Chapter 326: Chapter 326

After the engagement ceremony, An Ning undoubtedly gained more freedom in her movements. Even Lady Catherine gradually relaxed her usual strict supervision of her daughter.

Practicing fencing, sketching, occasionally taking her little cousin out shopping - given that a certain Holmes was not particularly active by nature, their dates usually only took place at the opera house, or they would simply stay home sunbathing or playing chess.

Life was leisurely, and the Famous Detective Karl series "The Collins Manor in the Mist" that An Ning was currently serializing soon reached its climax.

Occasionally on a whim, An Ning would also browse through some contemporary reviews.

Unfortunately, up to now, perhaps the enchantress's disguise was too deceptive, or perhaps An Ning's hidden clues were buried too subtly. The red herring villain placed at the front was too attention-grabbing.

In short, apart from some illogical absurd speculations, no one had yet turned their attention to poor Miss Deresse.

As for a certain great detective who should have noticed something wrong, thinking of that "younger brother's" quite indescribable expression the day before the engagement. Lying on the soft sofa, An Ning couldn't help but let out a pleased hum.

In fact, those blinded by the word "love" were far from just the people involved. Who knew when this detective gentleman would discover this!

But setting that aside for now, looking at Georgiana who stood before her with slightly flushed cheeks and clear shyness, An Ning couldn't help but think "wow" inwardly.

Duke Gray, An Ning quickly recalled someone's appearance from her memory.

Ian Gray, the youngest son of the Gray family, currently studying at Cambridge University. Huh? Seems to be in the same year as Sherlock.

Looking at the gold-embossed invitation in her hand, An Ning couldn't help but click her tongue.

Things were developing quite quickly. If she remembered correctly, it hadn't even been one holiday break yet!

Facing her cousin's meaningful gaze, Georgiana's face instantly turned bright red. After a long pause, she stammered:

"Sister Anne, don't worry. Long before deciding to befriend him, I had already observed this person from head to toe using sister's deduction method."

"Although Ian isn't particularly smart, is too optimistic, and not that interesting, based on my judgment, he should be a gentleman of upright character."

As if presenting some academic opinion, Georgiana soon said with a serious expression.

Very good, now she was quite sure her little cousin hadn't been blinded by some substance.

Noticing the other's slightly flushed cheeks, An Ning's tone also became cheerful:

"On the premise that he also has a quite handsome face, right?"

Georgiana nodded her little head emphatically.

If asked what she had learned from her cousin over the years, being appearance-conscious was undoubtedly the first principle.

Seeing that her little cousin had her wits about her, An Ning said no more. Coincidentally, she had nothing to do lately, so going out to have fun would be fine.

Lady Catherine had also been idle for quite some time recently.

In the ballroom, elegant dance music sounded once again.

As an established aristocratic family, although the Gray family had declined considerably in recent years due to poor management, their foundation remained. This ball was grand and lively, with no shortage of upper-class attendees.

The hosts receiving guests were the Gray family's eldest son and his recently married wife.

In contrast, Duke Gray himself had not yet appeared even at this point. Similarly, Ian Gray nearby also seemed distracted.

An Ning quickly noticed that even while conversing, this young man's gaze kept frequently glancing toward one place, until he spotted Georgiana in the crowd, when his handsome face finally showed a slight smile.

Though his expression still seemed somewhat dazed...

Because of Georgiana, An Ning paid a bit more attention to this family.

But this observation...

Oh, the eldest son of the duke who had long been dissatisfied with his younger brother.

The newly married Lady Gray who already clearly showed estrangement and strong dissatisfaction with her husband.

And the Gray family's second son who was clearly distracted at the event, inexplicably worried about something - the same person who shared mutual affection with Georgiana.

Well... for some reason, An Ning suddenly had a bad feeling about this scene.

And her premonition soon came true.

Midway through the ball, when An Ning had only eaten half of her small dessert, accompanied by a piercing scream from upstairs, the originally lively crowd instantly fell silent for a moment.

Then an elderly, middle-aged man dressed as a butler was supported out, looking pale, and brought devastating news:

Just moments ago, Duke Gray had unfortunately been murdered in his room!

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue immediately erupted in uproar.

"Oh, God! Unbelievable, this is a duke's residence! Incredible that there would be such bold thieves!"

Thinking that the bold murderer might still be here.

Tightly clutching her precious daughter's hand, Lady Catherine was so frightened her voice changed. Not far away, Darcy who had been feeling melancholic quickly stood up, first pulling his sister Georgiana to his side, then swiftly moving toward An Ning and the others.

Soon, the originally noisy ball descended into chaos. After personally seeing the old duke's body, many people clamored to leave.

Unfortunately, it was already dark outside, and the whereabouts of that vicious criminal remained uncertain. To protect the Gray family's reputation and interests, the butler quickly stepped forward to gently reassure everyone...

And before Scotland Yard arrived, quickly began investigating suspicious persons at today's banquet.

But just then, the Gray family's eldest son spoke up from nearby:

"By the way, Ian, what about that maid! I remember you brought back a homeless young maid before returning this time?"

"With the banquet so busy today, I recall that maid hasn't appeared since earlier!"

"Even now she's not here!"

The Gray family's eldest son spoke with apparent urgency, as if overly worried.

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze naturally focused on Ian nearby, the youngest son most favored by the late Duke Gray.

Still reeling from his father's death, Ian instinctively shook his head:

"No... that's not..."

"Jos... she... she..."

But what about her, he couldn't say at the moment.

The inspector who had rushed over quickly interjected:

"Your Grace, Your Grace was clearly struck on the head with a blunt weapon while standing, and there were obvious signs of struggle at the scene. A maid's height..."

"No, Inspector, you don't understand. Although that maid is quite beautiful, everyone knows she's not short at all!"

"Half a head taller than Duke Gray himself."

Among the crowd, the previously silent Lady Gray suddenly spoke, glaring fiercely at her husband as she did so.

So there was suspicion!

And it was a beautiful woman specifically brought home.

Oh, this was really...

At this point, even Darcy nearby furrowed his brows. Especially when looking at Georgiana's clearly worried expression.

"Never mind that maid for now, cousin. You can have someone check that doctor immediately!"

Just as everyone was discussing animatedly, An Ning suddenly stepped forward and whispered in her cousin's ear. She quickly detailed her reasoning process.

The meaning was clear: It's up to you now, temporary Great Detective Mr. Darcy.

Knowing Scotland Yard's capabilities, they would likely close the case quickly. Glancing at Georgiana's worried face, and not wanting the real culprit to escape, Darcy had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.

As an obviously high-status gentleman and heir to the Darcy family, unsurprisingly, Darcy's suggestion was promptly prioritized by Scotland Yard.

And the subsequent results were pleasantly surprising.

Sure enough, on the covered cuffs of this doctor's sleeves, they found incompletely washed bloodstains. And in his medical bag, small samples that hadn't been destroyed.

"If my reasoning isn't mistaken, Doctor John, you had previously administered some... well, let's say unverified and abnormal medications to this Earl Gray, disguising them as ordinary medicines with therapeutic effects."

"The conflict likely arose because this duke suddenly discovered something."

"Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Ian!" Darcy suddenly turned and spoke seriously to Ian who was still grieving:

"I believe you should have noticed something before, such as the duke's physical condition, or powerful side effects, which is why you specifically invited someone to investigate!"

Sure enough, Ian nodded emphatically.

As for the missing maid, Darcy repeated his cousin's words almost verbatim. He couldn't help but feel somewhat heavy-hearted.

Taking one last look at the group of detectives with admiring eyes nearby, Mr. Darcy's eyebrow twitched violently for a moment before he continued solemnly, actually reciting lines with deadpan seriousness:

"As for this part of the evidence, if I'm not mistaken, it's currently in the medical bag you carry with you."

"Specifically those so-called medicines that have absolutely no therapeutic effect and contain mostly side effects!"

But as soon as these last words were spoken, the previously silent Doctor John suddenly became agitated:

"No, shut up, shut up, what do you outsiders know!"

"These medicines are the results of my years of dedicated research, how could they be ineffective! Clearly after using my medicine, the duke's high fever quickly subsided! Isn't that right?"

"Just because I'm unknown, you burn bridges and deny everything about me! Why! Damned bastards!"

Facing the contemptuous gazes around him, instantly Doctor John's eyes turned bloodshot.

But by then Ian could care no more, rushing forward to tightly grab the other's collar:

"Where's Jos, that maid, where have you hidden her!"

"He... he... have you cruelly killed him too!"

Wait, "he"? An Ning suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next second, a tall, completely drenched "maid" walked directly into the hall.

The moment she clearly saw this face, An Ning's expression suddenly turned peculiar.

Beautiful golden hair wrapped in a plain white headscarf, traditional black-and-white maid uniform, a tall figure over 180cm that didn't seem awkward at all under the long skirt.

The wide skirt emphasized the newcomer's slender waist.

Coupled with a sufficiently beautiful face, drenched mist-gray eyes were particularly captivating at this moment.

Ah this... how could this not be considered a uniquely charming great beauty!

And one surnamed Holmes at that!

The moment the other turned around, An Ning almost couldn't control her laughter.

Truly you, Great Detective Sherlock!

For a moment, An Ning even felt some regret - poor Mike would be so disappointed to miss such a beautiful scene of his younger brother!

Almost uncontrollably, covering her face with her feathered fan, An Ning's lips subconsciously curved upward.

But the next moment, her gaze was firmly locked by a pair of deep gray hawk-like eyes.

Unfortunately, before An Ning could decipher the profound meaning in these pupils, Ian nearby had already rushed forward. In front of everyone, he pulled the person aside with concerned expression:

"Sha... no... Jos, are you alright!"

His gaze then lingered on the other's soaked dress with some waterweed. To anyone, it was clear this person had just climbed out of water.

Thinking of the pond in the duke's backyard, Ian's face grew even more unpleasant, his tightly clenched fists indicating this gentleman's anger!

"Damnable John!" That wretched doctor!

"He indeed wanted to harm you, while framing you for father's murder!"

Ian declared confidently at that moment.

Nearby, John who was being restrained by several officers couldn't help but sneer scornfully, clearly unwilling to argue.

This made Ian even angrier:

"Sha... Jos, you don't know, just now this wise and perceptive Mr. Darcy solved the mystery! And successfully captured the villain who killed father, that damned Doctor John!"

"Truly worthy of being the close friend of that famous writer Mr. Rosente!"

Even while grieving his father's death, and nearly being framed as the mastermind behind it, Ian didn't hesitate to sincerely praise his idol Mr. Rosente!

Was this person's heart perhaps too big?

An Ning looked somewhat surprised at Georgiana nearby! Only to find the other's gaze tightly fixed on that tall figure wearing maid attire.

Just as An Ning thought her little cousin would say something, she heard the other slowly speak:

"This Miss Jos is indeed very beautiful, and quite special, isn't she?"

Calmly picking off the remaining waterweed from his head, this beautiful "maid" who was the center of attention soon strode forward:

His manner, even in maid attire, was somehow imposing. But just as everyone thought he was coming to confront the culprit Doctor John, this person strode directly to the duke's eldest son, the Gray family's eldest gentleman.

A hoarse, deep voice soon spread throughout the exhibition hall:

"Mr. Gray, don't you need to explain?"

"About you attacking me from behind when I was unaware, and sinking me in the pond!"

As these words fell, the scene erupted in uproar once again!

Apart from the clearly male voice, instantly countless gazes fell upon this eldest son Mr. Gray.

"Wait, you... Jos, weren't you mute?"

Unfortunately, there was no time to ponder this now. Facing the skeptical gazes, Mr. Gray instantly flew into a rage:

His eyes glaring furiously at Ian nearby:

"Why? Of course for the Gray family's honor! When father fell, with only this maid present at the scene, and this person brought back by you personally, brother, what was I supposed to think?"

"To avoid the scandal of a son harming his father, bringing shame to the Gray family, I could only temporarily deal with the other!"

"Although it turned out to be a misunderstanding in the end!"

With this last sentence, Mr. Gray's expression grew increasingly displeased, as if he had missed out on tens of thousands of pounds.

"Even so, you were the first to point out that this Jos... no, this gentleman was absent, weren't you?"

Mr. Darcy nearby couldn't help but frown.

Upon hearing this, the touched expression that had just appeared on Ian's face froze in place...

Hearing this, Mr. Gray's expression grew even more unpleasant.

Nearby, the "maid" Sherlock snorted disdainfully:

"Simple. Because as the Gray family heir, you were unwilling to let the family reputation suffer. The Gray family absolutely couldn't have a confirmed patricide criminal, especially when that person was your own younger brother."

"So upon discovering Jos as a potential murderer, to prevent him from saying anything unfavorable that might send your younger brother Mr. Ian to prison, you subconsciously chose to cover it up."

"But simultaneously, you didn't want younger brother Ian to emerge completely unscathed and fully inherit the late duchess's substantial dowry. So vague suspicions and accusations of bringing in trouble would allow you, the Gray family heir, to easily strip him of inheritance rights, isn't that right?"

As if wanting to rub more salt in the wound, after surveying this Mr. Gray, someone began spewing venom again:

"Mr. Gray, oh, brand new tailored suit, top hat, valuable yet not lacking design or fashion sense, indicating you're quite a trendy gentleman. However, your gemstone cufflinks - if I may be blunt - though valuable, are clearly somewhat dated, and the style doesn't suit your taste..."

In short, after a series of deductions from head to toe, the drenched maid figure at the center of the exhibition hall finally smiled mockingly:

"If I'm not mistaken, your overseas investments have been losing money for quite some time now!"

Investments, losses, and the Gray family heir - as these words fell, the entire ballroom fell into complete silence.

Sherlock's tongue seemed particularly vicious today!

Hmm... and his temper particularly strong!

Watching Mr. Gray's face gradually turn purplish-red, An Ning finally couldn't help but curve her lips slightly. But the next moment, she saw those mist-gray hawk-like eyes once again accurately shoot toward her direction.

Considering the series of precise deductions by "Great Detective Darcy," An Ning's brow subconsciously twitched slightly.