Bruce recalled the time he spent with Ivanka.
It wasn’t just about sex, but also the daily conversations.
The way she understood the pressure of his job, the keenness with which she saw through his disguises, and the quiet companionship she offered after he had killed someone.
That wasn’t acting, at least not entirely.
“Your mother’s case,” Bruce said slowly after a long pause, “do you want me to investigate it?”
Hearing this, Ivanka shook her head gently.
“No, at first I really hoped you could give me some advice, or even come forward to help me investigate this case.
I’ve seen your file; you were a standout at the police academy, with both intelligence and ability, and you’ve cracked many major cases since joining the Intelligence Unit.
You have the ability, but now, I’m afraid.
I don’t want you to get involved in this case; it’s too dangerous.
My father isn’t some street thug; he has power, resources, and he really will kill.”
“I’m not afraid of danger.” Bruce looked Ivanka straight in the eyes.
“I am.” Ivanka’s voice suddenly choked up.
“I’ve already lost my mother; I can’t lose you too.”
These words struck a soft spot in Bruce’s heart.
He pulled her over, embraced her, and felt her body trembling slightly in his arms.
“Alright.” Bruce said in a low voice.
“What’s ‘alright’?”
“Everything.” Bruce smiled freely, his eyes seemingly glowing.
“I accept you as you are—no marriage, non-traditional, staying independent.
As for the future, we’ll talk about that later.
For now, I only want you.”
Ivanka smiled—a real, warm smile.
“Thank you, Bruce.”
Bruce didn’t let go, holding her tightly as he continued, “As for your mother’s case, I will help.
Listen, not as a police officer, but as your partner.
You need help, and I can provide it.”
“Even if that might mean going up against someone with money and power?
Even if there might be no promotion or reward, only risks and death?” Ivanka lifted her head from Bruce’s arms, her large, sparkling eyes rippling with emotion.
Hearing this, Bruce thought of the system, of those treasure chests and skills.
But Ivanka didn’t know about those things; she was simply asking a man if he would take risks for her.
“I like you, and I accept the challenge.” Bruce said seriously.
It was the truth.
“Besides, if it was murder, it should be exposed.
That’s my job, and it’s also my nature.
I hate evil, and I hate it when criminals go unpunished.”
Ivanka kissed him—a long, gentle, and grateful kiss.
When they separated, there were tears in her eyes, but a smile on her face.
“Thank you, Bruce.
Not just for this case, but also because you’re willing to accept me—to accept the real, complete me.”
Bruce pulled her down to lie with him and turned off the lights.
In the darkness, he thought about the conversation they had just had.
A non-traditional relationship, a possible murder case, a woman who needed protection—this was far more complex than any street case.
But somewhere deep inside, he felt a strange sense of calm, even excitement.
“Bruce?” Ivanka asked softly in the darkness.
“Yeah?”
“If…
if one day you meet a woman you want to marry, you have to tell me.”
Bruce didn’t answer.
He was only twenty-four; he had never seriously considered marriage.
“If that day comes, you have to tell me.” Ivanka repeated softly, “But I won’t leave you.
Ever.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to leave you.”
“Okay.”
They lay together quietly, listening to each other’s breathing and heartbeats.
Bruce was already awake, not because of his biological clock, but because of the thoughts churning in his mind.
He turned his head.
Ivanka was still fast asleep, her blonde hair spread across the pillow.
Her face appeared exceptionally soft in the morning light, not at all like the woman who had confessed her complicated past the night before.
Bruce got up gently, careful not to disturb her.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the apartment and looked down at the city as it gradually woke up.
A street sweeper drove by slowly, an early bus pulled to a stop, and the figures of a few morning joggers moved along the empty sidewalk.
Beneath the calm facade, Bruce knew that this city was always brewing something, just like Ivanka’s story—a family tragedy on the surface, but potentially hiding a murder deep down.
“You’re up early.” Ivanka’s voice came from behind him, still carrying a hint of sleepiness.
Bruce turned around and saw her walking over, wrapped in a silk nightgown.
Ivanka handed him a glass of water and asked softly, “Can’t sleep?”
“Thinking about things.” Bruce took the glass.
“About last night’s conversation.”
Ivanka’s expression tightened.
“If you’ve changed your mind, I understand.
It really is…
a lot, and it’s very troublesome…”
“No,” Bruce interrupted her.
“I haven’t changed my mind.
I’m just thinking about where to start.
You know, this isn’t simple…”
Ivanka’s eyes lit up—a glimmer of hope—but it was quickly replaced by caution.
“Bruce, I don’t want you to feel obligated just because we’ve slept together…”
“I have a responsibility to protect victims and find the truth.” Bruce interrupted her again.
“If your mother, Bella, really was murdered, then she is a victim, and I have a responsibility to investigate.
Besides, I’m the partner you personally chose, aren’t I?”
“Thank you, Bruce.
With that said, I feel like my judgment in choosing someone was right after all.” Ivanka walked closer, hugging Bruce tightly and burying her head deep into his chest.
“But I regret telling you those things.
That man has power and money, and allies.
He really will hurt you.”
“That’s why we need evidence.” Bruce said firmly.
“Solid, undeniable evidence.
Once we have that, we’ll have the strength to fight back.”
Ivanka stared at him for a long time, as if assessing his determination.
Then she asked softly, “Are you really willing?
Even if it might affect your career?
Even if there might be a risk to your life?”
Bruce didn’t answer immediately.
He just kept looking at Ivanka firmly.
“I became a police officer because I believe justice should be served, no matter who the target is.
Besides, you deserve to have someone fight for you, because it’s the right thing to do.”
Ivanka’s tears finally flowed down.
They weren’t tears of sadness, but the release that comes after carrying a heavy burden alone for a long time, only to have someone suddenly share it.
She stepped forward to embrace Bruce, tightly, like a drowning person clutching a piece of driftwood.
“Thank you,” Ivanka choked up.
“Really, thank you.”
Bruce held her, feeling her tremble.
He could understand this kind of loneliness—fighting an invisible enemy, with no one believing you and no one helping you.
He had seen too many victims’ families like this at the police station.
“I need to see all the materials.” After Ivanka calmed down, Bruce said, “The reports from the detective you hired, copies of the original police files, the autopsy report—everything.”
Ivanka nodded and wiped away her tears.
“Most of it is in the safe in the study.”
She walked toward the study, and Bruce followed behind.
The apartment’s study was set up like a professional office.
One wall of bookshelves was filled with psychology and law books, and the other wall hung several watercolors, all works by Bella Anderson.
She turned the combination dial, entered the numbers, and then inserted a small key.
The safe door popped open gently.
Inside, there wasn’t cash or jewelry, but neatly arranged folders, hard drives, and several evidence bags.
Ivanka carefully took everything out and placed it on the desk.
“This is the beginning.” She stroked the folder on top, as if touching a holy relic.
Bruce pulled up a chair, sat down, and opened the first folder.
Inside were copies of the original police reports on the Bella Anderson case; the paper had already yellowed.
Bruce flipped through them one by one, folder after folder.
Anyway, he had fired his gun yesterday, and he didn’t need to report to the Intelligence Unit until he received notice from Hank.
Ivanka didn’t go to work either; she stayed in the office with Bruce the whole time, explaining the specifics of each document.
Bruce didn’t slack off either.
While listening carefully, he used his own method to piece all the clues together on the floor of the study.
By 3:00 PM, the two of them had been organizing, forgetting to eat or rest.
By then, the floor was covered with materials connected by red string, all centered around the middle-aged man named Brian Anderson.
Looking at the materials on the floor, which resembled a navigation chart, Ivanka saw the extent of that man’s sphere of influence so clearly for the first time.
Police, judges, prosecutors, businessmen, celebrities, military, council members…
A deep sense of despair washed over her.
Ivanka turned her head mechanically to look at Bruce, who was still deep in thought.
Seeing that he hadn’t given up, she felt an urge to cry for some reason.
Meanwhile, Bruce had already found a breakthrough.
“Ivanka, look.
Actually, the chain of evidence is already perfect; it was just blocked at the end, or tampered with, making it impossible to link it to Brian.”
“And the reason that happened is all because Brian has built New York, his home turf, into an iron fortress—impenetrable.”
“To put it bluntly, you took the evidence you worked so hard to investigate to go after Brian, to sue Brian.”
“It was like a moth flying into a flame; every time you found a clue, you handed it right into Brian’s hands.”
Hearing this, Ivanka slumped down opposite him, clutching her head in her hands, and said painfully, “That’s why I almost gave up.
Every time I thought I had progress, I’d hit a new obstacle.
I can’t fight all this alone.”
“I have a way…”
Hearing Bruce’s words, Ivanka jumped up in excitement, staring straight at Bruce, waiting for what he would say next.
“As it stands, Brian’s biggest advantage is his home field advantage,” Bruce stepped forward to hold Ivanka so she wouldn’t fall, and continued, “So, as long as we break through his iron defense, we can take him down.”
“How do we do that?” Ivanka asked excitedly.
“I can think of two methods right now.
First, find a reason that forces him to leave New York, and we take him down outside of New York.
That’s not simple; the files show he hasn’t left New York in at least fifteen years.”
“The second is to find the weakest link in his chain of interests.
Then, develop a plan, advance step by step, break through from a single point, and take down the whole thing.”
“We can’t take him down using your mother’s case; we have to take him down first, and then make him pay for your mother’s death.”
Bruce held Ivanka’s hand.
“This won’t be fast.
It might take months or even years.
There might be setbacks along the way, or we might encounter obstacles again.
Are you willing to wait?”
Ivanka’s tears welled up again, but this time she smiled.
“I’ve waited twelve years, Bruce.
I can wait longer, as long as I know someone is helping me, and believing in me.”
“I believe in you, and I will help you…” Bruce held Ivanka tightly.
Feeling each other’s breath and body temperature, they couldn’t help but kiss passionately.
Just then, a rapid phone ringtone broke the rapidly heating, ambiguous atmosphere.
Bruce took out his phone and looked at the caller ID: “Hank Voight”.
He shrugged at Ivanka and pressed the answer button.
Immediately, Hank’s hoarse voice came through the receiver.
“Bruce, I need you.
It’s a private job…”
The call ended.
Ivanka had already taken out Bruce’s clothes and was thoughtfully helping him put them on.
“Be careful.
I’ll wait for you to come back, my hero.” Once he was dressed, Ivanka walked Bruce to the garage and watched him drive away, just like a real wife.