"One page is missing."
The words changed the room.
Deputy Administrator Liang stared at the file in the Chief Investigator's hands.
"No."
It was not denial.
It sounded like disbelief.
Song Jia noticed immediately.
Ding Shun did too.
The Emperor's voice lowered.
"You said you did not know new cases were being added."
"I didn't."
Liang looked genuinely shaken.
"But that file—"
He stopped.
Song Jia's eyes narrowed.
"What about it?"
Liang looked toward Record B-Seventeen.
"That file was complete yesterday."
Silence.
Ding Wu stood.
"How do you know?"
Liang turned toward him.
"Because I counted it."
The Chief Investigator immediately moved the file away from everyone.
"No one touches it."
He placed it on the evidence table.
Song Jia looked toward Liang.
"Explain."
"From the beginning."
"Exactly what Qin Rou did when she requested access."
Liang swallowed.
Then nodded.
