A villainous girl created by paranoia

This old troll was truly enraged; not only him, but everyone else also had anger in their eyes.

Truth serum is indeed very effective, but it also has significant side effects. How significant? At best, it can cause brain damage such as a decline in intelligence, memory loss, and disordered thinking. At worst, it can even kill a person.

This is still only the stage of suspicion. As the victim, Hanamiya Karen cannot be included in the list of criminal suspects without undergoing the first official interrogation.

According to the laws of this country, Animbedo, as a victim, one cannot be included in the suspect list before the first official trial.

And yet, even someone like Zhan Xiaoxiao could unhesitatingly suggest using truth serum. Honestly, I'm really curious how someone like Zhan Xiaoxiao can be hailed as a hero? It's like a mad dog biting indiscriminately; if it bites you, you're a hero, but if it doesn't, you're forced to confess under torture.

To be honest, the goodwill I had towards Zhan Xiaoxiao because of her looks and those beautiful legs has completely disappeared; in fact, it's gone.

"I'm right! As long as you give her the drink, she'll..."

Before Zhan Xiaoxiao could finish speaking, Cao Xinwu's furious roar came over.

"Get the hell out of here! Now! Immediately! Right now!"

Cao Xinwu's roar was so loud that it made my ears ring. I'm sure that if Zhan Xiaoxiao hadn't been the No.18 of the Yuling City Hero Association, Cao Xinwu would have punched her in the face long ago.

Whether they can win or not is another matter.

Startled by Cao Xinwu's shout, Zhan Xiaoxiao was clearly taken aback. After regaining her senses, she bit her lip, stomped her feet, and swung her two big pigtails as she walked away. The loud slamming of the door as she left even made people wonder if she might break the conference room door.

When Zhan Xiaoxiao left, I didn't feel any regret. In fact, I felt that Cao Xinwu should have done it a long time ago, because the two of them had been arguing for almost half an hour.

Speaking of Zhan Xiaoxiao, she's a strange person. She could have been a powerful figure in the Hero Association and was the respected No. 18, but she inexplicably transferred to the police station a week ago and became a regular police officer. This caused quite a stir on the internet.

After taking a big gulp of mineral water, Cao Xinwu seemed to calm down a bit, and then addressed the crowd.

"Damn it, there's no need to hold this meeting today. You've already heard pretty much why we had to."

Yaqin, you, Beige, and Tom continue investigating the other suspects. Nar, go and comfort the three fallen forensic pathologists; if any of them can move, have them continue their investigations. Lin Feixue, Charles, and Qian Sui, have your men patrol in multiple shifts, with no more than ten minutes between patrols in a single block. I don't want any more gas explosions anywhere else.”

The gas explosion was caused by the ignition of indoor gas in the body-burning case, which is the main reason why the perpetrator was so thorough. No traces? Even if there were traces, such a meticulous fire would have burned them all away.

"Kenji and Souji, you two will come with me to the official interrogation later. As for the others, they should all have their own cases to handle, so go and do your own thing."

After saying that, Cao Xinwu walked towards the door of the conference room without looking back. Everyone else also started to organize their documents. Only I and a black-haired girl with a single ponytail did not pack our things and followed Cao Xinwu directly.

I did it because Zhao Yaqin would help me clean up, and I guess the girl's partner would help her clean up too.

The girl's full name is Bai Zongsi. She is 19 years old and became a combat-level police officer in Yuling City right after graduating from high school. She is also the head of the Narcotics Division. As for me... Zhao Yaqin and I are both combat-level police officers in the Security Division. The Security Division is, to put it nicely, all-encompassing, but to put it bluntly, we are just doing odd jobs for other divisions.

Don't let Bai Zongsi's gentle and quiet appearance fool you. I once had the misfortune of witnessing him smash a car and its owner together with a single hammer blow. The scene was incredibly shocking.

However, Bai Zongsi was not a mad dog like Zhan Xiaoxiao. Bai Zongsi did this only after confirming that the people in the car were drug dealers. In Animbedo, drug dealers are sentenced to the most severe penalties, even more so than murderers.

Once a drug dealer is identified, even ordinary police officers have the right to execute him on the street. So, although Chief White's blow seemed excessive, it was compliant with regulations and laws.

It's not hard to guess Cao Xinwu's intention in taking me and Bai Zongsi for formal interrogation. He probably needed to utilize our abilities, and also to help Bai Zongsi uncover information about the drug dealers.

White General's ability is B-level emotional perception, while my ability is B+ level other's vision.

Simply put, Shiro's superpower is the ability to read other people's emotions, while my superpower is the ability to lock onto a target and gain access to that target's vision. However, there are some supernatural things that I cannot see even with other people's eyes.

Just as the three of us stepped out of the police station, we were stopped by Zhan Xiaoxiao, who had her arms crossed and looked annoyed.

"Formulaic interrogation, take me with you."

I originally thought Cao Xinwu would refuse Zhan Xiaoxiao, but Cao Xinwu only glanced at Zhan Xiaoxiao and then left a casual remark.

"When you get there, don't you dare say a word to me, and don't do anything weird."

......

......

......

Soon, we arrived at the only drug rehabilitation center in Yuling City. After greeting the director of the center, the four of us went straight to Huagong's room.

I glanced at the other three, then knocked on the poor Hana Palace's door.

Soon, a clear and melodious voice came from inside the room. The response was simple, consisting of only two words, but one could hear endless beauty in those two syllables.

"Please come in."

I nodded to the three people behind me, then pushed open the door. The room was well-lit, allowing us to see the girl sitting on the hospital bed at a glance.

No matter how many times I see her, I'm always amazed by her beautiful face, her dazzling silver hair, and her slender figure that's still noticeable even under her oversized hospital gown. But this isn't my time to admire beauty; it's serious work time. The moment my eyes met the girl's icy blue pupils, I activated my ability.

My vision was divided into two parts: one was my own, and the other was that of the pitiful Flower Palace.

First, Hanamichi Karen looked at me. I wouldn't say I was too handsome, just average-looking. And that average-looking face was expressionless. Then Hanamichi Karen looked at the equally indifferent Bai Zongsi. She glanced at Bai Zongsi a few more times. Next was Zhan Xiaoxiao. She didn't seem to be very interested in Zhan Xiaoxiao. She only glanced at her and then changed her target. Finally, she fixed her gaze on Cao Xinwu.

You son of a bitch, can't you have any self-respect?! Get rid of that lecherous look of yours!

As if hearing my inner roar, Cao Xinwu turned serious again, cleared his throat, and was about to say something, but was interrupted by the smiling Hanamichi Karen.

"You're here for formal interrogation, right? Shall I come with you to the interrogation room?"

Something's not right. Something's really off about this pitiful Hana Palace.

--split line--

This chapter might be a bit short, only about 3,500 words, but if I were to continue writing, I probably wouldn't be able to stop at 2,000 words, so I'm ending it here.

This chapter introduces some world-building and original settings. "Star" is the name of this planet, equivalent to Earth. "Animbedo" is the name of this country. "Natural Disaster" is a designation.

And then there's my personal rant. I really don't understand why characters with mind-reading abilities in supernatural novels or anime can live so long. Logically speaking, in this kind of world, those with mind-reading abilities should be universally hated, especially those powerless, unaffiliated individuals. Because they should be more afraid of having their secrets read than of using mind-reading.

So, do you guys want to guess how Xiu Nai will deal with these four people in the next chapter? Or what attitude he'll have towards them? Feel free to leave your comments and opinions!

Chapter Eighteen: Heroes and Criminals (Part Three)

Something's definitely not right. After all, what normal female high school student would react so calmly when she sees the police?

Shouldn't a normal high school girl be panicked and scared when she sees the police looking for her? Why are you so calm and collected?

In Hanamichi Karen's view, Cao Xinwu's face was already a little red. He must have rehearsed his opening remarks many times, but Hanamichi Karen's actions left him at a loss.

So, after holding it in for so long, Cao Xinwu could only manage to utter this one sentence in the end.

"No need, you're injured, you can stay here."

I said, no way! My dear grandson! This is really embarrassing for you! You're the chief of the Central Police Station in Yuling City!

Hua Gong Ke Lian didn't seem to care much about Cao Xinwu's predicament. She gently brushed a strand of silver hair behind her ear, pointed to the chair in front of the hospital bed, and said with a smile.

"Officer, please have a seat."

In Hua Gong's pitiful vision, she didn't look at anyone else, but stared straight at Cao Xinwu, seemingly ignoring the three of us completely.

Cao Xinwu didn't stand on ceremony. He pulled over a chair and sat down, while Hua Gongqie kept her gaze fixed on him.

Seeing Cao Xinwu sit down, Hua Gong Kelian spoke before Cao Xinwu could even open his mouth.

"Let me guess, I'm currently a suspect, but because I'm now a victim, I won't be listed as a suspect before the official interrogation, am I right, officer?"

I think this trip was a waste of time, because Hanamiya Karen kept her eyes fixed on Cao Xinwu the whole time, even when Bai Zongsi had taken out his notebook and started taking notes. All I could do now was try to catch some clues from Hanamiya Karen's micro-movements and micro-expressions, but I had a feeling that my efforts would be completely useless.

Cao Xinwu raised his eyebrows, and finally put on a serious expression on his middle-aged face.

"Child, you seem a little anxious? Do you really want us to suspect you?"

Is she in a hurry? Why can't I tell from her tone of voice or her micro-expressions?

"Yes, sir, I'm in a hurry."

Hanamichi Karen affirmed Cao Xinwu's words directly and naturally, as naturally as drinking water, showing no sign of her anxiety. But Hanamichi Karen's subsequent reply cleared up my doubts.

"Because I am very likely to become a criminal suspect after the first official interrogation, I should be eager to prove myself."

"Oh, why are you so sure you'll become a suspect? Is it because you're the murderer? And you're feeling guilty?"

"Ugh..."

Instead of answering immediately, Hanamiya Keikaku sighed helplessly before replying softly.

"Officer, although I am a mental patient, I am not stupid. May I ask, is one of the four of you an interrogation officer? If a formal interrogation does not involve a detailed statement from an interrogation officer, then it certainly means that this formal interrogation is just a formality."

Under what circumstances would a formal interrogation be merely a formality? That would be when a second interrogation is necessary, of course. Given my current situation, it wouldn't be hard to guess that the current formal interrogation is just a formality, would it?

Cao Xinwu narrowed his eyes and asked in a somewhat strange voice.

"You're saying...you're mentally ill?"

I finally saw an expression on Hanamiya Karen's face that I was really interested in: astonishment. After the astonishment subsided, Hanamiya Karen frowned and then said...

"You? Don't you recognize me?"

Now it was Cao Xinwu's turn to be dumbfounded. Hua Gong Ke Lian seemed to think it was abnormal that Cao Xinwu didn't recognize her.

Why should I know you? Are you some kind of celebrity?

Hanamichi Karen closed her eyes, took two deep breaths, and then continued speaking.

"I thought you were brave enough to confront me before appearing before me to interrogate me in this formulaic way, but it seems I was just being presumptuous."

Hanako Karen's words were incoherent; she seemed to imply that she knew Cao Xinwu, and that Cao Xinwu had done something very wrong to her.

I was somewhat surprised and confused, but I didn't say anything because Cao Xinwu was the only police officer who could speak during the interrogation.

What do you mean by that?

Cao Xinwu also frowned, not quite understanding the meaning behind Hua Gong Ke Lian's words, but after hearing what Hua Gong Ke Lian said next, Cao Xinwu couldn't sit still anymore.

"Nine years ago, live broadcast, popular science, Huagong Yuxi."

In an instant, Cao Xinwu stood up from his chair, and from Hua Gong's perspective, I could see the expression on Cao Xinwu's face that looked like he had eaten ten tons of shit. But Cao Xinwu quickly sat back down in his chair, and his emotions were quickly calmed down.

"I'm very sorry about what happened nine years ago. That case was indeed caused by the incompetence of our police station..."

"Sir, you don't need to apologize for what happened in the past. The most important thing now is the question about me. I know that I have serious problems, and I guess your current clues are basically all related to me. Therefore, I need to provide the most basic self-evidence before the second interrogation."

I will cooperate with your interrogation. Now, please begin the formal interrogation.

It's impossible for me not to be curious about what happened nine years ago, but my main target now is still Hanamiya Karen, and I finally understand why Hanamiya Karen was so proactive from the beginning.

Hanamiya Karen is now sending us a signal, a signal that she will actively cooperate, and also indirectly showing us that she herself is innocent and can be investigated at will.

This attitude doesn't make us feel sorry for Hanamichi and lessen our suspicions; on the contrary, it makes us even more suspicious of her.

Cao Xinwu seemed to have completely forgotten what had just happened and began asking questions in a serious tone.