Part 122
“I just looked up some information, and the culprit is actually Xavier Daniels? Wasn’t Sylvia Shaw the mastermind? Xavier Daniels seems so honest.”
“No way! Is that what the police announcement said? Did Trident make any plot changes?”
“There’s no way they’d change the culprit’s identity for the plot. The police announcement was very brief, just saying that Xavier Daniels and Sylvia Shaw worked together to kill Thomas Daniels… This is quite the drama!”
“By the way, how far have you all gotten in your investigation?”
“That can’t be right. I clearly already found Sylvia Shaw, and confirmed it was Xavier Daniels who moved the body, but the instance still isn’t over. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do in there. I came out to look up the answer and still have no clue.”
“Good thing this is just an instance. If it were real life, I’d really think it was over. At least in the instance, you can be forced to trigger hidden tasks.”
“The clues come too slowly, it feels like everyone is lying. I keep running around the school, the factory, the streets, the police station, but I’ve gained so little, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
Quinn Shelby kept eavesdropping quietly, and felt comforted by this.
He really was still normal.
“By the way, did you guys know someone already cleared the instance?”
“Failed?” someone asked in surprise. “Isn’t it really hard to fail a closed beta instance? Aren’t there admins nearby to give hints?”
“What do you mean failed? They cleared it! My evaluator just told me… Geniuses are just too annoying.”
“No way! How is that possible? So what’s the actual condition for clearing it? Figuring out Sylvia Shaw’s motive for murder?”
“My evaluator told me… Have you guys found the character Ruby Donovan yet?”
The group fell silent, then, full of confusion, started doubting themselves:
“What?”
“Who’s that now?!”
“I haven’t even found the key characters yet? I don’t believe it!”
“Who’s the pro here? Give me your phone number! Can I just coast along?”
Henry Harris was amused by them and took out his phone, asking The Vault, “Can I get your contact info?”
The Vault gestured to Julian Grant: “Take down Mr. Grant’s number. I don’t like carrying my phone when I go out, and even if I do, I don’t check messages. Quincy can usually reach me in time.”
Julian Grant complained, “So I’m your agent now? You sure think highly of yourself.”
The Vault replied seriously, “A friendly relationship without monetary transactions is called friendship.”
Julian Grant: “…Thanks for not calling me a good person this time.”
The Vault: “I still remember what you said. From now on, I’ll only say things like that in my heart.”
Quinn Foster narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Henry Harris looked at the two of them, seemed to realize something, and tentatively said, “Wishing you two…”
The Vault tilted her head.
Henry Harris became unsure again: “A long-lasting friendship?”
Julian Grant: “…What the heck?”
The Vault smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
The Vault quietly ate a cherry tomato, then looked up and said, “I didn’t ask Sylvia Shaw about Harry Forrest.”
Talking about work, Henry Harris relaxed. She didn’t avoid the topic and said directly, “According to the real person Sylvia Shaw is based on, on the day Harry Forrest committed the murder, Thomas Daniels drank a lot. When he came back, he was drunk, and the next morning, he didn’t even remember how he got home. But when he testified, he didn’t mention this, and even lied that he only had a small sip and was completely sober. Since he wasn’t the first witness and his details were specific and believable, the judge accepted it.”
The Vault: “So, Thomas Daniels’s testimony should be questioned.”
Henry Harris nodded: “If we go by Sylvia Shaw’s account, that’s right. But now Thomas Daniels is dead, and no one knows the real truth. Just this alone isn’t enough to prosecute.”
The Vault turned and divided the egg from her small plate, putting it into Julian Grant’s bowl with care, saying, “Eat more, Quincy.”
Julian Grant was completely flattered.
The Vault reminded him, “When the open beta comes, please add this piece of information.”
Julian Grant: “…I feel like a tool.”
The Vault said, “I’ve always treated you well, you just don’t believe it. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Captain Harris, what did Xavier Daniels say to me before logging off?”
Julian Grant looked over.
Henry Harris didn’t really get it, but still answered, “He asked her to go see him.”
Julian Grant was shocked.
“See?” The Vault spread her hands, looking as if she was always suffering in silence.
Julian Grant muttered, “No way? Did you use to run pyramid schemes?”
“Are you going to see Xavier Daniels?” Henry Harris asked from across the table. “Your help has given me a lot of inspiration. If you find any new clues, I hope you’ll share them with us. We have the same goal.”
Even The Vault, as slow as she was, could sense the goodwill from the person in front of her. She nodded and said, “I believe so.”
Henry Harris put on a friendly smile again and asked, “Do you want to be a police officer?”
The Vault was stunned for a moment, not expecting to be offered such an opportunity. She politely declined, “I don’t think so. I’m hard to manage, and I don’t like being managed.”
Henry Harris said, “I understand.”
Quinn Shelby’s chopsticks hovered over his bowl until Quinn Foster nudged him, and he snapped back to reality.
The rest of the meal finally became more harmonious. But Henry Harris was busy and left with Quinn Shelby after only a few bites.
Once there were no more restrictions at the table, Quinn Foster immediately threw down his napkin, leaned in toward the other two, and demanded, “You two! Don’t tell me you’re living together now?”
He pointed at Julian Grant and said, “Do you even know who he is?!”
Chapter 79: Characteristics
Julian Grant suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable nervousness. He thought, The Vault must already know, even though he hadn’t said anything, it was obvious. Then he thought his reasons were perfectly legitimate, nothing to feel guilty about—after all, who would go around flaunting their wealth? Still, his instinct was to hide it.
Julian Grant grabbed Quinn Foster, put his arm around his neck, and laughed, “What are you talking about?”
Quinn Foster struggled so much he almost twisted his own neck.
“Who is he?” The Vault said indifferently, “A very rich friend.”
Quinn Foster: “He’s—”
The Vault slowly emphasized, “The key point is very rich, and then, a friend.”
Quinn Foster was momentarily speechless, since that was absolutely true.
He said, “…He really is rich.”
“Don’t say it like that.” The Vault had once sighed the same way. She let out a breath and said, “It’s just that we’re too poor.”
Quinn Foster: “…Why do you have to compare us? I really don’t want to be reminded of my own poverty.”
The Vault told him not to make a fuss: “Sit down and eat.”
“I went to your place twice and couldn’t find you. Ever since that doxxing incident, I’ve been worried about you. Couldn’t you at least let me know? You said you had a place to stay, I thought it was a hotel, but it’s his place? But he… he’s not safe! This guy only looks honest, but he’s actually got a lot of tricks up his sleeve!”
Julian Grant couldn’t take it anymore, “That’s enough, aren’t you meddling a bit too much?”
Quinn Foster said, “I’m just looking out for her!”
The Vault and Julian Grant both clicked their tongues at the same time.
Quinn Foster realized after saying it that something sounded off. Thinking about it, he remembered that was the catchphrase of Summer’s irresponsible dad in the instance, and he felt uncomfortable.
He sat down again, not looking very happy: “So how long are you planning to stay?”
The Vault didn’t answer, just said, “I’m going to see Xavier Daniels.”
Quinn Foster asked, “When?”
The Vault lit up her phone, and Julian Grant said directly, “Not today.”
The Vault said regretfully, “Then tomorrow. Anyway, we’re all friends now, so the timing is flexible.”
Quinn Foster was about to tease her, when the young man who had been itching to speak finally couldn’t hold back and came over to The Vault, asking, “Boss, can I take a photo with you? I’ll be honest, I want to show off in my Moments, because my whole family really admires you!”
Julian Grant laughed, “What a weird request.”
The Vault played along, “I like honest people like you.”
The young man cheered, “Great, thank you! Just one photo is enough!”
The onlookers immediately joined in, swarming over.
“I want a photo too! I’m a fan of your looks!”
“I’m different, I’ve always admired your skills.”
“Miss, they just want to ride your popularity—”
Seeing The Vault instantly swallowed up by the crowd, Quinn Foster took the initiative to say goodbye. Julian Grant, with nothing else to do, decided to go back and write his report.
By the time The Vault finally escaped the crowd of players and got home, Julian Grant was still working overtime at the office.
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