Felix's house was only about 100 meters from his aunt's home, close enough to cover by foot—roughly the size of a football field.
A sleek BMW X7 cruised along the streets of London. The full-size luxury SUV, known for its bold kidney grille and sleek LED headlights, seamlessly merges style with advanced technology. It offered a spacious, high-end interior perfect for both performance and family use. Behind the wheel, Felix drove in silence, steering the car to a halt in front of a graveyard. The sky above was a blanket of gray, and the cold air hinted at an impending shower.
Stepping out of the car, Felix and his daughter Emma entered the graveyard. Their footsteps echoed through the quiet space until they stopped at a gravestone—a black granite slab with a polished surface and an arched top. It read:
"Annie Foster, 2010–2035"
Felix bent down and gently placed a lily on the grave. This was Annie's final resting place—his wife, lost in a tragic car accident.
He lowered himself onto a nearby stone, his eyes distant with memories. "I miss her every day," he murmured, voice heavy with longing. "Her light brown hair always tied in a loose bun, her refined face—soft brows, a slender nose, and those slightly parted lips that made her smile so unique. She carried a mysterious charm with her oversized sunglasses and dangling earrings, always so fashionable and confident."
They had been best friends since Grade 6 at Mayville High School, and over time, their friendship blossomed into love. They married while Felix was starting his S.C.C. journey, but fate dealt them a cruel hand, cutting their time together tragically short.
Emma stood quietly beside him, her small frame shaking as she cried, missing her mother. After a few moments, Felix rose, kissed Annie's gravestone one last time, and led Emma back to the car.
The BMW X7 glided into the driveway of Felix's home—a modern luxury residence. The symmetrical design of the house stood out, with its multi-level roof of dark tiles and large glass windows that reflected the garden's greenery. Flower beds lined the curved driveway, adding an elegant, welcoming touch to the exterior. Felix parked the car in the garage, stepped out, and unlocked the door with a password.
Inside, the living room exuded grandeur, with tall glass windows that invited natural light and crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. Two fireplaces flanked the space, while leather sofas and sleek chairs added comfort. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a large wooden desk took center stage, giving the room the ambiance of a high-end library. The blend of modern and classical elements gave the interior a warm, sophisticated charm.
Felix glanced around and said, "I think the house is clean."
Emma dashed upstairs to her room on the second floor—a luxurious space with an upholstered bed draped in fluffy bedding, a soft rug, and a delicate chandelier. Pink curtains adorned the windows, and flowers lay on a tray by the bedside. The room even had a private bathroom.
Meanwhile, Felix entered his bedroom, which was just as opulent. The dark-toned decor added depth, and paneling along the walls gave it a classical edge. A chandelier illuminated the space, which featured a large bed, a wooden desk, and a walk-in closet. He quickly changed into a two-piece pajama set made of soft, gray fleece. The top had a crew neckline and blue-striped sleeves, with a patch reading "15E" on the chest. The bottoms were long with an elastic waistband, designed for maximum comfort.
After changing, Felix joined Emma in the yard, and they spent some quality time together. They played hide and seek , flew kites, and later prepared a delicious meal together. The cheerful moments made the weight of the earlier visit to the grave feel a little lighter.
By 7:00 PM, the sun had set, and the cold winter evening settled in. Everything seemed peaceful—until Felix noticed a crowd gathering outside the neighboring house.
From his bedroom window, Felix saw a large number of people clustered near the neighbor's property. Without hesitation, he threw on a brown corduroy jacket with sherpa lining, grabbed his keys, and headed out. When he arrived at the scene, he identified himself and made his way through the crowd.
Inside the house, he saw a man's body sprawled on the floor. The man had high cheekbones, large brown eyes, and a small nose. He was dressed in black pants and a matching shirt. Felix instantly recognized him—it was George Gambit, a well-known politician in London.
Felix knelt beside the body, studying it carefully. "It looks like he was stabbed with a sharp knife," he muttered. "There are signs he might have been running from something."
He searched the house for clues but found nothing significant. However, a woman sobbing nearby caught his attention. It was Ava Gambit, George's sister.
"The murderer took the Vaskey perfume," Ava said between sobs.
Felix frowned. "Vaskey? What's that?"
"It's a perfume I created," Ava explained. "There are only two bottles in the world. I had the last one."
"Can you give me a small sample of it?" Felix asked.
Ava nodded and handed him a tiny bottle. Felix uncapped it, and the scent hit him—an intoxicating, mesmerizing fragrance that clung to the air like a spell.
The mystery deepened. What connection did the perfume have with George's death? And why would someone kill to steal it? Felix knew this was only the beginning of a much darker investigation.