"Is the business plan for the Phoenix Gully out yet?" Theodore turned and looked at Zion.

Zion replied, "It's still being prepared."

"Get it done as soon as possible."

"Are you worried that Cosmic Ventures will seize it?" Zion asked disapprovingly as he washed the teapot and prepared tea. "I was having tea with some of the main leaders of the Tranquilton yesterday. They have all expressed willingness to cooperate with SkyForge Group."

"Although I don't know the ropes of doing business, I understand the concept of that prevention is better than cure." Eric looked at Theodore, who was frowning slightly. He then asked. "Are you worried that someone will make a fuss about the murder case in The Forest in West City, affecting the reputation of SkyForge Group and the business you were all talking about?"

"Are you talking about the family of the deceased demanding a compensation of 500,000 from the company?" Before Theodore could say anything, Zion snorted. "Elaine isn't a permanent employee of the company. She didn't die in the company, nor did she die due to the company. Her death had nothing to do with the company. Why should we bear all the responsibility? The family of the deceased were so bold it's ridiculous! They've really gone nuts at the thought of money. At most, we'll give the deceased's family some burial fees. Other than that, there's no way we will pay compensation. Otherwise, how are we supposed to compensate the company employees who get injured or die due to the business?"

Eric asked, "Even if I—as the leader of the criminal investigation team—don't know why Elaine died, how would you know her death has nothing to do with the SkyForge Group?"

"She had just started work in the company a few months before that and had no enmity with anybody. Moreover, she was found dead outside in the middle of the night. Of course this has nothing to do with the company."

"What if it's the company's rival who took this opportunity to create a disturbance in order to strike at SkyForge Group?"

Zion still disapproved. "There are many ways to create disturbance, but killing someone is the worst idea of all. And to kill a non-existent cleaner is even more meaningless."

"Is it meaningful to kill a chief executive like you?"

"Why are you suddenly cursing me?" Zion threw him a hateful glare.

"Why are you getting so emotional? I'm only stating the facts. By the way, I'm here to remind you to be more careful because the killer's next kill might be the chief executive of the SkyForge Group. You have to know that we can't rule out any possibility before learning the truth of the case."

"Bah!" Zion rolled his eyes again. "In Arlington, only Cosmic Ventures likes to compete with the SkyForge Group. I would've believed you if you told me that savage Fred Carter racked his brain and went through everything to snatch that Ecological Tourism Project at Phoenix Gully. However, I don't really believe it if you were to tell me he killed someone just to create chaos in the SkyForge Group. After all, killing someone means one has to pay with his life. He just got the position of the CEO of Cosmic Ventures. He wouldn't be that stupid, would he?"

"Before taking over his father's position, Fred gave everyone the impression of a profligate son of the rich. He had no prestige in the company. In order to establish his prestige in the company, he must show good performance. The project at Phoenix Gully is a very good opportunity for him. Theo was urging you to speed up the progress of its business plan because Fred is also eyeing the Phoenix Gully project. Maybe Fred is also determined to get it?"

"Even though Fred is interested in the Phoenix Gully project, he wouldn't cause much impact on SkyForge Group by only killing a cleaner!"

"That's why I'm guessing that his next step is to kill someone with a high post like you. Two people will be murdered back to back..."

"You are the one who will get murdered!" Zion gave him a kick and cursed angrily. "It would be even better to chop you up, cook your flesh to feed the dogs, and crush your bones into powder..."

"Hey! I was making an analysis based on the case whereas you are maliciously attacking people!" Eric avoided Zion's attack and interrupted him with a laugh. "But think about it. If someone is taking the opportunity to create rumors that SkyForge Group has no humanity at all and doesn't care for the employees, won't our reputation be spoiled? In the event of an executive dying, they would have to blame it on the supernatural factors, causing worry, and by then..."

SkyForge Group had just moved into the new office building earlier this year.

"Shut up! If I die because of your curse, I would become a ghost and pull you down with me to the Netherworld! By then, you and Grace will be separated in two different worlds. Let's see how you suffer from lovesickness."

Eric, who was happily arguing, suddenly became silent at the mention of Grace's name.

"Did I poke a sore spot?" Zion clapped and laughed nastily. "I told you to make a move when you could, but you didn't want to listen. Serves you right. Our big bro is already married, and you haven't even started a relationship yet. What a tragedy!"

As Eric stopped joking with Zion when Theodore—who had been silent—finally spoke slowly, saying, "Eric's guesses may seem unbelievable, but before we learn the truth, we must indeed take precautions. Do not let your guard down. After all, the Phoenix Gully project has reached its most important stage and we cannot afford any mistakes. Of course, it would be best if the case in the Forest in West City has nothing to do with the company."

The Ecological Tourism Project of Phoenix Gully is the key construction project of the SkyForge Group this year. Theodore, who was confident in developing this project, had already purchased large plots of land around Phoenix Gully earlier on and begun to develop real estate and cities for entertainment.

Once the project was officially signed, he would develop the land for all kinds of commercial use, including tourism, the motion picture industry, and the food industry. By then, Phoenix Gully would become a dazzling new city, opening up a new world for the SkyForge Group.

Initially, everything was going smoothly and as planned. However, nobody expected Cosmic Group to suddenly meddle in this project.

Zion understood the stakes involved. When he listened to Theodore's words, he immediately put away his laughter and asked seriously, "This huge sum of compensation indeed doesn't rule out the suspicion that Elaine's family is being used. I was surprised at the time that they had the confidence to request for compensation from us. If they had been used, they wouldn't talk to us so calmly the next time for sure. So how are we going to deal with them when they request for compensation again?"

Eric interjected and said, "Put the blame on me then. Just say that it's not convenient to talk about compensation before the police has solved the crime. However, you can find various reasons to fool them and give them some benefits for now. Her daughter-in-law and her son are greedy people. As long as you say it's not compensation, you can avoid trouble when it comes to dealing with future similar matters in the company."

Zion complained, "When will you solve the case? You've been investigating it for days."

"I can't give you an accurate answer, because there are too few useful clues in this case. But my teammates are already investigating carefully. We believe that the murderer might leave traces sooner or later."

"Let me know once you find any clue." After Theodore said that, he turned to look at Zion. "I have to accompany my wife company these two days and would therefore not be going to the company. Give me the business plan as soon as possible and settle everything with the deceased's family."

"Okay, I'll do it now." Zion got to his feet.

Eric also stood up and wanted to follow him out. Suddenly, he remembered something, patted the back of his head, and said, "I didn't just come here to remind you of this. I've also come here to ask Dr. Morgan..."

"Call her sister-in-law."

"Okay, I'm here to ask my sister-in-law to go back to work." Eric felt awkward at the sound of 'sister-in-law'.

Theodore refused frankly, "One Grace in the forensic lab is more than enough. You will not miss one novice."

"Grace is sick. She went to the hospital for drips early this morning. She's still lying in the hospital right now."

Although Eric's voice was very soft, Zion, who had reached the door, still heard him clearly. He immediately turned back and winked as he smiled ambiguously, saying, "It's time for you to prove your attentiveness. Properly utilize this opportunity."

"It's none of your business. Go away." Eric gave him a kick.

Zion took a big jump and laughed. "I'm only reminding you kindly. There are three steps that must be done—love medicine, roses, and mild porridge."

With that, he turned quickly and asked Theodore, "By the way, bro, how did you secure your wife at lightning speed?"

Theodore glanced faintly at him and didn't answer. Zion laughed and answered his own question, "Based on my understanding of you, you must have forced her into this! Ho, she looks so pure and cute. Bro, are you being too rough on her? If it were me, I will..."

As Theodore shot a sharp dagger-like gaze at him, Zion felt his spine turn cold. He swallowed the joking words he wanted to say back and disappeared out of the door like he was escaping.

"This kid is really owed a good scolding. I'll help you teach him a lesson later." Eric gave Theodore a pleasing smile. When he saw that Theodore gave him only a faint gaze and didn't answer him, Eric was desperate. "The doctor advised Grace to rest for a week. There's no one in the forensic lab now. If... sister-in-law doesn't go to work, my work here won't be able to operate normally."

"Find yourself a solution." Theodore stood up and walked out of the room.

"If I can think of a way, would I have to purposely come and look for you? Please help me out." Eric quickly followed up. "I'm focused on investigating the case of the Forest in West City. Don't you want to find out sooner who the murderer is? Have you forgotten what I just reminded you of just now?"

His last sentence made Theodore stop on his heels. After thinking for a while, he said, "We'll talk about it when Grandpa recovers into his right state of mind."

"Okay." Eric responded happily. He knew that each time Senior Master was ill, it wasn't for long.

"If Grandpa fall sick, you must send Evelyn back to see him at once."

"This is a must. Grandpa's illness is the most important thing."

The Finley family and the Kingsley family were old family friends. Eric and Theodore were childhood friends. He had lost count of the number of times he went to the Kingsley manor to eat from an early age. Although Ethan was very strict with Theodore, he was actually very gentle and coddled him much. That was why he had a very close relationship with Ethan and addressed him as 'grandpa' the same way Theodore did.

Initially, Theodore wanted to push the door and walk into his grandpa's room. When he saw that Eric was still trailing him from behind, he was instantly unhappy. "Don't think about taking Evelyn away now!"

"I'm not thinking of that," Eric lowered his tone and said. "Dr. Morgan is a very innocent girl. You signed a marriage pact with her with a purpose. Don't take the opportunity to hurt..."

"Why do you care?"

"I'm kindly reminding you not to underestimate annoying a forensic doctor," Eric laughed dryly and said. "Their scalpels are really sharp."

Theodore chuckled and said, "Is that why you dare not simply confess to Grace?"

"It's not because of this that I didn't confess..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the door of Ethan's room suddenly opened. Evelyn hurried out and was startled by them. When she saw Eric, she immediately greeted him, "Chief Finley? Why are you here?"

"I've come to see Grandpa."

"Oh, Grandpa just fell asleep. Um, I need to answer a call." Before Eric could respond, Evelyn had already run hastily into Theodore's room.

"Grandpa is asleep, so you can leave."

After Theodore said that, he didn't bother with Eric and went straight into his own room. As he pushed the door open, he heard Evelyn's sweet and gentle voice. "Martin, you're looking for me?"