Chapter 96: The Three Garridebs (3)


    <i> Knock knock knock</i>


    A few days after Charlotte Holmes received a message from Adler


    Who is it?


    Excuse me.


    Oh


    Nathan Garrideb, who opened the door to the mansion at the knocking sounds, started speaking with a puzzled look on his face as a girl abruptly pushed her way inside the house.


    Excuse me, but who might you be?


    A colleague.


    What?


    Stopping in her tracks, she spoke with an air of authority in her voice.


    Didnt you already receive a prior message?


    Ah


    Dont waste any more time, and take me to him.


    Then, please follow me.


    Garrideb, wearing an uncertain expression, finally nodded his head and began leading the girl toward her destination.


    You know, I asked for this matter to be handled with the utmost discretion


    Two is still a small number.


    Yes, but you see, given the nature of the work, if the police or a detective were to catch wind of this by any chan


    You talk a lot, dont you?


    While he continued to express his dissatisfaction, the girl stopped walking and narrowed her eyes.


    Do you want to handle it alone then?


    No, thats not what I meant


    I have no desire to quarrel needlessly with you. Just get. Me. To him


    With her icy demeanor silencing any semnce of nagging he had left in him, Nathan Garrideb frowned before obediently resuming the walk.


    This way.


    An uncertain period of time passed as they walked through the meandering hallways of the mansion. They eventually stopped in front of a room still marked with nail scratches, and the girls eyes sparkled in silence at the sight.


    Your colleague hasnt arrived yet, so you should go in first.


    You may leave now.


    As she spoke without even looking at him and proceeded to unlock the chains with the key she was given, Garrideb gazed at the girl with unconcealed apprehension. However, he soon turned away, shaking his head as he decided to leave her to her devices and withdraw himself from this dangerous ce.


    Be careful. It has be somewhat tame recently, but a monster will always be a monster.


    His parting words of caution echoed down the hallway and reached the girls ears, but she just entered the room without even batting an eye.


    Youre early, Mr. Adle


    Look here.


    An instantter, she started walking forward, her gaze locked on Neria Garrideb, who was mumbling to herself in a low voice with her head bowed down. Having already anticipated Nerias reaction, she was unfazed by Nerias words, misinterpretating her as Adler.


    Wh-Who are you?


    Never mind that, answer my question.


    Neria Garrideb, finally realizing that the person in front of her was not Isaac Adler, whom she had been visited by persistently over the past few days, but an unknown girl instead merely nodded her head in confusion as a response.


    What is your rtionship with Isaac Adler?


    Pardon?


    Did you pledge your love to him? Agree to date or have a secret marriage?


    Then the girl, peering down at her with a sinister look in her eyes, began barraging her with incredulous questions.


    If not that, have both of you been physically intimate? How far did you go? I hope youre not going to tell me youve been sexually involved or something along those lines.


    Uh!?


    Do you even love Isaac Adler? Thats the most important part. Perhaps youre just being used


    It was at that very moment  hearing the girls clingy questions dripping with clear obsession and madness, as cold sweat began forming in small beads on the pale face of Neria Garrideb  when,


    Miss Holmes, you shouldnt torment the patient like that.


    From behind them, a familiar voiceced with mischievousughter was heard.


    Adler.


    She is not involved with me in the way past acquaintances have been.


    <b> Past</b> being the operative word here.


    Im not shameless enough to deny what Ive been involved in.


    That brazen look on your face certainly doesnt inspire confidence.


    Um, excuse me. Hes speaking the truth.


    As Charlotte Holmes turned her head, her sharp gaze met by Adlers rxed expression, Neria Garrideb, from behind them, timidly added her voice to the conversation.


    Are you his lover by any chance? Im not sure what misunderstanding you might be having here, but Adler and I are not in the sort of rtionship youre thinking of.


    So you say


    Charlotte, not outright denying the inquiry about being lovers, scanned her with a slightly suspicious look before turning her gaze back to Adler.


    Eventually, the investigation will reveal everything, so if youre honest n


    Its just Ive <b>eaten</b> up Mr. Adler a few times. Thats all.


    She stopped speaking as a timid voice came from behind, leaving her with a stunned expression.


    Its a misunderstanding, Miss Holmes


    I didnt eat because I wanted to; I had no choice if I wanted to get paid


    Really now.


    A heavy silence began to fill the room at the end.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    So, you mean to say that she literally ate you?


    Have you finally figured out what she meant by those words?


    Its the worst in a different sense, indeed.


    A few minutes earlier, in the mansions drawing room to amodate guests


    I had no choice but to follow through with my n, Miss Holmes.


    What is your purpose?


    Leaving Neria Garrideb, who showed signs of another fit, Isaac Adler and Charlotte began to converse while gazing intently at each other.


    To deceive that naive girl with the peculiar surname into believing that she would be receiving an inheritance, giving her the courage to venture outside, and then discreetly eliminating her as per her brothers, who is our client, request. That was my current objective.


    You should have known that such lies are not going to work out on me, right?


    No, I am speaking the truth. I am positive that I will seed in this endeavor.


    Charlotte couldnt help but smirk while muttering those words. However, she soon frowned when she observed Adlers unchanging expression at her words.


    If that were your true goal, you wouldnt have summoned me and spilled your entire n.


    Miss Holmes. This has just been the kind of bet weve been making all along. Whether to solve a case, or let it remain unsolved forever. Thus, making it a mystery


    But now, youve gambled on a living persons life.


    Did you think I was just always going to engage in love affairs?


    With that said, Adler took out a small bottle and took a swig of it with relish.


    Thats alcohol


    Were not ying house anymore, Miss Holmes.


    Its a death race that wont end until one of us disappears forever from London.


    Charlotte opened her mouth with a slightly darkened look in her eyes as she observed him and his actions.


    What if theres a way to end this without one of us disappearing?


    Miss Holmes, I can assure you that there is no such way.


    Adler, with a leisurely expression, emptied the bottle and plucked a strand of his hair to hand over to her.


    Sadly, no matter how much you try to exploit my genes, Miss Holmes, what you want will not happen.


    ..


    Even if you sneak into my hideout again and rummage through my trash, likest time, its futile. Your approach is fundamentally wed, and even if you did find out, you would instinctively reject it.


    A fleeting smile appeared on Charlottes lips, but as the tipsiness began to spread throughout Adlers body again, he swayed and failed to notice her expression.


    That kid, she just smiled at your words.


    Mr. Adler.


    As he looked puzzled at the system message that suddenly appeared before hiss eyes


    Have you forgotten that I love you?


    Suddenly sighing, Charlotte murmured while staring into Adlers eyes.


    I genuinely love you, Mr. Adler.


    As Charlotte, resting her chin in her hand, whispered those words in a soft and gentle voice, Adlers previously confident eyes started wavering ever so slightly


    And I know its the same for you.


    Its notmon, even in a marriage, for two peoples eyes to be dyed in each others colors as they are for us.


    Charlotte, catching that small change, whispered with even more emotion in her voice.


    In this London, where we love each other more than anyone else, must we ultimately fight one another?


    That is.


    Isnt that such a sad tragedy?


    As Adler quietly bowed his head, Charlotte carefully caressed the back of his hand and spoke.


    Why dont we just end this nonsense and move down to a quiet countryside to live together?


    Though she threw the words out casually, her eyes were filled with sincerity as they observed Adler.


    How about we take up beekeeping as a hobby and live happily ever after?


    For children, we could have a son and a daughter, what do you say?


    A rather long silence began to flow between the two


    Lets focus on the case, Miss Holmes.


    Is that your answer?


    The reason I called you here is quite simple. Theres a secret in this case that is difficult to investigate as a mere assistant of a criminal consultant.


    Eventually, Adler, having expelled the alcohol that had spread through his body, spoke with a slightly grave voice.


    So, let me be your assistant for some time


    Dont regret itter.


    Charlotte, who had been looking at Adler with a frosty stare, stood up from her seat and, as usual, connected Adlers arm to her own with ck handcuffs as she whispered in a dark voice,


    This was yourst chance.


    What chance?


    At her words, Adler couldnt help but tilt his head.


    The chance to agree on a consensual child-making scenario.


    Turning her head, Charlotte murmured quietly as she moved towards the door.


    Do you still think that I dont know?


    Know what


    How to make babies.


    That brief phrase was enough to dye Isaac Adlers mind, which had been inebriated with alcohol for the past few days, with terror.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Hey


    ?


    But that wasnt the end of it.


    Youre now facing a crisis that will lead to a potential <strong>Game Over</strong> scenario.


    Yes?


    Adler, who was being dragged away by Charlotte with a stiff expression, saw a sentence that was several times more terrifying before his eyes.


    <strong>Warning!</strong>


    <strong>Probability of Retiring in this Case in ce of the protagonist, Isaac Adler </strong>


    <i>Gasp</i>?


    Adlers face turned pale in an instant, and he immediately grabbed the arm of Charlotte, who was leading him to who knows where, and pulled her towards him.


    What are you doing?


    Just stay still.


    What, whats the matter? All of a sudden


    As a dismal number had appeared before his eyes.


    95%


    Did you think Id get excited if you suddenly yed hard to get?


    Be sure to protect what you <strong>desire to keep</strong>.


    Adler, looking down at Charlotte, who murmured with a voice that seemed to be growing increasingly ominous, began to sweat profusely.


    Shall we go now, to the countryside?


    What?<hr>


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