The elevator stopped at the 22nd floor.
"I'm here. Ran, I'll find you in a bit."
Yukiko walked out of the elevator and said goodbye to Ran.
"Auntie Yukiko, we're also on the 22nd floor," Ran said in surprise.
"You're in the room next door? That room hasn't been lived in for a long time," Yukiko said, surprised.
"It's Sister Chris's. She goes out often, so it's normal not to live here."
Hearing Ran's words, Yukiko looked at Vermouth, a trace of doubt flashing in her big eyes: "Have we met?"
She felt this woman looked very familiar.
Looking at this old friend, Vermouth felt some waves in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface: "Chris Vineyard. Nice to meet you, Yukiko Fujimine."
"You know me?"
Suddenly, a bright light flashed in Yukiko's eyes, and she looked at her in shock: "Chris Vineyard... you are Sharon Vineyard's daughter?"
Vermouth nodded lightly: "If you got the name right, the late Sharon Vineyard was indeed my mother."
"Sharon is dead?"
Yukiko was shocked again.
Seeing Vermouth nod, her expression turned somewhat gloomy.
This was a luxury apartment building with two units per floor. Each unit was fully 300 square meters, with doors facing each other.
"Chris, can I go to your place later? I want to know the specific circumstances about Sharon."
After all, they were good friends who had studied together. Yukiko was still very sad about her death.
Vermouth nodded: "You're welcome anytime."
[Truly an actress, this acting is Oscar-level.]
Heiji shook his head secretly.
Vermouth opened the door and let Heiji and the others in. Nothing could be seen from the outside, but the interior decoration was incomparably luxurious. The dark red curtains and carpets carried a mysterious atmosphere.
"Sister Chris, living in such a big place alone, don't you feel empty?"
After a burst of admiration, although the dark red curtains were stunning, there was a palpable sense of desolation.
"Empty? This is a kind of mystery, it can make a woman more charming."
Vermouth smiled at Kazuha.
"There are four rooms in total, take your pick."
Soon, Kazuha and the others each chose a room. As for Heiji, naturally, he stayed with Kazuha.
Heiji felt a bit like an accessory.
He shook his head helplessly.
Walking to the window, looking at the floor-to-ceiling window, a gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes.
The entire window could be pulled up from the bottom. Structurally, if pulled to the top, it was obviously large enough for a person to pass through.
Seeing this, a cold sneer involuntarily rose on Heiji's lips: 22nd floor, about 3.5 meters per floor, so the height from here to the ground is about 77 meters. This height is very suitable for a hang glider. Always prepared with an escape route? She lives such a tiring life.
Vermouth looked at Heiji, a glint flashing in her eyes: Ordinary people wouldn't see anything special about that window, but Heiji Hattori definitely could. What will he do?
"Heiji, are you looking at the night view?"
Sonoko walked up to Heiji, hugging his arm tightly, clinging like a little bird.
"No, I'm looking at this window."
Vermouth felt a chill in her heart, listening to his movements calmly.
"Window? What's so good about this window?" Sonoko knocked casually on the glass.
"This isn't an ordinary window. If I'm not mistaken, this window can be opened like this."
Heiji squatted down, opened a hidden compartment, grasped a handle, and pulled up forcefully.
Creak~~!!!
The floor-to-ceiling window was pulled up completely. The air pressure in the room changed instantly, and a force pushed Sonoko towards the outside of the window.
Sonoko's face turned pale with fright as she moved towards the window. However, very quickly, a large hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace.
"Didn't I warn you to stand firm?"
Heiji held Sonoko in his arms, looking helpless.
It took Sonoko a while to come back to her senses. Hearing his words, she glared at him fiercely: "Heiji, you never said that."
Kazuha and Ran walked over curiously, looking in surprise at the window opening, which was as tall and wide as a person.
"So dangerous."
Looking down from the window opening, the cars on the ground looked like ants, and the wind whistled. People with acrophobia would probably collapse directly on the floor.
"Sister Chris, what is this window for?" Sonoko asked with lingering fear.
"Isn't there a great detective by your side? Let the great detective explain it to us."
Vermouth sat on the sofa, poured a glass of red wine, and tasted it elegantly, looking mysterious.
The eyes of the three girls instantly focused on Heiji.
Heiji glanced at Vermouth and closed the window again: "If I'm not mistaken, this should be an escape window."
"Escape window?"
Sonoko asked, leaning in Heiji's arms.
"This building is a super high-rise. As long as it exceeds one hundred meters, every room leaves an escape window at the fire safety level. I just don't know if American regulations are different; this escape window seems a bit too big."
A trace of doubt flashed in Heiji's eyes.
"Because I refitted it. The escape window before was too ugly, I didn't like it," Vermouth said lightly, glancing at Heiji.
"Modifying building regulations at will, big stars are just different."
"But I didn't destroy it, did I?"
Vermouth gave a similarly charming smile.
The conversation between the two was strange, leaving the three girls looking at each other, confused.
The doorbell rang.
"It should be Auntie Yukiko, I'll go open the door."
Ran opened the door, and sure enough, Yukiko Kudo was outside.
"Ran, thanks for opening the door for me."
Yukiko had changed into casual clothes: a camisole and capri pants, with a small vest over it, a fresh and beautiful outfit.
"Is everyone hungry? Sister Chris, is there anything in your fridge?"
Ran opened the fridge and was instantly dumbfounded. Except for red wine, it was empty.
"I'm not used to cooking," Vermouth laughed.
"I think Sister Chris is just like Sonoko, neither can cook," Kazuha rolled her eyes at Vermouth helplessly.
"Ran, do you want to cook? Shinichi said your cooking is very good. Go to my place, there are ingredients in the fridge."
Yukiko handed the key to Ran.
"Mm, I'll be right back."
"Ran, we'll go with you."
Kazuha and Sonoko left with Ran.
In the living room, only Heiji, Vermouth, and Yukiko remained.
"Chris, can you tell me some things about Sharon? How did she die?"
Yukiko's purpose in coming here was to learn about her friend Sharon.
Vermouth poured a glass of red wine for Yukiko and handed it to her.
"Thanks. Huh?"
After taking the red wine, Yukiko paused, then laughed: "Sharon must have told you that I like adding a bit of lemon peel to my red wine."
Vermouth felt a chill in her heart and glanced imperceptibly at Heiji.
Heiji showed no abnormality, still swirling the red wine in his hand, leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
She breathed a sigh of relief secretly: "Mm."
"It seems Sharon was lying when she told me your relationship wasn't good," Yukiko chuckled lightly.
Vermouth smiled faintly: "Mom, she..."
Next was story time, and Heiji was drowsy.
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