Part 113
Moreover, what exactly does that “Lie” note in Thomas Daniels’s hand represent? Why did he give false testimony to frame Harry Forrest? Is he, like Michael Wood, hiding some unspeakable past?
Julian Grant had a sudden thought, a classic human-nature plot twist: “Could it be that…”
Even as he spoke, he felt it was unlikely, so he shut his mouth.
The Vault encouraged him: “Just say it, it might help us think outside the box.”
With nervous anticipation, Julian Grant ventured, “He really fell in love with Summer?”
The Vault pondered for a while, then commented, “You’d probably get along well with that young police NPC.”
Julian Grant: “……” The way you express your contempt is really subtle.
Julian Grant quickly changed the subject and asked, “Should we go meet Xavier Daniels now?”
The Vault: “Sure.”
·
In the screening room, several psychological evaluators were analyzing Summer and Xavier Daniels. They didn’t know the dynamic between the two, so they couldn’t be as certain as The Vault whether Xavier Daniels’s influence was intentional or not. The only thing they agreed on was that encountering someone like Xavier Daniels was truly terrifying.
Human mental states are actually fragile and easily shaken; every setback in life can leave wounds vulnerable to attack. If you run into someone like Xavier Daniels, a breakdown can happen before you even realize it.
Even the best psychologists can’t completely free a patient from past trauma. This is hardly something interesting or worth boasting about.
Quinn Foster, stroking his chin with a grave expression, said, “Even if Xavier Daniels himself has personality defects, to be able to act so naturally and skillfully, this can’t be his first time. He’s smart—he picks girls who won’t resist and have weak wills, and uses his natural advantages to subtly brainwash and control them. I think he experimented even earlier, maybe in college, maybe in high school, and succeeded.”
Henry Harris nodded, “I think so too, but there’s no evidence.”
If a case only involves emotions, the police can’t intervene. And victims like Summer don’t even realize the other’s malice.
Henry Harris said, “So, everyone still needs to learn to become strong themselves.”
·
Julian Grant drove back to the station.
The streets at night were very empty, with only a few cars ahead of them. After closing his eyes for a moment’s rest, the familiar building was already in sight.
Time in the game fast-forwarded straight to the next morning. The sun rose slowly through the mist, casting a gentle glow.
The Vault and Julian Grant entered the interrogation room. Xavier Daniels was already sitting quietly across the table.
The Vault had a subordinate make her a cup of coffee. It didn’t really help her stay awake, but just looking at it made her feel more alert.
Since Xavier Daniels kept up his polite act, The Vault simply crossed one leg over the other and left him sitting there, playing a game to wake herself up. Julian Grant, influenced by her, also became less serious, yawning out of boredom.
Neither of them looked much like model public servants.
Xavier Daniels tilted his head and waited for them for a while before finally speaking: “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
His voice didn’t sound like it belonged in an interrogation room—it had a faint electronic tone and some subtle noise.
The Vault glanced up at the ceiling. Julian Grant straightened up and reminded her, “He’s a real person.”
Only then did The Vault look at the man across from her.
Xavier Daniels had a meaningful smile at the corner of his lips. As The Vault observed him, he was also observing The Vault. The two stared at each other—one with interest, the other cold and distant.
The Vault asked, “In the detention center or prison, can you watch Trident’s game streams?”
Julian Grant said, “Are you dreaming?”
The Vault put her phone face down on the table, eyes fixed on Xavier Daniels: “So what do you mean by ‘I’ve heard a lot about you’? Do I know you?”
“You’re quite famous. Lots of people want to challenge you, to experience what it’s like to be decoded.” Xavier Daniels leaned forward, closing the distance between them, and said mysteriously, “I didn’t want to join Trident’s closed beta at first—it sounded boring and troublesome. But because you were here, I decided to come.”
The Vault wrinkled her nose, recalling, “That sounds so familiar. Someone once said the same thing to me. Are you two friends?”
Xavier Daniels spread his hands.
The Vault then denied it herself: “No, he’s much better than you. If you’d learned from him, maybe you wouldn’t have been exposed so quickly.”
Xavier Daniels asked sincerely, “When did you start suspecting me?”
The Vault said, “The first time we met.”
“Really?” Xavier Daniels said, “Isn’t that a bit much?”
The Vault said in surprise, “Your acting isn’t good at all. Are you actually proud of it?”
Xavier Daniels replied regretfully, “That was my reaction to ordinary police—the model Trident made for me. If I’d known you were on the other side, I’d have acted better.”
The Vault let out a snort of laughter: “In other words, you really have no idea what normal human emotions are like. You don’t know how a person should act when they’re sad, or struggling with morality. No matter how much you pretend to be normal, at your core you’re just a cold-blooded animal.”
Xavier Daniels clasped his hands and clapped them together in the air, saying, “I really like your assessment.”
Julian Grant shuddered and cursed, “You’re a damn pervert, aren’t you?”
“That’s exactly how you all describe me. Mediocre people love to exclude those who are different—especially those who are outstanding or stand out. They can be extremely cruel.” Xavier Daniels didn’t care, and said regretfully, “I wanted to play the game with you, but you flipped the table. What a pity—the one who caught me in the end turned out to be just a woman.”
The “just a woman” he referred to, Henry Harris, was standing outside the screen at that moment, coldly watching the man inside.
Quinn Shelby glanced at her cautiously out of the corner of his eye.
Henry Harris apparently couldn’t hold back and replied expressionlessly, “I didn’t expect that after all the trouble I went through, it would turn out to be just a man like you.”
A technician asked, “Do you want me to relay that for you?”
“No need,” Henry Harris said. “I’ll say it to his face later.”
·
The Vault observed the arrogant man in front of her.
His every gesture, even his lazy gaze, showed his indifference, proving he felt no remorse for his father’s death.
Stripped of his polite façade, this cold and ruthless man seemed to have been born without feelings.
The Vault’s gaze dropped to the table.
However, his eyes kept wandering everywhere—except the center of the table. And right in the middle was the file The Vault had just tossed down, with Thomas Daniels’s death photos from multiple angles clipped inside.
The Vault suddenly said, “You regret it, don’t you.”
Xavier Daniels acted as if he’d heard something hilarious: “What are you talking about? Are you serious?”
“Killing Thomas Daniels might have been the most impulsive thing you’ve ever done. You actually regret it.” The Vault laughed as well, and said with certainty, “After Thomas Daniels died, you started recalling the warmth between you. You realized that being loved by him was actually something worth remembering.”
Xavier Daniels: “Don’t do such boring things, The Vault. You’re making me a little disappointed.”
The Vault continued, “You put the award-winning photo you took with Thomas Daniels in the most prominent place in your room, which shows his approval made you happy. He was special. You’re not truly devoid of family feelings—you’re just slow to realize them. By the time you did, you’d already killed him. But you won’t admit your mistake, because you’re paranoid and narcissistic.”
Xavier Daniels let out a couple of low chuckles.
“After moving Thomas Daniels to the wasteland, you even straightened his clothes. So even though his posture wasn’t elegant, his suit was neat. If you wanted to frame someone else, you should have left some wounds on him to show the killer’s hatred. But you didn’t. You really made a lot of mistakes you shouldn’t have.”
Xavier Daniels made a time-out gesture and pleaded, “Can you stop making such baseless deductions?”
The Vault curled her lips, full of confidence: “Have you noticed? From the start of the scenario until now, you haven’t said the word ‘dad’ even once. Not once. As a son whose father died, don’t you know you should tell the police about your deep father-son bond? But you avoided it. You don’t even want to mention how you address him.”
She sneered, “Xavier Daniels, it seems your heart is more honest than your mind.”
The smile finally disappeared from Xavier Daniels’s face. He looked at The Vault, licked his dry lips, and the calm in his eyes was replaced by a gust of anger.
“So, have you found any evidence to accuse me?” Xavier Daniels asked. “Do you know my motive for murder?”
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