?Chapter 35:


    When their eyes met, both Vincent and Katelyn were taken aback, withdrawing their hands simultaneously.


    A brief moment of embarrassment shed across Katelyn’s face as she told herself that their hands had touched purely by ident.


    She put the design drawings back into her bag and nced up at Vincent.


    “Since there’s nothing more, I’ll head back first, Mr. Adams,” she said.


    As she turned to leave, Vincent called out, “Why don’t you stay and have lunch with me? Ourpany’s canteen offers quite decent food.”


    Katelyn turned to respond, but before she could speak, a sudden knock at the office door interrupted her.


    Samuel appeared at the door, visibly anxious. After a hesitant nce at Katelyn, he whispered, “Mr. Adams, bad news. The director of the design department has been found dead.”


    Vincent’s frown deepened. “What?”


    Shock registered on Katelyn’s face. The director, with whom she had had a confrontation just yesterday, was now dead?


    Samuel responded somberly, “She died in her office just now. The details are still unclear for now.”


    Vincent, maintaining hisposure, stood up and led the way out, with Katelyn and Samuel following.


    The design department was in disarray, with the director’s body on the floor, surrounded by whispering coworkers.


    “What could she have done to be killed like this?”


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    A woman in sses asserted confidently, “Katelyn is the most suspicious, considering their argument yesterday.” Another colleague cautioned, “Hold on, don’t make usations without proof. It’s nder.” Undeterred, the first woman insisted, “Think about it. Katelyn argued with her yesterday, and now she’s suddenly dead. Isn’t that suspicious?”


    Overhearing this, Vincent, Katelyn, and Samuel absorbed the rising tensions. Katelyn, feeling a cold dread, sensed a metaphorical closing around her.


    Vincent, observing the escting gossip, emitted a chilling aura that silenced the room. His stern gaze and deep voice cut through the whispers.


    “Enough. What are you suggesting?”


    His voice quelled the murmurs instantly, and the room fell silent.


    Katelyn, her fists clenched, looked down at the director’s lifeless body.


    Across from the director’s office, a high-rise building stood, and a bullet hole was clearly visible in the office’s shattered window.


    “Such audacity,” Katelyn thought. “Tomit murder in broad daylight.”


    Vincent surveyed the area and thenmanded in a cold tone, “Don’t move anything. Samuel, call the police.”


    Samuel nodded and dialed the police.


    Vincent dered to the room, “Everyone present is a suspect. Later, everyone must cooperate with the investigation.”


    As soon as he finished speaking, someone quickly used, “It has to be Katelyn. They argued just yesterday, and now the director is dead. It’s too coincidental.”


    As the user finished, murmurs of agreement filled the room. Another person added, “It’s suspicious. Katelyn’s only been here once, and now this happens.”


    Katelyn responded coolly, “I was with Mr. Adams in his office when the incident urred.”


    The user retorted, “You could have hired someone to do it from one of the buildings across the street.”


    Frustration marked Katelyn’s expression. These individuals were close to the director, and it seemed they were intent on ming her.


    Katelyn nced at the surveince camera in the corner. “Can we check the footage?” she asked.


    “The camera’s been down for two days,” the user snapped back, eager to ce me. “It provided the perfect window for your crime.”


    Vincent’s gaze sharpened as he interjected, “Do you have any evidence to support your im?”


    “Absolutely,” the woman said, stooping to reveal a piece of paper clutched in the director’s hand—a fragment of Katelyn’s design drawing.


    Shock gripped Katelyn.


    Her design being clutched by the director was damning. “This clearly points to her being involved,” remarked the user.


    Vincent’s expression darkened.


    “I didn’t do this,” Katelyn asserted, panic edging her voice.


    Just then, the police arrived. After a brief overview of the scene, one officer turned to Katelyn with a stern look. “Miss, pleasee with us for questioning.”


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