Chapter 2552: Dear Detective Mr. 04

Count Olgar's Zhuang Yuan is located on the eastern hill of Bukè Port City.

Along the driveway are carefully trimmed hedges, and in the distance one can see the neat horse farm and garden.

Jin Chen and A'er Ruike got off the carriage, and the manservant was already waiting at the entrance.

His face was pale, clearly not yet recovered from the master's death.

"Detective," the manservant said softly, bowing slightly, "Count Olgar is on his way; please follow me inside first."

A'er Ruike nodded and walked into the hall.

Jin Chen followed behind him, glancing across the spacious vestibule where portraits of several generations of the Olgar family hung on the walls, highlighting the family's prominent status.

The Count had two sons.

Vincent, who died in the Study, was his second son and the designated heir.

This decision initially caused an uproar among the upper society of Bukè Port City, as Count Olgar did not follow the tradition of primogeniture.

But over time, people stopped discussing it publicly.

According to the Inspector's investigation, Vincent died on the evening of April 10.

That night the Zhuang Yuan was crowded with people, adding difficulty to the investigation of the case.

Jin Chen pulled out a notebook with a calfskin cover and a steel pen from his pocket, listening to A'er Ruike and the manservant's conversation while recording key information.

"So," Jin Chen interjected suddenly, the steel pen turning lightly on his fingertip.

"What kind of person was Young Master Vincent in your impression?"

The manservant hesitated, rubbed his hands, and answered cautiously: "He was very good, very kind, and everyone thought so."

"Young Master Vincent was always courteous to the servants."

Just then, a hurried footsteps came from the stairs.

Count Olgar hurried down the stairs.

His face was drawn, dark circles obvious under his eyes; despite wearing an exquisite black suit, he could not hide his exhaustion and sorrow.

"Detective A'er Ruike," the Count's voice hoarse, he extended his hand to shake with A'er Ruike.

"Thank you for coming. I... I still can't believe..." his lips trembling, his cloudy eyes slightly reddened, "Vincent... how could he..."

A'er Ruike bowed elegantly, "Please accept my condolences, Count Olgar; we will do everything we can to uncover the truth."

The Count drew a deep breath, striving to calm his emotions.

"I must go to the city council for an emergency meeting, but please be sure to find the culprit."

He gripped A'er Ruike's hand tightly, "I insist this is murder, Detective. Vincent would never commit suicide."

"Of course, Count Olgar," A'er Ruike's voice steady and reassuring, "we will not jump to conclusions."

The Count nodded, adjusted his cravat, and walked toward the entrance.

But his steps paused at the door, as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right," he turned and said, "That morning of April 10, Vincent was still full of energy. He passed by my horse farm and greeted me enthusiastically with a good morning."

"How could someone who loves life so much, my child, choose to commit suicide?"

After listening, Jin Chen skipped over Olgar's reminiscence and simply noted that Vincent had passed by the horse farm that morning.

He also saw a few faint scratches under Count Olgar's stand-up collar shirt, not seeming to be from a struggle.

After the Count's carriage drove away, Jin Chen leaned close to A'er Ruike, lowered his voice and asked, "Does Count Olgar have a mistress?"

After all, the Count had been widowed early, and this was no secret in Bukè Port City's social circles.

A'er Ruike gave him a sideways glance, "I'm not sure, but Xi Li Er, no noble old master is without a mistress."

"All right," Jin Chen said offhandedly, then immediately turned toward A'er Ruike with keen interest.

"Do you have one? A'er Ruike."

A'er Ruike's eyes narrowed slightly, flashing a dangerous light, "Don't even think about prying into more of my secrets."

The Detective in the daytime was still so mocking, yet actually good-tempered, like an elegant gentleman; Jin Chen felt no fear, letting out an thoughtful "oh."

Could he possibly know another secret of A'er Ruike? Of course, the nighttime A'er Ruike is a ruthless killer, a fearsome presence that strikes terror at the mere mention.

And now, A'er Ruike says this belongs to another secret.

Jin Chen couldn't help but think of last night's kiss that had not been refused, and, smiling meaningfully, he winked at A'er Ruike, so sly.

"All right, Detective," his tone hinting at an elusive teasing.

Chief Bu Lu Si chose to go to the main residence to question those present that night, while A'er Ruike clearly did not want to meet him.

Under the guidance of steward Ai De Jia, they went to the crime scene, that mysterious Study.

Steward Ai De Jia was very loyal, in his fifties, with grayish-white hair neatly combed.

Even such a simple task as guiding guests, he performed without fault.

But when Steward Ai De Jia pushed open the door of the Study, his face still inevitably showed a hint of sorrow.

The Study was spacious and elegant, the heavy redwood bookshelves filled with leather-bound books.

A massive wooden desk stood in the center of the room, with half-drawn deep crimson velvet curtains on the side.

"I've been here before," A'er Ruike said.

Steward Ai De Jia nodded, "Yes, of course. You were previously a honored guest of Young Master Vincent."

A'er Ruike walked to the desk, his fingers lightly tracing the smooth surface, "When was the arrangement changed here?"

"Didn't Vincent like to have the desk facing the window? He loved looking out at the garden."

Jin Chen stood calmly a few steps behind A'er Ruike, both observing the Study's surroundings and A'er Ruike's every move.

Steward Ai De Jia replied, "Over the past two months, Young Master Vincent has been constantly coughing, and Miss Ai Li Nuo suggested he change the desk's position so as not to constantly face the wind from the window."

Wei En · Ai Li Nuo, Vincent's fiancée.

Jin Chen noted the name in his mind, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the notebook cover.

He started walking slowly along the wall, his gaze sweeping over the arrangement of books on the shelves and various decorations.

"What did the doctor say?" A'er Ruike asked, meanwhile opening the desk drawer for a careful inspection.

"The doctor said it's a fever, Inspector." Aidejia stood at the doorway, hands crossed in front of him, maintaining a butler's professional demeanor.

Jin Chen suddenly stopped, turning to the butler: "Mr. Aidejia, where were you between ten and twelve the night of the incident?"

A muscle twitched on Aidejia's face. "I was in the downstairs kitchen taking inventory of the silverware, sir; this is a weekly routine."

"Any witnesses?" Jin Chen asked again, observing Aidejia's microexpressions.

"No, sir. That was my private time." Aidejia's answer was watertight.

"Alright." Jin Chen stopped pressing.

He gestured that the butler could wait at the doorway.