The Luxury Hotel Murder Case ⑤

Conan lowered his head, his brows tightly furrowed as he thought with sharp focus. "The murderer had to be the head chef—there's no doubt about that. But the key is, how could he have rushed from the kitchen to the third floor and committed the murder in just one minute? There must have been some special method involved."

Before he knew it, Conan had arrived at the kitchen door. He pushed it open and walked in, only to find the place empty. Inspector Megure had already gathered all the chefs in the hall for questioning.

"Hey, brat, what are you wandering around here for?" A sharp rebuke came from behind Conan. Sonoko Suzuki stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

Just then, Ran Mouri, who was standing beside Sonoko Suzuki, frowned slightly. She keenly noticed a strong scent of blood permeating the air, far more pungent than what she had smelled at the crime scene earlier. Unable to help herself, she covered her nose and began to retch. "Bleurgh!!" The intense discomfort was unbearable, and she could only quickly turn around and hurry out of the kitchen.

"Ran, what's wrong?" Sonoko Suzuki asked worriedly.

"N-Nothing! I just smelled blood, and it made me a little nauseous," Ran said, her face pale. She genuinely felt unwell, but she did not want everyone to worry about her.

Sonoko Suzuki frowned. "Ran, you used to get hurt every day practicing karate, and I never saw you like this. Don't tell me... you're pregnant?!" Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Ran.

Ran hesitated for a moment, then nodded, silently confirming it. Everyone would find out about her pregnancy sooner or later anyway, so there was no harm in admitting it now.

"You really are?! Quick, Ran, tell me who the father is! Which handsome guy swept our Ran off her feet? Don't tell me it's that bastard Shinichi?!" Seeing Ran confirm it, Sonoko Suzuki became so excited she could barely wait to press for answers.

Ran smiled helplessly, thinking that Sonoko's imagination really was vivid. Still, she knew Sonoko was worried about her, so she did not get angry.

Beside them, Conan pricked up his ears, completely forgetting about the case as he thought indignantly, "Someone actually dared to steal my girl?" He decided to find out just who had such nerve. "No wonder I've recently felt like there was something weighing on my head. Turns out there's a whole green pasture up there..."

At that moment, Ran said softly, "Sonoko, you've met him too. He's the man who dealt with the robbers at that real estate agency last time." Her voice was full of tenderness and sweetness.

Hearing that, Sonoko Suzuki's eyes widened in surprise. "It's him! I remember now—he really is handsome. But I remember he's already married, right? Ran, tell me quickly, has he bullied you? If he has, just watch how I deal with him!" As she spoke, Sonoko rolled up her sleeves as though she were about to go settle the score.

Ran hurriedly shook her head and explained, "No, Sonoko. A Yu treats me very well, and Xiao Ai is very good to me too. We're like sisters now! Xiao Ai's personality is a little aloof, but when she heard I was coming here today, she even came with me." As she said this, Ran's face blossomed with a happy smile.

Sonoko Suzuki said in astonishment, "No wonder she looked so familiar to me. Oh, right—does your dad, Uncle Mori, know you're pregnant yet?"

Ran gently shook her head. "Not yet. I still don't know how to tell him."

"Haha, if Uncle Mori finds out you're pregnant, he'll definitely go crazy," Sonoko Suzuki laughed.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about too. I'm really afraid Dad will clash with A Yu over this. If that happens, I'm afraid things will be very hard to smooth over." Ran frowned, her face filled with concern.

Sonoko Suzuki nodded in understanding. "Mm, true. With that guy's fighting ability, Uncle Mori's little frame would be... tsk, tsk, tsk!"

After a moment of silence, Sonoko Suzuki suddenly asked, "Ran, what about Shinichi? Do you still have feelings for him?"

Ran lowered her head slightly, looking somewhat despondent. "Maybe we just weren't meant to be. He's always immersed in his own world, with nothing but cases on his mind. Sometimes, his cases are even more important to him than I am. Since I've chosen A Yu, Shinichi and I can only be ordinary friends from now on. I just hope he can find the person who truly belongs with him someday and live a happy life."