It's $3500?!

Gianna smiled. "Good," she said. "He should be at work right now. I can give you the address."

She grabbed a pen and a notepad, scribbling down the name of the company and its location from memory.

As she wrote, the second officer called for her attention. "By the way, there's something else, Miss Hathaway."

She glanced up, pausing mid-scribble, and looked at the officer with a questioning expression. "Yes?"

"After further review, the total amount stolen is actually more than you initially reported."

Gianna's brows furrowed slightly. To be honest, she had just given a rough estimate based on what came to mind. The original owner had been engaged to Kaye since she was 16—yes, underage.

Even before that, he had always been flirting with her, and during that time, he had been taking things from the store, with or without her permission.

The officer pulled out a small notepad. "According to our calculations from the CCTV footage, the total sum of stolen goods isn't $700. It actually adds up to approximately $3,500."

Gianna's mouth parted slightly in shock. Had she heard that correctly? She repeated. "Thirty-five hundred?"

"Yes, ma'am. We cross-checked the dates, the footage, and the inventory records. It seems Mr. East has been walking out with more than just a couple of drinks. This officially escalates the case. Since the amount surpasses the threshold for petty theft, he could be facing more serious charges, depending on the jurisdiction."

Damn it.

Gianna cursed inwardly as she clenched her fist against the pen. No wonder Sophia had always scolded the previous Gianna so harshly. That amount was insane.

Only now did she realize just how much she had underestimated the situation.

Gianna swallowed hard. She had been angry before, but now? She was absolutely livid.

How could someone be so shameless?

Where was his spine?

Was he even a man?

For a second, she felt thankful that she was now in this body—otherwise, a bastard like that would have gotten off scot-free.

"I honestly didn't expect that... Thank you. I just want him to pay back everything."

The officers nodded in understanding. They had also been stunned when they calculated everything.

"In that case, we'll proceed. We'll be heading to his workplace now. If he refuses to pay or cooperate, we'll arrest him on the spot."

Gianna nodded. "Please do."

The officers tipped their hats slightly before stepping out of the convenience store.

*

A small company located at the edge of downtown, nestled between a café and a pharmacy, housed the office where Kaye worked.

"This is the place, isn't it?" Officer A ran his fingers through his thick wavy hair, looked around before glancing at the piece of paper where Brianne's elegant handwriting was scribbled. He nodded, slipping it into his pocket.

"It is." Officer B murmured as he squinted his eyes.

With that, both officers entered the sleek office lobby.

Officer A walked up to the receptionist, flashing his badge with a polite smile as he leaned against the counter.

"We're here for Kaye East. Where is he?"

The moment she heard the name, the receptionist's expression shifted. Her eyes darted between the two officers.

They're officers! They're probably here to arrest that sick bastard!

Almost excitedly, she pointed toward the hallway. "He just went to the restroom a few minutes ago."

"Thanks."

The officers nodded and headed in that direction. But just as they turned the corner, the door to the employee restroom opened—and out stepped Kaye.

His appearance was disheveled. He was still fastening his belt, his white shirt wrinkled against his body, and a faint red lipstick mark lingered on his collar. It wasn't too obvious, but with their veteran eyes, the officers recognized it immediately.

"What...?" Kaye frowned as the two officers locked eyes on him like they had just found their target.

Before he could say another word, a woman with fiery red lipstick, dressed in a tight blouse and a pencil skirt, walked out from where he had just been. She straightened her hair and adjusted her skirt before glancing at Kaye.

"Why are you just standing there, babe?—" Her voice trailed off when she noticed the two officers.

She looked at Kaye, then at the officers. Then back at Kaye. Then back at them again, as if trying to piece together what was happening.

In the end, she leaned in, pecked him on the cheek, and murmured in a seductive voice, winking. "See you later, love."

Giving her tight skirt one last adjustment, she strutted away.

'So he's cheating on that girl too... This man's shamelessness is really top-tier.' Officer B shook his head in silent amusement.

"Mr. East?"

Kaye's expression darkened. "What happened?" His tone was hostile. Policemen were never good news. In fact, they were probably the people he hated the most in the world. Annoying as hell.

"You're under investigation for theft," Officer Riley stated, stepping forward. "Your fiancée reported that you've stolen over $3,500 worth of goods from her family's convenience store. We have CCTV footage, inventory records, and enough proof to bring you in."

The sound of high heels abruptly halted.

The woman who had just walked away stopped dead in her tracks.

Slowly, she turned back, her gaze flickering between Kaye and the officers.

"W-what do you mean? What are you saying?" Kaye's eyes widened slightly as he took several steps back, trying to feign ignorance. "Which fiancée are you talking about...?"