She was alone in the wide and gloomy room, where one wall had a large mirror. She couldn't see through it, but she knew someone was watching from the other side.
She sat still, waiting, her head lowered while her intertwined hands rested on the table. Her short brown hair was tied in a messy bun, and a black jumpsuit hugged her slender frame.
She recalled that before ending up here, she had been at the casino last night, winning every round of gambling, her stacks of chips growing by the minute.
Everything was going well—until the fire broke out. She quietly cursed as she remembered that. It wasn't every day she had that kind of luck. If only the fire had started later…
She remembered the chaos and people panicking, running outside for their lives. She had been among them, barely escaping as a victim. Yet, here she was, treated as a suspect in starting that fire.
She heard approaching footsteps, and her light brown eyes lifted toward the door. It opened, and a woman with shoulder-length hair stepped inside.
Looking at the woman, she recognized her as the one who had knocked on her door earlier, asking her to come in for questioning. Detective Bai.
Detective Bai placed her laptop on the table and faced her. She studied her for a moment before turning to the screen and reading aloud.
"Your name?"
She glanced at the detective for a moment, then soflty replied "Lin… Lijun." She wanted to sound more innocent than she was. Who knew why they considered her a suspect?
"Lin Lijun. How old are you?"
"Ah… 25."
"No criminal record…?" Detective Bai's eyes narrowed slightly before she leaned back. "Do you know why you're here?"
Lijun lowered her gaze. "You think I started the fire at the casino." She hastily added, "It wasn't me. I swear."
Detective Bai straightened, her eyes turning sharp. "You were the last person to meet Chaisai, the owner of that casino, before he was murdered."
Lijun's eyes widened. "Pardon? He… you mean… he died?"
"Murdered. Why don't you tell me what you two talked about?"
Lijun's gaze shifted as she processed the detective's words. She had met Chaisai, but if only she had known he would be killed—and that she'd be dragged into this mess…
"He liked my talent. He wanted to see it in person."
"Talent?" Detective Bai raised an eyebrow.
"Poker. He paid me, I left."
Detective Bai's tone sharpened. "And after that?"
Before Lijun could answer, her expression changed. She clutched her stomach and fell from her chair, struggling from pain. Her forehead was covered in sweat, and her skin turned red.
Detective Bai remained still, watching. She had encountered criminals who faked sickness during interrogations, but she hadn't expected it this soon. However, when she saw Lijun vomiting blood, she immediately got up and rushed to her, quickly calling for an ambulance.
Inside the ambulance, Detective Bai sat nearby, watching Lijun in deep thought. Lijun had been poisoned. She tried to figure out the reason—who had done it and, more importantly, what she didn't yet know about her.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Detective Bai followed closely as Lijun was rushed into the emergency room. She stopped one of the nurses and asked,
"Will she live?" Her voice was motionless.
"She's been poisoned with ricin. We're doing everything we can. Please wait," the nurse replied before hurrying away.
Detective Bai nodded. "Yeah, she shouldn't die. There are too many things to sort out."
Rochelle, standing beside her, nodded without much expression. "Make sure she survives. I need her to talk."
The first morning light passed through the hospital window. On the bed, Lijun lay unconscious. Slowly, she frowned and tried to open her eyes. As she gradually blinked them open, her blurry gaze moved around the room.
She recalled what had happened—she had been in the interrogation room when she suddenly collapsed. Someone had tried to kill her. She was sure of it. But who had she offended?
She pushed herself up, feeling weak all over while dizness driving her mad and sat on the bed. She needed to leave. If someone was out there trying to kill her, who knew if they had already discovered she was here? Facing that unknown terrified her than the weakness she felt in her.
She glanced at her empty IV and pulled it out without flinching. Changing back into her jumpsuit, she headed toward the exit.
Just as she opened the door, she sensed someone nearby. A nurse stood outside, holding a tray. The moment their eyes met, the nurse's hands trembled, and the tray slipped from her grasp spilling everything onto the floor.
The nurse crouched down, hastily picking up the fallen items. "I'm sorry," she muttered nervously before rushing away.
Lijun frowned. That was strange. But before she could dwell on it, she sensed another presence approaching. Her frown deepened but she straightened up.
"In a hurry to go somewhere?" Detective Bai asked casually as she walked closer.
Lijun smiled. "I just needed some fresh air."
Reaching her, Detective Bai asked, "Who do you suspect tried to kill you?"
Lijun paled, looking timid. "I don't know. I don't remember making enemies with anyone who'd want me dead. Detective, haven't you found anything?"
Detective Bai studied Lijun for a moment. She had encountered criminals like her before—ones who could change their expressions as easily as breathing.
The look Lijun had when she was about to leave and the one she had now were completely different. She was hiding something.
"I haven't found anything yet," Detective Bai said, "but rest assured, I will. Were you discharged? Miss Lijun, you were poisoned. You just woke up after three days, only that can explain how closer you were from death. And now you want to leave without a doctor's approval?"
Lijun was annoyed. Couldn't she just leave? "I'll return frequently for checkups."
"If you leave now, do you know what that proves to me?" Detective Bai's gaze sharpened. "That you know exactly what you're running from."
"Detective, I don't have money to pay for an extended stay here, and I have to preserve my job. Please, I need to leave."
Detective Bai stared at her for a moment before taking out a card and handing it to her. "I'll need your help for further investigation. If you find anything or need my help, contact me."
Lijun glanced at the card. "Thank you. If I find anything, I'll check in with you immediately."
She left soon after, walking a few moments. The moment she was out of Detective Bai's sight, she tossed the card into a trash can. She wanted nothing to do with the police, and she would make sure she never saw them again.
From the top floor, Detective Bai watched everything. Seeing Lijun's actions, she smiled. She couldn't help it—her beautiful smile widened.
Lijun had just proven herself to be someone worth investigating.
As Lijun walked, she suddenly turned, her gaze meeting Detective Bai's. She gave a faint smile and a slight bow before continuing on her way, exiting the hospital.
Detective Bai's eyes narrowed. Taking out her phone, she dialed a number.
"Get me everything on Lin Lijun."