Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

Purple Summers turned her head upon hearing this, a puzzled look at Aria Jackson: “A ghost killed someone?”

Aria Jackson said, “Some college students went to Peachwater Village for fun on Lunar New Year’s Eve; five went, and three died. The remaining students claimed the deaths were caused by a ghost.”

Peachwater Village was a well-known ghost village, where groups of young people often went for adventure. It had nearly become a signature attraction in Ember City.

However, although there had been constant rumors of ghosts in recent years, no one had ever lost their life.

Aria Jackson’s case sounded utterly bizarre and immediately caught Purple Summers’ attention.

“Peachwater Village is in Ember City. Why was the case assigned to you?” Purple Summers asked, puzzled.

“The dead students all attended Clearwater Tech University. Our police station cooperated with Ember City in this case,” Aria Jackson furrowed her brows and continued, “However, it seems that the prosecutor plans to classify the case as an accidental poisoning. It is currently in the preliminary investigation phase, and if no valuable leads are found, the case may not be filed for further investigation.”

In the Huaya Empire, the police could not handle cases independently; all investigations, prosecutions, interrogations, and related inquiries had to be controlled by the prosecutor. If the prosecutor believed the case was purely an accident, the police would have no power to investigate further.

Aria Jackson told Purple Summers, “The autopsy results showed tetrahydrocannabinol poisoning. This substance is the main component in many drugs and can also be found in the roots or fruits of some plants. The prosecutor speculated the deceased college students might have accidentally eaten a plant containing tetrahydrocannabinol while on the mountain…”

Purple Summers was speechless, “In such cold weather, what kind of plants could there be on the mountain?”

Aria Jackson chuckled, “Right? But there were no food or drinks containing tetrahydrocannabinol in their belongings. The five of them ate and drank the same stuff, yet only three suddenly died. The two surviving students claim that they were possessed by ghosts, and are now so frightened that they have been sent for psychological counseling.”

Purple Summers sneered, “It’s not that easy to be possessed by a ghost… If it were easy, I would’ve done it myself, instead of waiting for someone to take me through a difficult ritual.”

“I knew I had to talk to you about this case.” Aria Jackson joked, “You definitely have more experience with ghosts than I do. If there really is a ghost, maybe you can communicate with it.”

Purple Summers:

Why did it sound like an insult?

“Give me a few days, I’ll talk to my family and then go with you to Peachwater Village,” Purple Summers said.

“Take your time. The police station is still waiting for the testimony of the two surviving students; the case won’t be closed anytime soon.”

“Alright.” Purple Summers nodded.

Seeing the gloom on Purple Summers’ face lessen, Aria Jackson relaxed.

She was still herself — when faced with something she couldn’t understand, burying herself in work, focusing, not thinking too much, and adjusting her emotions in the process.

However, privately, Aria Jackson thought it was better that Howard Ninth died. If he were alive, what would he do to take advantage of Purple Summers out of gratitude? For example, demanding that Purple Summers serve the Howard Family or marry him? With the favor of saving his life in front of her, could Purple Summers refuse?

The waters of the Howard Family were too deep. Elder Master Howard had more than a dozen children and grandchildren, and not many left— some dead, some injured, either in accidental car accidents or sudden deaths.

—How many accidents could there be in the world? It was nothing more than the vicious consequences of the internal struggle within the Howard Family. So, Aria Jackson did not want Purple Summers to have anything to do with the Howard Family at all.

The train returned to Clearwater City, and Purple Summers headed home while Aria Jackson went straight back to the police station. The two parted ways at the train station exit.

The nearby roads were a bit congested, and taking the subway would require multiple transfers. As Purple Summers hesitated, a silver Maybach stopped in front of her.

The passenger seat door opened, revealing Zack Wallace’s beaming face.

“Ms. Summers.” Zack Wallace opened the car door for her.