Chapter 817 INTERVIEW (XXII)

The way the woman answered it was very natural. She didnt pause, she didnt stutter, there wasnt even any particular reaction on her face. At one glance, anyone would think that this was truly what the other really felt. But Luo Yan had a different thought.

Theres something really odd about how Mrs. Gilmores reaction. He couldnt put his finger on what it was. Heck, he couldnt even explain it properly. So, he just continued asking the other.

Dont you feel worried? After all, your employer just died. Your source of income was now jeopardized.

I have saved a lot throughout the years. I could use it to open a small restaurant and live comfortably enough with my son, the other said in the same almost emotionless tone.

I dont think your son would feel the same way, Luo Yan said. From what Ive seen, he seemed to be pretty close to Mr. Harcourt.

Of course, he would feel sad. Cian grew up without a father. Mr. Harcourt was the first adult man who treated him so kindly. So, my son subconsciously thought of him as a father figure. Which was not very conducive, if you ask me. After all, at the end of the day, hes the master and were only his servants.

Luo Yan raised his brow at that. So, you disapproved of the kindness Mr. Harcourt had showed to your son?

Not disapproved, I just thought it unnecessary.

Then, do you know why he was so kind to Cian?

Its nothing really deep. I think the old man was simply lonely. He was living far away from his children. So, Cian probably reminded him of them. Thats why he couldnt help but be kind to my son.

If you thought about it, Mrs. Gilmore was indeed making quite a good point. But still, Luo Yan still couldnt let go of that weird feeling.

Whats your opinion about Mr. Harcourts children?

Nothing. I dont know them enough to make an opinion.

Luo Yan continued to ask and the other continued to answer in that emotionless way of hers. And in a very perfect manner too. As if she already had an answer ready to every question he threw at him.

No, wait- thats it! He finally found what so weird about this Mrs. Gilmore! Its because she was answering as if she was reading some kind of script. The only way this was possible was if she thought of every possible question that he would ask and thought of answer to these questions.

She probably did it while Luo Yan was interviewing the others. She probably even memorized these answers. There wasnt really any problem with her doing that. But its definitely suspicious. Those who usually did this kind of thing were smart criminals who was able to get around the law and escape any kind of prosecution.

But theres also the possibility that she just wanted to make sure that she wouldnt be suspected because she truly didnt do anything. So, which one was she of the two? Honestly, he couldnt really tell.

He stared at the woman in front of him. He wondered what kind of question would strip the others calm mask. Hes convinced that if he managed to do that, he might be in for more surprise.

The way to do that was probably to ask something very, well, controversial and unexpected. Of course, he still had to do it in a gentlemanly manner. Hes the gentleman detective after all.

I heard an interesting rumor. I hope Mrs. Gilmore wont be offended if ask you this question, he started.

Of course. As the detective, its your job to question us about things that might be related to the case. Therefore, its also our job to cooperate with you.

Thank you for your understanding. Luo Yan gave the other an apologetic smile, as if he truly felt bad asking this question, and asked, I heard a rumor that you and Mr. Harcourt were in that kind of relations.h.i.+p. And that its the reason why hed been so kind to your son. Even making him the butler even though hes obviously not qualified for the job. So, was it true, Mrs. Gilmore?

The womans face turned a bright shade of red the moment Luo Yan asked her that question. And because of her pale skin, she looked even more like a cooked shrimp. But that was not a shy blush. What she was feeling was definitely humiliation.

How absurd! Whoever you heard this this slander from was obviously lying! Theres no way that anyone would think that Mr. Harcourt and I have that kind of relations.h.i.+p. Was it one of his children? Its one of them, right?

Why do you say that? It could be one of the servants.

Thats impossible. You can call all of them now and none of them will tell you that Mr. Harcourt and I have even been inappropriate towards each other. Were not even seen much together, so how could a rumor like that appear?

Luo Yan smiled inwardly. The mask had finally come undone. She finally said something that was not on her script. And the way she said it, like she was saying no, there couldnt be any rumors because we made sure that we wouldnt be seen together.

Interesting. Maybe his hunch wasnt so ridiculous after all.

Even though he was smiling inside, he showed an apologetic expression on the outside. Its Saunders actually, he said, lying through his teeth.

This time, an even more ludicrous expression appeared on Mrs. Gilmores face. Impossible!

She said it in a way as if she was even more certain about this than the rumor.

He mentioned it to me in pa.s.sing during the ride from the train station to the manor.

Mrs. Gilmores became even uglier. And once again, Luo Yan smiled inside.