Chapter 100: Chapter 99: Delivery
Beep beep~!
A white car parked outside the villa, the honking catching Elliana Lyle’s attention. She looked out the window; the reporters were gone, forcibly driven away by Norman Bennett’s people.
Seeing Luna stepping out of the car with Andrew Hue and heading towards the villa gate, she quickly ran downstairs.
As expected, Luna was stopped by a security guard holding an electric baton at the gate. "Hello, do you have business here?"
"No need to stop her. She’s with me."
Elliana shouted while running, slightly out of breath.
Once inside, the three went upstairs to the study, and after a brief discussion, Lana brought them tea.
Andrew sat properly in a chair near the bookshelf, his face wearing a characteristic smile, "Thank you."
Sitting on the edge of the table, Luna crossed her legs and fiddled with a pen from the holder until Lana left, then she questioned Elliana, "Did you use your influence to threaten her back then?"
Elliana shook her head, "No, I couldn’t have threatened her."
"If that’s the case..." Luna pressed her lips, pondering for a moment before saying, "There’s actually a possibility of homicide. I only learned a little earlier, so it’s necessary to see the scene myself."
"It’s quite troublesome for outsiders to enter our university. The security has been stricter lately, so sneaking in is unrealistic," Elliana expressed her concern.
"What’s the trouble?" Luna waved her hand dismissively and then flashed a student ID in front of Elliana, "Your husband already got me a student ID and arranged Andrew here as a foreign teacher."
Seeing this, Elliana felt somewhat relieved and said, "I have the contact number of Hannah Collins, the captain of the criminal investigation team at the South City police department. If you need it, you can call."
That number was given to her earlier today when Hannah Collins came to check on her, saying she could use Hannah’s name as leverage if needed.
Luna was startled by this but then laughed it off, "Why don’t you call yourself? As for me, I’ll just reach out if I need you. You’re the boss anyway. By the way, the boss set up a group chat this morning. Let me add you."
Following that, Luna tapped her phone a couple of times, then gestured with her chin for her to check.
Ding dong~
The phone notification buzzed, and when she checked, Luna had added her to a group chat called "Elliana’s Team."
The group admin was Norman Bennett.
There weren’t many people, just seven including her, and she wasn’t very familiar with someone named Sheng Ming.
At this moment, a message popped up on the chat interface:
"You are now the new group admin"
The next day.
South University.
Donning South University’s light blue uniform, a lively and youthful high-ponytailed girl walked across the playground, making her way to the girls’ dorm.
Meanwhile, Andrew, clad in basketball gear, was following Elliana’s instructions, integrating himself among the students. His exceptional basketball skills and good looks attracted many male students to compete with him, and female students gathered to watch.
a.m.
"Elliana’s Team 2".
This was a new group chat Luna created to avoid Norman Bennett and Sheng Ming.
Luna: "I hacked their surveillance, but there’s no camera covering the rooftop of the girls’ dorm, and coincidentally the hallway camera broke a month ago and hasn’t been fixed. I secretly checked the rooftop surrounded by caution tape — no signs of a struggle. I asked the dorms closest to the rooftop; no unusual noise was heard that night. Homicide is not ruled out, but I feel it might be an accident or suicide."
At this moment, "Elliana’s Team" received a forensic report shared by Sheng Ming.
Document: [The deceased’s injuries are characteristic of light external, severe internal damages, particularly on the right side. All injuries could happen in one event. The deceased had minimal hemorrhage at fractures and internal ruptures, severe skull and long bone damage, inconsistent with external violence, consistent with high fall causing full cranial collapse...]
Luna: "Just saw the forensic report. We’re getting some clues. Wait for my update."
Elliana: "Thank you for your hard work."
Sitting on the sofa, Elliana closed her phone and reached over to pet the cat lying beside her, feeling somewhat weary.
Just an hour ago, she tried scrolling through some short videos.
Almost every video mentioned her, with numerous influencers analyzing the situation.
Then, a bald male influencer named Orion posted an analysis. In the video, the man waved a folding fan, shaking his head as he spoke.
"Hello everyone, I’m Orion. Today let’s talk about this major star Elliana Lyle’s murder case. I’m sure everyone’s aware of the cause, but let me tell you something you don’t know. Two days ago, Elliana was arrested for drug use..."
dhxhx: "Even apologists can’t save her. Celebrities still get arrested when they break the law; I suggest execution on the spot."
Blissful Life: "My daughter is at South University. Strongly demand this menace be arrested. Disloyal and unfilial scum who killed their own mother; arrest her quickly before she harms others."
Elliana’s Sweetie: "Did you not watch the complete video? Why did Elliana hit someone? It’s because this woman insulted Elliana’s mother. She jumped of her own accord, so why blame Elliana for forcing her? Plus, spreading rumors is illegal. Get ready to be sued, idiots!"
Fish Farm for You @ Elliana’s Sweetie: "Exactly, Elliana already tweeted not to spread rumors. These influencers are truly shameless, riding on Elliana’s fame, spewing nonsense. They’re the ones who should be arrested."
...
It’s been less than two days, and already many influencers have gained fame by slandering her, with the rumors becoming more absurd.
To say she didn’t care would be a lie. Bearing the brunt of public scorn is unbearable.
"Madam, your package."
At this moment, Lana entered with a delivery box and placed it in front of her.
Elliana froze, unable to recall buying anything, instinctively picked up a fruit knife from the basket and cut the tape. Upon opening the box, she saw a black, triangular shape.
"Ah!" Elliana jumped onto the couch, her face turning pale with fright, naturally catching the attention of the household staff.
A black head, with a slender neck and forked red tongue, emerged from the box on the coffee table.
"A snake! There’s a snake!" Lana was shocked, but in her fright, she didn’t forget to quickly pull Elliana off the couch.
"Where’s the snake?"
The entire house was in chaos, with maids dodging and fleeing, only the butler came running with a broom.
Lana pulled Elliana to the middle of the stairs before stopping. On the couch, a bristled cat kept issuing warnings to the snake.
The snake was equally defiant, holding its head high. Its brownish-gray body was interspersed with round brown spots, its dull scales looking particularly menacing in the natural light.
Threatened and taunted, the snake launched itself at the bundle of fur.
"Meow—oo!"
The white paw slapped the snake’s head, with the butler arriving at the couch, watching as the cat bit onto the snake, pinning its head with sharp claws, quickly stabbing a fruit knife into its weak spot, pinning the snake onto the sofa.
"Madam, it’s alright, it’s alright now."
Regaining her senses, Lana comforted Elliana, noticing her pale face and wide eyes staring at the sofa.
"Madam." Gently cradling her, Lana consoled with deep concern, "It’s over. Don’t be scared, Madam."
Watching the butler pack the snake into the box, and as he was about to throw it away, Elliana stopped him.
"Don’t throw it away. Keep it, and about today’s incident, don’t tell anyone."