Chapter 91: The Battle Intensifies


    Answer the question, Professor.


    Im sorry, but Im not quite sure what youre talking about.


    Lestrade, looking ahead with a cold expression, raised her voice demanding an answer. Hearing her demand, Professor Moriarty opened her mouth with a leisurely smile.


    You know better than anyone that I nursed Adler without taking my eyes off him for a single moment over the past few days.


    I know that. What Im asking is


    Unlike someone who, when faced with a choice between their boyfriend and duty, ultimately chose thetter.


    At her words, Lestrade bit her lips hard, stopping mid-sentence.


    My job is to uphold justice in London. Dont so casually weigh its importance as you have. And in the first ce, it was I who saved him, not you.


    But despite being right there, you couldnt prevent Adlers chest from being torn open and tattered.


    Are you going to keep finding faults?


    Its not about finding faults, Lestrade. Im simply instilling the absolute truth into a stupid inspector who mistakenly thinks she saved Adler when ultimately, it was because of myte arrival that Jill the Ripper escaped from the hideout, enabling you to save him; that too by the barest margins.


    Their cold voices echoed through the corridor.


    What aughable situation. If you cant protect him despite being right there, why even make such a contract


    What contract are you referring to?


    Adler gave up half of London for you, and you gave up yourself for half of London. Wasnt that the contract both of you established?


    Do not speak so carelessly.


    Youre not exactly denying it now, are you? You and Adler are nothing more than contract lovers, each pursuing your own interests.


    Lestrade opened her mouth as if to respond, but ultimately shut her mouth again, keeping her silence.


    It seems that you are performing your duties to some extent though. Seeing that you are wearing this oddly shaped dress thats not your usual police uniform, and carrying the basket full of fruits that have be somewhat precious due to the recent heavy snowfall


    I told you not to speak carelessly.


    Why, all of a sudden? I doubt youre embarrassed for bringing a fruit basket


    Professor Moriarty looked down at Lestrade, who was quietly clutching the fruit basket in her hand, and muttered with narrowed eyes.


    That dress, did Adler buy it for you?


    Silence followed, and Lestrade could only lower her gaze.


    Even though you were recently promoted to an inspector, Ive heard that your familys circumstances are still quite poor


    Professor.


    Just as she was about to continue her probing with that frigid smile of hers


    Do not speak lightly of Miss Gia.


    Adler, who had been quiet until then, murmured in a dangerously low voice.


    And silence fell once more.


    At his firm and resolute statement, Lestrade looked at Adler, a dazed expression momentarily taking over.


    I understand.


    Meanwhile, the Professor, bobbing her head quietly, soon looked down at him with a gentle gaze and spoke out.


    Be more careful in the future.


    <i> Swish</i>


    As the Professor wrapped her arm around his waist again, Adler could only silently bite his lips.


    Get your hands off me.


    How strange


    Still, with clear marks around his neck, as he was hugged by the professor while making a dark expression, Lestrade, watching the scene, began to growl in a low voice.


    Surely, youve been forced to pretend to be Adlers lover to protect London.


    Baseless nonsense


    But Moriarty, wrapping her arms even tighter around Adlers waist, muttered under her breath all the more.


    Why has my will to kill you doubled since the moment my dress was insulted?


    Lestrades eyes, poised as if about to rush forward at any moment, suddenly became vacant.


    If I had to be the lover of the person I hate the most in the world to keep them at bay, Id always be sharpening my knife on the inside, even if I pretended to be fine on the outside.


    But the knife in your heart seems to be getting duller by the day.


    As Moriartys mocking voice reached her ears, making her speechless.


    Could it be that youre deluding yourself into thinking youre acting, just like a certain someone I know?


    I dont know who that might be, but no.


    Is that so?


    My unwavering top priority is to uphold justice in London. For that, I would willingly oppose Isaac Adler


    Lestrades voice, initially wavering, steadied as she spoke in a firm tone, but then slowly faded in the end.


    Hmph.


    ..


    As she saw the scene of Moriarty gently nibbling on Adlers ear, acting as though she was invisible.


    What are you doing


    Please stop, Professor.


    Adler, with a voice colder than frigid ice, spoke out as Lestrade looked on dumbfoundedly at the scene while murmuring in a dazed voice.


    Stop it, its making me ufortable


    Unlike his usual sly demeanor, Adlers expression and voice seemed to carry a hint of sincerity, causing Lestradesplexion to pale even further.


    I dont want to.


    Ah.


    Im going to continue.


    Despite his protest, Moriarty was much more forceful than usual.


    If you resist, there will be no thesis review this week.


    Hearing those words, Adler bowed his head in resignation, and Moriarty began to stroke his hair.


    Why do you look at me with those eyes?


    Youve crossed the line, now.


    Lestrades voice, filled with murderous intent, flew at her.


    No matter what has happened between you two, I still am Isaac Adlers lover


    Unfortunately, thats no longer the case at the moment.


    Moriarty looked at her with an unblinking, mocking gaze as she delivered those words.


    Adler is currently apanying me as my assistant.


    Hearing those words, Lestradesplexion paled further.


    That means


    You know exactly what it means.


    Of course, with your dull deduction capabilities, you wouldnt even understand whats happening anyway.


    Moriartys voice became clearer, more sharper, in stark contrast to Lestrades own.


    The important thing is, the Adler youre facing now is an adversary you must oppose.


    As those words came to an end, Lestrade, biting her lips tightly, began to re at the professor.


    Why are you doing this?


    The professor, moving forward with Adler, nced at her questioningly and tilted her head.


    Is something bothering you after all? Are you nning to create a scene here?


    All the better for me, I suppose. It would be an amazing opportunity topletely bring down the symbol of justice whose reputation is already jeopardized due to her recent association with Adler.


    Even after hearing her dangerous remarks, Lestrade, with darkened eyes and sealed lips, was about to step towards the exit where the two were heading


    .


    However, she had to stop in her tracks with a vacant look in her eyes.


    There are reporters nearby, Miss Lestrade.


    It was because Adler, passing right by her side, whispered in a low voice while shaking his head from side to side, his expression dark.


    Ill be fine, so dont get involved unnecessarily..


    Look at me, Mr. Adler.


    Yes.


    But Adler, at the sound of the professors chilly voice, turned his head ordingly.


    <i> Swish</i>


    As the professor, who had been caressing Adlers cheek, applied pressure to her hand, Adlers tilted head was forced to lean against her shoulder.


    What a pity, on a vacation no less


    From the professors lips flowed a voice that sounded very pleased as she exited the hallway.


    Instead of a boyfriend, youre faced with a criminal.


    Her voice echoed quietly, fading away, as their footsteps grew distant, bringing a quiet silence to the hallway.


    For a long while, in that silence, Lestrade stood still, biting her lips far more fiercely than she ever did.


    Enough already


    Who knew your true self would be this prickly, really, its so adorable.


    Please.


    Far away, Adler, wearing a troubled expression, was persistently swatting away the professors hand trying to caress the back of his own.


    Be content with this.


    Hmm.


    No more.


    It was because he finally extended his pinky finger in resignation.


    <i> Puhk!</i>


    Eventually, as they walked away with their pinkies intertwined, Lestrades lips, watching everything with dark, hollowed eyes, were unknowingly bleeding a single line of crimson blood.


    .


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    .


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    .


    Meanwhile, at that time, at 221B Baker Street


    What are you doing, Holmes?


    Watson, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she was about to start her day, asked Charlotte who was, as usual, absorbed in some matter while sitting at her desk.


    What is it that youre reading so intently?


    However, Charlotte, seemingly fully engrossed in the reading material in front of her, gave no answer in return.


    Adler is expected to wake up soon, arent you going toe with?


    Hey, rookie detective.


    Watson tried to provoke her with narrowed eyes, but Charlotte still remained silent.


    Alright, then Ill go ahead.


    But her partner, already ustomed to Charlottes entric nature, left the boarding house alone while leaving those words.


    But what kind of book is it, that it doesnt even have a cover?


    As her partners murmur drifted through the early morning streets of London and faded away,


    Phew


    Charlotte, engrossed in the book until then, soon closed it and let out a deep sigh, mumbling to herself in a low voice.


    So thats how babies are made, huh?


    Thus, the battle over the greatest trophy in London was growing increasingly intense.