Chapter 91: The Battle Intensifies

Chapter 91: The Battle Intensifies

Answer the question, Professor.

Im sorry, but Im not quite sure what youre talking about.

Lestrade, looking ahead with a cold expression, raised her voice demanding an answer. Hearing her demand, Professor Moriarty opened her mouth with a leisurely smile.

You know better than anyone that I nursed Adler without taking my eyes off him for a single moment over the past few days.

I know that. What Im asking is

Unlike someone who, when faced with a choice between their boyfriend and duty, ultimately chose the latter.

At her words, Lestrade bit her lips hard, stopping mid-sentence.

My job is to uphold justice in London. Dont so casually weigh its importance as you have. And in the first place, it was I who saved him, not you.

But despite being right there, you couldnt prevent Adlers chest from being torn open and tattered.

Are you going to keep finding faults?

Its not about finding faults, Lestrade. Im simply instilling the absolute truth into a stupid inspector who mistakenly thinks she saved Adler when ultimately, it was because of my late arrival that Jill the Ripper escaped from the hideout, enabling you to save him; that too by the barest margins.

Their cold voices echoed through the corridor.

What a laughable situation. If you cant protect him despite being right there, why even make such a contract

What contract are you referring to?

Adler gave up half of London for you, and you gave up yourself for half of London. Wasnt that the contract both of you established?

Do not speak so carelessly.

Youre not exactly denying it now, are you? You and Adler are nothing more than contract lovers, each pursuing your own interests.

Lestrade opened her mouth as if to respond, but ultimately shut her mouth again, keeping her silence.

It seems that you are performing your duties to some extent though. Seeing that you are wearing this oddly shaped dress thats not your usual police uniform, and carrying the basket full of fruits that have become somewhat precious due to the recent heavy snowfall

I told you not to speak carelessly.

Why, all of a sudden? I doubt youre embarrassed for bringing a fruit basket

Professor Moriarty looked down at Lestrade, who was quietly clutching the fruit basket in her hand, and muttered with narrowed eyes.

That dress, did Adler buy it for you?

Silence followed, and Lestrade could only lower her gaze.

Even though you were recently promoted to an inspector, Ive heard that your familys circumstances are still quite poor

Professor.

Just as she was about to continue her probing with that frigid smile of hers

Do not speak lightly of Miss Gia.

Adler, who had been quiet until then, murmured in a dangerously low voice.

And silence fell once more.

At his firm and resolute statement, Lestrade looked at Adler, a dazed expression momentarily taking over.

I understand.

Meanwhile, the Professor, bobbing her head quietly, soon looked down at him with a gentle gaze and spoke out.

Be more careful in the future.

Swish

As the Professor wrapped her arm around his waist again, Adler could only silently bite his lips.

Get your hands off me.

How strange

Still, with clear marks around his neck, as he was hugged by the professor while making a dark expression, Lestrade, watching the scene, began to growl in a low voice.

Surely, youve been forced to pretend to be Adlers lover to protect London.

Baseless nonsense

But Moriarty, wrapping her arms even tighter around Adlers waist, muttered under her breath all the more.

Why has my will to kill you doubled since the moment my dress was insulted?

Lestrades eyes, poised as if about to rush forward at any moment, suddenly became vacant.

If I had to become the lover of the person I hate the most in the world to keep them at bay, Id always be sharpening my knife on the inside, even if I pretended to be fine on the outside.

There are reporters nearby, Miss Lestrade.

It was because Adler, passing right by her side, whispered in a low voice while shaking his head from side to side, his expression dark.

Ill be fine, so dont get involved unnecessarily..

Look at me, Mr. Adler.

Yes.

But Adler, at the sound of the professors chilly voice, turned his head accordingly.

Swish

As the professor, who had been caressing Adlers cheek, applied pressure to her hand, Adlers tilted head was forced to lean against her shoulder.

What a pity, on a vacation no less

From the professors lips flowed a voice that sounded very pleased as she exited the hallway.

Instead of a boyfriend, youre faced with a criminal.

Her voice echoed quietly, fading away, as their footsteps grew distant, bringing a quiet silence to the hallway.

For a long while, in that silence, Lestrade stood still, biting her lips far more fiercely than she ever did.

Enough already

Who knew your true self would be this prickly, really, its so adorable.

Please.

Far away, Adler, wearing a troubled expression, was persistently swatting away the professors hand trying to caress the back of his own.

Be content with this.

Hmm.

No more.

It was because he finally extended his pinky finger in resignation.

Puhk!

Eventually, as they walked away with their pinkies intertwined, Lestrades lips, watching everything with dark, hollowed eyes, were unknowingly bleeding a single line of crimson blood.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at that time, at 221B Baker Street

What are you doing, Holmes?

Watson, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she was about to start her day, asked Charlotte who was, as usual, absorbed in some matter while sitting at her desk.

What is it that youre reading so intently?

However, Charlotte, seemingly fully engrossed in the reading material in front of her, gave no answer in return.

Adler is expected to wake up soon, arent you going to come with?

Hey, rookie detective.

Watson tried to provoke her with narrowed eyes, but Charlotte still remained silent.

Alright, then Ill go ahead.

But her partner, already accustomed to Charlottes eccentric nature, left the boarding house alone while leaving those words.

But what kind of book is it, that it doesnt even have a cover?

As her partners murmur drifted through the early morning streets of London and faded away,

Phew

Charlotte, engrossed in the book until then, soon closed it and let out a deep sigh, mumbling to herself in a low voice.

So thats how babies are made, huh?

Thus, the battle over the greatest trophy in London was growing increasingly intense.