Chapter 697: The Real Thief
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As the tension in the room approached a boiling point, the hotel manager realized he had perhaps been too blunt with his earlier statements.
However, it was now too late for damage control. The only option left was to shift the conflict away from himself and onto Hohenheim, the influential guest. After all, Hohenheim was a powerful individual capable of resolving this kind of issue easily. The manager, being a mere employee, feared for his job should the situation escalate further.
While the manager was still wracking his brain for a solution, Hohenheim took the initiative to speak, “So, do you think you have more money than I do? Let me tell you, I don’t even care for your belongings. If you cooperate, I can offer you a generous compensation. But if you don’t, I will do what I must.” After this intimidating speech, most of the people present seemed to back down.
However, there were a few who remained defiant.
Luo Feng found this perplexing. Hohenheim’s offer was more than reasonable. Unless there were some special circumstances, there was little reason to decline.
Furthermore, Luo Feng noticed that these people seemed unusually anxious. Given that many guests had lost belongings, Hohenheim’s proposed search could potentially help recover those items.
As the tension escalated, Luo Feng, standing on the sidelines, quickly identified a few suspects. These individuals were the loudest in their protests, especially when Hohenheim mentioned a full search. While others weighed the pros and cons, these few vocally insisted that such a search would infringe upon their privacy.
Their behavior was so conspicuous that it drew Luo Feng’s attention—as well as Hohenheim’s. Hohenheim’s subordinates approached these individuals to argue, intending to forcibly search their luggage.
However, Luo Feng had another method to determine whether they were the thieves, even without searching their bags. He activated his system scan.
Most people who came to this hotel were here for the auction. Even if they didn’t have a black card to enter the venue, many were antique collectors who brought their own artifacts to trade outside the auction.
Luo Feng assumed that most of these people were here for this reason, and that the stolen items were likely antiques as well. So, he activated his system scan to locate the densest cluster of antique artifacts.
As soon as the system scan was activated, Luo Feng saw the distribution of antiques throughout the hotel. Surprisingly, the densest cluster was not around the suspected individuals but around an inconspicuous man standing behind them. This man had been hiding in a corner, saying nothing regardless of how noisy it got.
As Hohenheim’s people argued more fiercely with the suspects, Luo Feng bypassed them and approached the silent man.
“Sir, they are trying to forcibly search us. What’s your take on this?”
Luo Feng initiated the conversation. The man glanced at him but turned his head away without speaking.
“Sir, this concerns our interests. Don’t you have any opinion?”
Luo Feng pressed on. By now, the man was visibly distressed but still remained silent.
“You seem a bit nervous. Could it be that you are the thief they are looking for?”
At Luo Feng’s words, the man’s suppressed emotions erupted.
“What nonsense are you talking about? Stay away from me, or else!”
The man clenched his fists. Seizing this moment, Luo Feng grabbed the backpack between the man’s legs.
Upon opening the bag, Luo Feng found it full of antique artifacts.
“I didn’t expect you to bring so many items, sir. However, these don’t seem to belong to you.”
Luo Feng took the bag to the hotel reception desk and placed it on the counter. “Everyone, please check if any of these items are yours.”
After Luo Feng spoke, people rushed over to claim their stolen antiques. Indeed, all the items belonged to the guests who had been robbed.
Unfortunately, the bag was turned inside out, and Hohenheim’s black card was nowhere to be found.
With a gloomy expression, Hohenheim walked over to the captured thief..
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