Chapter 198 - Suspicion

Black Shadow and Azumi Twins had crossed paths once again which resulted in another confrontation between Kevin and Black Shadow.

"Well… well… well. I didn't expect to bump with you again just a day after we saw each other at the Nightclub." Kevin said that caught the attention of Black Shadow.

They passed each other in the hallway of Assassin Guild Headquarters. Black Shadow was going out while Kevin just entered the building.

Kevin was a man of a few words but he was acting differently when it comes to Black Shadow. He talked more just to provoke and piss him off.

Instead of ignoring him, Black Shadow didn't back down as he stopped on his track to confront him. Kevin also halted and turned to face him.

"Yeah… what a coincidence. Just after you returned here, wherever I go, I can see you there also." A mocking smile appeared on Black Shadow's face.

"Let's be honest with each other. Are you following me? Are you hoping that by doing that you will be able to find Catseye? Do you need my help, buddy? Just tell me. How about… you beg me?" Black Shadow added as he sneered at him.

Kevin's eyes dimmed hearing Black Shadow's taunting words but in an instant he was able to conceal it. He laughed dryly before he gave him a response.

"You are so confident now. Did you find anything? Don't make me laugh. Don't talk only, just act, and do your job." Kevin said sarcastically at him.

"Well, don't be impatient. I am now telling you; Catseye will appear to me soon, very soon." Black Shadow gave him a meaningful provocative smile.

"Hahaha. Oh really? What if she would want to meet us first instead of appearing in front of you. What will you do then?" Kevin smirked at him.

"Let's see. I don't want to hurt your pride but be ready. Just prepare yourself." Black Shadow moved closer to Kevin as his cold eyes were peering at him intently.

Kevin and Black Shadow fell silent and they were having a staring contest when they both heard a familiar soft voice. 

"Are you both picking a fight with each other again?" Kelsy's voice was heard in the hallway. There was a hint of disappointment in her tone.

The two men reflexively averted their gaze to her direction. They saw her frowning and her red lips already formed a thin line on her face. Her arms were holding each side of her waist.

Seconds later, she walked towards the two men. Before she could reach them Black Shadow started to move away as he walked past the twins.

Kelsy was taken aback by Black Shadow's cold treatment. She was not used to seeing him treat her like this. But she had expected this kind of reaction from him.

When she thought that Black Shadow would just leave like that, he paused for a moment and spoke up while his back was facing the twins.

"Oh, I wonder if it was also a coincidence that you both visited the Cafe where I planned to visit yesterday. I hope you found a clue there. But I guess you didn't, am I right?" 

Black Shadow chuckled after saying it. Without waiting for their response, he continued to leave the place.

"How come he knew that we went there?" Kelsy mumbled as she wondered about Black Shadow's statement.

"I am sure he found something," Kevin said as he gritted his teeth. 

Kelsy could not help herself but frown. She gazed up and met her brother's eyes. Just a mere eye to eye contact they had understood each other. They read what's on each other's mind and they knew what to do next.

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***XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters***

On the same day, not only Elle who had received a shocking piece of news because of Charles's disappearance, but Erick also got some information which had shaken him that day.

"Chief how are you feeling? Are you fully recovered now? How was your physical check-up yesterday?" Bryan asked Erick with concern.

"Hmm don't worry I am really fine now. My body, my heart, and my mind are all in a good condition." Erick responded cheerfully.

Bryan was amused at him acting like this. Erick looked so blissful and lively today. His sixth sense was telling him something so he started to dig up some explanation from Erick.

"Aside from Physical check-up, what did you do yesterday that you are really in a good mood today?" Bryan asked him quizzically. He raised his right eyebrow as he eyed Erick carefully.

They were both alone inside Erick's office. He wanted to gossip and he was trying his luck if he could squeeze out some good gossip from him.

Erick let out a soft chuckle sensing the intention of Bryan. His motives were already reflected all over his face. They were facing each other, Erick was sitting on his office chair while Bryan was sitting on the vacant chair in front of Erick's desk.

Erick raised his right hand and moved his fingers in a manner of telling Bryan 'come over here.' Seeing his signal, Bryan looked at him confusedly. But he still followed him by leaning forward.

Erick put on a bright smile on his handsome face before he told Bryan something. 

"I got married yesterday. Elle and I already registered our marriage." Erick said to him in a low voice.

At first, Bryan did not have much reaction after hearing it. He just nodded his head and said "Ah ok!".

Then seconds later, after his brain had processed the information he just heard from Erick, Bryan's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Then a loud thud could be heard inside Erick's office.

Bryan already fell off his chair with his mouth widely opened and his eyes were bulging out in surprise.

"W-What… d-did you just say?" Bryan tried hard to speak despite the shock he was currently experiencing.

Erick stood up and lent him a hand. But it seemed like Bryan didn't plan on getting up on the floor as he stayed there unmoving on his spot.

Erick could not help himself but laugh. Bryan's reaction was too funny. He was really shocked.

"I said I married Elle yesterday. Why you are looking at me like that? You should congratulate your friend after knowing that he just got married." Erick smiled at him.

"You are not kidding right? Is it real? Not a fake marriage? But how?" Bryan said as he could not still believe it. 

He didn't imagine that Erick would act as fast as this. He already married the woman he loved even though she had amnesia. Bryan did not know yet about Elle's fake amnesia, only Erick knew the truth.

Erick gently hit him on his head. "Come on. Get up first then I will tell you."

Bryan immediately stood up like an excited child who was eager to hear some interesting story.

"The day before yesterday I proposed to her. Remember when it took me some time to go back to headquarters, I went to the Cafe and recklessly made a sudden marriage proposal." Erick chuckled after he remembered that moment. He told Bryan that he was really nervous at that time and he even didn't bring a ring.

Bryan gave him a weird look. He shook his head. He did not know whether he should praise or scold him.

'Poor Elle, she didn't receive a proper proposal.' Bryan thought to himself as he continued to listen.

"Then on the same night I asked her to register our marriage as soon as possible. So yesterday, we did it. We are planning to hold a wedding ceremony after a month. I want you to be our best man." he said, his voice filled with delight and excitement.

"Whoah… I could not believe it. You really acted so fast. You are so determined to make her your wife once and for all. You didn't even court her. I envy you for that Chief. Tsk tsk tsk. She didn't give you a hard time. What a lucky man you are." Bryan lamented on him.

Erick let out another chuckle. "Why? Is April giving you a hard time in courting her?"

Bryan didn't answer him. He just pouted and scratched the back of his head.

"By the way, congratulations my friend. I wish you both happiness. You matched each other well. And I think Elle loves you so much that she is really willing to spend her lifetime with you." Bryan greeted him with genuine happiness for his friend.

"Do you know how scared she is when you were injured? That was the first time I saw her very vulnerable. She was also really mad like she was ready to skin alive the person who did that to you." Bryan felt a chill when he remembered Elle's reaction at the hospital.

"I know. I will not put her in such predicament once again. Thank you for comforting her at that time." Erick placed his arm on Bryan's shoulder.

They were having that conversation when suddenly April knocked on the door. Erick told her to come in.

"Chief, check your email. Marie had sent us a message. She said she got some important clue from Black Shadow regarding Catseye." April informed them right away.

Erick just nodded and he immediately switched on his laptop. Bryan also moved to his side to view Marie's email. Just a few minutes later, Erick opened the mail sent by Marie to the team.

It was said in the email that Black Shadow found a necklace that was owned by Catseye. Erick clicked the attached picture. A deep frown appeared on his handsome face the moment he saw the picture.

'This necklace… it looks familiar. No… not just familiar. It looks the same with the necklace I gave to Elle before.'