Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-04
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Check out the situation at Stellis University.
Not long before entering the university campus, you hear the campus security shouting.
Security Guard A: Excuse me, would all students please pass me the flyers? Don't pass them around! Bring them all to me!
A few of the campus security guards are standing in front of a table stacked full of flyers.
Many passing students listen and hand them the flyers, but there are others who ignore them.
Just then, a security guard with a walkie-talkie scurries past you two.
Security Guard B: There are too many flyers in the cafeteria! How's it going over there...
The voice over the walkie-talkie grows distant and unclear...
You: The university has started disposing of the flyers about Professor Russo.
Artem: It's just before noon, less than half a day since the article went viral. The response from the university has been swift.
You look around at the chaos, tugging at Artem's sleeve to pull him closer.
You: Looks like the university has countermeasures in place. I believe your mother should know something about this.
You: Let's try asking her when I return the books.
Taking your hand, Artem nods as he shields you behind him, leading you through the chaotic campus.
You hear the noises of people around you, with a familiar name thrown in from time to time.
You look up at Artem's back, as reliable as ever. Your uneasiness subsides, allowing him to take the lead.
Corridor
In the corridor, you meet Kimberly Garner, who just finished her class. Learning of the reason for your visit, she glances at Artem meaningfully.
Kimberly Garner: ...
Artem: ...
For some reason, the mother and the son fall into an eerie silence. You hold the books out.
You: Auntie, these are the books I borrowed from you last time. Thank you, they were of great help.
Kimberly looks at you, her expression softening.
Kimberly Garner: No need to be so courteous to me. You two must be tired, coming so early in the morning, right?
Kimberly glances at the books in your hand, frowning slightly.
Kimberly Garner: Artem, how inconsiderate of you. Why are you making [Player] hold the books herself?
Artem: Sorry, it slipped my mind.
Seeing this, you can only pass the books to Artem again.
You: (...Even though I just took the books from Artem by force.)
You: Auntie, you misunderstood, I only had them briefly. After all, I borrowed them, so I should be the one to return them.
Artem didn't look like he was going to give an explanation, so you try to smooth things over.
The expression on Kimberly's face softens. Her gaze passes by Artem and stops briefly on something behind you and Artem.
Before you can look back, a student walks by, looking down at the familiar flyer.
You: ...
You: Auntie... do you know what happened with Professor Russo?
Kimberly Garner: Do you mean the article where Professor Russo is accused of violating ethics and engaging in illegal activities?
Artem: Yes, we saw the flyers on our way here. Do you know anything about it?
You: (After all, Auntie is the vice dean of the law department. Is it inappropriate to ask about a scandal in her department...?)
Artem: Do you know about the article on Professor Russo?
You look at Artem, with his mouth slightly curved upward, signaling for you not to worry.
Kimberly Garner: Do you mean the article where Professor Russo is accused of violating ethics and illegal activities?
You: Yes, Auntie, how much do you know about it?
Kimberly Garner: I'm sorry to disappoint.
Kimberly Garner: Professor Russo and I have been colleagues for many years, but he is not much of a conversationalist and is busy most of the time. I'm afraid I don't know him very well.
Kimberly Garner: All I know is that the university notified the police immediately and set up a special investigative team to cooperate with the police.
Kimberly Garner: Rest assured, the outcome of the investigation will be just.
You're relieved to hear Kimberly Garner say that.
You: I hope we find out the truth soon.
Kimberly Garner: By the way, did Professor Russo teach you criminal law?
Artem: Yes, we were both surprised by the article.
Kimberly Garner: No wonder you guys are so concerned. Professor Russo has been suspended from school pending the results of the investigation. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
You: Thank you, Auntie.
Kimberly Garner: What did I just say? You don't need to be so courteous to me.
You: Um... I'll remember that next time, Auntie.
Perhaps seeing that you didn't know how to deal with elders, Artem suddenly takes the books from you and hands them to his mother.
Artem: It's almost time for class. So we'll take our leave.
Kimberly glances at Artem again, taking the books from him while nodding at the two of you.
Kimberly Garner: Go about your business. Come see me again when you're free.
You: See you later, Auntie!
Below the School Building
Outside the academic building, you look back and sigh.
You: I didn't expect Auntie to know so little about this...
You: I'm afraid we'll have to reach out to the people in question if we want to know more.
Artem: Stellis University notified the police immediately, so they should have opened an investigation already.
Artem: We can find...
Before Artem can finish, you are both drawn by something in the distance.
A girl is sprinting toward the law building. She looks nervously over her shoulders as if she is being chased by a wild animal.
Soon, she sees Artem, who is standing in front of the building. After a brief moment of bewilderment, her eyes glow with hope, leaving you puzzled.
You: ???
Artem: ???
The girl quickly makes her way over to you and Artem, still panting from all the running.
???: Whew... I know you... whew... You're Artem Wing, right!?
???: The famous Mr. Wing!
Faced with the sudden development, you and Artem look at each other suspiciously. You can see the same blank look in his eyes.
Artem: Yes, I am Artem Wing. And you are?
???: Mr. Wing, I want to hire you as my attorney! Please! Help me!
???: I know hiring an attorney is expensive... Money... money isn't a problem!
You: Calm down, what happened?
Almost immediately after you speak, you hear the voice of a man, panting with every breath.
???: Fiona! Don't be scared! We're just trying to understand the situation.
The girl named Fiona hears the voice and quickly hides behind you and Artem.
Fiona: I don't believe you!
You and Artem look up to see a familiar man.
Captain Morgan stands there with a young man, not surprised to see either of you there.
Darius Morgan: Mr. Wing, Miss [Player]? We meet again.
Darius Morgan: This time... who are you representing?
You: No, Captain Morgan... You misunderstood, we were just passing by.
Darius Morgan: What a coincidence. I saw your professor was involved in this case, so I thought you would...
Captain Morgan stops before he says anything else.
You: (This case...? Does Fiona have anything to do with the article on Professor Russo?)
You glance back at Fiona, who is still cowering behind you. When you turn back, you meet Artem's eyes, lost in thought.
Artem: We were just about to look for you to see if there's anything we can help with.
Darius Morgan: Then come with me back to the police station. We're a bit shorthanded today.
Captain Morgan quickly accepts Artem's proposal, then signals for you to move aside.
You move aside to reveal Fiona, who remains silent as she looks anxiously at Captain Morgan.
???: Fiona, Captain Morgan only wants to talk to you. Please cooperate with him.
The young man beside Captain Morgan tries to persuade Fiona, but she is very rude in her response.
Fiona: Counselor, don't talk if you don't know what's going on.
Counselor: You! Do you know what you're doing right now?
Darius Morgan: Stop.
Captain Morgan looks at Fiona, pulling out a flyer from his police uniform and holding it in front of her.
Darius Morgan: Fiona, are you familiar with the contents of this flyer?
Fiona: ...
Fiona presses her lips together but doesn't respond.
The flyer that Captain Morgan is holding up is very familiar. You and Artem were holding the same flyer only an hour ago.
You: (So Fiona is connected to the article...)
Darius Morgan: At 10:10 this morning, an article titled "The Law Is Rewritten for You—Exposing the Tumor of the Stellis Judicial Community" was published online.
Darius Morgan: After the article caused a stir, Stellis University immediately notified the police.
Darius Morgan: Our cyber division located the IP that first published the article at Stellis University.
Darius Morgan: Together with the school network administrator, we discovered the account that published the article belonged to you, Fiona.
Darius Morgan: At the same time, we also confirmed in the security footage provided by the university that the person passing out flyers in the cafeteria was you.
Darius Morgan: I don't think I need to go into detail about the contents of the flyers.
Darius Morgan: The article has received attention from various industries, so the police need to ask you a few questions. Please cooperate with us.
Hearing what Captain Morgan said, you look in shock at Fiona.
Fiona avoids looking at Captain Morgan and doesn't offer any rebuttal.
Darius Morgan: Please come with me.
Not wanting to delay any further, Captain Morgan signals for a young officer behind him to take Fiona away.
Seeing this, Fiona reaches out with her hands, wanting to grab onto something, but she doesn't want to offend Artem.
Instead, she grabs your hand pitifully.
Fiona: Please help me. I really don't know anyone else *sobs*...
You: Don't be scared... I...
You're curious about this matter, and you want to help Fiona, but...
You look at Artem, who is still frowning with some hesitation.
You: (Artem has yet to agree to Fiona's request. If I agree now, I would leave him with no choice...)
Artem: Let's go. We'll go to the police station with you.
Artem breaks the deadlock, and Fiona seems overjoyed.
Fiona: Does this mean you'll help me!?
Artem: Not as your attorney. I'll make a decision when you give your statement down at the police station.
Artem's stern words didn't dampen Fiona's joy.
Fiona: Okay, okay! Thank you, Mr. Wing!
