Chapter 2557: Dear Detective Mr. 09

Not long after Jin Chen left the living room, footsteps sounded outside the door.

John Olgar walked in.

This elder brother of Vincent, who is five years older, was listed by Sheriff Bruce as the prime suspect.

"Sheriff Bruce, Inspector Alrek, sorry I'm late."

John's voice was gentle and polite; he leaned on an exquisite cane, his steps slightly slow, "Father is not here, and there are too many matters requiring my attention."

"Lunchtime is coming up; please, all of you, stay for the meal—I have something to say to you."

Alrek's gaze lingered on John's right-hand ebony cane for a moment, then he nodded: "Then I'll not disturb you."

……

At the same time, Jin Chen followed the maid Molly through the long corridor to the guest changing room of the main residence.

Jin Chen pushed open the door but did not enter immediately, stepping aside to let the passage clear.

"Miss Molly, we can talk with the door open to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding."

Only then did Molly realize her earlier rashness.

She had actually wanted to speak with a gentleman alone in the same room, and her cheeks flushed instantly.

"Sorry, sir, I was too hasty……"

Jin Chen gently shook his head: "It's fine. What did you want to tell me?"

Molly nervously twisted the edge of her apron, her voice lowered to a whisper, so tense she could barely speak.

"Your deduction in the living room just now was excellent, but…… I saw young master Vincent that evening; he was unhappy, and while playing the violin he was even furious, the music hurried and chaotic…… Oh, of course I'm not just guessing wildly."

As she spoke, Molly's heart felt like it was jumping into her throat; she neither wanted to expose the master's secrets nor feared more that the true culprit would never be caught.

Jin Chen timely guided her to slow her speech.

The gentleman's gentle attitude gradually calmed Molly down.

"Young master Vincent has been very good to us; I cannot conceal this matter."

"Actually…… young master Clain…… he…… has such a terrible feeling toward young master Vincent."

Jin Chen's eyebrows rose slightly.

He had originally thought that Joshua's feelings for Vincent had not yet been noticed, which is why he dared to continue staying at the manor.

"This is truly surprising; what kind of terrible feeling could it be, I wonder……" Jin Chen left an appropriate pause.

Molly nodded eagerly: "Yes! Perhaps it's exactly what you think. One night I happened to see young master Clain…… his clothes in disarray as he left young master Vincent's room."

"Heaven above, young master Vincent must have been forced by him."

Jin Chen: "……?"

He recalled Joshua's frail build, finding it hard to imagine him forcing anyone.

"Well, this is very helpful for the case's progress, thank you." Jin Chen said sincerely.

Molly let out a heavy sigh, her face flushed as she stepped back a few paces: "If it weren't for you, I would never dare tell anyone about this."

"Please…… don't tell others that it was I who informed you."

Jin Chen agreed, watching Molly hurry away.

He stood at the changing room door, his gaze unintentionally sweeping the room's furnishings, and was drawn to the curtains, which looked overly new, as if just put up.

Jin Chen entered the room and lifted the curtain.

Jin Chen realized that the window behind the curtain faced the garden, offering a clear view of the side of the study's large window not far away.

This angle cannot be seen from within the garden.

He leaned out the window, carefully observing the study's exterior wall, and saw several unusual scratches, where some sharp object had gouged white streaks into the wall.

"Someone has climbed up from there." Jin Chen whispered.

He climbed out of the changing room's window, lightly passed through the garden, and arrived outside the study's window.

This position is very concealed; anyone scaling the wall must be very familiar with the study's structure to choose a route that would neither be noticed by those inside the study nor attract attention from people in the garden.

Jin Chen made a few simple sketches in his notebook, recording the characteristics of the traces, and at the same time had Ling Gun Gun take photos for further study.

"Okay~" Ling Gun Gun replied cheerfully.

Jin Chen eased his movements, attempting to replicate the wall-climbing posture without damaging the traces.

After repeated trials twice, he jumped back to the ground, recording it in his notebook.

"Left-handed, height between 170 and 175 centimeters."

"Really not bad progress."

Tell this clue to your wife.

——

At lunchtime, everyone took their seats in the dining hall.

A long wooden table was covered with a white tablecloth, and the silver utensils gleamed in the candlelight.

Eleanor lowered her head to pray before the meal.

Alrek casually asked, "Miss Eleanor, are you a Catholic?"

"Yes," Eleanor replied, her mood considerably calmer, "You didn't know? Vincent is also a Catholic."

Alrek was obviously not expecting that answer; he raised his eyes in surprise and stared straight at Eleanor.

After a moment's stunned silence, he quickly composed himself.

Only Jin Chen noticed his lapse.

"Is that so." Alrek replied flatly, a complex expression flashing in his green eyes.

Jin Chen placed the lamb chop he had just cut onto Alrek's plate and asked softly, "Alrek, what's wrong?"

Alrek glanced at Jin Chen, eased a little, and said, "Nothing."

But he still ate somewhat silently, his fingers gripping the wine glass tighter than usual, his gaze dark, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Jin Chen didn't ask further, instead turning his attention to the person opposite him at the table, his gaze settling on John Olgar.

The eldest son was skillfully using knife and fork with his left hand.

Left-handed.

Jin Chen didn't expect someone to respond to that clue so quickly.

He observed John's every move without showing any emotion, considering how to probe further.

At the same time, Jin Chen was also pondering another question.

Is Alric perhaps overly concerned about Vincent?

That is very, very bad.

"Young Master John, are you all right?" Jin Chen asked, seemingly offhand.

John set down his knife and fork, his brows filled with sorrow: "Thank you for your concern, I…"

He suddenly choked up, drawing everyone's attention.

Jin Chen also didn't expect this person to start crying at the drop of a hat; his chewing of the lamb chop paused for a moment, after confirming John wasn't about to break into loud sobs, he relaxed and continued chewing, propping his head with his hand in an ungraceful way to listen, but everyone at the table had their own thoughts, so no one paid attention.

Ling Gun Gun saw they weren't eating, curled up in the corner of the table listening to the story while digesting the food—what a big table of delicious dishes!

"I… I'm in anguish these days; I keep dreaming of Vincent at night, my dear brother—I miss him so much."

John propped his forehead with his hand; the sorrow in his tone was no less than Eleanor's just before.

"Actually, my relationship with Vincent is very good; I have to admit that when Father named the heir, I was full of jealousy and resentment, but Vincent… he treats me too well, so well that I couldn't bring myself to harm him in any way; without him, my life would be dull and plain, losing all its flavor."

Jin Chen: "...?"

He slowly sat up straight, his expression gradually becoming intriguing.

Vincent, he's that kind to everyone.

How strange.