The pace of the game was very fast, especially since The Vault’s clues had already been explored to a certain extent, and the autopsy report came out that very night.

The forensic doctor they were familiar with took the initiative to deliver the file and explained it to them along the way.

Everyone was very curious about how Michael Wood had actually died.

“Uh—” The forensic doctor pinched his own neck with his fingers and made a grimace. “Like this, he suffocated to death. But it wasn’t just suffocation.”

“What do you mean?”

The forensic doctor found a chair and sat down, resting his arms on the armrests, and said, “Michael Wood’s airway was blocked by his own vomit. Because he couldn’t move, he eventually suffocated. But I found he had chronic respiratory failure. His lungs, stomach, and liver all showed related symptoms, caused by long-term hypoxia. And, you’d never guess, I detected trace amounts of toxins in his blood. I believe he was very likely being poisoned over a long period.”

“Poisoned?” Everyone was instantly alert, surprise flashing across their faces, but it quickly faded. They looked at each other and all uttered the same name: “Julia Campbell?”

The same name came up at once, making the logic seem reasonable, even serving as a kind of special testimony.

But they still tried to remain impartial, analyzing the situation with calm reasoning.

“Long-term poisoning would definitely require someone close by. Other than Julia Campbell, there doesn’t seem to be a second candidate. When could she have started doing this?”

“There was only one Julia Campbell around Michael Wood, constantly in contact with doctors. In recent years, she’s frequently visited both Chinese and Western doctors under the pretext of preparing for pregnancy. I think she had plenty of channels to obtain whatever poison she needed.”

“Let me finish first.” The forensic doctor smiled. “The toxins detected in Michael Wood’s body were actually quite complex, not just one type. For example, tropane alkaloids, hydrocyanic acid, etc.—all in trace amounts, but combined, they basically poisoned all his major organs. Plus, he often drank heavily for social occasions, which left his body in poor condition—strong on the outside, weak on the inside. Based on the autopsy, the mild poisoning likely lasted for four or five years or more.”

Everyone gasped, “That’s ruthless! Poisoned in every way?”

The Vault, who was reading the files, looked up slightly and added, “They’re found in traditional Chinese medicine.”

The forensic doctor nodded. “Right, these toxins can be extracted from plants, and most can be used in medicine. Taken in small amounts, or properly processed, they won’t cause much harm to the human body.”

A young police officer speculated, “Julia Campbell has been taking care of her health all along. Could she have tricked Michael Wood into taking large doses of Chinese medicine under the guise of tonics?”

The Vault suddenly spoke, her clear voice instantly drawing everyone’s attention: “If Michael Wood would listen to Julia Campbell, their relationship wouldn’t have become so strained. Michael Wood wouldn’t even visit Julia Campbell when she was hospitalized, let alone take medicine with her. He had a natural wariness toward Julia Campbell.”

Everyone opened their mouths, wanting to argue, but didn’t know where to start.

To them, this speculation didn’t really hold water. Compared to Julia Campbell’s suspicion, it wasn’t even a real reason.

The Vault added, “Also, if Julia Campbell had been poisoning Michael Wood all along, why would she still be preparing for pregnancy for so long? Preparing for pregnancy is exhausting, running between different hospitals and seeing various specialists. Especially since she had her eggs frozen multiple times in the past two years. For a woman, egg freezing is very damaging to the body. If it was just to cover up her tracks, her patience and scheming would be too deep—completely different from how she acted after Michael Wood’s death.”

That was true. If Julia Campbell had wanted to kill Michael Wood as early as five years ago, or even earlier, she wouldn’t have waited until recently to hire a private detective to follow him.

Besides, five years ago, Michael Wood’s career was just starting out. He was somewhat famous, but didn’t have much wealth. The two of them were living a stable married life at the time—there was no way they could have hated each other that much.

A few people asked in confusion, “Then who could it be? How did the killer poison him?”

The Vault closed the file and exhaled. She handed the materials to the forensic doctor beside her and said, “I know. Come with me to Michael Wood’s house.”

·

The Vault led the police officers from her team and rushed to Michael Wood’s villa.

When everyone saw the huge glass jar on the cabinet, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of absurdity that made them want to laugh.

During the first evidence search, they had almost completely overlooked this item because it was so common—found in many homes, its danger was easily ignored.

The Vault glanced at her watch. It was already past 4 a.m. In about three hours, dawn would break. They had been visiting and investigating all night, without any sleep. Everyone’s face showed deep fatigue. The Vault was no exception.

This round of the game had exhausted her; she felt like she’d been playing for a long time.

The Vault asked, “Where’s Lucy Sanders?”

“Since Michael Wood’s accident yesterday, she’s been crying to the media. She should be resting at home now.”

The Vault said, “After sunrise, bring her in.”

·

People in the livestream were woken up early in the morning. This plot twist was more effective than anything else, instantly jolting them awake from their drowsiness.

“I’m shocked. I admit I’ve never seen anything like this, but this twist is really something.”

“This case feels just like a ‘Science Unveiled’ episode…”

“If I only saw the police announcement, I’d definitely suspect a conspiracy. But now…”

“Aiya. Scratching Head I guessed wrong again. The clue progress is over 80% and I still got it wrong—I must be a genius.”

“Just woke up, what are you all talking about? I refuse to watch the replay, I’m sure I can guess it.”

·

The Vault enjoyed a brief moment of peace and rest.

At 8:30 in the morning, the air was fresh and a bit chilly, and the streets were starting to get busy.

The Vault walked into the interrogation room. Lucy Sanders was already sitting inside. The red light of the camera was flashing, aimed at the seat in front.

The Vault opened the folder in front of her and casually asked, “Lucy Sanders, right?”

“Yes.” Lucy Sanders looked a bit uneasy, as she had never been in an interrogation room before. As a very ordinary middle-aged woman, she had a natural fear of the police station and public security bureau.

Before The Vault and the others could start questioning, Lucy Sanders nervously said, “Why did you bring me here? I didn’t do anything wrong, did I? I just told the truth when the reporter asked me, that’s all. Don’t think you can bully me, I’m telling you!”

The Vault raised her gaze, not displeased by her bluster. Instead, she gave a reassuring smile and said, “Don’t be nervous, we just want to chat with the family. It’s quieter here, and with the camera, it’s easier for us to keep records.”

Lucy Sanders asked, “What about Julia Campbell?”

The Vault: “We’ll go find her after we finish talking with you.”

Lucy Sanders worried, “Will she run away? Why don’t you arrest her first! She’s very cunning!”

“We have people watching her at all times,” The Vault said. “She hasn’t been cleared of all suspicion yet, so we won’t let her leave.”

Thinking she had gotten a guarantee, Lucy Sanders finally relaxed a little.

The Vault took out a photo—an interview shot of Michael Wood in a suit. She placed it on the table and said, “Michael Wood was very successful in his career. According to our investigation, his friends spoke highly of him. He was an outstanding young man.”

Lucy Sanders looked at the photo, her eyes turning red again. She reached out to touch it, saying sadly, “Of course. He was smart and promising since he was a child. He’s my son.”

Then her expression changed quickly, and she said viciously, “That damned woman, it’s all her fault! You know it’s all because of her!”

The Vault said, “Michael Wood must have worked very hard, right?”

Lucy Sanders said, “Very hard! He stayed up late working overtime all the time, often going out to drink and eat with people. He was so exhausted that he had stomach bleeding several times—I felt so sorry for him. Unlike that Julia Campbell, who’s lazy and does nothing all day, I don’t know what she’s up to, just spending my son’s money! She’s lucky, I really hate her. Our family must have had terrible luck to have her marry in!”

“Our line of work is also very tough. My colleagues haven’t had a proper rest in a long time, just to find the real murderer who killed Michael Wood as soon as possible.” The Vault took out another photo and pushed it over. “I saw a jar of medicinal liquor like this at Michael Wood’s house—a huge glass container, and only half of it was left. Did he often drink this kind of medicinal liquor? Who made it for him?”

Lucy Sanders said, “I made it for him! He needed to take care of his health. Julia Campbell wouldn’t care about him—only I, as his mother, truly cared for him!”

The Vault stared into her eyes and asked, word by word, “So, this medicinal liquor was prepared by you, not Julia Campbell.”