After a lively night drinking with the Red-haired Director, and then spending a whole day rolled up in a blanket sleeping on her office desk, Leon finally opened his eyes again with a splitting headache, only to find the sun had already dipped below the horizon.
"Mr. Lyon, we are investigators from the main Zodiac Bureau, responsible for investigating the 'Heart of Ambition incident' you handled. Can you answer some questions now?"
Seeing the man whose eyes were filled with bewilderment and whose gaze couldn't find focus—one who probably couldn't even tell if he was human or dog—the young female investigator furrowed her brow and raised her voice to repeat herself,
"We are investigators from the main bureau, tasked with investigating your case. The initial investigation has been completed, so now please cooperate with our inquiry!"
"Oh... cooperate... will definitely cooperate..."
After blinking for a while and finally grasping the situation, Leon's spirit lifted, and he twisted off the blanket in an attempt to get up, but...
He couldn't move at all.
Grasping the Red-haired Director's arm, he pulled hard a couple of times, but to no avail. He was still held tightly on the desk by her. Leon couldn't help but push her a couple of times, awkwardly leaning in to remind her,
"Director! Let go! The investigators are here!"
Under the investigators' speechless stares, Leon took a deep breath and awkwardly requested,
"I'll definitely cooperate with the investigation, but could you help me out first? Also... please be gentle, I think my ribs might be broken..."
*In all my years as an investigator, this is the first time I've encountered such a request...*
Exchanging a glance with the speechless female investigator, the older, wrinkled male investigator shook his head, marked a few notes on the investigation form, and then walked over slowly. Cautiously, he reached his hand toward the Red-haired Director's arm.
Just as the older investigator's hand was about to touch the Red-haired Director, the sharp sound of ripping air echoed, and the whole director's office dimmed slightly.
The few present were utterly shocked to find countless strands of crimson hair extending infinitely from the director's desk. In just a heartbeat, they formed a massive scarlet "silken cocoon," binding all living things around it firmly.
The older investigator's vital areas were instantly "bitten" by thousands of these living-like hair strands. When Leon looked closer, he found that the hair strands had already infiltrated the man's flesh. He estimated that if the Red-haired Director willed it, they could pierce through like a spear and churn everything inside into a mess,
The Red-haired Director, who just moments ago looked thoroughly drunk, had her eyes open, full of cold severity as she stared at the two petrified investigators.
"Oh, it's you... gave me quite a scare..."
Recognizing the investigator's identity after a glance, the Red-haired Director appeared relieved. The sea of crimson hair instantly retracted, and the director's office returned to its usual state.
"Apologies, drank a bit too much yesterday."
Seeing her withdraw the [Slaughter Blood Hair], the two investigators sighed in unison. The older investigator chuckled lightly, withdrawing again with a serene expression, while the younger female investigator, now pale-faced, bit her lip and spoke,
"Lady Olivia, I will report exactly what just happened!"
"Mm-hmm, go ahead and report~"
Casting a glance at the female investigator who threatened her, the Red-haired Director first nodded, then yawned nonchalantly and turned over to lie back down.
If this had been two weeks ago, she might have been slightly concerned, but after the terrible Ryan Blood Night incident at the end of the year, the bureau's business evaluation was almost certainly going to be at the bottom, so whether it was reported or not made no difference.
*I'm already last; do I really fear you reporting me for disturbing the exam room order? Whether the results count or not right now doesn't matter; I'll just do whatever!*
Apparently provoked by her nonchalant attitude, the female investigator bit her lip once more, then with a stern face, looked at the now-free Leon and said expressionlessly,
"Mr. Lyon, since you're out now, can you cooperate with our investigation?"
Just then, the Red-haired Director, lying back down on the desk with her back to the group, spoke discontentedly,
"If you want to investigate, do it elsewhere. Why in my office? Can't you see I still need to rest? Hurry up, leave! I've just done a night shift, and I'm exhausted!"
After the Red-haired Director's words, Leon watched the female investigator's face turn from pale to flushed, then to an ashen gray, and he couldn't help but lament inwardly.
*Director! Are you worried my shoes don't fit, planning to have these two investigators gift me a pair of smaller ones? Now that you've ignited a wave of trouble, even if Ryan Blood Night wasn't my doing, even if I'm completely innocent, these two might find a way to throw some dirt my way, right?*
"Heh, let's go, let's go."
Unlike the female investigator beside him who appeared furious, the older male investigator seemed to have a gentle disposition. Not only was he not angered by the Red-haired Director's rude dismissal, but he also began to gently push her back, humorously saying,
"The Virgo Department has the fewest people in the Zodiac Bureau, and Director Olivia is usually busy with her duties. After a night shift, it's normal for her to want to rest; we really shouldn't disturb..."
"What's she resting from?"
Apparently displeased with the Red-haired Director's behavior, the female investigator shook off her colleague's hand and angrily criticized,
"Look at all the bottles everywhere, and you dare say she's been busy with work? I will definitely report today's incident! Someone as mentally unstable as her, getting drunk all night in the branch office, how can she be the director of the Zodiac Branch Office? Let alone..."
At this point, the older investigator's expression changed, and he sternly scolded,
"You don't understand anything; this is not something you should interfere with!"
"What's investigation guideline number three? Recite it!"
"Everything... everything must be based on facts, and personal emotions must not be involved in the investigation..."
"Then what should you be doing now?"
The relationship between the two investigators seemed similar to a mentor and student dynamic. After the reprimand, the young female investigator took a deep breath, bit her lip once more, and gave a deep bow toward the Red-haired Director on the desk, then turned and quickly left the room.
Likewise, after bowing to the Red-haired Director, the older investigator kindly said to Leon,
"Mr. Lyon, since Lady Olivia needs to rest, let's go to your office. Also, please don't worry too much, this is just a routine inquiry."
Seeing at least one of the two investigators hadn't been aggravated by the director, Leon let out a sigh of relief, and he got up to follow the older investigator out of the director's office.
After leaving the office, just as Leon was about to start some small talk to ease the slightly tense atmosphere, he suddenly felt a slight itch on his chest.
When Leon looked down, he saw a single red hair emerging from his collar, floating past the older investigator. It twisted twice behind the investigator's blind spot before forming into a shape resembling an exclamation mark, quietly attaching itself to the old investigator's back.