Chapter 456 The Murderer
The scream, high-pitched and fraught with terror, cut through the night's calm, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. A hush fell over the crowd as bewildered glances were exchanged, the unsettling silence punctuated by whispered questions and incredulous murmurs.
"What was that?"
"Did… did I just hear someone scream murder? I couldn't have misheard, right?"
"I think I heard it too."
"Yes, exactly, I heard it as well!"
"So, I didn't mishear?"
"With such a loud scream, there's no way we misheard."
At that reveal, the room erupted into chaos.
"Is there really a murder?"
"Who was killed?"
"Oh my God…"
"Someone said it came from the second floor!"
All eyes darted upward, curiosity mingling with apprehension.
Amidst the growing chaos, Martin's concern deepened as he failed to locate Patricia in the crowd, a sense of dread settling in his chest.
Riley was on the verge of ascending the stairs to uncover the truth when Grace, her face etched with panic and fear, descended in a rush.
Gasping for breath, she announced to Riley and all within earshot, "Riley, Grandpa… Grandpa's been killed by Patricia… She's killed Grandpa…"
Her tears, whether genuine or for effect, lent weight to her words, ensuring the accusation against Patricia was heard by all. Grace's intent was clear: to cast an indelible stain on Patricia's character by linking her to Shane's supposed demise.
Sure enough, the room went silent, save for the collective sharp intake of breath.
"Patricia killed Mr. Langley?"
"Patricia? The one who just won the Jewelry Design Competition?"
"Yeah, the very same. She designed the 'Century Diamond' for Koch Industries."
"What an ungrateful wretch. Mr. Langley treated her so well, and she repaid him by taking his life."
Driven by urgency, Riley pushed through the crowd and raced upstairs to the study, with the Koch family members quickly following suit. Martin, with swift strides, matched Riley's pace, reaching the study almost simultaneously.
Upon entering, they were confronted with a harrowing scene: Shane, with a grim wound piercing his heart, was slumped on the sofa, blood pouring from the injury. Nearby, Patricia lay unconscious, a kitchen knife clutched in her hand and a deep gash marring her forehead, suggesting a frenzied escape gone awry.
Martin, heart heavy with dread, gently lifted Patricia, cradling her head in his arm while softly patting her cheek, trying to rouse her. "Patricia, Patricia… can you hear me?" he pleaded, but she remained unresponsive, deepening his fear.
The room was thick with tension as Ariel, overcome with emotion, clung to Shane's hand, her cries piercing the heavy silence. "Grandpa... what's happened to you?"
Jeremy, momentarily frozen, sprang into action, dropping to his knees beside Shane in a plea for reassurance. "Grandpa, please... tell us what happened."
Sebastian, maintaining a semblance of calm, checked for any sign of life and exhaled in relief upon detecting a faint breath. Shane was still clinging to life.
After confirming his grandfather's faint signs of life, Sebastian discreetly dialed for emergency services before taking charge downstairs. He swiftly cleared the guests, emphasizing the importance of discretion under the threat of legal repercussions from the Koch family.
Once everything was taken care of downstairs, Sebastian returned upstairs.
Grace was in tears, her face in her hands, as she pushed through the crowd to explain from the beginning.
"Just now, I was going to call Grandpa downstairs. After knocking for ages with no answer, I... I smelled blood and thought Grandpa might've had an accident, so I opened the door, and... then I saw Patricia stabbing Grandpa in the heart...
"I caught her in the act of murder. She... she even wanted to kill me. She was terrified, legs like jelly, and she couldn't run. It might've been divine intervention, but as she came at me, she tripped over the desk leg and hit her forehead on the corner, knocking herself out cold."
Grace recounted her experience, her expression marked by fear as though she had narrowly escaped a grim fate. Martin, his gaze sharp and penetrating, fixed on Grace, who, undeterred, held his stare with defiant confidence.
Riley's voice, devoid of emotion, broke the tense silence. "So, you're asserting that you were the sole witness?"
Grace, unwavering, replied, "Jack was there as well. He saw everything. You can verify my story with him if you doubt me."
Catching Riley's glance, Sebastian promptly exited the room, acting on the unspoken command.
Simultaneously, the urgent sound of sirens announced the arrival of the emergency services. Paramedics swiftly transported Shane and Patricia to the hospital, with Ariel and Jeremy accompanying Shane to ensure his care.
Given Patricia's dire state, her immediate arrest was deferred in favor of medical attention, though she was closely guarded by two officers to thwart any potential flight risk.
With Shane and Patricia en route to the hospital, the police initiated their investigation, meticulously collecting evidence and recording statements to piece together the events of the evening.
Jack, identified by Grace as another witness, was approached by the police, adding another layer to the intricate narrative. The accounts from the witnesses painted a picture of Patricia's alleged attack on Shane, followed by an attempt on Grace's life, which was thwarted, leaving Patricia incapacitated.
The police extended their inquiry to include the entire Koch household, from Riley, the patriarch, down to the most junior staff member. The questioning stretched into the night, and it was well after midnight by the time they were allowed to leave.
Rather than returning to the Silver Birch Sanctuary, Riley and Sebastian made their way directly to the hospital, insisting that the others remain behind.
Back at the Koch residence, the aftermath of the night's events weighed heavily on everyone. The once lively home was now shrouded in a palpable silence, the occupants lost in their thoughts, grappling with the surreal nature of the evening's turn of events.
The house, just hours before alive with celebration, now stood in stark contrast, its silence a stark reminder of the uncertainty that loomed over birthday honoree in the hospital
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
