Chapter 453: Who Gave You the Right to Restrict Personal Freedom!
On the deck, Chloe Alden’s garishly dressed body was already soaked through by the seawater. Her exposed skin was a near deathly pale blue, her long hair spread out like seaweed, making her look even more terrifying than Samara.
Cecilia Vaughn saw how people pointed and whispered at Chloe in such a state, and a wave of sympathy suddenly washed over her.
Although Chloe Alden did many foolish and malicious things, she didn’t deserve to die. She was only in her early twenties, having been held back a year due to poor academic performance, but she was about to graduate soon, with a long life ahead.
A girl in the prime of her youth, suddenly leaving without any warning.
Mayor Alden was known for his affairs, and although he doted on Chloe on the surface, he may not have truly cared for her. It was merely for his political image that he pretended she was his only daughter, while in fact, he had several mistresses outside with whom he sired other sons.
Cecilia sighed deeply and silently felt sorrow for Chloe Alden’s biological mother; losing a daughter in middle age, a grief beyond words.
Maybe Chloe Alden simply did too many bad things in her life, and this was karma. One can only hope that in her next life she would do good, as she vowed today, never bullying others, accumulating more virtue.
...
Cecilia thought of her earlier altercation with Chloe Alden, silently pondering why Chloe would fall into the sea. Could it be that she had bullied Chloe into such despair that she jumped into the sea?
This thought surfaced, and Cecilia immediately dismissed it. Although Chloe had been panicked earlier with half of her body dangling over the sea, she was visibly distressed, but when Cecilia saw her, Chloe was moving towards the inner deck, not daring to go near the sea.
Such a love for life would not lead to suicide later.
...
Cecilia pondered, while the onlookers began to offer their opinions.
"I don’t think Mayor Alden’s daughter would commit suicide by jumping into the sea. Eldest Miss Alden had mentioned before that she was afraid of water!"
"Exactly! Someone who’s afraid of water wouldn’t think of drowning as a way to commit suicide. Even if she wanted to end her life, there are more common methods like sleeping pills or slit wrists, or hanging for a girl."
"There’s no reason for Eldest Miss Alden to commit suicide today; such a good day, with everyone doting on her, and she wasn’t depressed."
"In my opinion, considering how Eldest Miss Alden was usually so bossy and willful, she must have made too many enemies before, and they came back for revenge this time!"
"Damn, that’s terrifying! What kind of hatred requires murder to resolve?"
Hearing this analysis, everyone felt a chill down their spines.
The scariest part is, if this theory holds, isn’t the murderer still aboard?
Worse yet, they could be standing next to them, feigning sympathy for Chloe Alden.
...
The thought of being unable to guard against such a sinister act was terribly frightening, causing several girls to tremble in fear.
"I want to go home, had I known, I wouldn’t have come to this wedding. It’s too ominous!"
"I’m so scared, do you think the murderer will strike again?"
Hearing this speculation, many guests shivered.
"Dammit, don’t scare me!"
The crowd realized something was off, especially fearing to provoke the hidden murderer, wanting to disperse, but they were at sea, stranded on a lone ship, and there was still some distance from the Isle of Whispers. If they were to hide, where could they go?
Surely not in a room, right?
The risk of being silently murdered if a murderer hid in a guest room was even higher.
At this moment, it became a stalemate.
...
Cecilia, with her sharp senses, observed for a while and suddenly noticed slight bruises on Chloe Alden’s neck.
Her heart pounded, unsure whether to move closer for a better look.
Bracing herself, she prepared to move forward, when suddenly an arm rested on her.
"Cecilia, don’t look."
"Adrian? You’re back?"
Her eyes were greeted by a cold, handsome face. Cecilia’s eyes lit up, a sudden sour feeling in her heart, perhaps realizing through this brush with life and death just how fragile life can be.
The string in her heart was plucked; Cecilia immediately hugged Adrian Law tightly, taking in the familiar scent of bamboo on him, her heart slowly calming.
"As long as you’re okay."
Some guests previously speculating about a murderous fiend possibly striking again left Cecilia feeling uneasy, even though Adrian was skilled. Seeing him in person now put her heart at ease.
...
Adrian Law, with deep affection, held Cecilia Vaughn and pinched her nose gently.
"Silly girl, how could anything happen to me?"
Almost simultaneously, Cecilia suddenly felt as though someone was watching her from afar.
Following her intuition, Cecilia looked over, seeing a face as exquisite as a vampire’s — it was Sean Grant.
The boy’s glassy eyes were deep, reflecting the lamplight and moonlight, unclear if they were aloof or mocking.
...
It really wasn’t the right time for a show of affection, and Cecilia’s face flushed a bit, quickly releasing Adrian from her hug.
With an alert look, she pointed to Chloe Alden’s body.
"Adrian, what do we do now?"
Adrian Law frowned, not exactly keen to deal with this mess, but as long as anyone aboard the yacht was still a murder suspect.
Instead of letting things run their course, he might as well personally participate in solving the case.
Adrian gestured, indicating for everyone to look at him.
"Everyone, please quiet down. Like you, I find this sudden occurrence heart-wrenching. Vesperia’s local police on the Isle of Whispers have been contacted."
"For your safety and for the investigation’s purposes, no one is allowed to leave this floor. I will have bodyguards ensure everyone’s safety."
Adrian’s voice was clear and cold, yet strongly compelling.
The crowd, however, wasn’t entirely pleased.
"The Eldest Young Master Law, isn’t this a bit much? This is restricting personal freedom!"
"Yeah!"
...
Adrian’s expression turned frosty, his piercing gaze sweeping over the man who had led the outcry.
"Stay calm. At most, within half an hour, Vesperia’s police will arrive. Once the truth is revealed, you’ll naturally be allowed to leave."
Soon, Frank Law and Tyson Law hurried over.
Because Fiona Vaughn was pregnant, she excused herself from seeing her best friend one last time, claiming fear of a blood-tinged disaster.
Seeing Adrian Law handling the situation so well gave Frank some relief.
"Adrian, did you have someone check the surveillance?"
"I did."
Adrian nodded, yet the security guard responsible for the surveillance came stumbling over, looking panic-stricken.
"Young Master Law, something terrible has happened! All the surveillance has been destroyed!"