For Philip Hale to come out with a statement like this now meant the other party was fully prepared. Otherwise, such a lie would be easily exposed.

"Philip Hale claims his stone supplier is Zeke Jennings, your uncle. He says you planted the problematic stones beforehand to frame him. What do you have to say about this?"

Ginny Gable and Jenna Hanson had been interrogating her through the night. The matter had already become a high priority for the Municipal Police Bureau. Tollan Town was in a crucial stage of development; this stone-selling convention was its chance to become the nation’s number one jade town. Philip Hale’s case of selling fake stones had to be handled with the utmost severity to set a precedent and stamp out these crooked practices.

"Philip Hale claims I orchestrated all of this. What about the motive?" Seraphina Sterling asked unhurriedly, remaining calm and composed even after being brought to the police station.

"You had a past disagreement with Philip Hale over an inkstone, and you’ve also clashed with his daughter, Willow Hale, multiple times. You two are classmates. Willow Hale has always been spoiled, domineering, and arrogant, constantly picking fights with you. Everyone in your sophomore class knows this," Jenna Hanson said.

Seraphina Sterling said, "Oh? In that case, you two officers are free to ask any of my classmates. They’ll tell you that I never stooped to Willow Hale’s level, nor have I ever started any trouble with her."

Jenna Hanson retorted, "Perhaps you were just protecting your reputation as an honor student, forcing you to tolerate her outrageous behavior at school. After all, your scholarships and tuition waivers are all contingent on you being a model student with outstanding moral character. You’re a smart girl. For all those reasons, you decided to take action off-campus!"

"Perhaps?" Seraphina Sterling raised an eyebrow, her soft voice laced with a hint of mockery. "Do police officers really build cases on baseless speculation?"

Jenna Hanson’s face flushed. SLAM! She slapped the table hard. "Seraphina Sterling, don’t get cocky! You’re a suspect! Your job is to answer our questions honestly! Otherwise, you can just stay put!"

Seraphina Sterling suddenly trembled, a look of terror on her face. "You’re intimidating me! I want a lawyer! I demand to see my guardian! I’m filing a complaint! This is a coerced confession!"

Ginny Gable shot a helpless glance at Jenna Hanson. ’She’s been with the force for so long and still hasn’t improved at all. How could she let a high school student get the better of her like that!’

’Then again, Seraphina Sterling is no ordinary high school student. From the moment she was brought into the station, she hasn’t shown the slightest hint of panic. Her composure is shocking. Even most adults wouldn’t be this calm if they were suddenly arrested.’

’And she knows the law! She recognized the intimidation tactic and is using her status as a minor to her advantage.’

’Her observations are meticulous. She targeted the inexperienced Jenna Hanson, deliberately provoking her with that insolent attitude to make her slip up. And the moment she did, she seized the mistake and refused to let go, all to create an advantage for herself!’

Ginny Gable found herself increasingly astonished by Seraphina Sterling’s performance. ’Such a mind... it’s truly extraordinary.’

"You can request to see your guardian and you can hire a lawyer, but you still need to answer our questions. To be frank, we didn’t just bring you in. Your uncle, Zeke Jennings, is in the next room as we speak."

Seraphina Sterling’s long lashes fluttered. ’They really were thorough, even preparing a witness.’ Things were getting complicated.

"He has already testified that you visited his shop a while ago and had access to the batch of stones that was about to be shipped to Philip Hale! You’re a smart girl. You should know how damning this situation is for you. Your only way out is to confess honestly. Messing around won’t absolve you of guilt!"

"That’s right. Your only option now is to rely on us to uncover the truth. You’re a sophomore, with college entrance exams just around the corner. You don’t want a stain on your permanent record, do you? That would be disastrous for your future!" Seeing Ginny Gable step in, Jenna Hanson’s composure immediately returned.

"Philip Hale’s testimony alone, even with Zeke Jennings’s added in, isn’t enough to prove I tampered with the stones Philip Hale sold to Felix Gallagher. Without direct testimony or physical evidence, the most you can hold me for is twenty-four hours. A day and a night will pass quickly enough."

After saying her piece, Seraphina Sterling closed her eyes and fell silent.

"Young Master, Seraphina was taken away by Ginny Gable! The situation doesn’t look good! Justin Hale made his move after all!" Hughes was deeply worried. Justin Hale was known for his ruthlessness; Seraphina might not get out of this one.

Terrence Grant stared at the yellowing ginkgo leaves in the courtyard, his tone turning cold. "Seraphina? Hughes, since when did you get so close to Seraphina Sterling?"

"..." Hughes was speechless. ’Is that really the important part right now?’