Chapter 293: Chapter 293: Idiot

With Lana and Monica moving in quiet coordination, the two of them soon arrived at Joseph’s house.

The residence stood out immediately.

It was a moderately large building nestled deep within a well-planned residential zone.

The streets were clean, lined with trimmed hedges and evenly spaced streetlights, the kind of place people boasted about living in.

It wasn’t the most extravagant mansion, but it was unmistakably expensive, one of those luxury homes that quietly displayed wealth without shouting it.

Yet something felt off.

As Lana approached the guard station near the entrance, her steps slowed.

The guard post was completely empty.

No security personnel. No movement. Not even a trace of recent presence.

’Strange,’ Lana thought. ’A house like this should have guards at all times.’

This was the first time she had ever seen such a situation in an area like this.

Monica, however, appeared unfazed. Clearly used to scenes like this, she walked straight past the empty guard post and toward the main entrance. Once there, she rang the doorbell.

It didn’t take long.

The door opened, and a maid appeared.

The moment her eyes landed on Monica’s police uniform, her posture stiffened. Respect immediately colored her expression.

“The sir is waiting inside,” the maid said politely, lowering her head slightly.

Monica nodded, then glanced at Lana. Lana gave a small nod in return, and the two of them stepped inside together.

They were led into a spacious sitting area.

That was when Lana finally saw him.

The man responsible for everything.

The moment her gaze settled on him, her pupils shrank almost imperceptibly.

Just as she had suspected, a thick, black, fog-like aura clung to his body, curling around him like living smoke.

’He’s done far more than one evil thing,’ she concluded instantly.

The man had sunken eyes, but his facial structure was striking, sharp jawline, well-defined cheeks, and an almost elegant bone structure.

Even the smile he wore appeared charming at first glance.

His hair was neatly arranged, every strand in place, and he looked no older than his mid-twenties.

But Lana knew better.

From the faint fluctuations in his aura, she could tell his true age.

’Nearly fifty,’ she realized. ’No normal man looks like this at that age.’

As if sensing their presence fully now, the man stood up and smiled politely.

“My name is Garin,” he said smoothly. “I’m Joseph’s father.”

His manners were impeccable.

He directed all his courtesy toward Monica, addressing her with perfect respect.

Not once did he spare Lana more than a passing glance, as though she were nothing more than air.

’Interesting,’ Lana thought calmly. ’Ignoring me on purpose.’

The reaction caught her attention.

Monica turned slightly, about to introduce Lana, but Lana shot her a brief look and shook her head subtly. ’No need. Keep going.’

Monica adjusted instantly. “We’d like to conduct an inspection of the premises.”

The atmosphere shifted.

Garin’s smile didn’t disappear, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

“An inspection?” His tone remained polite, yet something sharp slipped beneath it. “May I ask why this is suddenly necessary?”

Monica replied evenly, her voice professional and steady.

“There’s a mandatory search being conducted in several locations.” She met his gaze directly.

“Some parents have raised concerns that the kidnappings might be a form of misdirection.”

Garin’s brows twitched.

“There’s a possibility,” Monica continued, “that the real culprit kidnapped their own child to avoid suspicion.”

Lana caught the sudden shift in Garin’s eyes.

For a fleeting second, his gaze darkened, sharp and vicious, as if another wicked thought had just taken shape in his mind.

The heaviness in the air thickened, pressing against her senses. And then,she laughed.

The sound was light, almost careless.

The moment her laughter rang out, both Monica and Garin turned toward her.

Lana lifted her hand and casually wiped the faint moisture gathering at the corner of her eyes, as if she had laughed too hard.

Turning slightly toward Monica, she spoke with a tone full of amused disbelief.

“Honestly,” she drawled, “if it were someone else, I could understand the suspicion.”

She glanced at Garin briefly before shaking her head. “But someone like Mr. Garin? I really don’t get why he’d even be suspected.”

The moment those words left her mouth, Monica’s mind clicked into place.

’Oh… that’s what she is planning.’

A smile spread across Monica’s face, perfectly timed and flawlessly natural.

She turned to Garin with an apologetic expression.

“I understand this must feel inconvenient,” she said gently.

“And of course, I don’t think you’re that kind of person.”

Her tone softened further. “This is just a routine inspection. A very shallow one. You can rest assured we won’t be digging into any… private matters.”

As she spoke, she even gave him a subtle wink, the implication unmistakable… ’we’re not here to look into your dirty secrets or hidden dealings.’

Garin visibly relaxed.

Though he didn’t completely lower his guard, the tension in his shoulders eased.

’So they really are idiots,’ he thought coldly.

’If only they knew I was the one behind everything.’

He felt a flicker of satisfaction. Kidnapping his own child had been a brilliant move… who would ever doubt a grieving father?

Still, a trace of caution lingered.

’If Monica ever finds out the truth…’ His eyes darkened momentarily. ’I’ll deal with her then.’

For now, he maintained a dignified smile. “I understand,” he said smoothly. “You may proceed.”

He stepped aside.

Monica waved her hand lightly. “It won’t take long.”

She immediately bent down and peered under the sofa, then wandered over to glance behind a decorative vase.

Her movements were exaggerated and careless, so half-hearted that it bordered on comedy.

Anyone watching would think she was merely going through the motions.

Lana was no better… or rather, much worse.

She wandered around the hall with wide eyes, lightly brushing her fingers over marble pillars.

“Wow…” she murmured in awe, as though completely mesmerized by the mansion’s grandeur.

The expressions on Garin’s and the maid’s faces turned faintly disdainful.

Meanwhile, Lana had already quietly instructed Mr. Crow to scan the entire mansion.

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