The atmosphere changed instantly after Aurora entered the room.
Vincent silently observed the girl who had just appeared.
Aurora stood very straight, her eyes strangely calm. She didn't look like someone who had just entered the scene of a murder.
What caught Vincent's attention even more… was the distance between her and Elena.
Aurora stood right next to Elena, almost unconsciously shielding her.
Vincent spoke slowly.
"You said Lady Elena was with you at the time of the murder?"
Aurora nodded.
"That's right."
Daniel immediately asked.
"Specifically, when?"
"Between twelve and two in the morning."
Clara frowned.
"Coincidentally, the time of death."
Aurora looked directly at Vincent.
"We were in my room in the east wing of the mansion."
"What were we doing?"
Aurora paused slightly.
"Talking."
Vincent was silent for a few seconds.
"Just talking?"
"That's right."
Vincent's gaze lingered on Elena's face.
She said nothing.
But Vincent noticed a small detail.
Aurora's hand was gently holding Elena's wrist.
As if to reassure her.
Or… protect her.
Vincent slowly turned to Daniel.
"Record the statement."
Daniel nodded and began taking notes.
Arthur had just finished examining the body.
He stood up.
"Inspector."
Vincent turned back.
"What is it?"
Arthur said softly:
"There are bruises on Adrian's neck."
"Strangulation?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Not entirely. It seems like it was constricted with a soft object… like a piece of cloth."
Vincent looked at the body again.
"Cause of death?"
Arthur thought for a moment.
"Possibly asphyxiation."
Clara asked:
"But there was no murder weapon in the room?"
Arthur nodded.
"That's right."
Daniel sighed. "The room was locked, the murder weapon was gone, the traces were almost nonexistent."
Vincent crossed his arms.
"No."
Everyone looked at him.
Vincent said slowly:
"There are no perfect cases."
He turned to look at Elena.
"Madam, before Mr. Adrian died… did you two argue?"
Elena lowered her head.
"…Yes."
Clara continued to ask:
"About what?"
Elena was silent for a few seconds.
"He… drank again."
A servant standing behind suddenly spoke up.
"Mr. Adrian drank every night and then beat Madam…"
The words made the room heavy.
Daniel shook his head.
"The motive is even clearer."
Vincent didn't react.
He just silently looked at Aurora.
Aurora looked back at him.
She didn't flinch.
That made Vincent even stranger.
No ordinary person, when facing the police… would be so calm.
Vincent walked to the window.
The rain continued to fall.
He said softly,
"Miss Aurora."
Aurora replied,
"Yes?"
"How long have you known Mrs. Elena?"
"Ten years."
"Quite a long time."
Aurora nodded slightly.
Vincent turned around.
"Your relationship…is very good?"
Aurora didn't answer immediately.
She only said briefly,
"We are friends."
Vincent looked at Elena.
Elena simply said,
"Yes."
But Vincent felt…
It wasn't that simple.
There was something in Aurora's eyes when she looked at Elena.
A profound emotion.
Too profound.
Vincent said nothing more.
He just turned to Daniel.
"Let's go home."
Daniel was surprised.
"Inspector?"
"The scene will remain untouched for now."
Vincent said.
"We'll continue the investigation tomorrow."
Clara asked,
"What about Mrs. Elena?"
Vincent looked at Elena one last time.
"Right now… there's not enough evidence."
He turned and walked out of the room.
But as he passed Aurora—
Vincent suddenly stopped.
"Miss Aurora."
Aurora looked at him.
Vincent spoke very softly.
"You're a smart woman."
Aurora didn't understand.
Vincent continued:
"I hope you're not hiding anything."
Their eyes met for a second.
Aurora didn't answer.
Vincent left.
But in his mind…
A thought had begun to form.
Perhaps…
The key to this case…
Doesn't lie with Elena.
But with Aurora.