"...Huh?"
Everyone outside froze at Li Wei's words.
"Wait, you're joking, right? The old man..."
"His lordship..."
No one present could quite believe Li Wei's answer. He walked to the doorway and motioned for them to stay back.
"For now, all we can do is seal off this room and wait for a doctor."
"W-wait, is the old man really dead?"
Gladys hurriedly interrupted him.
"Could he just be unconscious or something...?"
"There's no heartbeat or breathing, and his body is cold and stiff. From what I've seen, he's been dead for some time."
"Then what's the cause of death?"
"I haven't found any external injuries or visible signs of poisoning. We'll have to wait for a doctor to examine him."
Li Wei closed the door again, then looked at the Old Butler, whose face was taut. There was no telling what he was thinking.
"Just to be safe, we should lock this room for now."
As he spoke, Li Wei turned to the others.
"There are still ladies downstairs. To avoid alarming them, I suggest we keep the old count's death from them for now and simply say he caught a chill and isn't feeling well."
"Yes, I think that would be best."
Richard and Gladys nodded, their expressions conflicted, while Isaac hastily spoke up.
"I'll contact a doctor right away."
The boy turned and hurried down the stairs. The others exchanged glances, and the Old Butler sighed.
"Please wait while I repair the lock... I never imagined this. Why did his lordship..."
Still speaking, the Old Butler went downstairs to attend to his task.
"Sir Li Wei, are you sure this wasn't murder?"
Gladys grabbed Li Wei and stared angrily at him.
"From what I've seen, it looks more like an unexpected natural death."
"But the old man