That night, a heavy rain poured down on the city as if to wash away every trace of the world.
In the vast Adrian family mansion, the hallway lights still flickered dimly. The wall clock struck three dry chimes in the silent night.
A sudden scream rang out.
"Someone's dead!"
The young maid trembled as she stood before the door of Mr. Adrian's bedroom. Her hands clutched the tea tray that had fallen to the floor, its cups shattered.
The bedroom door was slightly ajar.
Inside, the sight was chilling.
Mr. Adrian, the powerful man of the family, lay motionless on the floor. His body was tilted to one side, his face pale, his eyes wide open as if still unable to believe his own death.
A dark streak of blood spread beneath his head.
The room was eerily silent.
Only the sound of rain pattering against the window could be heard.
Soon, the entire mansion descended into chaos. The servants scurried back and forth, some so frightened they burst into tears. The news was quickly reported to the police station.
Less than half an hour later, the investigation team arrived.
The first to enter was Inspector Vincent.
Vincent was a man in his thirties. His eyes were cold and frighteningly calm, as if nothing in the world could faze him.
Following him were his assistant Daniel, Officer Clara, and forensic doctor Arthur.
Vincent only glanced around the room once, his eyes already scrutinizing every detail.
"No one is to touch anything."
His voice was low but firm.
Arthur knelt beside Adrian's body, carefully examining it.
After a moment, he stood up and removed his gloves.
"The time of death was between midnight and one in the morning."
Vincent nodded slightly.
Clara walked to the window.
"Inspector, the window is locked from the inside."
Daniel also checked the window.
"The front door is the same. No signs of forced entry."
Vincent frowned slightly.
A locked room.
No signs of forced entry.
No obvious signs of a struggle.
Even…
Clara looked around the room and whispered,
"Inspector… there's almost no trace at all."
As if the killer had wiped everything clean.
Vincent stood still for a few seconds, his gaze fixed on the man's body in the middle of the room.
"Who was the last person to see Mr. Adrian?"
A servant answered tremblingly.
"It was… it was Mrs. Elena."
The room fell silent.
Vincent turned his head.
"Call her in."
A few minutes later, Elena entered.
She wore a simple black dress, her long hair falling over her shoulders. Her face was beautiful but pale.
Her eyes glanced over her husband's body… then quickly lowered.
Vincent observed that reaction very carefully.
"Mrs. Elena." His voice was calm.
"You were the last person to see Mr. Adrian?"
Elena nodded.
"Yes."
"The time?"
"Around eleven o'clock."
"What did you do after that?"
Elena was silent for a second.
"I went back to my room."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Is there any proof?"
Elena shook her head.
The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense.
Clara whispered softly:
"Inspector… the madam is possibly a suspect."
Vincent didn't answer immediately.
He looked directly at Elena.
"Someone said your marriage to Mr. Adrian… wasn't very good."
Elena bit her lip slightly.
A servant standing behind her blurted out:
"Mr. Adrian often… beat the madam…"
The entire room fell silent.
Vincent looked at Elena.
"Is that true?"
Elena didn't deny it.
Only her hands tightened slightly.
Daniel sighed.
"Then the motive is very clear."
Clara continued,
"After years of abuse… revenge isn't surprising."
Everyone's eyes turned to Elena.
She suddenly blurted out,
"It wasn't me!"
Her voice trembled.
"I didn't kill him!"
But just then,
The door to the room burst open.
A voice rang out from behind.
"She can't be the murderer."
Everyone turned around.
A girl entered.
It was Aurora.
She was tall, with long black hair, her eyes calm but resolute.
Aurora looked directly at Vincent.
"Because at the time of the murder… Elena was with me."
Vincent narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Who are you?"
"Aurora,"
She replied.
"Elena's best friend."
The room fell silent.
Vincent observed the two women before him.
Aurora stood very close to Elena.
Too close.
Her gaze at Elena… was inexplicably gentle.
Vincent frowned slightly.
A vague suspicion began to form in his mind.
This case…
Perhaps it's not as simple as everyone thinks.