America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

Vincent Carter entered the living room and solemnly extended his hand:

"Ms. Williams, I spoke with your husband on the phone earlier. My name is Vincent Carter, and I am Thomas Reynolds's attorney."

Gloria stood up and shook his hand in a friendly manner. "Mr. Carter, please have a seat."

Vincent then sat down on the other armchair, his briefcase resting on his lap. His gaze returned to Sean and Matthew.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Pan."

"I didn't expect that either, Mr. Carter," Sean replied frankly. "I'm here to find out about Thomas's situation."

"To find out what's going on?" Vincent's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't a friendly one. "Or are you here to confirm he's really dead?"

"Mr. Carter," Sean's voice turned serious, "I have nothing to do with Thomas's death. I'm here because I want to find out the truth."

"The truth?" Vincent opened his briefcase, took out a folder, and said, "Perfect, since you're here, let's talk about the truth."

He took out a few photos from the folder and placed them on the coffee table.

"These are photos that Thomas entrusted to me before his death. He said these photos could prove that you knew the true nature of the Avalon Foundation in 2021."

Sean picked up one of the photos.

The photo showed a hotel banquet hall, with a similar background to the photos Gloria had shown him. However, the focus of this photo was different; a man in a suit was standing in the center of the frame, talking to several people.

The man's profile did indeed bear some resemblance to Sean.

"Is this photo of you?"

"This photo isn't of me," Sean denied.

"Are you sure?" Vincent asked.

"I'm sure." Sean handed the photo to Matthew. "Matthew, take a look."

Matthew examined the photo closely, then shook his head. "The angle and lighting in the photo aren't very good, making it difficult to see clearly. But I think this person's build is quite different from Mr. Pan's."

“Body shape can change,” Vincent said. “As far as I know, Mr. Pan was in a period of alcoholism in 2021, and people in a period of alcoholism should have significant weight fluctuations.”

"But the face shape won't change." Sean pointed to the person in the photo. "This person's chin is more pointed than mine, and their nose is higher. If you look closely, you can see the difference."

He could swear to God that if it were false, the FBI could shoot him in the street! Although Americans are not capable of doing such a thing right now.

Vincent frowned. "Maybe you're right, but Thomas believes this person is you."

“That’s because someone made him believe it,” Sean said. “Mr. Carter, don’t you find this whole thing strange? Evidence went missing en route for analysis, and a witness died just before his court appearance. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence; it seems like someone is covering something up.”

"I agree." Vincent's answer surprised Sean. "I also find this matter very suspicious."

He took out several more copies from the folder. "This is the timeline of Thomas's death. According to the preliminary forensic report, Thomas died between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. this morning."

"The cause of death was drowning. He was found lying in a bathtub filled with water."

"Suicide?" Matthew asked.

"Yes, the police tend to reach that conclusion," Vincent said. "But I have doubts."

"What's the question?" Sean asked.

"First, Thomas didn't leave a suicide note," Vincent said. "A person who decides to commit suicide usually leaves something behind. But Thomas left nothing."

"Secondly, Thomas's phone is missing. But the police did not find his phone at the scene."

"Third," Vincent paused, "Thomas sent me a text message a few hours before he died."

He took out his phone and showed the text message.

The message was simple: "Carter, I think I made a mistake. I need to talk to you."

The timestamp shows that the text message was sent at 1:23 a.m. today.

"Have you replied?" Sean asked.

"I replied, but he didn't reply again," Vincent said. "I thought he was asleep and planned to contact him again this morning. But when I called this morning, the police answered."

Silence fell over the room. Gloria covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes slightly moist.

"Mr. Carter," Sean began, "do you believe Thomas was murdered?"

"Murder and suicide are not so different in a sense. Perhaps someone was encouraging Thomas to commit suicide, which would also be a criminal offense," Vincent said. "In any case, I will find out the truth. Thomas is my client, and I have a responsibility to seek justice for him."

"Even if it means going against the prosecutor's office?"

“I’m just a lawyer, and I fight for my client,” Vincent asserted. “And my client is an ordinary man, a worker abandoned by this country. He made mistakes, but he shouldn’t die like this.”

Sean looked at Vincent, whose number was still [-85].

This number puzzled Sean.

Vincent's words sounded sincere, and his eyes were firm. He didn't seem like someone who wanted to frame him.

But why is his favorability rating so low? Is he really such a bad person?

"Mr. Carter," Sean asked, "can I ask you a question?"

"Please speak."

Why are you so hostile towards me?

"You can tell?"

"Your emotions are practically written all over your face," Sean said with a wry smile.

"Excuse my bluntness," Vincent paused for a moment, then smiled. "I have no hostility towards you, Mr. Pan. I just don't like celebrities."

Why?

"Because in my view, celebrities represent the most hypocritical side of society," Vincent said. "You stand in the spotlight, enjoying wealth and privileges that ordinary people can't even imagine. But where are you when ordinary people encounter difficulties?"

"You live in mansions, on yachts, on private jets. You occasionally donate some money, take a few photos, and then continue your luxurious lifestyle."

"People like Thomas worked in factories for thirty years, only to be swindled out of their savings, abandoned by society, and eventually die in a dilapidated apartment."

"So, Mr. Pan, I'm not targeting you personally. I just don't believe any celebrity would truly care about the lives of ordinary people. Your deaths may be a tragedy, but the deaths of thousands upon thousands have never been taken seriously."

After he finished speaking, Sean understood Vincent's anger.

To some extent, Vincent is right. There is indeed enormous injustice in this society, and celebrities often benefit from this injustice.

“Mr. Carter,” Sean began, “I understand your thoughts. But I want to tell you that I’m not here to put on a show, nor to clear my name. I’m here because I genuinely want to find out the truth.”

"Thomas' death is related to my case. If I can find out who killed him, I can not only get justice for him, but also prove my innocence."

"Therefore, I hope we can cooperate."

"cooperate?"

“Yes,” Sean said. “You have legal expertise, and I have resources and connections. If we work together, we might be able to find out the truth much faster.”

Vincent remained silent for a long time. But finally, he stood up and extended his hand.

"Alright, Mr. Pan. I'm willing to give you a chance. But if I find out you're using me, or exploiting Thomas's death for your own benefit, I'll personally send you to prison."

Sean stood up and shook hands with him.

It's a deal.

Just then, Vincent's phone rang.

He answered the phone, listened for a few minutes, and his expression turned serious.

"I understand." He hung up the phone and looked at Sean. "A friend of mine at the police station told me that the police are planning to release a statement."

"What statement?" Matthew interjected from the side.

"They intend to announce that Thomas Reynolds' death has been officially ruled a suicide. And the case will be closed."

This means that the police will no longer investigate Thomas's death for the time being. It also means that all the doubts will be covered up.

The truth may never come to light.

“Mr. Carter,” Sean began, his voice filled with determination, “you just said you would seek justice for Thomas.”

"Yes."

“Let’s get started now,” Sean said, “because if we don’t do something, Thomas will become just another statistic that nobody cares about, like countless others forgotten by society.”

Vincent silently watched Sean as the number above his head slowly rose from -85 to -78.

"What are you planning to do?"

"First," Sean said, "we need to find Thomas's cell phone."

"The police said the phone is missing."

“Then we’ll go find it ourselves.” Sean turned to Gloria. “Ms. Williams, do you know where Thomas usually keeps his phone?”

Gloria wiped away her tears and shook her head with deep regret.

"Then we need to go into his apartment."

"But the police have already cordoned off the area," Matthew said.

“I know,” Sean said, “but we can request entry. Mr. Carter, as Thomas’s lawyer, you have the right to enter the scene to collect evidence, right?”

Vincent nodded and said, "Theoretically yes, but the police might not agree."

"Then we'll get them to agree." Sean took out his phone. "I'll call Attorney General Harrison right now."

Do you think he will help you?

“I think he will,” Sean said. “And if Thomas really was murdered, then this case isn’t just about my lawsuit. It’s a murder case.”

He dialed Harrison's number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Mr. Pan," Harrison's voice sounded tired, "I was just about to call you."

"Is it about Thomas Reynolds?"

"Yes," Harrison sighed. "The police have closed the case, but I don't think it's that simple."

"I think so too," Sean said. "That's why I need your help. I need to get into Thomas's apartment and look for some clues."

"This is not in accordance with procedure."

“I know,” Sean said, “but if Thomas really was murdered, the killer is still at large. And, Mr. Attorney, don’t you think the timing is too coincidental? The witness died just two weeks after you agreed to postpone the prosecution.”

Do you think someone is targeting you?

“No,” Sean said, “I think someone is targeting all of us. Including you.”

Harrison wanted to say something more, but when Sean said "including you," he remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke:

"Alright, Mr. Pan. I'll find a way to get you into the venue. But you only have one hour."

"That's enough." Sean hung up the phone and looked at Vincent and Matthew. "Let's go."