It had to be said that Li Wei's words took everyone quite by surprise.
Indeed, Baron Payne's death was somewhat strange, but this was his youngest daughter's debut into society, and Li Wei wanted to examine her father's corpse?
"Wouldn't that be a little..."
Even Lillian felt that Li Wei's request was rather excessive. Yet his smile did not change in the slightest.
"Please forgive my rudeness. After all, Baron Payne's death was simply too conveniently timed."
Too conveniently timed?
Everyone froze at those words.
What did he mean?
Soon enough, however, Li Wei gave them an answer.
"I believe Lady Olivia informed you yesterday that I would be attending this Social Assembly in her place?"
"...Yes, the butler mentioned it to me."
Lillian glanced at her mother again before nodding.
"Was your father still in good health at the time?"
"Well... Father wasn't showing any signs of illness then."
"And then he died first thing the next morning."
Li Wei chuckled.
"Surely he wasn't afraid of meeting me?"
Li Wei's remark seemed to come out of nowhere, but none of those present were fools. They immediately understood what he meant.
Indeed, Li Wei was no ordinary man. He was the Empire's renowned detective. In fact, as far as anyone knew, there was still no case he could not solve. Wait, that raised a question: why would Baron Payne be afraid of meeting Li Wei? Could it be... On closer reflection, why had Lady Baskerville asked Sir Li Wei to attend this Social Assembly in her place?
Everyone exchanged uncertain, startled looks. Only now did they realize that this Social Assembly might have far more going on beneath the surface than they had imagined. Even if Lady Baskerville could not attend, she could have sent one of her servants in