Chapter 84: Irene's Deduction

Irene thought for a moment and then asked, "I have a hypothesis that, if there are no unexpected factors, should be accurate." Frank subtly observed Irene. Had Miss Irene really deduced the whole situation in such a short time? Irene continued, "I want to confirm something first. Mr. Ben, from your statements about Hilda Gary, it’s clear you have a very negative impression of her. I hope you can explain the conflicts between you and her as it will affect my judgment. Please be honest." Ben's eyes flickered, and he looked very uneasy. Irene encouraged him with a gentle look, "It's okay, just tell us the truth." Ben took a deep breath, avoiding their gazes, and said, "I... I'm in a relationship with Anderson." Frank seemed to ponder this information. Irene smiled reassuringly at Ben, "It's okay. In country Q, we don't discriminate against same-sex relationships. As long as it's a beautiful relationship and love, we support it." Frank nodded in agreement. Ben felt slightly relieved and continued, "Hilda and Anderson grew up together. Their fathers are both politicians in country Q. She always considered herself Anderson's girlfriend, but Anderson doesn’t like girls, and Hilda wouldn’t believe it." "On the day of the incident, Anderson and Hilda had a conversation. He said it didn’t go well. He explained that their parents had joked about them getting married when they were five or six, but it was just a joke. Anderson had always kept a normal friend’s distance from Hilda. However, Hilda saw Anderson’s attraction to men as an insult to her." By this point, Irene had mostly confirmed her hypothesis. "Agent Frank, it seems to me that this is what happened: Miss Hilda had developed a murderous intent toward the victim due to emotional issues. The victim’s words during their last meeting triggered her, leading to a crime of passion." Frank asked, "How did she commit the crime?" Irene pointed to the cafeteria scene on the monitor, "Look, at lunchtime, when the victim entered the cafeteria, he was holding that drink bottle, and it was already open." "Is it possible that Hilda poisoned the drink while the victim was getting food or throwing something away? From what we’ve observed, we can determine that the drink was likely a gift from the victim’s friend, which is common in high school settings." "Good-looking girls or boys often receive gifts and love letters, but these are usually given to them through their friends, not directly." Frank nodded, "You’re right, that is possible. I will verify some key evidence. If it aligns, this case will be closed." Irene nodded, "Thank you." Ben followed suit, "Thank you, Uncle Frank." Frank chuckled as he watched the two leave. For some reason, the image of Irene’s charming smile and cunning eyes flashed through his mind. Shaking off the thought, he made a call. "Go to Hilda Gary's house for an investigative interview. Focus on these questions... Yes, is Pompey with you? Have her go to the school and question the victim’s friends about whether anyone asked him to deliver the drink." Frank hung up and continued reviewing the case files. Three to four hours later, the phone in Frank's office rang. Frank smiled lightly. She had guessed right. Frank worked quickly. Soon, news of Hilda’s arrest spread throughout the campus. All the students who bullied Ben were dumbfounded. Their perfect goddess suddenly turned out to be a crazed murderer, while the silent pauper was innocent. What they couldn’t accept more was a revealed recording. Nightclub music filled the background of the recording, with a clear voice, so familiar yet so strange. Familiar because they often heard it at school, strange because of its natural malice: "What did you say? Haha, of course, I know he’s after me and has done a lot for me!" "But, there’s no way we could be together! He’s not good enough for me! What kind of family am I from? What kind of family is he from? He’s just a nouveau riche with nothing but money!" The recording ended. It was recorded by a girl whom Hilda often bullied. She worked part-time at a nightclub as a server to earn money and happened to encounter Hilda and her friends drinking. Coincidentally, the girl liked the boy whom Hilda deemed unworthy. In a fit of anger, she recorded the conversation and posted it online. Hilda, being under eighteen, did not go to prison. However, the victim's father took this opportunity to strike at Hilda's father’s influence. Over the years, their political views had increasingly diverged to an intolerable level. Ben's life returned to normal. At a coffee shop. "Irene, thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you. What would you like to drink? It's on me," Ben shyly said. Irene, of course, wouldn’t let a child pay for her coffee. She quietly settled the bill while going to the restroom. Then, she opened her phone. A message from Emma darkened Irene's expression. Ben kindly asked, "Irene, if you have something to do, you should go. I can see you off." Irene glanced down, her eyes on the phone, the transcription of a recording filling her with a dangerous aura that made Ben shiver. Just as Ben was about to scream and flee, Irene suddenly reined in her presence, smiled, and said, "I do have something urgent. I must hurry home now. Sorry, I can’t have lunch with you." Ben nodded, watching Irene leave. Elsewhere. It was already evening. Helen certainly didn’t want to dine at Madame Kashi’s old mansion. To her, it was infested with bugs, filthy, and disorganized. She couldn’t even imagine if the old woman washed her hands before cooking. Just thinking about it made Helen feel nauseous at the thought of eating there. Madame Kashi understood her well. Just one look at Helen and she knew what she was struggling with. She volunteered to invite Madame Kashi to taste her cooking, citing her improved culinary skills. This way, she could wait at home for Irene and inquire about her live-streaming activities. Madame Kashi remained vigilant. Her heart was torn in two: one half overjoyed by her son’s cooking, moved to tears; the other half crying in agony because she knew this kindness was not normal. It was a conspiracy.