The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 79

**TITLE: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**

**Chapter 79**

“Don’t fret,” Simon said, his voice steady as he tried to soothe the growing tension. “At this point, the police are only asking Ian to cooperate with their inquiry.”

He continued, his tone serious and deliberate, “The bracelet, the argument, and the change in the beneficiary—all of these are merely circumstantial evidence. They only suggest that Ian might be a possible suspect, but that doesn’t equate to him being the murderer.”

Simon’s gaze shifted to the others, making sure they understood the gravity of the situation. “The police can detain him for a maximum of 24 hours. Unless they uncover something concrete—like an eyewitness account or undeniable footage that shows him in the act—they’ll have no choice but to release him,” he explained, his voice firm and reassuring.

He paused for a moment, emphasizing his point. “It’s akin to how teachers might suspect a student of cheating. They can call that student to the office for questioning, but they can’t just hand out a demerit without solid proof first.”

Nina nodded, absorbing his words. “Right now, Ian has only been asked to assist with the investigation. It’s not an official arrest yet. If they want to keep him longer, they’ll need more evidence.”

Despite Simon’s attempts to calm them, the anxiety among the young men only intensified as they processed what he had said.

“So, he won’t be out until eleven tomorrow morning?” Andrew’s voice was laced with worry.

“And even after that, he’ll still have to grab something to eat and make his way to the studio. That’s an hour and a half drive to the suburbs,” he continued, his fingers nervously counting the hours as if that might somehow change the outcome. He turned to Paul, his expression desperate. “But the competition video shoot starts at one tomorrow afternoon!”

With an annoyed kick at the ground, Paul replied, “No kidding. Ian’s presence tomorrow is absolutely crucial.”

Nina let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the situation. “Right now, the best course of action is to find any clue or piece of evidence that can exonerate Ian.”

Simon’s sharp gaze swept over the group, searching for answers. “Is there anyone here who can confirm Ian’s whereabouts on the night of the murder?”

Andrew scratched his head, his unease palpable. “Whenever Ian had a disagreement with his grandpa, he’d just vanish to practice his dance moves, always opting for some isolated spot away from prying eyes.”

His voice dropped to a whisper. “And there aren’t any cameras in those areas.”

Nina frowned, the realization hitting her hard. “It seems like he doesn’t have an alibi.”

Noticing the heightened anxiety among the young men, Nina couldn’t help but inquire, “Are you all preparing for some major event or something?”

She felt a mix of confusion and concern. While the street dance competition was indeed a chance for them to showcase their talents, the gravity of Ian’s grandfather’s death overshadowed everything else.

‘They seem so fixated on the competition. Is there something deeper at play here?’ Nina pondered.

Andrew responded, shaking his head slightly. “We’re not the ones competing. It’s all about Ian. This is a big international contest.”

He quickly added, waving his hands in a flurry, “And this competition is tied to his grandpa.”

“Ian’s not just another street dancer like the rest of us. He trained under a renowned master,” Paul chimed in, eager to emphasize Ian’s uniqueness. “You know Sky from that street dance show? When Sky recognized Ian’s talent, he took him on as a student and taught him for free.”

He continued, his excitement palpable. “Tomorrow at one PM sharp, Ian is teaming up with Sky and the hottest crew from Sky’s country, the Storm Crew, to film their entry for the World Dance Championship. This is their ticket to the global stage.”

A shorter guy in the group interjected, clearly stressed. “We can’t afford any delays. The entire crew, a couple dozen talented dancers, finally cleared one afternoon tomorrow for the shoot. The venue, the photographers, the lighting—everything is set.”

“They’re just waiting for everyone to arrive so they can start filming and nail this. It’ll only take one afternoon, and then it’s a wrap. It’s going to be quick. Now with Ian being taken away… damn it!” he groaned, frustration evident in his voice.

Andrew nodded vigorously, his expression serious. “Ian’s role is absolutely vital. He may not be as technically skilled as the seniors, but his creative vision for choreography is next-level.”

“For real,” Paul added, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Ian might not be into academics, but when it comes to his grandpa’s archaeological treasures and notes, he’s a total expert. He’s even incorporated some of those details into this new choreography.”

He spoke with pride, “The ancient battle formations from his grandpa’s archaeological studies… Wait, what was it called again?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify