Before they could fully understand this problem, another one cropped up out of nowhere!


    Gordon was driving Thaddeus'' Rolls-Royce; the couple hurriedly made their way to the police station.


    The atmosphere in the car was oppressive, and Aaron''s expression was grim. "Why on earth would he get involved in a homicide?" Evadne asked urgently.


    "Justst night, we received a report. In a secluded alley on South Harmony Street in the West End, a male body was discovered. He''d been beaten before he died, suffering multiple blunt force injuries and abrasions. He was wearing a Phoenix badge on his chest, and identification confirmed he was a member of the S-Star Group."


    Aaron detailed the events with a cool demeanor. "That alley is near a members- only luxury club which is usually deserted during the day. At night, the guests would drive straight to the underground parking, sparing the secluded alley any visit. Consequently, the body was only discovered two dayster by an elderlydy collecting trash, by which time it had begun to dpose and was covered in severalrge rats."


    "Aaron, enough!"


    Evadne hurriedly gestured for him to stop, her face pale, "Just give us the facts. Let''s spare the gruesome details, we''ve just had lunch!"


    Thaddeus, however, was all ears, seemingly intrigued.


    "In one word, despite thorough interrogation, Lionel firmly denied killing anyone, iming he only beat him in a fit of anger. He said when he left, the man was down but still moving and speaking, alive and well."


    "Aaron, did the police extract Lionel''s DNA from the body during the autopsy?" Thaddeus asked seriously.


    Aaron frowned and shook his head, "Not just DNA. But the surveince footage from the alley entrance captured Lionel dragging the victim into the alley, assaulting him, and then leaving."


    "Was the assault captured on video too?" Evadne quickly followed up.


    "No, but aside from Lionel and the scavengingdy, no one else entered that area


    in the past two days. I''m not in charge of this case, but my colleagues from the technical department said the video wasn''t edited, so Lionel''s suspicion is quite substantial."


    Aaron sighed heavily, "With such solid physical evidence and no witnesses, even if it''s manughter, Lionel will have to spend the rest of his life behind bars."


    Evadne''s eyshes fluttered as she leaned back, overwhelmed with a gloomy feeling.


    Though she didn''t believe Lionel could be so brutal, he had indeed assaulted someone, and that was indisputable.


    "Lionel just walked away in full view of the cameras after the beating? Doesn''t that seem odd?" Thaddeus narrowed his eyes, skeptical.


    Evadne and Aaron both looked at him, "What do you mean?"


    "From what I know of Lionel, although he''s a tough guy, he''s not reckless or brutal without cause. Plus, as Mr. Griffith''s right-hand man, bearing the future of the entire S-Star Group, he wouldn''t make a move that could ruin his future.”


    Thaddeus'' eyes sparkled with determination, "Even if, for the sake of argument, he did act impulsively and kill the man, given Lionel''s experience, how could he possibly not have someonee and clean up the crime scene afterward? Does that make any sense?"


    Aaron nodded thoughtfully, "Thad, your thoughts align with mine. I also found it strange, which is why I called you immediately to discuss."


    "Thaddeus, are you suggesting?"


    Evadne''s eyes flickered with urgency as she grasped his hand resting on his knee, "Someone framed Lionel? After he left, someone else went in and finished the job?"


    Thaddeus looked at her, his gaze tender, and caressed her hand gently, "You know me well, Evadne."


    Aaron coughed awkwardly, touching his nose.


    These two, always showering each other with affection, made him feel like a third wheel!


    "Who would be so sinister as to frame Lionel like this?"


    Aaron''s brows were tightly knit, "Could it be an enemy of S-Star Group from the underworld?"


    "It''s possible, but I feel like underworld figures wouldn''t resort to such underhanded tactics; they are mostly straightforward. If they don''t like someone, they just attack directly."


    Evadne leaned into her man, her gaze sharp and cool, “Moreover, the person who finished the job knew how to avoid the cameras and left no trace on the body. This indicates a high level of professionalism and anti-surveince skill. Could this really be the work of underworld figures? I doubt it."


    Thaddeus gently massaged her neck, nodding in agreement.


    "Aaron, we need to check the crime scene ourselves. Maybe we''ll find some clues that could save Lionel!"


    Before Evadne could finish, her phone vibrated. It was a call from Aviana.


    "Aviana."


    "Evadne, Lionel could never murder anyone! He must have been framed!" Aviana''s voice trembled with urgency.


    "Aviana, don''t panic. We will definitely continue to investigate this matter," Evadne reassured her warmly, though her own heart was tight with concern.


    Aviana took a deep breath, her usually crisp voice hoarse with emotion:


    "Lionel can''t be in trouble. Otherwise, those scheming dissenters he''s been keeping at bay will seize the chance to rebel, and S-Star Group will be turned upside down!"


    Evadne knew the stakes well.


    Gang members don''t y corporate games; when pushed, they respond with real force!


    Since the call was on speaker, Thaddeus heard everything and reassured warmly, yet his eyes were steely:


    "Aviana, don''t worry. The situation at S-Star Group won''t get out of hand. Jareth has friends on both sides of thew. If anyone dares harm your father, they won''t find a peaceful end."


    "This is our family matter; how can we trouble Mr. Fairhaven? Besides, he and Ms. Glynnis have just started enjoying a few good days together. How could I be so selfish as to trouble him now?!"


    Aviana''s voice was full of sorrow, "My father passed out from the shock upon learning Lionel was arrested. He''s now in the hospital fighting for his life, still in critical condition. Evadne, I have to go back to him. If necessary, I''ll have to take charge at S-Star Group again.


    I had promised Emeric once that after marrying him, I would just be his loyal wife and stay out of the old feuds of S-Star Group. But now it looks like I''ll have to break that promise."


    Avery was severely bitten by Tom that day and had gone to the hospital to get more than a dozen stitches in his ear.


    Being a man who prided himself on his appearance, and blessed with delicate, fair looks, the grotesque scar on his left ear, now awkwardly bandaged, was both hideous andical!


    It was the first time in his life he had suffered such an indignity, and in a rage, he smashed his VIP hospital room into chaos.


    "Was that traitor fed to the dogs?" Avery gasped, standing amidst the wreckage, his eyes zing with hatred.


    "Yes."


    Harvey, feeling guilty yet hastily added with deference, "You can trust me to handle things."


    "Harvey, do you think, the eavesdropping might have something to do with Elsie?" Avery suddenly changed the subject, ring coldly at him.


    Harvey''s heart skipped a beat, but his face remainedposed, "Mr. Chambers, I know you''ve always been suspicious of Ms. Archer, and rightly so as her previous actions were less than satisfactory. But after my investigation this time, I found she truly had no connection to this incident."


    Just then, Avery''s phone rang.


    Grinding his teeth, Avery stared at the screen disying "Director-General Wayne", took a deep breath topose himself, and reverted to his usual poised demeanor before answering.


    "Mr. Chambers, the job is done."


    Wayne''s deep voice came through, "It''s done. In these past days, taking advantage of my leave, I''ve been trailing Lionel and finally got the chance we needed.


    Now, he''s been detained by the police on suspicion of murder."