The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 78

**TITLE: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton 78**

**Chapter 78**

Without a moment’s hesitation, Alex’s assistant stepped forward, clutching the delicate bracelet as he made his way toward the gathering crowd, seeking someone who might recognize it.

Meanwhile, Alex pulled out his phone, the device feeling cool against his palm as he pressed the familiar number.

“Hello, Mr. Hastings, do you have a moment to talk?” he inquired, his tone courteous yet urgent.

“Could you assist me in verifying if an elderly gentleman by the name of Leonard Lee has ever purchased an insurance policy from your firm?” he continued, his brow furrowing slightly as he awaited a response.

A flicker of contemplation danced across Alex’s features as he processed the information relayed to him through the receiver.

Before long, his assistant returned, breathless with urgency. “Professor Summer, I have discovered that this bracelet belongs to Ian Lee, the grandson of Leonard Lee,” he announced, his voice a mixture of excitement and concern.

Alex took the bracelet, holding it up to a magnifying glass, his eyes narrowing as he examined the intricate details. “Look closely at the bead holes,” he instructed, his voice steady. “They bear the marks of violent pulling.”

Piecing together the information from the call and the bracelet, Alex felt the weight of realization settle upon him like a heavy cloak.

His gaze shifted toward Nina and Simon, who remained crouched in the mudflats, their expressions a blend of joy and disdain that sparked a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the riverside was shattered by the deafening roar of a motorcycle engine.

A teenager with wild, red hair skidded to a stop, dismounting his bike with a frantic urgency that suggested he had been racing against time itself.

He stumbled toward the police cordon, his red-rimmed eyes wide with desperation as they locked onto the lifeless body sprawled on the muddy shore.

“Grandpa!” Ian cried out, his voice a heart-wrenching wail that echoed against the backdrop of the riverbank, a sound filled with raw, unfiltered grief.

Once the investigation concluded, Leonard’s body was tenderly placed onto a stretcher, covered by a simple white sheet that fluttered gently in the breeze emanating from the river.

Even beneath that shroud, the frail outline of the elderly man was discernible, his clothing, drenched by the river, rendering it almost translucent.

Ian’s gaze remained fixated on the body concealed beneath the sheet. With a heavy thud, he collapsed onto the ground, his grip on the police cordon tightening until his knuckles turned a ghostly white.

“I’m so sorry…” Ian sobbed, each word escaping his lips with difficulty, barely more than a whisper. Tears and snot smeared across his face, a testament to his anguish. Trembling uncontrollably, he finally managed to choke out, “I shouldn’t have argued with you.”

As he wept, struggling for breath, a pair of polished leather shoes came to a halt directly in front of him.

Alex loomed over him, his voice icy and unyielding. “Ian Lee, you are the prime suspect in the murder of Leonard Lee. Stand up. You’re coming with us.”

He gestured to the two officers positioned behind him, signaling them to approach.

Nina and Simon exchanged shocked glances, disbelief etched across their features.

‘Could he have actually found evidence just now?’ Nina pondered, sneaking a sidelong glance at Alex, her heart racing.

Simon frowned, his gaze locked onto the muddy patch left behind after the body had been removed, a sense of unease creeping over him.

At that moment, Ian jerked his head up, his bloodshot eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “Me? I killed Grandpa?”

Alex scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive. “Cut the act. Spare me the crocodile tears.”

With a swift motion, Alex extracted the crystal bracelet from the evidence bag, holding it up for Ian to see. “This belongs to you, doesn’t it?” he asked, his tone laced with accusation.

“Look at those marks,” Alex continued, his voice steady and unwavering. “These pulling marks on the beads are clear evidence of a struggle. Leonard must have torn it from your wrist.”

Ian’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the bracelet. “How in the world did this end up here?” he exclaimed, disbelief coloring his voice.

Alex snorted derisively. “Three days ago, you had a massive argument with Leonard because he refused to lend you money for that competition.”

Leonard and Ian resided at the Banyan Lake Residences. Earlier, Alex had enlisted the help of a student who lived there to gather information about the duo, particularly the details surrounding their frequent disputes.

He gestured to the officers still holding Ian. “I’m taking him back for questioning. Within twenty-four hours, I’ll ensure he divulges every last detail,” Alex stated coldly.

With that, Alex led Ian away, leaving Nina and Simon standing face to face, the tension palpable between them.

Nina frowned, tugging at Simon’s sleeve, her brow furrowed in thought. “Simon, the sun hasn’t set yet. What should we do next?”

Simon squinted into the distance, determination hardening his features. “Let’s head over to that place where people said Ian was practicing his dance. We need to confirm his alibi.”

*****

Twenty minutes later, Nina and Simon found themselves standing outside an abandoned factory, its crumbling facade a relic of a bygone era.

Faded safety signs clung stubbornly to the battered walls, while the iron gates, thick with rust, creaked ominously as they pushed them open.

Before they could even step inside, the booming sound of music and the unmistakable squeaks of shoes on the concrete floor erupted from within, filling the air with an electric energy.

As they shoved open the groaning gate, they were met with a vibrant scene: about half a dozen young men, their hair dyed in a riot of colors, were practicing street dance on the cracked concrete floor, their movements synchronized and fluid.

The music abruptly cut off, and the entire crew turned in unison, wary eyes locking onto the intruding cops who had barged in unannounced.

“Hey, relax,” Nina said quickly, raising her hands in a gesture of peace. “We just have a few questions.”

She explained the situation, informing them that Ian had just been taken away by the police.

Andrew, the leader of the group, smacked his thigh in frustration, his face paling visibly. “Oh no, this is bad news!”

He began to pace in frantic circles, phone clutched tightly in his hand, his voice trembling with anxiety. “There’s no way Ian could be a killer. He’s the best guy I know.”

Andrew turned to Nina, his expression earnest. “Is there any chance Ian can be released by tomorrow afternoon?”