Chapter 393: Kolsten's Defense (Part 2)
Chapter 393: Kolsten's Defense (Part 2)
"Hmph", Feng Bu Jue snorted, his tone dripping with skepticism. "You're faking this, aren't you?" Even he himself doubted the accusation, but he pointed at Kolsten's leg and continued, "To orchestrate today's Secret Room scheme and cover up the murder, you've pretended for three years that your legs were impaired, using a cane in daily life as part of your act."
"What exactly are you talking about?" Kolsten exclaimed, stunned. The theory was absurd—who would fake a limp for three years just to kill their own son? Wouldn't pretending to twist his ankle three days before the murder have sufficed?
"But in reality", Feng Bu Jue pressed on, "your physical condition remains agile. For a veteran like you, committing murder would be effortless." He paused, then added, "As for the motive—everyone here today witnessed your argument with Dennis. You fired two shots at the ceiling! That proves how long you've been seething with rage at him. If not for the risk of being traced, you wouldn't have aimed for the Ceiling, would you?"
"You!" Kolsten finally snapped, joining the ranks of those Feng Bu Jue had provoked into losing their composure. He roared, "You bastard! What the hell are you spewing?"
"Haha, so you're furious after being exposed?" Feng Bu Jue taunted, his arrogance unshaken. "Or do you think my flawless reasoning has some inconsistencies?"
"You call that reasoning? Where on earth is it not full of holes?" Scofield muttered internally, silently cringing at how nonsensical Feng Bu Jue's claims sounded. Even Detectivemr. hesitated to back him up.
Kolsten cursed a few times before regaining his composure. Being a man of reason, he retorted, "You can verify my medical condition with Doctor Powell." His eyes locked onto Feng Bu Jue's. "If you suspect even him of being bribed, I can provide proof from the country's top hospital and my insurance records."
Feng Bu Jue instantly feigned embarrassment, stammering, "Oh... I see..."
"Then", Kolsten added, "do you still think I'm capable of murder?"
Feng Bu Jue rubbed his chin, feigning deep thought. "But your heated argument with Dennis today is undeniable." He suddenly gasped as if struck by inspiration. "Ah! Of course! The culprit must be Doctor Powell! After you expelled Dennis following your fight, you conspired in secret with Powell to carry out the murder. He was the executor, and you—the mastermind!"
"All Powell did was measure my Blood Pressure and administer my daily medication", Kolsten countered. "This is a routine I've followed every day." He paused. "Besides, why would Doctor Powell kill for me? He's no assassin. Do you really think anyone would obey if I simply said, 'Here's money—kill someone for me'?"
"That's hard to say", Feng Bu Jue shrugged. Turning away, he slowly paced toward the desk, his expression hardening. "If one is determined to kill, ways will be found." He probed, "It depends on how severe the contradiction between you and Dennis had become."
"That was my son! What contradiction could we possibly have?" Kolsten fired back. "Even if we argued occasionally, there's no way I'd ever consider murder!"
"Oh?" Feng Bu Jue raised an eyebrow. "Then may I ask—what was the core of your argument today?"
Kolsten's voice darkened. "That's my family matter."
"Family matters?" Feng Bu Jue chuckled. "With all due respect, if that excuse sufficed, half the murder cases worldwide would never get solved." He leaned in, manipulating the narrative. "From your argument and the gunshots to Dennis's death and discovery, less than an hour passed. Lord Kolston, you're an intelligent man. Surely you realize that whoever investigates this case will inevitably ask: What were you and Dennis arguing about?"
He leaned closer. "If you tell us now, only Scofield and I will know. After the Caseresolution, no one will bring it up again. But if you insist on silence... the investigation will stall. And one day, you'll be forced to answer in court—on the witness stand or the defendant's seat. Then there'll be jurors, reporters, and crowds of commoners watching. The prosecutor might be a biased, anti-rich zealot, twisting your words into a noose. Every answer will be recorded, published in newspapers."
"Enough!" Kolsten finally relented, his fear of public exposure overwhelming. "Since you insist..." His gaze swept over Feng Bu Jue and Scofield. "I'll speak—but you must promise this stays between us. Especially from my family."
"I guarantee it", Scofield interjected. "I'm a man of discretion."
Feng Bu Jue nodded. "Rest assured, these words won't leave this study room."
At last, Feng Bu Jue had succeeded. He had never truly doubted Kolsten, but he had orchestrated this elaborate charade just to hear the patriarch admit the content of the argument firsthand.
Though Barton had already whispered secrets to him earlier, Feng Bu Jue had never fully trusted the gardener. He needed Kolsten's own words.
Even if Kolsten's account contradicted Barton's, it wouldn't prove Barton lied. After all, Dennis was dead—Kolsten could spin any story he liked, unaware that Barton had already approached Feng Bu Jue. A third possibility lingered: both men might be lying. The truth, like a tangled web, grew more complex by the moment.
"Dennis wanted to monopolize my inheritance", Kolsten finally revealed.
"Monopolize, you say?" Feng Bu Jue feigned curiosity. "So... you have a will? And its contents displeased him?"
"Yes", Kolsten confirmed. "But only my lawyer and I know the details. Dennis didn't know specifics, but he believed I'd left the estate to 'undeserving hands.' So we argued."
The account roughly aligned with Barton's whispers, though Kolsten skirted around Odette's name.
Yet... Feng Bu Jue sensed deeper shadows in Kolsten's words. Something remained unsaid.
(End of Chapter)
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