Many of them became addicts because they initially had a strong sense of curiosity and a tendency to follow the crowd. After trying drugs, they fell into addiction. This didn't hinder their continued strong curiosity. So, the information in Eve's hands was highly likely to have been 'manually' tampered with. In other words, before Eve's predecessor as captain retired, the contraband the Narcotics Division was supposed to destroy each year was problematic! Whether those goods were actually destroyed, or swapped out by someone in the chain of interest, rebranded, and re-entered the market for reuse, is a matter of opinion.

Dean put down the documents and looked at Eve. "Are you suspecting that someone is planning to mess with the Narcotics Division's contraband escort process this year?"

"It's not a suspicion, it's a certainty!"

Eve sighed, a weary expression on her face. "If it weren't for Mr. Saul's help, the best I could have hoped for was to retire as a deputy captain. If I were unlucky, I'd probably be the scapegoat when needed."

At this point, she stood up, walked over to Dean, and embraced him, murmuring with her face buried deep in his chest, "Before I met you, my greatest hope was to gain some professional experience, then transfer to some cushy department for an easy life, find a man without charm but very honest, and live out an ordinary life. But you showed me a new choice."

Dean rolled his eyes. Women are so troublesome, he thought. They turn sentimental right in the middle of a serious conversation.

"Although I'm honored to be considered the warm light in your life, I must remind you now, Eve, we are discussing a very serious matter," Dean said. "If such a major issue arises just as you've taken over, it will be difficult for you to hold onto your position as captain of the Narcotics Division."

Dean's words were like a splash of cold water on Eve's heart.

She rubbed her face and punched Dean's shoulder. "Dean, can't you be a bit more romantic?"

"I'm always very romantic when I'm sleeping!"

After decisively shutting Eve down, Dean tapped the papers on the table. "You brought out this note because you suspect your predecessor, the former captain, had secret dealings with people and handled those items? Now that you've taken over, the old connections aren't trusted, so that's why they're resorting to such brazen plunder?"

Eve nodded. "Dirty cops are only loyal to their profession when it comes to protecting their own interests, because those *are* their own interests. So, they won't allow anyone to mess with them. But now that I've taken over, the increased uncertainty means they face unpredictable risks. Their best course of action is to get rid of me."

"Do you have any suspects?"

"Yes. His name is Hala. He's the current deputy captain of the squad and was the former captain's confidant. Actually, if it weren't for my sudden appearance, the captain's position should have been his."

Hearing this, Dean raised an eyebrow. "How much control do you have over the entire squad right now?"

Eve lowered her head somewhat sheepishly. "Dean, you know the Narcotics Division is a bit different. Aside from some clueless newbies who might be impressed by my title, everyone else is more pragmatic."

Clueless newbies... Dean scowled. Was this woman hinting at him?!

After Eve's detailed explanation, Dean learned about the unique aspects of the Narcotics Division.

Eve was the new captain of the Narcotics Division. As a deputy captain who had been parachuted in and subsequently sidelined by the old captain due to her connections, she seized the opportunity of the old captain's retirement and, by successfully joining Saul's inner circle, was promoted again. At the age of 31, she became the captain of this department, with what seemed like a limitless future.

Of course, that's what outsiders thought. In reality, Eve's situation was far from great. This was due to the unique nature of her division.

The Narcotics Division and the Homicide and Robbery Division, where Dean worked, were completely different. Dean's division primarily handled various criminal cases—either arresting people or neutralizing threats—in a simple and straightforward manner, rarely involving compromise or collusion with criminals.

The Narcotics Division was entirely different. They monitored gang activities on one hand and the circulation of drugs in the market on the other. It was the department with the most informants and undercover agents in the police force. The line between black and white often blurred, even for insiders, who sometimes wondered if they were police officers or gangsters in disguise. This was because, for operational convenience and due to certain 'traditions,' the first thing new recruits did was not to familiarize themselves with police regulations. Instead, under the guidance of senior officers, they learned the ways of gang members, the various channels and types of drug trafficking, and a lot of unique slang.

Most veterans in this department had various tattoos, spoke crudely, mingled with all sorts of people from society's underbelly, and were intimately familiar with their methods. In uniform, they were the city's law enforcers. Out of uniform, they could seamlessly transform into shameless villains of the night.

The Narcotics Division, a department specially established only in some major cities, annually had cases of dirty cops involved in infighting, or arresting suspects while simultaneously dealing drugs themselves, leading to investigations and suspensions. Whether influenced passively or actively, it could be said that there were no 'clean' people in this department.

That went without saying for the dirty cops. Even regular detectives, after long-term exposure, would subconsciously adopt gangster-like behaviors: smoking, drinking, womanizing, and even getting into things like singing, dancing, rap, and hip-hop.

Eve, a woman parachuted into this environment, might have a pretty face, but she struggled to command respect or blend in with the members below her based purely on her status. Someone like the hotheaded Lawrence or the slick Harry might have been a better fit.

Of course, if Dean were to handle it... Los Angeles' five-star model citizen would never disappoint, he mused.

Possibly worried about diminishing her worth in Dean's eyes, Eve hurriedly explained, "I was previously parachuted into the Narcotics Division because, as a woman, I wasn't seen as a threat here, which was meant to facilitate my future transfer to another department. It's the same now. I'm better suited for an administrative division, but joining such a department is contingent upon having a solid resume!"

Dean raised his hand to cut Eve off. "I don't care about your career plans, Eve. I just want to ask you one question: who is currently in charge of disposing of contraband at the Narcotics Division?"

"In previous years within the division, it was arranged on a rotational basis. For our squad, Hala has been leading the escort and supervision team for the past few years. The captain isn't directly involved, only responsible for signing the operation orders, knowing the approximate time and personnel involved."

Dean was speechless. The referee and the players are all on their team, he thought. What's the point of even playing? There were too many opportunities for manipulation in this setup. For example, they could arrange for a few scapegoat detectives to escort the contraband, and then 'robbers' with inside information could appear and seize the goods. Or, conversely, they could set up a few scapegoat robbers in a reverse operation. Regardless of the outcome, Eve, as the captain, couldn't escape responsibility.

Eve obviously knew this too. She sighed. "Dean, isn't it funny? When they were all colluding internally, everything in the department was peaceful. But as soon as I take over, problems arise immediately..."

"Actually," Dean stood up, stretching lazily, "if it had been Lawrence or me, they'd probably have chosen to drag us into their schemes. You're different."

"Different how?"

"You're replaceable! They think it's easier and simpler to get rid of you than to win you over."

Eve was speechless for a moment. She flopped back onto the bed in exasperation. "Listening to your analysis, I realize that other than killing them, there seems to be no viable solution. So, do you have any suggestions?"

Dean shrugged. "Didn't you already mention the solution?"

If you can't solve the problem, solve the person causing it, Dean thought. This kid Eve has some insight.

But, for the sake of Experience Points, Dean decided to let the bullets fly a little longer.

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