Chapter 2574: Dear Detective Mr. 26

Early morning.

The room was filled with a lazy, warm atmosphere.

The exhausted Alrek was wiped down by Jin Chen, who gently drew him into an embrace, and they slept holding each other.

After Jin Chen's breathing grew slow and deep, Alrek slowly opened his eyes.

He had to confirm. That absurd, tormenting speculation needed an answer.

Otherwise, he could never rest easy.

He lifted his head and, under the hazy moonlight, gazed at the sleeping face beside him.

Xilier's sleeping face was beautiful, his lips even bearing a faint arc of contentment.

Alrek's chest felt as if it had been fiercely tugged, yet he did not hesitate.

He raised his hand, his fingertips almost greedily tracing the lines of Jin Chen's neck, feeling the vitality and pulse beating.

Then…… his fingers slowly curled.

The force increased bit by bit, the tiger's mouth gradually clamping below the Adam's apple, applying pressure.

He stared fixedly at Jin Chen's face, missing no subtle reaction.

If Xilier really were Chen, with his terrifying skill and alertness, he could not possibly show no reaction under the threat of suffocation, let alone offer no resistance.

This thought drove him; the force on his hand grew heavier, nearly using the strength needed to break an ordinary person's cervical spine.

Alrek's heart pounded wildly in his chest, afraid to see a reaction and afraid not to see one.

Jin Chen: "……"

Mad, indeed Alrek was still mad.

Jin Chen's complexion, from lack of oxygen, gradually flushed an abnormal pink, emitting suppressed coughs and choked sounds.

His eyelashes trembled, his blue eyes full of fear and hurt; his fingertips weakly rested on Alrek's ever-tightening wrist, trying to pry it open, but to no avail.

Alrek, stared at by those eyes full of fear and despair, felt his heart struck as if by a heavy hammer.

He jerked awake, as if scalded, and loosened his grip.

"Cough! Cough cough cough…" Jin Chen immediately curled up, bursting into coughs, tears streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks.

He instinctively shrank back, half his face buried in the pillow and blanket, only his eyes brimming with terror showing, his voice hoarse and weak.

"... Alrek?"

A trembling, aggrieved call, like a dull blade ruthlessly slashing Alrek's heart.

"Damn it! Xilier… I, I'm sorry!"

Alrek's heart was clenched with regret and anguish, making it hard to breathe.

He hastily reached out, somewhat flusteredly pulling the person back into his embrace, holding tight.

He even actively brought the red, swollen, even slightly broken skin of his chest, which he knew Jin Chen liked, close to the other's lips, trying to soothe and compensate.

Jin Chen turned his head, burying his cheek again, lightly sucking and kissing, then lifted his head to kiss his chin and the corner of his mouth.

"Alrek…" he asked softly, "Do you believe me now?"

Bathed in such gentle kisses, Alrek's cerebral cortex went numb, he had no leisure to ponder what was wrong with this question.

He merely responded vaguely between breaths, his arms tightening further, his other hand unconsciously stroking Jin Chen's blond hair.

——

Before setting out to meet at Olga Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan with Chief Bruce, Jin Chen and Alrek sat at the small table by the window downstairs to have breakfast.

The fried eggs and bacon prepared by Duo Xi gave off a tempting aroma.

Jin Chen held a notebook recording last night's discoveries and many doubts.

He frowned slightly, pointing out to Alrek the few most confusing key points in the current case, including the new clues from last night's tailing of Edgar and sneaking into the ice house.

Alrek leisurely cut the food on his plate, listening to Jin Chen's narration, not directly giving an answer but guiding this newcomer detective who had just taken on the major case.

At least Alrek, who had not discovered any petty selfishness in the new detective, indeed thought so.

"A very clever deduction." Alrek glanced at Jin Chen, his mood brightening.

Under Alrek's guidance, Jin Chen linked the fragmentary clues, sketching out an ever more complete picture of the crime.

Olga Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan, Main Living Room.

The members related to Vincent's death that night were summoned again here.

John Olga.

Joshua Cline and his servant Silas.

Miss Eleanor, the newly arrived Young Master Julian, as well as the gloomy-faced Count Olga, and the frightened housekeeper Edgar.

The difference was that this time Chief Bruce brought along six uniformly dressed inspectors.

Chief Bruce puffed out his chest, first bowing slightly toward Count Olga, then spoke loudly, giving his assurance.

"Count Olga, rest assured! Through the joint investigation of our police station and the Shadow Speech Detective Agency, we can today apprehend the true killer of Young Master Vincent!"

These words sparked different reactions in the living room.

John covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing softly a few times; having caught a chill from the rain, his face was paler than at the funeral.

He lifted his gaze, looking past everyone toward Jin Chen with hope, and asked softly, "Mr. Xilier… is this really true?"

Jin Chen met his gaze, nodded affirmatively, "Progress is great, and I must also thank you for the clues you previously provided."

John's eyelashes trembled, then quickly drooped, hiding the welling tears and complex emotions.

Being able to do something for Vincent, even if only providing a trivial clue, was for him a painful yet comforting solace.

Alrek glanced at John with mild dissatisfaction, somewhat firmly pulling Jin Chen to sit on the opposite sofa, putting some distance between him and John.

Everyone held their breath, Chief Bruce's evidence pointing directly at Joshua Cline.

"Yes! It's you, Mr. Joshua Cline!"

Bruce's chin lifted slightly, his two carefully trimmed moustaches almost pointing to the sky, "Based on all the evidence I've gathered so far, and the deductions of the two detectives…… Well, although I'd rather die than stand on the same side as Alric, the fact is, the murderer is you!"

Count Olga was so shocked he nearly jumped up from his chair, his face filled with disbelief.

Joshua himself was as if struck by lightning; his already pallid face turned ashen, tears welling up and spilling down his cheeks.

He looked more shocked and hurt than anyone else present, his voice breaking and trembling, "I—No…… what are you investigating? How could it be me? I……"

He choked up, unable to speak.

"Let's wait a bit before you start your performance and excuses, sir."

Bruce interrupted him impatiently, full of vigor, "First explain to me: on the day of the incident, April 10th, you and Young Master Vincent each bought an evening train ticket to London! But why did neither of you end up boarding that train? What were you originally planning to do together? And why did you change your minds at the last minute?"

Joshua stiffened, a flicker of panic crossing his face.

He anxiously glanced quickly at Count Olga in the seat of honor, his lips trembling, as if unable to speak.

Jin Chen and John instantly understood the meaning of that glance—the relationship between him and Vincent was still completely unknown to Count Olga.