The detective is dead, I did it.

Chapter 35 I'll Remember You

The porcelain plate shattered on Lily's forehead, splattering fish and sauce everywhere.

Her white headscarf was stained with soup, and a shard of porcelain had cut her forehead, with blood mixed with sauce streaming down her cheek.

But she didn't dare wipe it off; she just kept pressing her forehead against the cold marble floor and kowtowing repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, sir... I'm so sorry..."

The viscount was panting heavily. Even though he had only thrown a plate, he acted as if he had done some strenuous exercise, his large chest heaving violently.

His gaze shifted from Lily to the other two maids standing by the door, his face as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

"You two, take her to my room."

"Yes...yes!" Two maids rushed over and helped Lily up from her kneeling position.

Li Ang noticed that when Lily heard that she was to be locked in the Viscount's room, her pupils contracted instantly, and a clear look of fear appeared on her face.

Why is this matter causing her to be so afraid?

The words Helena had spoken that afternoon flashed through Li Ang's mind.

"There's lime buried under this soil. The lime burns the roots, so the flowers don't bloom well."

And there's what Charlotte said too.

"Every year, quite a few servants die at the hands of the Viscount."

A bold idea formed in his mind.

"Wait," Li Ang said, stopping the two maids from moving.

The viscount turned his head and glared at him fiercely. "What are you going to do?"

If Charlotte hadn't been there, he would have already started cursing.

What right does some nobody, some nobody, have to speak to me?

"Is it really worth it for such a small thing?"

The viscount's fat folds rearranged, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Mr. Assistant," he said, his tone slightly harsher, "you may not be familiar with our rules here. This is no small matter; it's disobedience. Disobedient servants are punished."

Li Ang laughed too, "I don't really know the rules here. But I know the law."

"law?"

"Yes, the law. Beating or verbally abusing a servant, causing injury or disability, is punishable by which article of the Imperial Servant Protection Law... I think it's a fine?"

"It's just a few dozen pounds. I don't care." The Viscount waved his hand dismissively, showing no regard for the law that Leon had mentioned.

In fact, if it weren't for the warning he'd received from the security department, the viscount would have gone even further.

"Yes. But what if it were the Detective Association's rules?"

"Detective Association?"

The viscount's voice lowered noticeably, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes that he couldn't hide in time.

"I remember the Detective Association has the right to temporarily detain anyone who obstructs a detective's work without any reason."

"During the period of detention, all social activities, business dealings, and ceremonial matters related to the title of nobility of the detainee are automatically suspended."

"If you want to escalate this, I have no objection."

"If this gets out of hand, the police will come, and the detective association will come too. At that point, how many days do you think your title can protect you?"

The viscount's face turned even redder.

He stared intently at Li Ang. "You, you mere assistant, dare to threaten me like this?"

"I was just trying to give you a friendly reminder," Li Ang shrugged, completely ignoring the viscount's murderous glare.

The Viscount abruptly turned to Charlotte, his voice laced with barely suppressed rage. "Miss Holmes! Can your assistant truly represent you?"

Charlotte was wiping her mouth with a napkin, her movements elegant and composed, as if she were completely oblivious to the little incident at the table.

"I think my assistant is right. If things escalate, it won't do either of us any good."

Seeing Charlotte's obvious favoritism towards her assistant, the Viscount could do nothing even if he wanted to retaliate, so he simply spoke up in a desperate manner.

"Can't I cancel the commission?"

"Yes," Charlotte gave an unexpected answer, "Of course."

The viscount was taken aback, not expecting her to agree so readily.

"The mandate clearly states that the Viscount may unilaterally terminate the mandate at any time, and the fees already paid will not be refunded."

Charlotte took the commission form from her pocket, unfolded it, and placed it on the table. She pointed to a line of small print, "Have you made up your mind?"

The viscount's gaze fell on the line of text, which was his backup plan. He hadn't expected it to be used so soon.

Although the deposit he gave was not a small amount, it was not a big deal to him.

"As for the investigation that has already begun," Charlotte put the commission letter back into her pocket, "the Detective Association stipulates that detectives still have the right to submit the investigative materials they have obtained to the Public Security Department even after the commission has been terminated."

"The materials I currently have include: the layout of the tunnel to the storage room, the location of the tunnel exit, and the unusual behavior of the maids in the mansion."

Seeing the Viscount's face turn deathly pale, Li Ang immediately realized what was happening.

Charlotte was bluffing him.

Even he only had a vague guess after Helena's speech and Lily's unusual behavior.

But the detective could never have guessed it so quickly!

"Of course, if you don't want to make a big deal out of this, I can pretend nothing happened. As long as—"

"What do you want?" the viscount asked immediately.

"Just cooperate with our operation tonight. Let me catch that thief."

"that's all?"

"That's it." Charlotte picked up her glass and swirled it gently. "After tonight, whether the jewel is found or not, I will close the case. As for the rest of this mansion, I have no interest in it, nor do I have time for it."

The viscount stared at him, his small eyes filled with suspicion and disbelief. "Is this really true?"

"Of course. I swear on my assistant's name."

Li Ang: "???"

No? Why are you making me swear on your own initiative?

Although the Viscount wanted to criticize Charlotte's statement, he finally leaned back in his chair and said weakly, "Fine, let's do as Miss Holmes says."

He waved to the two women holding Amy, "Get out. Clean up the mess and get out."

The two maids quickly released Lily, and after they quickly cleaned up the floor, they practically fled the restaurant.

"Then we'll take our leave now. We still need to prepare tonight."

Charlotte stood up to take her leave. Although Leon felt he hadn't eaten enough, he didn't want to stay with the Viscount any longer, so he also stood up.

As he passed by, the other person suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Assistant, what's your name?"

"Lion. Lion Moriarty."

"Okay. I'll remember you."

In response to the Viscount's remarks, Li Ang responded with a friendly gesture.