Leonard Campbell: "Then, just as you thought, I induced them to complete my experiment."

None of them felt the slightest bit of happiness; instead, they only found it incredibly bizarre. The officer pressed the pause button on the recorder, and the room fell completely silent.

Henry Harris silently walked back to his seat. Leonard Campbell spoke in a low voice, "Is it because I didn't react like a typical suspect—refuting, defending, going mad, or despairing—that you all find it so surprising? I just think there's no point in doing that. I have no emotions that need venting."

Henry Harris asked, "Why?"

"Why?" Leonard Campbell thought for a moment and answered realistically, "At my age, does it matter whether I admit it or not? I've spent my whole life researching social psychology, yet I've never studied myself. I think I can calmly accept whatever happens in life."

There are no laws in the country specifically about inciting crime, but if the circumstances are severe, the judge will convict as an accomplice or for murder. And for those over seventy-five years old, the punishment can be reduced.

Even if Leonard Campbell goes to prison, he wouldn't serve many years. Maybe just a few, or maybe even get probation. He truly has nothing to fear. The worst he could lose is the reputation he has built up over many years.

Henry Harris asked coldly, "Why?"

Leonard Campbell asked good-naturedly, "Which 'why' are you referring to this time?"

"Why did you do it?" Henry Harris forced out each word, "If you really loved your ex-wife so much, why did you divorce her? She's not dead yet, so why look for a replacement? She lives in the hospital, but you don't seem to care much about her."

Leonard Campbell, as if explaining to his own students, explained in detail, "It's not about a replacement. She was the first subject I studied seriously, so I chose her as my model. There wasn't any special reason; I just wanted to observe different people's reactions. The other subjects were the same. You're right, psychological manipulation is indeed a new weapon."

This time, it was Henry Harris who was left speechless.

"I'm just this kind of emotionless person. I married her simply because it was suitable, to fit into society, to seem less unusual. It wasn't for love. So in the end, we divorced." Leonard Campbell countered, "Didn't you all already guess that?"

Listening to his calm and detached tone, Henry Harris found it impossible to calm her heart. Her hand pressed on the table, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

"So, did your experiment succeed?"

Leonard Campbell said, "The experiment wasn't about success or failure. All of their behaviors are just data."

Henry Harris instinctively felt he was lying, but his lie was especially well-constructed. She clung to the only loophole and pressed on, "Then, why did you drive those two people to death, but let Sean Hall go?"

She demanded loudly, "Why did you let Sean Hall go at that time!!"

Leonard Campbell's expression was in stark contrast to hers. He replied calmly, "I didn't let her go. Everyone's endurance is different. She still had a daughter. She was stronger than I imagined and broke free from my control."

Henry Harris sneered, "Is that so?"

Leonard Campbell nodded, took off his glasses, and placed them on the table. Then he picked up the cup of water that had already gone cold.

"You don't have to believe me, but it was indeed all done by me."

·

Quinn Shelby called to inform Henry Harris of the progress on his end, but hesitated for a moment when he picked up his phone.

He looked again at Henry Jameson across from him. The latter was staring up at the ceiling, like someone who had lost all interest in life and was just waiting for death.

Not "like"—he truly was.

Quinn Shelby called out, "Henry Jameson."

Henry Jameson's expression shifted slightly, and he turned to look at him.

Quinn Shelby: "Are you telling the truth?"

Henry Jameson took a few heavy breaths, then finally revealed a smile full of malicious amusement.

"You guess."

Author's note:

A quick recap: Five witnesses—one was poisoned to death by his own mother (Michael Wood), one was killed by his own son (Thomas Daniels). The other three were all killed by Andrew Forrest.

Andrew Forrest is the murderer, and it was Harry Forrest who noticed and told The Vault. This was mentioned earlier. As for the specific methods of killing, it will be briefly mentioned later, without detailed elaboration.

Chapter 118: Analysis

Julian Grant drove The Vault away from William Thornton's house, and they got stuck in traffic in the city center. By the time they left the crowded area, both of them felt a bit hungry.

The Vault randomly picked a hot and sour noodle shop and took Julian Grant inside to experience the joy of a six-yuan bowl.

She stood in front of the white cashier counter and, as if nitpicking, rattled off a list of requests: "No vinegar, no spice, no scallions, no cilantro, less garlic. Thank you."

Julian Grant listened in utter confusion: "If it's not sour or spicy, why are you eating hot and sour noodles?"

The Vault sighed, "Can't help it, this is just what I like."

So he couldn't figure out what exactly it was that she liked. Julian Grant said blankly, "So you're just eating loneliness?"

The Vault took the number tag from the cashier girl, turned around, and said, "Not really, eating with you isn't that lonely."

Julian Grant was stunned for a moment, and after realizing it, his mind was filled with roaring chaos.

Was The Vault flirting with him? Was she?!

And then she would immediately turn her back and deny it.

Why is she always like this?!

While Julian Grant was still reeling in his own world, The Vault quickly paid, turned, and said to him, "I ordered the same for you."

Julian Grant's mind jammed for a second, and he protested, "Who wants to eat this neutered version of hot and sour noodles?"

The cashier girl asked, "So, do you want any toppings or not?"

The Vault just stared at him with an emotionless look. Julian Grant thought of all the relationships ruined by the salty-sweet debate, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't withstand this woman's pressure and gave in, "Fine, fine, just leave it."

The two of them found an empty seat and sat down.

When the noodles arrived, Julian Grant took a doubtful slurp and found... it was actually pretty good?

The broth in this shop was rich and flavorful, and even without the sour and spicy taste, it didn't feel bland.

The Vault watched him taste it, saw his expression gradually relax and start to enjoy it, and secretly laughed, stirring the noodles in her bowl, "Do you feel it? This is the world of geniuses."

Julian Grant almost choked on her shamelessness.

He wiped his mouth and said dryly, "Don't think I don't know you're teasing me."

"Really?" The Vault seemed genuinely surprised, reflecting, "Then I'll be more subtle next time."

Julian Grant was both annoyed and amused, warning, "Don't go too far, Comrade The Vault, I won't always play along with your act!"

The Vault replied perfunctorily, "Mm-hmm."

Halfway through their meal, both of their phones received an email from Henry Harris.

Captain Harris had someone send them the full transcript of the recorded interview.

The Vault opened it and, seeing the dense text, felt a headache coming on. She quickly finished her noodles, picked up her phone, and started reading the information.

Julian Grant also ate quickly, stood up, and patted her, "Let's go home first."

Back in the car, The Vault sat in the passenger seat, continuing to scroll through the lengthy text, occasionally reading out key points to share with Julian Grant.

Julian Grant only caught bits and pieces, but grasped the main points.

Zoe Collins was clearly suspicious of Leonard Campbell. She believed that Leonard Campbell, nostalgic for his feelings for his ex-wife, used his position as a professor to select and control his targets.

She was killed just as she reached this stage in her investigation. Judging by the timing, Leonard Campbell was indeed highly suspicious.

Julian Grant listened with a furrowed brow and asked doubtfully, "Leonard Campbell... was it him?"

"Doesn't really make sense. I don't agree." The Vault rubbed the back of her neck, pondering, "But I don't have any evidence either."

Julian Grant was about to ask what didn't make sense, but after hearing her last sentence, he closed his mouth and simply stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt her train of thought.

When she reached the last page of the document, The Vault's finger paused. She read that brief conversation over and over, until her mind started playing tricks on her and the words felt unfamiliar, then finally put down her phone and sighed, "If only we could find Harry Forrest."

Maybe it was because she couldn't deliver the results to Harry Forrest, or maybe because her emotions had faded during the long investigation, but The Vault wasn't as excited as she had imagined.

It was more a sense of relief, the ability to go to Logan Carter and tell her, "I did what I promised you." Harry Forrest really was innocent.

...But in truth, this was a heavy, not-at-all happy thing.

Julian Grant sensed her low mood, quickly turned his head, and comforted her, "Once the police officially release the announcement, he should be able to come out."

The Vault opened her mouth.

...And then what?

This question, which she had always ignored and felt powerless to answer, suddenly popped into her mind.

What should she do next?