Chapter 76

Chapter 76

As soon as she finished speaking, she signaled the operator to end the live stream.

Fiona stood off-camera, giving her a thumbs-up with an uncontrollable grin. "That was awesome, totally you."

"People's attitudes changed right after watching that."

"It was the only way." Camila rubbed her temples, her fingertips still cold from the tension of the live stream. "If we let the rumors spread without presenting solid evidence, they'd really pin the 'suspect' label on me."

No sooner had she spoken than her colleagues gathered around. 

The intern at the front held a bouquet of sunflowers, petals still glistening with water, and beamed brightly. "Camila, welcome back. We all believe you're innocent."

"Camila, you're amazing." Another girl from the planning department handed over her phone, displaying several apology emails. 

"It's been less than half an hour since the stream ended, and those accounts that were leading the smear campaign have all sent apologies, offering to delete their posts and compensate. They must be really scared now!"

"We didn't even bother responding to them." Fiona crossed her arms, her tone triumphant. "They need to know our company isn't to be messed with."

Camila took the sunflowers, the light fragrance lifting her spirits. She clapped her hands and smiled. "Everyone, great job today. Let's wrap up our work quickly. Dinner's on me tonight, and you get to pick the place."

Cheers erupted in the office, and by five o'clock, everyone had packed up and headed to the restaurant in high spirits.

During dinner, Camila was toasted by everyone in turn.

She accepted each toast, downing her drinks with ease. The warmth of the alcohol slid down her throat, leaving no trace of intoxication.

After dinner, still not satisfied, someone suggested doing something more exciting.

"What should we do?"

"How about a Murder Mystery Game? I heard there's a new horror-themed one."

Camila had loved playing these games with friends back in school, especially the detective ones. She hadn't had the time since starting work, but now her interest was piqued.

A few of the more timid ones went home early, while the remaining eight found a nearby Murder Mystery Game venue.

The place was decorated like a vintage mansion, with dim yellow oil lamps lining the hallways. The wooden floors creaked softly underfoot, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.

The Game Host, a girl in a Lolita dress, handed out the scripts with a smile. "Today, we're playing 'Top Floor Girl,' a detective story with hidden clues. Everyone, draw your character cards."

Camila casually drew a card and couldn't help but smile at the coincidence—she got the detective role.

"Please read the first act and share the clues you find."

Camila opened the script, her fingers tracing the printed words. 

[Sabrina, a 17-year-old girl, fell from the top floor due to depression. The police investigation concluded it was a suicide...]

Her fingers suddenly froze, and her pupils contracted slightly.

A young girl, depression, suicide, police conclusion.

These words pierced her heart like needles, overlapping with Laura's case, making her breath catch.

"Ma'am, are you listening?"

The Game Host's voice jolted her back to reality. Camila looked up to find everyone staring at her.

They had all finished reading the first act and were curiously watching her tense expression.

"It's your turn to introduce yourself, Detective Mary," the Game Host gently reminded, handing her a glass of warm water. "Are you feeling okay? We can switch to another game if you're tired."

"I'm fine." Camila took a deep breath, pushing down her swirling emotions, and managed a strained smile. She began sharing her clues. 

"I'm Detective Mary. According to the first act, the deceased, Sabrina, had depression but grew up in a single-parent household and was very strong-willed. Her biggest wish was to help her mother pay off debts. Normally, someone like that wouldn't give up on life so easily."

As soon as she finished, the girl playing the "deceased's mother" immediately questioned, "So, Detective Mary, you suspect my daughter didn't commit suicide but was murdered?"

"Yes." Camila nodded, her gaze firm.

"Do you have any evidence?" The girl frowned, her tone defensive, clearly immersed in her role as the "mother."

Camila flipped through the script, pointing to a passage and reading it out loud. 

"Although your daughter had depression, her last three check-ups indicated 'mild symptoms, no suicidal tendencies.' Moreover, at the scene, they found her belongings—a chewed piece of gum, a used tissue, a phone still playing music, and even a half-applied lipstick. She had a full face of makeup."

She looked up at the group, her tone logical and unwavering. "Would someone planning to commit suicide go to the trouble of putting on makeup, chewing gum, and listening to music? It doesn't make sense."

A boy sitting diagonally from her frowned and countered, "You can't say that for sure. Maybe she wanted to leave looking her best, or she acted on a sudden impulse. It's possible."

"No." Camila took the clue card from the Game Host and placed it in the center of the table. "Look at this photo of the scene." 

"The lipstick is still on her lips, meaning she hadn't wiped it off after applying it. The gum wrapper is in her pocket, and the chewed gum is still in her mouth, indicating she was chewing it right before she fell. Someone intent on dying wouldn't be doing such mundane things."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted, as if lost in memory.

When Laura died, she had light makeup on, with a lipstick color she usually disliked. 

At the time, Camila found it odd but didn't think much of it. Looking back now, Laura never wore makeup unless... it was for someone important?

"Camila, are you okay?" Fiona's voice pulled her back to the present. Everyone was looking at her with concern. "Did something unpleasant come to mind?"

"I'm fine." Camila shook her head, about to continue her analysis when her phone suddenly vibrated.

The screen displayed "Willie," and she looked down, momentarily stunned.

Fiona noticed her change in expression and quietly asked what was wrong.

Camila turned to her, speaking softly. "The police called Willie. Anson confessed. He said he did it all by himself."

"What?" Fiona's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! He's just a small-time thug. How could he have the guts to plan something this big? And lie to the police?"

"Exactly." Camila nodded. No one could pull off such a grand scheme alone.

But that's exactly what had happened.