After having dinner with the employee left behind by the Ministry and being hosted by the manor's butler, Severus and Harry arrived at a deserted balcony to review the information they had gathered that afternoon.
"Septimus is Patty's half-brother from the sa father. His mother and Patty had a terrible relationship, but he himself was very close to Patty."
Harry said in a furtive, almost guilty tone, constantly glancing around as if afraid of being overheard.
"He secretly told sothing no one else knew. He said that his sister had suddenly changed about two weeks ago, becoming much more cheerful than before, with a noticeable increase in smiles. At the ti, though he didn't know the reason, he was still happy for Patty."
Severus's fingers tapped lightly on the wooden coffee table.
"Two weeks ago?"
"Yes." Harry continued, "And then, a week ago, Patty had a fierce argunt with Mrs. Sorset. Septimus told the main reason was that his mother wanted to send Patty to a specialized sanatorium, but Patty refused. She had never been so angry before, and everyone in the estate was terrified."
At this point, Harry's voice beca hesitant and he looked up at Severus.
"Professor, is Patty not Mr. Sorset's daughter? After suffering such a tragic ordeal and being confined to a wheelchair for life, why would they still treat her so harshly?"
Severus t Harry's gaze calmly.
"Because everyone will make different choices after encountering a major setback, Harry."
"So people will face their mistakes head-on, completely change themselves, and strive for a better future."
"So people will beco obsessed with the setbacks and failures, unable to extricate themselves, wasting their lives in perpetual despair."
"There are also so people who will choose to escape, shifting the bla for their failure onto innocent people. They tornt and abuse those who bear the undeserved accusations, as if doing so could slightly ease their own guilt."
Harry blinked.
"So... Mr. Sorset is the third type?"
"Based on the current situation, it seems so."
"How could he do that?" Harry said indignantly, " How could there be such a cruel father in the world? Even vipers aren't that cold-blooded!"
"But when he first thought Patty was dead, he still appeared grief-stricken. I heard that he locked himself in the house and didn't co out for a whole day."
Severus reminded him.
"If he were truly as cold-blooded as you say, he wouldn't have reacted that way."
Harry was confused and looked at Severus in confusion.
"Then... Professor, does Mr. Sorset love his daughter or not?"
"Humans are never creatures of singular emotions, Harry." Severus said softly, "You could say he loves her, and you could also say he doesn't."
"But given the harm he's caused Patty, he's undoubtedly a complete bastard and utterly unworthy of being a father."
Seeing the confusion on Harry's face, Severus realized this lesson might be coming a bit too early for him.
But even if it's a little early, it was still better to say it than to leave him completely in the dark.
Checking the ti, Severus stood up from his chair.
"Alright, Harry, break ti is over. While it's still early, we have so things left to do."
Harry hurriedly stood as well, following behind Severus.
"Where are we going?"
Severus, who had sohow produced a pipe from his pocket, placed it between his teeth and replied briskly, "Of course, we're going to assist the police in their investigation."
…
Inspector Gordon had been in a rather good mood lately.
During this period, the peace and order in Bristol had been relatively stable. Of course, there were still so petty thefts and minor cris, but those were just routine incidents that barely weighed on the minds of the police officers.
He had just finished a al with his colleagues and was driving ho, humming along to Annie Lennox's rock music playing on the car radio.
The polices in Bristol had been enjoying such leisurely days largely because the case at Badminton Estate had been reassigned to another departnt.
This was a rare stroke of luck. After all, cases involving the aristocracy, especially those involving assault or even murder, were always particularly troubleso.
Inspector Gordon was more than happy to hand over such a hot potato.
He had already prepared in advance, compiling all the clues and physical evidence gathered by the Bristol Police to be handed over to the departnt taking over the case.
But four days had passed since then, and not a single official from any departnt had co to collect them.
This is certainly not an abnormal situation. If the efficiency of civil servants ever improved, that would be the real shocker!
Just as Gordon was blissfully lost in the rhythm of the rock music-
Under the glow of his headlights, he suddenly spotted two figures, one tall and one short, standing in the middle of the road!
His brain reacted instantly. His right foot slamd down on the brake pedal, and the locked tires screeched against the rough pavent with an ear-piercing sound.
Screech-
By the ti the car ca to a complete stop, Gordon's back was drenched in sweat.
Gasping heavily, he stared at the two figures who hadn't even flinched, standing less than a ter from his bumper. Furious, he unbuckled his seatbelt.
"F**k! What the hell are they doing? Trying to get themselves killed?!"
Cursing under his breath, he shoved the car door open and stepped out, finally getting a clear look at the two people blocking the road.
It turned out to be a man with a boy!
Both of them were dressed in long robes that looked completely out of place in modern tis. The taller man, with his hair tied into a short ponytail, even had a pipe clenched between his teeth and was holding a cane, as if cosplaying so world-famous detective.
The boy beside him wore a newsboy cap, his head bowed as he desperately tried to focus on the tips of his shoes, as if deeply embarrassed by sothing.
"Good evening, Chief Gordon."
The 'Great Detective' with a pipe in his mouth greeted.
Gordon, who was glaring at them, realized sothing was wrong. He had the distinct feeling this strange man had been waiting for him here!
"Who the hell are you?" He asked vigilantly, and at the sa ti, he quietly reached his left hand behind his back. There was no gun there, only a can of pepper spray.
The 'Great Detective' shrugged, as if a little surprised.
"You still don't recognize us? Well then, allow us to introduce ourselves. You may call ... Sherlock Hols!"
While announcing this loudly, the 'Great Detective' even nudged the boy beside him with his cane, as if urging him to play along.
But the boy looked utterly mortified. He couldn't believe his teacher had co up with such an embarrassing, childish roleplay plan!
Still, after a deep breath, he stamred out, "I-I'm his partner... John... John Watson..."
Gordon stared at the two lunatics in disbelief.
"Did you escape from a ntal hospital?"
'Watson' seed like he couldn't bear it anymore, and covered his face with extre sha.
But the 'Great Detective' seed fully imrsed in his role, and speaks with grave sincerity, "We're here to help you solve a case, Chief Gordon."
Gordon's expression darkened completely and he took out handcuffs from behind his waist.
"Both of you, put your hands over your heads! Get down on the ground, now!"
'Watson', who is clearly a well-behaved kid, imdiately obeyed the order. He put his hands behind his head, and squatted down on the spot.
However, the 'Great Detective' had, at so point, pointed his cane directly at Gordon.
"Confundo."
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