After leaving Emilie's residence, Lucien Valois headed toward the Palais Mermonia, intending to review Flora's case file at the Special Investigation Court to see if any additional clues could be uncovered.
A single button bearing the Kappe family crest was nowhere near enough to convict Olivier. To bring the murderer to justice, a complete chain of evidence had to be established.
Just as he was nearing the Palais, the radio at his waist crackled to life.Frederic's anxious voice burst through.
"Captain, get to Chiori's Boutique now! A few thugs are causing trouble here!"
Lucien Valois's expression darkened instantly, his voice calm and steady. "I'm on my way."
He quickened his pace.
About fifteen minutes later, he arrived at Chiori's Boutique.
Five or six ruffians dressed in gaudy, street-trash fashion were loitering at the entrance, shouting abuse and deliberately bumping into customers, severely disrupting the store's business.
Nearby,Frederic was restraining an agitated Chiori, preventing her from doing something rash.
When Lucien Valois appeared in their line of sight, the thugs' pupils shrank. Their arrogance vanished in an instant, replaced by feigned obedience.
"Captain Lin, my brother bought clothes here. There was a dispute over quality. If you lay a hand on us, we'll file a complaint with the Prosecutorial Office!"
The leader forced himself to speak boldly.
Lucien Valois said nothing. He simply stared into the man's eyes, cold killing intent undisguised in his gaze.
The thug felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.
After a long silence, Lucien Valois finally spoke, each word deliberate.
"Tell me. Who sent you?"
The thug trembled uncontrollably. "N-No one sent us. It really was just a dispute over clothing quality."
Lucien Valois's expression turned even colder. He reached out and seized the thug by the collar.
"I'll count to five. Five. Four…"
With each descending number, his grip tightened.
The thug felt as if an invisible mountain pressed against his chest. Breathing became difficult.
Just as he was about to break and confess everything, a sharp voice rang out from not far away.
"Lucien Valois! You're publicly assaulting innocent civilians. Release him immediately!"
Lucien Valois turned.
A man in a Prosecutorial Office uniform strode forward. His face was sinister, narrow eyes glinting like a venomous snake poised to strike.
"I am Officer Schick Kappe of the Prosecutorial Office. I order you to release this innocent citizen at once, apologize, provide compensation, and submit yourself for investigation!"
He stopped in front of Lucien Valois, speaking with undisguised authority.
Lucien Valois glanced at him and slowly smiled.
"Officer Schick… which eye of yours saw me harming a civilian?"
As he spoke, he released the thug and even adjusted the man's collar with apparent consideration.
Schick snorted. "Lucien Valois, you're truly arrogant. Everyone here saw you grabbing his collar. That's blatant intimidation!"
Lucien Valois turned to the thug, smiling warmly—though there was a chill beneath it.
"This officer claims I harmed you. Is that true? Think carefully before answering."
The thug shuddered instinctively and waved his hands frantically.
"N-No! Captain Lin didn't hurt me. He was just… adjusting my collar."
Schick silently cursed, but his expression remained composed.
"In that case, let's end this here. Disperse."
The thugs scattered as if pardoned from death.
Schick cast them a look of contempt and turned to leave.
"Officer Schick, a moment please."
Lucien Valois's voice sounded from behind.
Schick stopped and turned back with a mocking smile. "What now, Lucien Valois?"
Lucien Valois replied calmly, "Your earlier accusation severely damaged my reputation. I require an apology and compensation.
Furthermore, the Prosecutorial Office is not a superior authority over the Gardes. You have no right to issue us commands. Your actions just now clearly violated Fontaine's administrative law."
Schick's face darkened.
He had assumed Lucien Valois was merely a sycophant who rose through flattery. Clearly, he had miscalculated.
In Fontaine, it had become customary for the Prosecutorial Office to direct the Gardes in operations. Over time, people simply assumed the latter was subordinate.
But in truth, the two were equal departments cooperating with one another.
His earlier command had indeed overstepped administrative boundaries.
"Captain Lin, I was simply concerned for civilian safety and acted hastily," Schick forced a smile.
Lucien Valois responded evenly, "I understand your intentions. But as law enforcers, we should lead by example and uphold the dignity of the law."
Schick clenched his fists, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
"What exactly do you want?"
"An apology. And compensation," Lucien Valois said calmly, yet firmly. "If your answer fails to satisfy me, I will file an administrative lawsuit—even appeal to the office of the Chief Justice."
Schick stared at him venomously.
After a long breath, he forced down his rage.
"Captain Lin, regarding the misunderstanding, I apologize. As compensation, I will provide one hundred thousand mora."
"One hundred thousand?" Lucien Valois scoffed lightly. "That wouldn't even cover a single psychological counseling session for me. It makes one wonder… are you truly a core member of the Kappe family?"
Schick's face flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Two hundred thousand mora!" he barked through clenched teeth.
Lucien Valois shook his head with a sigh. "It seems you're nothing more than a marginal figure in the Kappe family."
That was the spark.
Schick hated nothing more than having his standing within the family questioned.
In a burst of fury, he pulled out a bank card and hurled it at Lucien Valois.
"There's one million mora in there. That should suffice!"
Lucien Valois caught the card smoothly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"Officer Schick, as expected of a Kappe. So generous. Since the compensation is adequate, we'll consider the matter settled."
By now, Schick's mind had cooled. He realized Lucien Valois had deliberately provoked him.
Regret surged within him—but pride prevented him from demanding the card back.
In the end, he could only spit out a vicious warning.
"One day, I'll reclaim this with interest."