silence, seeing Dean had stopped talking, Anbei dropped his mocking tone and said seriously, "Do you need help?"

After thinking it over, Dean sighed. "Forget it. My family is all in Los Angeles, and I don’t want to cause too much of a stir. But if you’re free, could you help me find out why Monet suddenly decided to target me?"

"Easy enough!"

Just then, from Anbei’s end, the sound of a woman calling him downstairs for breakfast could be heard.

Anbei said hastily, "Actually, I think a peaceful life is quite nice. Alright, I’ll contact you if I get any news. I need to go enjoy the breakfast my wife has prepared for me." With that, he hung up.

Seeing this, Dean gave a slight smile.

In fact, his thoughts weren’t much different from Anbei’s.

A creature of the dark, once removed from its original environment, will subconsciously yearn for light and tranquility.

Unfortunately, this light and tranquility is often an illusion.

Dean didn’t expect Anbei’s peaceful life to last very long. Because people like them, when faced with problems, don’t handle things in the same slow, indecisive way ordinary people do!

This included Dean!

He allowed himself to suffer losses and make concessions, but he would not tolerate betrayal!

I hope you haven’t chosen the wrong path, Monet!

Dean dressed expressionlessly and drove to the police station.

「The parking lot.」

As soon as Dean parked his car, he saw a simply dressed woman leaning by the elevator doors. She had a slim cigarette between her fingers, and a pile of cigarette butts lay on the ground nearby, as if she were waiting for someone.

Seeing Dean, the woman’s face lit up. "Long time no see, Dean!"

"Long time no see, Eve!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Dean’s eyes. The woman was Eve, who had firmly secured her position as Chief of the Narcotics Division. It had been a while. Eve carried herself with a new sense of dignity and a faint aura of authority; it seemed she was doing well.

"Are you waiting for me?" Dean guessed the reason for her presence.

Eve nodded. "I received some bad news about you early this morning. Monet seems to be making a move against you. If there’s any leverage he might have or any loose ends you haven’t dealt with, tell me. I’ll see if I can help you take care of them."

At her words, a sense of warmth touched Dean’s heart. Until now, he hadn’t received a single call from Monet—not a single warning. This made Dean aware of Monet’s choice. But Eve’s appearance offered him a measure of solace.

Dean shrugged, his tone light. "Well, that’s quite a surprise. But I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. Actually, I’m more curious about what made you take my side."

Seeing his sincerity, Eve’s serious expression softened. She lit another cigarette and said earnestly, "We’re allies. It’s what I should do."

"I want the truth."

Eve exhaled a ring of smoke, her eyes fixed on Dean. She licked her lips and said, "Alright, I like your big bird, and I don’t want to see it locked up in jail with you."

Dean gave Eve a thumbs-up!

So, sometimes, a bird in the hand is indeed worth more than appealing to shared interests!

"Okay, Eve, you’ve just secured your position. Don’t get involved in this. I’ll handle it."

"I have a feeling this isn’t so simple. How about..." Eve gestured towards Dean’s spacious Hummer. "Since it’s not work time yet, we could talk it over in your car."

Dean glanced at his watch; there was less than half an hour until he had to clock in.

Who does she think she’s underestimating?

He immediately flashed Eve a middle finger.

「After saying goodbye to Eve.」

Dean thought for a moment, then took out his phone and dialed a number. He wasn’t sure if Monet merely wanted to oust him from his position or genuinely intended to send him to prison. To be safe, Dean had to prepare a fallback plan.

After a short while, he received an affirmative response from the other end of the line. Dean’s face relaxed again as he took the elevator up to the office building.

"Morning, Dean."

In the office, Daisy, a piece of toast in her mouth, was placing today’s Los Angeles newspaper on Harry’s and Carlo’s desks.

"Morning, Daisy."

Looks like Harry and Carlo are going to be late again today.

Perhaps sensing an impending departure, Dean watched this very ordinary scene, a touch of wistfulness stirring in his heart. This small team he had assembled not long ago—what fate awaited them once he left?

I’m still not strong enough, Dean sighed inwardly. He entered his office and stared blankly at the wall clock.

「The Internal Affairs agents arrived later than anticipated.」

It was approaching noon. In the squad office, which had been quiet all morning, Harry and Carlo were discussing lunch options.

Suddenly, the office door was pushed open.

Two men in suits scanned the spacious office, then produced an investigation warrant. One said with a grim expression, "We’re agents from the Internal Affairs Department. Where is Inspector Dean?"

"What’s going on?" Carlo, inexperienced, looked bewildered.

Harry, however, was an old hand at this. He’d seen such situations before when he was with Internal Affairs, taking away corrupt cops. Realizing the visitors meant trouble, Harry quickly shot Carlo a meaningful glance, then sauntered over with a cheeky grin. "Sorry, Inspector Dean isn’t in his office right now. Besides, this is our work area. Don’t you know to knock? I’m seriously doubting your identities. Hands on your heads, and get on the ground, now!"

What? The two agents thought they’d misheard. This little punk is telling *us* to get on the ground? This was a first for the two Internal Affairs detectives.

One of them started to speak, but a revolver was already rudely aimed at them!

Harry’s face turned vicious. "Don’t make me repeat myself! You’re armed, you barged into the Homicide Squad office, and you haven’t shown any identification. I have every right to suspect you’re terrorists seeking revenge on the police department!"

"Our IDs are on us, I can—"

"Shut up!" Harry slapped the man who spoke across the face. "How do I know you’re not reaching for a gun? Hands on your heads and get down on the ground, now! Or I’ll shoot!"

"FUCK!" Seeing Harry wasn’t joking, the two men cursed under their breath as they put their hands on their heads and squatted down, all their initial imposing air and authority completely gone.

While Harry kept the two busy, Carlo reached Dean’s office. He was about to warn Dean when the side door to the office opened, revealing Daisy’s worried face; clearly, she had also heard the commotion outside.

"Carlo, what’s happening out there?" Daisy asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

Carlo, having no time to explain, looked at Dean, who was seated calmly in his chair. "Boss, people from Internal Affairs are here. I saw them; they have an investigation warrant. It looks genuine."

"That can’t be..." Daisy’s eyes widened. Ever since Monet became the head of Internal Affairs, their Squad Four—even Lawrence, that troublemaker—had seldom been bothered by those bastards.

TAP. TAP. Dean knocked on the table. "Carlo, let those two in."

"Boss..." Carlo’s pupils constricted.

Daisy couldn’t help blurting out, "Dean, why not call Captain Monet first and ask what’s going on?"

A flicker of gratification crossed Dean’s eyes. You can tell a person’s true character, and the loyalty they inspire, by how those around them react when they’re in trouble. Harry, Carlo, and Daisy’s reactions were all filled with genuine concern. It was quite comforting.

"It’s alright. Let the two Internal Affairs agents come in," Dean said calmly. He had already arranged his countermeasures. However, the reactions of Harry and the others solidified Dean’s resolve: once he dealt with this trouble, he would return to Los Angeles in grand style and secure a bright future for Harry and the others!

...

"Inspector Dean, upon review, we suspect that many of your cases involve excessive use of force, defamation, and other irregularities. Furthermore, your bank account shows multiple large, unexplained transactions..."

Following the recitation of a list of accusations, the two somewhat dishevelled Internal Affairs agents unholstered Dean’s service weapon and produced handcuffs, preparing to take him to the Internal Affairs detention center for temporary custody and interrogation.

"Assholes, put those cuffs away!" Harry, seeing this, couldn’t stop himself from reaching for his gun again. His moral character might be questionable, but he was undoubtedly loyal.

Carlo, the rookie, also glared at the two agents, his hands instinctively moving towards the gun on his hip.

Daisy, though not as overtly reactive as the other two, took out her phone and threatened, "Your supervisor, Monet, used to be our captain. If you don’t want any trouble down the line, I suggest you afford Inspector Dean some dignity!"

The two Internal Affairs agents exchanged a look. You’re this arrogant; aren’t you afraid we’ll make things difficult for *you* later? Ultimately, they decided discretion was the better part of valor and politely gestured for Dean to come with them willingly.

Dean glanced at the wall clock, then sat back down in his chair. He lit a cigarette and said coolly, "Wait until I finish this smoke."

This statement nearly made the two Internal Affairs agents’ blood pressure skyrocket.

The older agent’s face darkened. "Inspector Dean, let me be frank. Your investigation warrant was personally signed by Supervisor Monet. You should know what that means!"

Dean didn’t even spare him a glance. Timing it perfectly, he pointed to the telephone on his desk.

Although he had resigned himself to this setback, he was unwilling to leave this place where he had just established himself in disgrace. If he had to leave, even temporarily, he, Dean, the Los Angeles Police Department’s rising star, had to make a grand exit!

Just as everyone was wondering,

WHIRR... WHIRR... WHIRR...

The deafening roar of helicopter rotors suddenly filled the air outside the building.

Simultaneously, the phone on Dean’s desk began to ring.

Daisy, beside him, noticing Dean’s composure, suddenly realized a turning point was at hand. She deftly reached over and pressed the speakerphone button.

A deep, strong voice came from the other end of the line: "Agent Dean, you’re being urgently requisitioned by DHS!"