Chapter 4

Before I could say anything, the policewoman froze.

"What happened, sir? Didn't you catch her? I thought she was being held in the security office."

Desmond's eyes flashed with frustration and reluctance to accept defeat.

"Not only did we fail to catch her, but when we arrived at the security office, she vanished in front of everyone!"

According to the witness statements, Ariel had been locked inside the security office.

The door was locked from the inside, and there were no signs that the window had been opened. It had been a completely sealed room.

Yet when Desmond and the other officers arrived, the room was empty!

All they found on the floor was a puddle of water and several fish scales, exactly like those discovered at the murder scene.

Even more horrifyingly, the water was tested and found to be seawater too!

Yet Ariel had gone through security without carrying any water.

After Ariel vanished from the security office, the police reviewed the surveillance footage again. They found no trace of her anywhere.

My heart clenched, and I gripped the edge of the blanket.

"Azure, you must know something, don't you?"

Desmond pressed me relentlessly.

"Tell me right now! I refuse to believe that a living person could walk through walls. You must know something!"

I sighed softly. "Whether you believe me or not, Ariel really is a mermaid. I once saw her transform from a human into a mermaid. It happened in the fish tank at my house.

"She threatened me and said that if I told anyone her secret, I wouldn't survive either. But—but I was really scared…"

Desmond listened in silence before arranging for me to see a psychologist. He even had me take a polygraph test.

After a series of examinations, he discovered that there was nothing wrong with my mental state, and every answer I gave on the polygraph had been truthful.

A day passed.

When we returned to the entrance of the police station, Desmond remained silent.

But he could not find any other evidence.

With Ariel listed as the prime suspect, he had no choice but to release me.

"Miss Scott, you don't have any family left now. If you run into any difficulties, contact us at any time."

I gave him a faint smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Lewis."

When I returned to school on Monday, many of my classmates had already learned what had happened to my family.

They felt terribly sorry for me, and the school even applied for special financial aid on my behalf.

In everyone's eyes, I was a lonely, helpless, hardworking, and ambitious girl.

I began working hard to prepare for my college entrance exams.

Desmond often messaged me to ask how I was doing. From time to time, he also brought me food and study materials.

He also told me, "The police have issued a nationwide warrant for Ariel Mills. We hope to catch her soon and give you some answers."

I nodded lightly without contradicting him.

Soon, it was time to start college.

I cleaned out my father's room.

I threw away the furniture Ariel had left behind, all the humidifiers, and anything else that wasn't important, as if she had never been there.

Then I listed the apartment my father left behind with a real estate agency.

When the agent came to view the place, she instinctively covered her nose.

"Sweetheart, this place is far too damp. The walls are covered in mold. It won't be easy to sell…"

I quickly tried to reassure her.

"I don't mind selling it cheaply. Both my parents are gone, and I just want to sell the apartment quickly so I can save enough money for tuition."

The agent looked at me with added sympathy and agreed to help me find a buyer as soon as possible.

The next second, she suddenly bent down and picked something up before handing it to me.

"Hey, sweetheart, is this yours?"

The moment I saw the pearl stud, my heart jolted!

I snatched it from her, my lips trembling. "W-where did you find it?"

The agent froze for a moment.

"It was lying on the floor. You probably dropped it by accident. This pearl looks pretty valuable, so you should keep it somewhere safe."

I clenched the earring so tightly that I didn't even notice its metal post piercing my palm.

The moment the agent left, I began packing my things.

This place was no longer safe. I had to leave as quickly as possible—the sooner, the better!

I had just reached the train station with my luggage when urgent shouts suddenly rang out behind me.

"Azure, wait!"

Desmond was dressed in plain clothes, and he rushed toward me with an anxious expression.

"Your father's death case isn't over yet. Come to the station with me. I still have questions for you!"

Everyone turned to look at us.

My heart clenched, and I took a deep breath.

"Wasn't Ariel already the prime suspect who fled?? Why are you still looking for me, Mr. Lewis? Let go of me. I have to get to school."

Desmond's eyes were bloodshot as he lowered his voice.

"I finally know why you kept saying Ariel was a mermaid!

"I also know how she killed your father and why she suddenly disappeared from that sealed room! I understand everything!"