Chapter 18: Fervent Fandom and Hidden Suspicions

"The deceased is female." Clara’s voice was muffled by her medical mask, but her eyes remained calm and focused. "Based on the skeletal length, her height in life was likely between 1.6 and 1.63 meters."

She put on a second layer of gloves and reached into the soft, decayed tissue to find key skeletal landmarks.

"Though the soft tissue is severely decomposed, the bones are relatively intact. The grooves on the pubic symphysis have largely disappeared, showing signs of bone thinning, yet the epiphyseal plates only recently closed."

She felt the bone, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Estimated age is between twenty and twenty-five. Judging by the stage of decomposition and the thickness of the cement seal, the time of death is conservatively estimated at over two years ago."

The technicians nearby were pale from the stench. No one wanted to take another step closer.

Their gazes fell on Clara. She was wearing a black knit dress under her white lab coat. She looked slender, bright, and elegant, like a woman out of a painting.

Yet there she was, crouching beside a heavily decomposed corpse, her face inches away from the rot, her gloved fingers precisely exploring the remains.

There was no disgust in her eyes, only professional focus and respect for the dead.

"This new forensic doctor is incredible. She’s beautiful and so damn professional..."

Leo had just finished a call to the villa’s landlord.

Hearing the technicians, he glanced at Clara.

When she worked, she was cold and steady—a world away from the flirtatious woman he’d met at the bar.

Soon, the landlord arrived in a panic.

When he saw that a female corpse had been walled up in his bathroom, he nearly fainted.

"Officer, I own a lot of properties. This villa has always been a rental. Please, you can't suspect me!"

Leo’s gaze was piercing. "Bring me the rental records and contracts from the last three years."

The landlord didn't dare hesitate, pulling the logs from his briefcase.

Leo flipped through them page by page.

Mia was the current tenant, six months in.

Before her was a couple in the construction material business, who stayed for fifteen months.

Before them, a man named Daryl Ji.

Leo circled the key information and told Rocky to investigate the suspicious tenants.

Finished with instructions, he walked over to Clara. "Determined the cause of death yet?"

Clara shook her head, her lips pressed tight. "No obvious open wounds on the surface, and no sign of a ligature mark on the neck. The soft tissue has liquefied too much; I can't see any physical signs of mechanical asphyxiation with the naked eye."

She stood up and removed her gloves, placing them in an evidence bag. "The exact cause of death will have to wait for the autopsy and pathology slides back at the lab."

Though Mia wasn't a suspect, she was taken to the station to give a statement.

The couple who previously rented the place also arrived after being called.

After questioning, the couple seemed unlikely to be involved.

The most suspicious person was Daryl Ji.

Rocky handed the investigative report to Leo. "Boss, Daryl Ji was in a car accident the very day he moved out."

Leo looked at the details.

Daryl Ji. Male. From Dawei Mountain. Fifty-one years old. Never married, no children.

The file photo was yellowed; the man had a thin face with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes. He didn't look like a simple mountain man; he looked calculating and ruthless.

Leo’s dark eyes fell on the 'Relatives' section.

"Nephew: Jace?"

Rocky nodded. "Yeah, the famous singer Jace."

"Have you contacted him?"

"Yes. He happens to be in Yecheng preparing for a concert. He’s coming over soon."

After Mia finished her statement, Clara called Sylvia to pick her up.

"I have to work late. When your aunt arrives, go home with her and stay there."

Mia hugged Clara’s waist. "Don't tell my mom, Clara. I don't want to see her."

"I didn't tell her. Don't worry."

Sylvia arrived in a taxi. Just as Clara was about to help Mia into the car, a flashy sports car pulled up.

A young man dressed in trendy clothes, wearing a blue sapphire stud in his left ear, stepped out.

Mia froze.

Her eyes went wide, and an expression of pure excitement took over her face. "Jace! Jace!"

Clara glanced at the young man. He looked familiar.

She quickly realized it was Jace, the idol Mia adored.

Mia tried to run toward him, but Jace’s large bodyguards blocked her way.

"Jace! Do you remember me? A year ago, you stopped me from jumping off a cliff!"

Jace, who was walking toward the station, turned to look at Mia.

He studied her for a few seconds before a smile broke out on his handsome face. "Oh, it’s you, little sister! What a coincidence to meet again."

"Jace, can I have an autograph?"

"Sure."

Mia pulled a marker from her bag and hurried to him, letting him sign the back of her T-shirt.

After signing, Jace told her, "I hope you’re happy every day."

Mia stared after him until he disappeared. "He’s so handsome and so kind. I’ll be his loyal fan for life!"

Sob.

Jace’s appearance had instantly cured the trauma of seeing the corpse tonight.

Clara had never been a "fan-girl," so she couldn't quite relate to Mia’s excitement.

Seeing Sylvia get out of the taxi, Clara nudged Mia. "Your idol has been inside for ages. Go home with your aunt."

"Clara, why is Jace at the police station? Was he harassed by some crazy stalker fan?"

"Enough. Go home. I have overtime to do."

Sylvia handed a thermal container to Clara. "I made pork rib soup tonight. Take care of yourself if you're working late."

"I will, Mom. Don't worry."

After the taxi left, Clara headed back inside.

The soup was a large portion—too much for her and Vicky.

Rocky came to the forensics lab to pick up some files, and Clara handed the remaining soup to him. "Rocky, my mom made this. Take it."

"Awesome! Thanks, Clara!"

Rocky took the container to the main office. As soon as he opened it, the delicious aroma filled the room.

"Holy crap, Rocky, you’re eating alone?" Noah came over to look, trying to snatch the container, but Rocky was too fast.

"Clara gave this to

me

. Hands off."

The office erupted in teasing. "Rocky, do you have a crush on Forensic Ye?"

"She’s beautiful and kind; who doesn't?" Rocky replied shamelessly.

The laughter got louder.

Leo was on his way to the meeting room when he heard the commotion. He frowned. "What’s going on?"

"Boss, Clara felt sorry for Rocky and gave him her pork rib soup," Noah reported.

Leo shot a look at Rocky.

Rocky felt his scalp tingle. He carried the container over to Leo. "Boss, want some?"

Leo’s expression was stiff. "Do I look like I’ve never had pork rib soup before?"

He turned and strode away, his face cold.

Rocky: "..."

Did the Boss eat gunpowder for breakfast?

Meeting Room.

Leo poured a cup of tea for Jace.

"Mr. Ji, we’ve asked you here to learn more about your uncle, Daryl Ji."

Jace sat across from Leo. Without the stage lights, he looked tired. He took a sip of tea. "My parents died young, and my uncle raised me. Once I left the mountains, signed with a label, and became successful, I brought him to the city to live well. I paid for that villa for him. He lived there for about a year. Just as my own villa was finished being renovated, I had him move out to live with me. I never expected... he’d die in a car accident."

Jace leaned his head on his hands, his eyes turning red.

"He was my only relative. Since he’s gone, I’ve been alone in this world. Luckily, I have my fans to support me."

Jace looked up at Leo, confusion in his red-rimmed eyes. "Officer, why are you asking about my uncle all of a sudden?"

Leo tapped his long fingers on his knee, his rugged profile casting sharp shadows under the lights.