Chapter 215: Chapter 215: An Old House on Fire

Melody Summers nodded. "She is, Officer Rhodes... Is there something you need to talk to my mom about?"

Roman Rhodes opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.

He froze for a few seconds, then shook his head. "It’s nothing... I was just asking."

Under Melody Summers’s slightly quizzical gaze, Roman Rhodes offered a few more words of advice before turning and leaving with Ronan Rhodes.

After leaving the Summers’ residence, Roman and Ronan Rhodes got into their car.

Roman didn’t start the car right away. He just stared out the window at the night, lost in thought.

Beside him, Ronan Rhodes rubbed his face, a little numb. Lately, at Roman’s behest, he had been constantly delivering one thing or another to the Summers family.

He could tell the Summers family didn’t need any of it, and he could also see how awkward Melody Summers was every time she accepted a delivery. He wasn’t sure who was more embarrassed—him or her.

Ronan really didn’t understand Roman’s intentions in doing all this.

Roman had even personally requested two handguns for the Summers family. Ronan felt a pang of resentment; he, Roman’s own nephew, didn’t get that kind of treatment.

Roman, unaware of his nephew’s inner turmoil, gently tapped the steering wheel with his long fingers.

He had been busy investigating the Hayes Family and the Advent Sect, but whenever he had a spare moment, his mind would be filled with the image of Winnie Summers rescuing him from that sea of fire.

Roman had to admit, it was human nature to be drawn to strength. Even now, when he recalled that scene, his heart would still pound uncontrollably.

He remembered it vividly: he had been paralyzed on the ground, on the verge of death, when Winnie Summers appeared, stepping through the flames with a pistol in hand. Her expression was solemn, her eyes firm and bright. With a single shot, she had killed Kenneth Adler, pulling him back from the brink.

Roman wasn’t even sure anymore if that bullet had struck Kenneth Adler or shot straight into his own heart.

’Perhaps it wasn’t just about that night.’ Roman also remembered how Winnie Summers had killed her ex-husband, Adam Lawson, with an arrow in much the same way.

It had clearly been her first time killing someone, yet her hand had been steady and her aim true. Afterward, when he had questioned her, she had calmly stated her willingness to accept all consequences. Such a resolute mind, so composed in the face of crisis... the more Roman thought about it, the more his heart was moved.

Lately, his mind had been filled with images of Winnie Summers. At over forty years old, for the first time in his life, he had the urge to be with someone.

The thought was like a fire in an old house—it started with a single spark in his heart, then quickly grew into a raging inferno that could no longer be extinguished.

He had come to their door today with the two approved handguns, originally hoping to see Winnie Summers.

But he’d gotten cold feet at the last moment. His knowledge base contained zero experience in pursuing women; he had no idea what he would even say to her.

While Roman was lost in thought, Sophie Thorne and Melody Summers also got into a car and set off for the Nimbus Hotel.

Seeing them drive off, Roman wore a puzzled expression. ’Where are they going so late at night?’

Seeing this, Ronan proactively explained, "They’re probably going to the Nimbus Hotel for the celebration the Walsh Family is hosting for Paige Walsh’s research institute. The miracle drug they developed was a huge success—it brought the mortality curve for the volcanic ash infection way down!"

"You remember Paige Walsh, right? Her father and our Mr. Rhodes were comrades-in-arms. When we were kids, her son, Zane Simmons, and I used to go stun fishing together. The second an adult showed up, that brat would make a run for it, leaving me to take the beating alone..."

Roman frowned at this. The Hayes Family’s Oceanus Hotel was right across from the Nimbus Hotel... He recalled Melody Summers’s track record of willingly walking into the lion’s den and feared she would stir up some trouble again, putting herself in danger.

Besides, Melody was Winnie’s only daughter. The two of them relied on each other completely. If anything happened to Melody, Winnie would surely be unable to bear it.

At this thought, Roman cut off Ronan’s rambling. "Send a few more bodyguards to follow them. There are still plenty of thugs robbing people under the cover of darkness. They’re two young women; we can’t have anything happening to them."

Ronan was taken aback. "My wife always has bodyguards with her when she goes out. Don’t worry, sir, nothing will happen!"

But Roman shook his head. The area around the Oceanus Hotel was too dangerous right now. He insisted, "Even if she has some, you send more to follow them."

Ronan: "..."

******

After leaving The Metropolis Residences, Roman and Ronan Rhodes drove back to the Rhodes family’s ancestral home.

The vast estate was brilliantly lit, illuminating the pitch-black sky like a pearl in the night.

The two of them went up to the small building where Mr. Rhodes lived. Just as they stepped into his study, a teacup came flying straight out, smashing against the adjacent wall with a loud CRASH.

Mr. Rhodes sat behind his desk, bellowing at Roman as he walked in, "So the little bastard finally remembers to come back! You’ve been out of the hospital for so long and couldn’t even be bothered to visit. Is this still your home?! Were you born from a stone?!"

Though he was cursing furiously, his eyes betrayed an unconcealable worry. On closer inspection, they were even faintly red.

Roman sighed. He knew the old man genuinely cared about him. He also knew that when his father had first heard he’d been shot, he had fainted from the shock, nearly having a heart attack.

’The plight of all parents...’ A deep sense of guilt washed over Roman at the thought.

He bowed his head. "Please, calm down. It’s all my fault. There was a major case at the precinct concerning the safety of all residents in Anworth. I only just finished up today, and I came back to see you the first chance I got."

Seeing the situation, Ronan didn’t dare to breathe. He quietly turned and slipped out, leaving the father and son alone.

Hearing Roman’s explanation, Mr. Rhodes’s demeanor softened. He sighed and looked at his son. "As long as you’re all right. But things are so chaotic now, and your job is so dangerous... Do you really have to keep doing it...?"

Seeing Roman lower his gaze without a word, Mr. Rhodes continued to persuade him. "If you really don’t want to manage the family business and insist on working for the government, at least get a safer position..."

Mr. Rhodes was genuinely worried for Roman. He felt he had already failed his late wife in this life; he didn’t want to let their child come to harm as well.

Roman getting shot had been too great a shock for Mr. Rhodes. If Roman hadn’t pulled through, Mr. Rhodes would have likely followed him to the grave...

Meeting his father’s worried gaze, Roman said reassuringly, "Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. Besides, those people are about to be caught in one fell swoop. They can’t hurt me."

Not wanting to continue the topic, Roman changed the subject. "The forecast says there’s going to be a heavy snowstorm soon. The old estate here might get snowed in. You should make preparations early. Let me know if you’re short on anything."

Mr. Rhodes snorted. "I have dozens of people serving me here, I don’t need you to worry about me! You should worry more about yourself!"

Roman gave a helpless smile. "Alright, as long as you have plans, I’m relieved. I still have things to do at the precinct, so I’ll head back first. I’ll come see you again in a couple of days when I’m done."

Mr. Rhodes frowned. "You just got back, and now you’re leaving? Is there no one else at your precinct but you? ...I had the chef make your favorite dishes. At least stay for dinner before you go."

Roman shook his head apologetically. "There’s an operation tonight. I need to oversee it myself to be at ease."

Because of the previous undercover incident, Roman had to be extra cautious now. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Seeing this, Mr. Rhodes could only sigh and didn’t try to stop him again.

As he was about to leave, Roman seemed to think of something. He opened his mouth, a hesitant expression on his face.

Mr. Rhodes looked at Roman and asked with a frown, "What’s with that look? If you have something to say, just say it! A grown man shouldn’t be hemming and hawing!"

Roman fell silent for a moment before asking hesitantly, "That sapphire brooch from the auction before... do you still have it?"