The moment she saw the state of Nerissa Suttonâs body, Nina Jacobs made a connection.
The wounds on Nerissa Suttonâs body were identical to the wounds on Keaton Sloan, whom she had killed several months ago.
Even down to the location and size.
Dawn Donovanâs expression changed instantly. âHow does Nina Jacobs know why Iâm here?â
Seeing this, Ariadne Sterling, who was standing to the side, cleared his throat and said,
"Miss Jacobs, letâs just be direct."
"The victim was found dead in front of your home, and an examination of the wounds confirmed they were caused by a Fire Element Superpower."
"Do you have any questions about that?"
"I do. I suspect she didnât die in front of my home,"
"But was moved there after she was already dead."
Nina Jacobs paused, then asked with a hint of disappointment,
"Or have you not yet determined where the primary crime scene is?"
"The primary crime scene..."
Ariadne Sterling was momentarily stumped.
But he recovered quickly and produced another photograph.
"Our investigation shows that nearly six months ago, you killed a member of the rescue team."
"His name was Keaton Sloan. Do you have any questions about that?"
"No,"
Nina Jacobs replied.
Ariadne Sterlingâs spirits lifted. "Keaton Sloanâs cause of death was a single fatal blow from a Fire Element Superpower. The wound and cause of death are identical to Nerissa Suttonâs."
"How do you explain that?"
"Weâre also aware that you had a verbal altercation with the victim, Nerissa Sutton, and even came close to disfiguring her."
"Could that be your motive for murder?"
Ariadne Sterling had clearly come prepared. His confidence grew as he spoke, but the woman before him, Nina Jacobs, remained perfectly composed.
"Itâs precisely because theyâre identical that it makes no sense,"
Nina Jacobs answered.
"What do you mean?"
Dawn Donovan didnât understand what Nina Jacobs meant either.
Nina Jacobs looked at her and calmly reminded her,
"Six months ago, I was a Basic Level Superpower User."
"A Basic Level... Superpower User?"
Ariadne Sterling was not a Superpower User, so he didnât grasp the meaning behind her words.
"The strength of a Superpower Userâs attack is directly related to their own level. The stronger the Superpower, the greater the damage, and the manifestation is completely different."
From the moment she first saw the body, Nina Jacobs hadnât worried about this at all.
She continued,
"My power level six months ago could not possibly be the same as it is now."
"After all, I am now an Intermediate Superpower User."
The damage from her Fire Element attacks now couldnât possibly be the same as it was six months ago.
She had previously requested that the base keep her status as an Intermediate Superpower User confidential for the time being.
So, it was understandable that the two people before her didnât know.
Dawn Donovan was still reeling from the shock of Nina Jacobsâs words.
âSheâs already an Intermediate Superpower User?â
âIn just six months?â
"But you could have suppressed your power to kill her. Canât Superpower Users control the strength of their Superpowers?"
Ariadne Sterling asked, refusing to give up.
At this, Nina Jacobs let out a small laugh.
She glanced at the camera and said,
"Are you suggesting that I could have vaporized her, but instead, I deliberately suppressed my power to create a wound identical to the one from six months ago, and then placed her body at my doorstep?"
Nina Jacobsâs words made Ariadne Sterlingâs jaw drop.
âVaporized... her?â
He almost wondered if there was something wrong with his hearing.
âHow could someone talk about destroying a body and erasing all evidence so casually?â
Behind her, Wayne Warner was yawning repeatedly.
Remembering that Wayne Warner had accompanied her and hadnât eaten yet, Nina Jacobs asked, "May I leave now?"
Dawn Donovan glanced at her watch and exchanged a look with Ariadne Sterling.
"Sorry, Miss Jacobs. Please wait here a little longer."
âA little longer?â
Nina Jacobs watched as the two of them left the room, not forgetting to lock the door behind them.
In other words, she was now locked in.
"Looks like weâre not leaving for a while."
Nina Jacobs frowned.
It should have been dark outside by now. âLogically, Sherry Renner wouldnât let me be locked up in here.â
âThis interrogation is getting stranger and stranger.â
Nina Jacobs checked the time. Two hours had passed since she arrived.
She activated "Five Senses Enhancement," trying to pick up more clues.
Just as she was debating whether to break down the door and leave, it opened.
When Adrian Shaw saw Nina Jacobs sitting there unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
With Adrian Shaw were Holden Shaw, Chase Gallagher, and others,
including Pascal Paige and Jessica Vance.
"They didnât do anything to you, did they?"
Pascal Paige rushed over and asked.
Nina Jacobs shook her head, then looked at Adrian Shaw.
"You were right. Theyâve finally made their move."
Adrian Shaw was quite impressed with Nina Jacobs. âThis day really has come.â
"How are things on Uncle Haleâs end?" Nina asked.
"Donât worry, my people have been watching."
"Itâs not over yet,"
Adrian Shaw replied.
Leo Hale watched the two of them exchange words. "Whatâs going on? What are you two talking about?"
"Itâs nothing. Letâs go. We can go watch the show."
Nina Jacobs stood up.
âThis is the day Iâve been waiting for,â she thought. âI just wonder how big of a fish weâll catch this time.â
ăAt the reception.ă
Daniel Hale was already completely drunk.
But he seemed to still be aware that it was getting late and it was time to go home.
Seeing him stumble, Heath Chandler caringly moved to support him, but someone else beat him to it.
"Letâs go, Hale. Iâll take you home,"
the person said.
Heath Chandler wasnât very familiar with the people at the base to begin with. Plus, someone else came over to offer him a drink just then, so he didnât think much of it as he watched Daniel Hale leave.
A moment later, Daniel Hale was helped into a black van.
The van weaved through the streets, eventually heading toward the baseâs dormitory buildings.
Inside the van, a woman asked worriedly,
"Is this really going to work? Iâve got a bad feeling about this."
"Relax. Just do what youâre supposed to do."
"Youâll get your reward after itâs done."
The driver was a man with blond hair, and he gave the woman a small packet.
The woman nodded, relieved. "And heâs supposed to be a Spiritual Element Superpower User? We havenât even drugged him yet, and a little alcohol is all it takes to knock him out?"
"Donât get careless. Iâll go up with you in a bit."
"The boss went to a lot of trouble to get someone to drink him under the table. This is the moment weâve been waiting for."
Blondie instructed. He would administer the drug himself later.
They had already tested the drugâs effects on someone.
There wouldnât be any problems.
The car stopped in front of one of the dormitory buildings.
The woman and Blondie got out of the car, supporting Daniel Hale as they walked toward a room on the first floor.
People were coming and going in the hallway, and many turned to look.
Blondie seemed to be deliberately drawing attention, saying loudly,
"You two havenât seen each other in a while. Take good care of my man Hale tonight."
The woman replied with a bashful look.
But when the two of them looked up and saw a line of people standing ahead, they froze on the spot.
"Let him go,"
Adrian Shaw said sharply.
The woman flinched and collapsed to the ground in fear.
Blondie also let go of the dead-drunk Daniel Hale, only to find Daniel Hale looking at them with a perfectly sober expression.
His eyes widened. âDaniel Hale was faking it!â
"Who are you calling your âmanâ? Do I even know you?"
Daniel Hale stared at the completely unfamiliar man and woman before him.
If it werenât for Adrian Shawâs warning and that sobering medicine, he definitely would have fallen for their trap today.
The thought of the potential consequences of this incident made his whole body radiate with fury.
He didnât know these two at all. âSomeone is trying to frame me!â