Chapter 23
Chapter 23
"And we are returning Mr. Hopeless’s personal property that was mixed in with the evidence.”
The Director handed over the evidence bag he received from Raven.
As soon as they confirmed that what was inside was the ring made from that cursed diamond, both Hoplis and his secretary’s expressions crumpled.
Hoplis pushed the ring away and said, “This ring belongs to my fiancée.”
At that moment, the Director’s gaze towards Hoplis changed. It was the look one gives a madman.
The Director, ever the seasoned professional, quickly corrected his expression and politely conveyed, “She says she will decline both the ring and the proposal.”
“Whaaaaaaay!”
The sound of an adult man throwing a tantrum echoed through the Director’s office. The secretary, seemingly accustomed to such situations, skillfully placated Hoplis and pushed the ring back towards the Director on the table.
“We will donate the diamond to the Police Bureau as a token of our gratitude.”
“While we appreciate the sentiment, we must also decline.”
The secretary’s face showed a desire to throw a tantrum just like her superior.
“Then it is time for you two to leave.”
As soon as Hoplis left, the Director issued a polite dismissal to Chase from the Central Investigation Bureau.
“It was a short time, but you worked hard.”
“Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation. I am truly delighted to be able to return with a lighter step, having solved the case thanks to you.”
“Please convey my apologies to your superior. We solved the case, leaving the agents from the Investigation Bureau to only watch and return empty-handed.”
After all, the Director was fundamentally a police officer who disliked the Investigation Bureau.
“Then, farewell.”
Chase, representing the agents of the Central Investigation Bureau, bid farewell to the Director and headed for the door.
“Ah!”
Please just leave quietly.
Just before stepping outside, Chase turned back as if he had forgotten something, opened his mouth, and as expected…
“Not all cases have been resolved yet. I sincerely hope you resolve the remaining matters in the near future.”
That despicable bastard.
Raven glared at Chase’s smug face. But as soon as the door closed, Raven became the one receiving the sharp gaze.
“So, where is the Scarlet Queen’s Heart?”
“We will resolve it in the near future.”
“You still insist you didn’t steal it, I see.”
It was as the Director said.
“Inspector Hunt….”
The Director’s voice, calling him like a sigh, was tinged with the exhaustion of being pressured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Director took off his glasses and roughly wiped his tired face.
“We’ve decided to conceal the suspect’s identity, but your mistake cannot be hidden.”
“I am aware.”
“Of course, when you think about it, it’s nothing compared to the mistakes our Police Bureau has made towards you….”
The Director’s gaze softened considerably with guilt, but Raven felt more uncomfortable than when he was being reprimanded.
“That incident is unrelated to me as a police officer, and my mistake is a separate matter.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
The Director put his glasses back on, returning to his role as a strict superior, and patted Raven’s shoulder.
“In any case, if you retrieve that damned ruby, I, and those above me, will be able to completely forget about this mistake of yours.”
Let’s live badly!
That’s my motto from now on.
Because I got caught trying to live well.
As expected, a silkworm eats mulberry leaves, and a criminal must live by crime alone. I, a villain, tried to live a good life, and the System must have been angered!
‘System, if you let me out of here, I’ll live badly for the rest of my life. So please give me one more chance!’
I prayed earnestly, but heaven did not answer. The only responses appearing on the system screen, making a distracting noise, were from various groups.
[The Tuna Dissection Party laughs at you.]
[The Sneaky Ones Family holds you in high regard but also expresses disappointment.]
[The Natural Meeting Pursuers are targeting you.]
[Your fan club ‘Everything Shiny Is Mineee!’ pledges their unwavering support.]
[The membership of ‘Everything Shiny Is Mineee!’ has decreased by 583 in the last 24 hours.]
No, I don’t care about this trivial stuff!
I inwardly screamed as I closed each group’s favorability message as it popped up.
‘Say something, System!’
But the System remained silent. It had been since my arrest.
‘Hey, if I’ve entered the Bad Ending Route, shouldn’t you give me a mission or something?’
I’ve entered the Bad Ending Route. That means the bad ending isn’t confirmed yet, and there’s a chance to avoid it.
‘Well, getting caught doesn’t mean I go straight to jail.’
In a gameplay video I watched long ago, the protagonist avoided the Bad Ending Route by completing a mission.
But as soon as I was caught, the regular mission window button turned gray and wouldn’t open.
‘So, am I supposed to avoid jail on my own? How?’
My mind could only come up with two methods right now.
First, avoid a prison sentence in court.
How? An acquittal? That’s impossible.
Then, a suspended sentence? So I get a criminal record but avoid jail? That’s only possible for petty criminals or first-time offenders.
But stealing hundreds of jewels isn’t a petty crime, is it?
Even if this is my first time getting caught, it’s not my first crime, so even as a first-time offender, I wouldn’t get a suspended sentence.
The first method is as good as nonexistent.
‘Then….’
Thinking of the second method, the iron door I was glaring at suddenly burst open.
“Aargh! You startled me! Don’t you know how to knock?”
As I yelled, Hunt, who had been about to enter, was startled and frowned at my demand for a knock.
“You seem to think this is your home.”
“Even criminals have privacy.”
“They do, but it is limited at times. And now is precisely one of those times.”
Hunt closed the door and walked in, holding a thick file.
Here we go again, another interrogation.
My true identity must be hidden even from the Police Bureau. Because of that, interrogations didn’t take place in the interrogation room, but rather investigators came to my holding cell.
Thud.
As a result, Hunt placed the file on the table set in the middle of the holding cell as if throwing it. His face was clearly exhausted.
Hunt sat down and gestured for me to sit opposite him. His gaze was persistent as he watched me approach and sit.
And it was complicated.
To think that my clumsy subordinate is actually a cunning phantom thief. He must be feeling all sorts of emotions.
Even after sitting opposite me, Hunt just stared at me for a long time before starting the interrogation.
“Miss Claire Kent.”
As Hunt called my name, he let out a small sigh.
“Since you are not revealing your real name, I will call you this for now.”
His tone was stiff but very calm and polite.
All that animosity must be boiling inside him.
Though his eyes betrayed it, Hunt didn’t express or unleash any of it towards me.
He acted like he would devour me if he caught me.
I really thought he would try to tear me apart alive, especially since I hadn’t just stolen from him but had also pulled a major prank. It was truly unexpected.
Is this some kind of interrogation tactic?
He still has a lot to get from me, so if he devours me, my mouth will shut tight.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
He started with a greeting unrelated to the interrogation, likely from that calculation.
“Since this isn’t my home, I have to endure this much.”
I threw back his own words from when he entered, probing him slightly, but Hunt remained unfazed.
“The purpose of a holding cell is to detain suspects, not to torment them. So, if you have any discomfort, please feel free to tell me.”
“Really? Uh… first, the mattress on the bed is too thin and hard, so my back hurts. Not to mention, I strained my back and ligaments trying to hold you up with these frail arms when you were in trouble, Inspector….”
As much as you dislike me, I dislike you too. Using someone’s good intentions like that.
“It feels like my back and arm ligaments are strained.”
I patted my back demonstratively in front of Hunt and groaned. A slight crack appeared on Hunt’s expressionless face.
