When the upcoming brewing drama between Ranran, Shinichi and Michio are on its way, the unknowing Emiko, Junko, Ran and Takuma had arrived outside Kagawa Masumi's room in Beikai hospital, a uniformed policeman barred their way

"No visitors," the officer told them, his hand resting on his gun holster.

"Sergeant Genzo sent us down," Emiko explained."Kagawa Masumi is expecting us."

The officer raised an eyebrow and told them to wait. He headed into the room when he disappeared, reappeared he was grinning broadly "Okay, Tantei association members, correct? In you go..."

When they stepped inside, the old man looked up from his bed and beckoned them to his side. A smile crinkled on his skin. "Miyama Emiko, correct? Thanks for saving my life." He spoke rapidly.

"No matter, actually I was shocked when the two of our members came back to tell me that you, a Japanese man, were able to speak the Indian word 'Rajah'."

"Of course, I used to participate in a student exchange program." he nodded to the girl, "And after working with Inspector Werner Schmidt for over a year, my German has improved too!"

He thanked her again for helping him and listened carefully while Emiko told him all about their investigation. He laughed when he heard how they'd suspected Werner had kidnapped him and how they'd thought he was a criminal. "That girl, Kudo Ranran, must have been one to conjure wild stories."

"Ah no, she ain't like that. Usually, those wild stories turn out true." Takuma insist, defending his friend while glaring at Ran and Junko who were about to agree with him. There is no way he is going to allow those two to slander his friend, not one bit.

And his glare was enough to silence them and think of something else to talk about.

"You looked really scared of him earlier, otherwise, we wouldn't have looked into this otherwise when Michio and I saw you," Junko admits.

"I was scared, but for him rather than fearing of him," The man told her, "I thought whoever had taken a shot at me would try to kill my colleague next." He rested his head back against a pillow and thought for a moment. "You've all done some excellent detective work, I would admit it," he observed. "But you must be wondering what is really going on, am I right?"

Takuma grinned. "There's still a mystery to be solved, isn't there, Inspector?"

"Indeed," the inspector agreed. "And the greatest mystery of all is simply this: Does the Rajah's Ruby still exist?"

Everyone was stunned when he drop the bomb. "I don't get it," Emiko said. "When we spoke to Genzo, he said the ruby existed and it belonged to some Switzerland guy locked up in some building elsewhere!"

"Also, if there's no such thing as the ruby, how can the said gallery put it on the show?" Junko comments, exchanging more confusion with Takuma.

"Is it a fake? You mean the entire time...this existence is a lie?!" Ran wondered aloud.

"Wait, so that love story that came with the ruby Shinichi did research on...was it really a marketing gimmick all along!?" Takuma guessed.

"In the old documents, there is a confirmation," admitted Kagawa Masumi, "The real Rajah's Ruby did exist, but then it disappeared not long after the execution of the royal family." He then explained to the children further details about it, "You see, the King, the said Rajah, had intentions on collecting the ruby back from the mine to pawn it off and pay debts to what the country owed, hoping he could be King again after the chaos had settled. But then he didn't know the same fortuneteller he trusted to had the ruby hidden...ratted him out to the government and had him killed."

"What!? Why!?" Ran who is seemingly invested in the story, demanded to know why.

"Well...he wanted to be king, that's why. But his betrayal did not go unpunished, as he was killed shortly after from an undetected heart defect that cost him his life in the mine." He then recounted the details, "Then there is the part where this merchant got wind of it centuries later, but was killed by his rival, another rich merchant who is ordered by this Maharaja, another King, to grab it for whatever means necessary. But then on the way back...it was lost at sea when his ship sank in a storm."

"Oh snap! Did the rival merchant survive?" Takuma wanted to know.

"Oh no, he died in the storm," Kagawa Masumi replied "But shortly after that, another rumour surfaced. People began saying that the ruby hadn't been on the ship. It had been stolen in advance before the ship sailed, by the third King of another continent."

"Seriously!? With all of those idiot rulers aiming for a cursed Ruby, that should've been a warning tag on it that reads 'Steal me but be at risk of losing the throne. " Emiko couldn't help but point out, resulting the inspector to burst into laughter at her comments.

"Miss Emiko, no one believes in a curse but the value of the ruby that came with it, alright?" The old man pointed out.

"Even so! There are deaths everywhere surrounding the ruby!" Junko whined and so did Ran.

"Did anyone ever see the ruby again? Also, did the third King obtain it?" demanded Takuma, fiddling his cap with his ear.

"Yes, but then he succumbed to death thanks to poisoning from his political rivals, and the place he was ruling collapsed thanks to poverty." Kagawa Masumi confirmed as he went on, not before Emiko curled her hand into a fist and tells herself not to curse at those deceased royals for their stupidity. "Anyway, there were many sightings not in India, but in Europe and America. Some famous experts, especially in the U.K., even examined the ruby and said it was the real thing, they had photos made out of it! And then, ten years ago, a company in Switzerland broke the news that it had bought the Rajah's Ruby-"

"If there is the existence of photos, why did all of you have to look into it then?" queried Ran who was frowning.

"Because back in those days, photo resolutions are so poor, anyone could have easily pass it off as a real thing." Kagawa Masumi shrugged, before adding, "When this company bought it, out of concern of the 'curse' that came with it, they had sealed the ruby in a glass box so nobody could steal it or switch it. But," he smiled faintly, "As it was in a foggy glass box, nobody was able to examine whether this ruby is the real deal either."

"But you don't think the real deal is in that box, do you, Inspector?" Emiko asked him. "Even though experts have examined it and said it was real?"

"No, of course, I don't." The inspector shook his head and shared his reasons why, "It was also an era where experts can be bribed," The inspector confides before sharing his revelation, "One day, we received a tip from someone who lost his job in the company that bought the ruby...was a fraud."

"A fraud!?" Emiko and the rest of them gasp.

"A fraud," The old man repeated from his bed, "And so, to verify the claims, we had a team look into this company that bought the ruby, and so has Werner. Then we found out they have been working with the gallery I was working undercover at that time-"

"Atsuko Gallery, right!?" Emiko jumped as she figures.

"That's right, it appears for several years, after ownership for Atsuko Gallery was switched, their names popped up for several years. After intense digging, we have reason to believe that this was in fact a fake company run by an international criminal organization."

"What?! Like the Yakuza or something?" gasped Junko.

"That is a possibility," The old man agreed. "But they have become a lot more deceptive than we had anticipated, as they have bribed some real experts to make false reports saying the jewel was genuine. Then, when the company bought it, everyone would be convinced it owned the real Rajah's Ruby."

While Junko and the rest of the children began to talk further about the case, Emiko was suddenly struck with an uneasy feeling.

Before learning all of this, Atsuko gallery was formerly owned by this woman she knows of, Tobe Atsuko. Like Emiko, since the elderly lady received no support in her dreams on becoming a professional artist, she run away from home at the age of 16 and with hardwork to grind and all, this gallery was later established for artists who yearned to be discovered. 

Initially, it didn't not receive any attention as there were many galleries within the art community in Japan that had established themselves with prominent artists who had their exhibition displayed across the world. But then one day, lucked changed for Atsuko gallery when it attracted the attention of one art school in particular.

Musashino Art at that time was university that happens to be a few months old, it didn't reach the prestigious rank that it currently has back then, as it only accepted students of poorer backgrounds. Although they were producing exceptionally talented individuals, no one in the art scene took notice of them because at that time, everyone knew Musashino Art as a 'poor child with no future in the art world' school'.

Then one day, disaster struck as earthquake took place around their area, while no one was hurt by the crushing debris of the fallen building, the same can't be said for the students lamented horror, since there had no way on displaying their work. And no gallery at that time was willing to display any of their works, since they looked down on their background.

That is when the headmistress of the school took notice of Atsuko gallery, who was the only one willing to take in their situation.

With a lot of creative minds between gallery owner and school, and creative marketing in between, the gallery and school later achieved success in their own way, and it wasn't long before everyone started to notice that people from Beikai district had talented artistic minds despite their background. Years later, the ties between Atsuko gallery and the school remained so prominent despite their upriser in status, that Atsuko gallery became a place where aspiring artists put up their display to be scouted as a professional, or at least, secure a place as a student to the currently prestigious Musashino Art university.

What Emiko didn't tell anyone within the association, let alone, her unsupportive parents was...she was chosen to enroll in that said university.

Thanks to the fact that Emiko is close with the headmistress of Musashino art university, she secured a spot. After the headmistress retired, she actually became Emiko's mentor, the two met when Emiko signed up for such classes in Beikai Mall in one of the art studio. When she made it known about her parents not being supportive, the mentor who took a liking to her talent booked her a spot for scholarship, and so far, her parents were alright with it. Though they are not supportive of her dream, as long as it is free, it didn't matter.

But now after looking into this case, she sense there is a problem, a huge problem to be exact.

The previous owner of this gallery a year after switching ownership, and then the headmistress of the university followed a week prior. Though official announcements claimed that the relations between her dream school, Musashino Art and Atsuko gallery will remain despite their deaths, all of this shady activities made her feel uneasy for good reasons.

These activities according to the old man took place after both of them passed away. Although investigations were made that both of them had died natural causes, she can't help but wonder...the school in question, Musashino Art...are they in this as well?

Don't get her wrong, when she heard that she got a place in that school, she was the happiest she has ever been. After all, Musashino Art was also well known for artists who are tired of the traditional art world. They wanted to create a place where artists could experiment and push the boundaries of art. The school quickly gained a reputation for being a place where anything goes, featured in magazines and newspapers. Even the artists who attended the school were some of the most creative and talented in the world.

However...say if the school is involved with the gallery situation, what then?

What would happen if Tantei Association discover such things? Does this end up having her spot in that school cancelled on her later on?

Emiko had always been interested in the arts, so if something like that happens...no, she had to do something about this situation. 

Fearing the worst, she knew who to call to look into the situation. Someone who used to belonged to an elite school should be able to look into Musashino art with all of the connections in her disposable. After excusing herself while leaving the children to talk with the bedridden officer, she dialed the number she knew by heart.

...........

"Musashino art...? I did look into that school before when I was The Fox."

"EH!? R-really?" Emiko squeaked out.

Emiko shouldn't be surprise with Ranran's response, given that her instincts are accurate when it comes to pointing out who is evil and who isn't. However, the thought that she investigated the school prior before they both met is...astounding.

Over the smartphone as Ranran claims she and Shinichi were on their way back from investigating in a cab, without telling her about Michio's potential girlfriend, Emiko who did not want anyone to know about her spot in that school quietly explained over the phone why she wanted Ranran to investigate this issue, under the guise that she thinks the school may not be innocent as it seems. Shinichi was too busy with his eyes intensively staring out of the window, ready to prowl on Majima Michio later on.

And Ranran must not had suspected it, because she later answered, "The one thing that school is famous for is having someone to do their work for them. Just pay and go."

"Wait, pay and go!?" She blinked in confusion.

"You don't know? Since most of the kids there are from rich families, they just need to pay someone to paint for them then submit it as assignment. This continues on till they graduate, after that, they secured themselves a job in the art world and that is about it."

Emiko raised her eyebrows. "Wait, you mean there is bribery going on!?"

"Yeah. For years, I think it was around after the gallery switched ownership."

Emiko gaped over the phone, here is the founder of the association admitting she discovered evidence of bribery in the school she intends to go. With her hand shaking as brewing anger build up within her, she continue to probe for answers she knew would not do her good, "Were they charged!? Those parents who were involved in this?!"

"No, they never were." 

Suddenly learning all of this, Emiko demanded, "Why!?" And her voice must have been loud, as it interrupted the conversation that was taking place between the association members and the police officer. Realizing she was being watched, she shut the door that was left ajar earlier before distancing herself further across the hospital hallway before continuing the conversation. "Why were those people not charged!?"

Sensing Emiko's odd tone over the smartphone, Ranran then confronted, "Why are you acting like that? Does this involved you?"

Realizing Emiko was this close to revealing her spot there in school, she quickly recovered and tried to tone down her anger, but it was pretty difficult to contain her anger and expression while digesting all of this info. "No...."

"...Emiko, is there something I don't know about?"

It didn't occur to Emiko that Ranran would fire such a question over the phone, after all, she assumed Ranran won't probe into anything when one asks for advice. For a moment, Emiko just stood there.

Deciding Emiko wasn't going to reveal anything, Ranran continued on with the conversation. "When I was involved in this case, it was through a mutual friend's brother who requested me to look into it. After I dropped them bombshell, the person pleaded with me not to let the police know anything about it. It was surprising, given that the client wasn't born into a rich family."

Now that was surprising, Emiko blinked at that thought. If she were the client, she would do anything to expose their damn hypocrisy. Why didn't the client...is that client too much of a coward!?

As if Ranran knew what Emiko was thinking, she explained over the phone, "Aside of facing rich families tormenting them, there is also the bigger picture to think about."

With both eyebrows shot up straight, Emiko inquired, "Like what?"

"Like the fact the value of their degree dropping."

"The value...dropping?" Emiko found herself blurting those words, before giving it a proper thought.

Now that Ranran mentioned it...if such scandal were exposed, what would happen to the degree they spent 4-6 years grinding through blood, sweat and tears?

Applying a job would be a huge problem, since whoever that studied in this school would ever had sincere qualifications if such scandal were to be exposed. No one would hire them. In addition to that, even if one gets hired, the one who took them in might abuse them for long hours labor and stuff like that. The reason Emiko knew this is because she overheard Ranran telling Shinichi about this school scandal situation where parents secure a spot for their children to be given a guaranteed score in grades in another prestigious school not far from Edgewood Academy. 

Though this took place before Ranran was born, the story was shared to all of the children of Edgewood Academy to remind them there is a price for bribery within their school grounds, and their punishments to them should they be discovered are beyond just simple expel.

Realizing the precarious situation Emiko was in, she then hastily asked, "If this thing is exposed in school, to anyone who previously secure a spot there before enrolling...would they be victimized?"

"Obviously, because at this rate, who would trust anyone coming from a school where bribery runs rampant 24/7?"

Something in Emiko's chest tightened, and her stomach seemed to fall, and suddenly, she felt chilled. "But what if they are innocent and knew nothing about it!?" Her voice was shakier than she'd intended.

"It doesn't matter, if you are a student from a school that encouraged such activity, you are no different either way innocent or not. Anyway, I recalled reading this incident back in my old school, this boy was stoned harshly by the kids of my school when everyone learn which school he belonged to. He ended up in a coma for a week. Another time was when they beaten up this girl black and blue before tossing her at a river not far from-"

"S-s-stoned!? Coma!? Tossing her in a ri-what!?" Emiko stuttered in horror, unconsciously tugging one of her hair in response.

"But this is the U.K, as for Japan...I ain't sure. But who knows, maybe they don't take it as seriously, unlike the corruption situation on the police back then last year..."

No, Ranran has no idea that Japan citizens do take corruption very seriously.

Especially since Japan takes education seriously, a scandal like that would ultimately spell the doom on everyone, let alone, on Emiko herself who has no idea about this!

After a long silence, thinking Emiko is asking all of this to look into their ruby case, Ranran probed, "You were asking this to see whether this has anything to do with the ruby case, right?"

Now Kudo Ranran had this monotone voice, she uses it whenever she isn't pleased with something. And only very few kids in the association took notice: Apprentice Shinichi, their friend Takuma and Emiko herself were the remaining few. And each time she drops such statements, everyone around her always felt like there was an invisible wall between them and the founder, no one dared to talk back.

Even if there is one, they will be silenced by her cold glare.

And then it was then Miyama Emiko understood why other kids said working for someone like Kudo Ranran is a curse: It's because you are forced to face the reality of the world, and she always hated that word 'reality', as her parents used this word over and over.

Reality changed Kudo Ranran. The rumours of her brattiness, immaturity and impulsiveness that was so much a part of her...Emiko now starts to believe there must be some truth to them, only...something happened, which is why Ranran became what she is today.

She tried hard to tune out Ranran's harsh words, but it was no use.

The words from her struck Emiko like a blow to the gut.

That is why the Kudo Ranran on the phone now is level-headed, thoughtful and ruthless at times. If things were different, whereby there is a world she never work in Tantei Association, let alone, met Kudo Ranran, would things be different for Emiko?

In a haste, Emiko answered, "Y-yes....that is what is truly going on."

"Ah, that explains it. Well, tell me more when you are done talking with the officer in the hospital, ok?"

Before Ranran could hung up, Emiko stopped her with her voice, "Wait!"

"Yeah?"

"Ranran...if....I had a friend," Emiko found herself weaving this lie, but she knew she had to ask, "Who managed to obtain a spot there through scholarship, but then she found out about this scandal at the last minute...can she cancel the spot she was granted legally?"

"Of course. They haven't paid a single yen yet, so they are allowed to cancel it."

That gave the rebellious artist hope as her eyes lit up, "Really?"

"But then...judging the situation now, I doubt it's gonna be easy." Ranran thinks about this.

"Eh?"

With a changed to a tone of seriousness, Ranran gave out the possibility, "I got word that the school staff there are panicking, since police are finally taking notice of their shady activities in that school."

That made Emiko's mouth fell, "Eh!?"

"I mean if the school is going to prove themselves to be innocent while hiding all of the shady crimes they committed, they are going to need to promote new talent from a poor background to trick them, which will trick others into thinking there is no favoritism on individuals from rich families. Maybe for instance...showcasing an extraordinary talented individual with an art exhibition or work like no other...enough to overshadow all of this mess they had started to keep their students. Cause a school can't survive without students in the first place. I doubt even if one request cancel, the school would let one go easily to fix their mess...."

Those words felt like cold water splashed onto Emiko, as she dragged her feet against the concrete floor, her eyes became blank.

By this point, her dreams of becoming an artist are about to collapse around her. What is going to happen to her now....if all of this is brought to light? Will she still even have a school to attend?

Is this karma? For selling intel through that business she set up in Teitan Elementary school to those children who had hatred in their hearts?

When Emiko thought of this business, she did this to protect herself from bullies in her school after learning of her parents' separation. This idea had run in her head for the past 9 years since she was born into this world, as there was never an ounce of love for one another. Of course, when she started this business, she only ensured into giving intel to those children she deemed well-deserving, those unfortunate victims of bullies.

Even so, there are those who did criticise her, as this was violating the privacy of many other kids in general. Most of the bullies in their school originated from dysfunctional families which led them to their behaviours after all, and a matter that sensitive is to be pitied.  But she always refuted "So what!? I am a child of such dysfunction, but do  you see me physically hurting anyone gleefully?!"

And this always shuts their damn mouths up, always.

But regardless of their purpose, the bottom line is: It was a business that encourage hurt on others, and she is about to pay the price.

If this wasn't a hospital, Emiko swore she was going to scream loudly, enough to reverberate throughout the hallway waiting room. But all she could do was helplessly looked at the white walls blankly, as the uncertainty of her future looms above her gloomy head.

After greeting their goodbyes as Ranran hung up, Emiko was at lost over what to do.

It's thanks to people like them, her own parents were against her following her dream since they exist to devalue art! As long this scam continues on, there is no way her parents are going to support her dream, since it will only exist to devalue her work, meaning she won't even make enough money to survive on her own!

Emiko looked at her hands before rubbing her face in frustration, as she felt being cornered against the wall.

............

Takuma leaned forward as he continued their conversation, "Sergeant Genzo said that Inspector Schmidt was trying to find another stolen jewel, was this the ruby in question?" he prompted.

"Not just one, but many" The inspector nodded, "Several valuable rubies, sapphires and diamonds have been stolen in European countries in recent weeks, and for some reason, the trail always leads between the Switzerland company and Atsuko Gallery."

Junko then raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you think the King's ruby is one of those jewels that are on their radar?"

The man lifted a hand, "There is more to it. You see, any gem that is displayed in the gallery or so is insured for millions of yens. That means if they're stolen, the person who owns the gem shall receive the value of their gems in cash."

"Wait a minute," Ran's heard the man's facts and responded, "But Mr Enomoto stated the ruby belongs to someone-"

"It does, from the Switzerland company who owns it. If the said company loaned this ruby to him, but a robbery happens, the insurance company has to pay the Switzerland company."

"But I don't see how does Mr Enomoto would benefit from this!" Ran became baffled, "I mean since he doesn't own the ruby but permission to display it....."

"Oh no, if it were Ranran, she is certain he had more to benefit from it. And here is why," Takuma deduces, "Supposedly the gallery owner is in on this fake scheme with that Switzerland company, he too will benefit from the insurance payout from this. There is no physical sighting of the ruby since the photo was taken many years ago, so one could fake its existence and claim it anyway, no?"

"Oh! I see it now!" Junko snapped her fingers. "They have more to lose if they find out the ruby never was in anyone's possession, let alone, existed! That's why they had to silence Mr Kagawa! Otherwise, the would-be arrested for insurance fraud!"

The Inspector leaned back against his pillow."Exactly" he sighed. "But the issue is...we still are no closer to figuring out whether they truly own this ruby or not."

.......

"I am going to kill him!"

"Shinichi, wait up!"

Shinichi burst into the association office with a baseball bat he collected from the storage room as he blew the door wide open, his head was hammering in mix emotions of anger, and betrayal, followed by Ranran from the back with her own baseball bat, struggling to chase after Shinichi.

As soon as Shinichi spotted Michio having hung up his phone, presumably to schedule his second date with Adeline, he ran across and seized his arm. Before he could say anything, he pulled him toward the corner of the association, as Ranran hurried over to shut all the curtains.

"Hey! What gives!?" Michio exclaimed  with the blue eyed boy's reaction.

"Majima Michio," Shinichi struggled to speak through his anger as he waved his baseball bat in a menacing threatening look, "I think it's time we had a talk. Word on word. If I find any dishonesty out of your answers, "he waved his bat as a warning, "This be a good lesson as to what happens to kids who ain't loyal to the association!"

Michio almost lost his balance while being tug alongside the shorter boy, as he was confused and at the same time, scared. He'd never seen Shinichi in such a strange, angry mood before. From Ranran? Yes. From Shinichi? That is a first for Michio. "Shinichi calm down, what is this about?" he gasped.

"Oh, so you are going to play dumb,huh? Well played!" The boy yelled while Ranran finally locked the door, "But you don't underestimate that just because I am not into violence like Ranran is, even someone like me would not let you off the hook!"

After ensuring the entire association is beyond visible from the outside and all, Ranran can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Now it's interrogation time.

While Shinichi and Ranran cornered to Michio waving their bats, they were about to confront Michio as he backed away from the two in horror, only to realize he could feel a wall behind his back. "Hey,guys , calm down. Neh Ranran, can you just grab him off me?" he began, with a nervous yet pleading grin.

But even Ranran was showing no mercy, "No. And if I were you, I would be begging for mercy, big time."Ranran shook her head with a disapproving look.

"How dare you?" Shinichi screamed, slamming the bat hard on the wall right next to Michio, sending chills down the unfortunate boy's spine,"I always knew you were dense with girls, but really, how can you just be so damn careless when it comes to endangering our safety like that?Do you know because of your dating episode, you endangered almost everyone in this room because of that!?"

"What dating?" Michio was struggling to grab the concept over what they are mad about.

"You know what you are talking about!"Ranran shouted at him with anger written all over her face,"Your little new girlfriend at Osteria!"

An angry look flashed into Michio's eyes towards Ranran,"Have you been spying on me!?"

"How dare you be mad at Ranran's actions!? She had every right to look into this!" Once more, Shinichi smashes the bat against the wall, inching closing to Michio's face as he dodge in horror over how violent Shinichi is capable of,  despite his smaller stature, "Had she not look into it, were you going to continue doing this behind everyone's back!?" Shinichi glared at him, forcing Michio to turn his emotion from anger to fear in an instant."We are working on a serious case involving a stakeout, and then here you were, secretly going out on a date while you should be working alongside everyone else! The worst part out of all of this is that you literally put all 7 of us in danger!?"

"In what way did I?!"Michio shrugged, not knowing who should he fear more: The girl or the boy."But she's not really my girlfriend," he said stubbornly. "She was in the shop one day and started talking to me. I mean, I hardly know her, but I wanted to, so she suggesting eating in the mall. And as for the stakeout...." Michio then scratch nervously on the back of his head apologetically, "I am sorry about that, it's just...I didn't want any of you to tip back at Junko, cause if she knew-"

"Oh no, we wouldn't have cared if you were seeing someone else besides Junko." Ranran laughed harshly as she waved her bat ,"But what is funny about this, is that you didn't bother to do proper research before going out with her! I mean...do you even know who she really is?"

Michio's face turned pale. He shook his head numbly.

"While you were being easily swayed by some beautiful girl, we here, being the serious Tantei we were, and have always been, went out to investigate as to why she wants to go out with a no-brainer like you, We soon later found out why, do you know why?"snapped Shinichi, bagging the bat harder, "Because she is trying to get information for her TOUSAN!"

Michio stared blankly,before turning to the founder of Tantei Association,"Ranran, what is she talking about?''

Ranran deeply sigh, before she put onto her serious angry face towards Michio, "When I saw you at the restaurant with that girl, she was wearing super branded goods that not even millionaires are able to afford alone. At that time, I was wondering why would a girl who has all the finer things in life, one whose life is so luxurious that jt is even beyond the means of a millionaire, wanna ask the son of a single widow who is running a luxury thrift shop." She spoke bluntly,"This morning, Shinichi and I witness her lurking around the shop suspiciously. So both of us followed her in a taxi. Guess who her Tousan is?"

"Who?"

Shinichi caught his breath again, before his eyes wild."THE SNAKE, you moron! We both saw her meet The Snake! And I am certain that the reason why he sent her to you, is because they are involved in the King of Ruby case, and they want to know what is our progress of the investigation!"

As Shinichi described their trip in the taxi and what both of them seen, this is when Michio dropped into a chair.