Chapter 177: Chapter 177: A Woman’s Long Hair
Yet, no matter how terrified she was, nor how unwilling she was to fall asleep, she still couldn’t resist the power of the drug. With an indescribable feeling, she was once again forcibly put into slumber by Ian Linton.
*
Edward Stephens walked all the way to the only office in the entire Linton Clan building that still had lights on.
When he stopped in front of Ian Linton’s vice-president’s office, his expression remained calm. As he was about to use the bank card in his palm to unlock the office door, it suddenly opened with a "click."
Ian Linton’s figure, clad in a shirt, appeared before him.
The air was filled with the warm heat from the air conditioning. The man had his sleeves rolled up, with water still on his hands, and a food stain was present on the white shirt he wore. Seeing Edward Stephens, he didn’t seem too surprised, only looked at him helplessly, "Young Master Edward, if you had called me, I would have let you in."
Edward replied lightly with a "hmm" and then glanced inside the office, "Can I come in?"
Ian Linton stood at the doorway, gazing at Edward Stephens with a look full of helplessness, as if Edward were some naive child.
Edward Stephens appeared extremely composed, as if he weren’t the one intruding here. The bank card danced like a butterfly between his fingers. He raised his chin slightly, demanding Ian to move aside.
Ian Linton asked, "On what grounds are you asking to come in?"
Edward calmly replied, "I suspect you kidnapped my wife. Is that reason sufficient?"
Ian was left speechless, and after a moment, he sighed gently, as if he were too lazy to argue further, and stepped aside.
Edward stepped forward and walked in.
Ian Linton’s office, much like his personality, was elegantly and warmly decorated.
The curtains were beige, with smoke grey tiles laying on the floor. Documents were neatly piled on the desk, offering an unobstructed view.
It seemed fake, like a sample room.
Edward’s gaze swept inch by inch across the office, and then stopped on the handle of the resting room door. He looked up and gave Ian Linton a glance.
Ian Linton shrugged his shoulders, "Go ahead."
Edward didn’t bother with pleasantries, walked over, and twisted open that beige door.
A faint medicinal scent wafted through the air, and Edward furrowed his brow slightly. For some unknown reason, this scent made his heart leap a bit.
Once that moment of unease passed, he refocused and swept his gaze into the small resting room.
The bed linens were neatly folded, and there were signs of food containers being overturned on the floor. Considering the stains on Ian’s clothes and the dripping water on his hands, it was easy to imagine he accidentally spilled food while eating here. Edward turned his head to glance at Ian, "You didn’t have dinner?"
Ian’s expression remained unchanged, "I accidentally spilled my late-night snack."
Edward glanced at the cold shrimp on the floor, smirking slightly, "You eat pretty well for a late-night snack."
Ian leaned against the door, seemingly also provoked by his words.
He brushed his hair aside and said, "I know you’re anxious because Director Ginger is missing, but really, Young Master Edward? Suspecting me is one thing, but sneaking into my company at night? If it weren’t for my phone alarm, I might have been scared to death by you."
Edward gave a light sneer, his handsome face showing a hint of sarcasm. He withdrew his gaze and leisurely strolled around the small room, even spreading out the bed sheets to examine them carefully.
"You seem very bold," he said lazily, "I can’t tell you were frightened at all."
"I was reminded when I went to the police station today," Ian responded, "The police suspect we kidnapped Director Ginger, but I don’t think that’s the right direction."
Edward emerged from the bedside, noncommittal as he bent down, picking out a bottle from a corner, and waved it in front of Ian, "What’s this?"
"Hemostatic medicine," Ian replied, "I just bought it from the pharmacy. You know my face was scratched."
Edward lowered his eyes, silently opened the bottle, and lightly sniffed some on his fingertip.
It was the very same scent that permeated the air.
Watching his actions, Ian seemed increasingly helpless. He asked, "Want me to remove the bandage and show you?"
"No need." Edward placed the medicine bottle on the small table, "Hmm... I’m just having a casual look. No need to be so nervous."
He toured around the room, appearing to find nothing, then exited from the resting room.
Ian closed the door casually, only to see Edward lounging against the distant doorframe, looking at him with a faint smile.
"I know you’re worried about Director Ginger’s safety," Ian walked over, standing before Edward, "but taking it out on me is unreasonable."
"Taking it out on you?"
"Do you not blame me for inviting Director Ginger to the wedding, leading to their kidnapping?"
"I’m not someone who can’t tell right from wrong," replied Edward calmly, "I just think you’re the biggest suspect, that’s all."
"Why me?"
"Intuition." Edward looked at him, confidently retorting, "Not acceptable?"
Ian held back his anger, "Young Master Edward, I too have important matters to attend to. If you’re free, feel free to help me organize files. I welcome you to work with me."
Edward gave him a sidelong glance, withdrew his gaze coldly, and leaned forward to leave, "I’m off."
That air of nonchalance, as if he were the master here.
Ian pinched his brow, seemingly finding him quite troublesome and sighed helplessly.
Edward entered the elevator and pressed the button to go down.
The lazy expression on his face was gone, replaced by calm sternness.
When Ian was the first to open the door, he already knew he might not find any clues.
It seemed that by triggering the alarm while tampering with the elevator’s lock code, Ian was alerted.
He exited the elevator, expressionless, leaving the building and getting into his car parked under the shade.
Taking a deep breath, Edward lowered his head to inspect what he had brought from upstairs.
It was a long, slightly curled strand of women’s hair.
He had picked it up from the pillow without Ian noticing.
Edward pursed his lips, stared at the strand of hair for a long time, before placing it in a transparent plastic bag, passing it to the person sitting in the back of the car.
"Take it for testing."
He couldn’t be sure whose hair it was, considering Chloe Brooke’s hairstyle was quite similar to Daisy Ginger’s.
The person behind him left, Edward lifted his head, gazing at the office shining brightly above.
No shadows were visible, but instinctively, he felt someone standing by the window, hands in pockets, looking down at him.
*
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