Chapter 111: The Disappearance of Riko

"Aria, don't run away. You know that only the union of the Holmes and Watson families can create the ultimate power," Watson said calmly, unfazed by Aria's denial.

"No, I already have a partner!" Aria pointed towards Zhang Fan, her determination unshakeable. In her heart, Zhang Fan was her sole partner for life.

"I think, Aria, you need more time to consider. The Watson family's influence in finance and my current position as the captain of the London Martial Detective Bureau should not be underestimated. With the Watson family's power in Japan's political and legal realms... even your mother's sentence..." Watson's words were a blatant threat, a naked coercion.

"Are you trying to force me?" Aria lifted her head sharply. Watson's words stirred her deeply. Her primary goal was to save her mother, but did it mean she had to sacrifice herself and marry into the Watson family?

"No, the choice is yours, Aria. I just want you to know that I sincerely want to help you," Watson spread his hands in a gesture of innocence.

"Is this your so-called sincerity? A mix of threats and temptations?" Suddenly, Zhang Fan laughed. Watson seemed too adept at playing the part, ultimately just leveraging his family's power for his own ends.

"Zhang Fan, this is a matter between Aria and me. Please don't interfere," Watson frowned upon seeing Zhang Fan, who was the biggest obstacle between him and Aria.

"Now that Aria is my partner, do you think I'll just stand by?" Zhang Fan pulled Aria to his side.

"Partner... Yes, we are partners! Watson, you should leave. I will not acknowledge this engagement," Aria, after a moment of inner affirmation, decisively rejected Watson's proposal, surprising even Zhang Fan.

"I won't give up, Aria. I'll come back for you," Watson conceded, casting a meaningful glance at Zhang Fan before turning to leave.

As Watson departed, Aria let out a sigh of relief. She had been so nervous, fearing Zhang Fan would misunderstand.

"Zhang Fan, I..." She looked up at him, unsure of what to say.

"It's okay, I trust Aria," Zhang Fan smiled softly, patting Aria's head. He could see Watson's disinterest in Aria herself, suspecting a ploy for family gain. But Zhang Fan was determined not to let Aria go.

"Trust... trust means, I just didn't want to follow my family's arrangement. Don't misunderstand that I have... any feelings for you," Aria blurted out, her tsundere nature unchanged.

"Understood, we are just partners," Zhang Fan replied with a smile.

"Just partners, right?" Aria echoed, her true feelings known only to herself.

That night, Zhang Fan and the girls returned home, but Riko was mysteriously missing. Zhang Fan tried to call her but couldn't get through, growing increasingly worried.

"I should go look for Riko," he decided as the clock struck nine, Riko still absent.

"Wait, Zhang Fan, let's check Riko's room first for any clues," Bai Xue suggested before he could leave.

"That's a good idea, Master," Yang Cai agreed.

With some reluctance, they entered Riko's pink-hued room, finding a conspicuous golden card on her desk. It was a message from Riko: "Xiao Ya, when you read this, I'll be gone. Don't look for me. When needed, I'll return. Remember our promise, Riko."

Gone? To where? Zhang Fan frowned, worried about Riko's impulsive nature. Where could he possibly start looking for her?

Considering everything, Riko most likely returned to E. You. But why? After much thought, Zhang Fan couldn't find an answer.

"What's wrong, Zhang Fan?" Bai Xue asked, concerned.

"It's nothing. Riko just left for a while. Don't worry," Zhang Fan assured, pocketing the card. Riko had her reasons for leaving, and he decided to support her decision. She would return when needed.

Time passed, and due to Jeanne's capture, Aria's mother's trial was postponed, giving Aria more time to clear her mother's name. But catching the elusive members of E. You was no easy feat.

Two months later, Zhang Fan and Aria had completed numerous missions, their partnership growing stronger. Aria, a descendant of Holmes, had become a formidable ally alongside Zhang Fan.