Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-05
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Artem's Car
Accompany Fiona to the police station for questioning.
You and Artem drive over to the police station.
You rub your empty stomach. It'll have to wait.
Artem: Are you hungry? Here, eat this first.
Artem hands you a well-made onigiri, which he had made himself.
You take it, realizing that the onigiri is still warm.
You: When did you...?
Artem: I left the house this morning with a few simple meals stored in the car refrigerator, and I took them out when I parked.
Artem: The temperature should be just right, and here's some water. The onigiri is dry, so be careful not to choke.
You taste the onigiri and wash it down with the water Artem gave you.
The delicious onigiri rescues you from hunger.
You feel much better.
You: It's my favorite flavor! I can't believe... how prepared you are.
Artem: I'm glad you like it, but it's just something to tide you over. We'll go eat after the police take Fiona's statement.
You: Sure! But you have to eat something as well.
Artem: Sure.
Police Station
Fiona is visibly nervous, sitting in an interrogation room at the police station. However, she has quietened down.
Darius Morgan: Fiona, I have a few questions for you to confirm...
Fiona: I... I need to speak to my attorney first. Until that happens, I have the right to remain silent!
Before Captain Morgan can ask any questions, Fiona makes her position clear.
She looks at you and Artem, her eyes crying for help, looking as if she's about to start weeping.
Artem: Captain Morgan, how about letting us talk to her first?
Artem: After all, [Player] and I came here not only to learn more about the situation, but also to assist in the police investigation.
Darius Morgan: ...
Captain Morgan glances at you and Artem. He is silent for a moment before nodding.
Darius Morgan: With your expertise... Yes, I can trust you two.
Darius Morgan: I'll give you guys a shot.
Watching Captain Morgan close the door to the interrogation room, Fiona immediately looks to Artem. It looks like she has a lot to say, but doesn't have the courage to do so.
You smile amusingly at Artem, who looks back at you helplessly.
You: Don't be scared, this is the normal process. Do you want to collect yourself before we speak?
Fiona: No, I'm fine. I can talk now.
Fiona: I... today... my mind's in a bit of a mess right now. Can you ask the questions, and I'll just answer them?
Seeing that Fiona is more friendly to you, you ask her the first question.
You: Why are you afraid of a police subpoena?
Fiona: Before I answer that question, can I ask you guys something?
Artem: Sure.
Fiona looks at you in embarrassment.
Fiona: I know Mr. Wing's identity, but Miss, what is your relationship with Mr. Wing?
You: ???
Artem: Why do you ask?
Fiona: I would prefer fewer people to know about what I'm about to say next... Aside from my attorney... and the police...
Artem: Rest assured, she is the person I trust the most. Anything you say to me, you can say to her.
Fiona: I am relieved to hear that.
Fiona lets out a deep sigh and looks earnestly at the two of you.
Fiona: To be honest... I am the one who wrote that article.
You had a hunch, but after hearing what Fiona said, you and Artem still look at each other in surprise.
Fiona: I know Lamont Russo is not only a law professor at Stellis University but has also been a criminal lawyer for many years.
Fiona: He has remained undetected for so many years. No doubt, he's under some kind of protection in the Stellis judicial community.
Fiona: How can I fight against him... I'm afraid of being accused of spreading rumors... So I'm afraid of the police.
You: Since you're the author of the article... everything you wrote comes from a personal experience?
Fiona: I wrote it, but it's not about me... It's about my boyfriend, Ronan.
You notice Artem frown sharply.
His fingers on the table tense up, trying to calm down, before straightening his tie casually.
You: (Does Artem know Ronan?)
Fiona doesn't notice Artem behaving abnormally and continues.
Fiona: Ronan is Lamont Russo's favorite student. I thought they had a strong relationship with each other, but...
Fiona: Everything written in the article about what he did to Ronan, it's just the tip of the iceberg!
Fiona: It wasn't something as simple as stealing Ronan's research. He... he...
Fiona's voice starts trembling.
Fiona: He also coerced Ronan to commit a crime!
The interrogation room falls silent.
Artem still had a hand on his tie, forgetting to put it down. You notice Artem in a daze, forgetting to respond.
He promptly returns to his senses and leans forward to look at Fiona solemnly.
Artem does his best to hide his emotions, but you read a hint of earnestness in his expression.
Artem: How do you know about this?
Fiona: Ronan got drunk one day and told me himself.
Artem: Did Ronan provide you with the chat logs and proof used in the article?
Fiona: No... Ronan doesn't know anything about that...
Fiona: I secretly downloaded his chat logs with Lamont Russo and uncovered the truth little by little.
Fiona: I'm not a law student, so it took me a long time to sort out the article.
Artem: According to your story, Ronan was the target of Lamont Russo's persecution, but why are you speaking out for Ronan? Why not Ronan himself?
Fiona: Ronan... He can't.
Hearing that answer, Artem seems to think of something, falling silent.
You: What does that mean?
Fiona: He's on... a temporary leave of absence from school, thanks to Lamont Russo.
You: Leave of absence?
Fiona: Yes, Ronan was coerced by Lamont Russo for a long time to commit a crime... The mental pressure was too great, which resulted in him developing mental health problems.
Fiona: After finding out about Ronan's situation, Lamont Russo used it as an excuse to force Ronan into a leave of absence.
Fiona: Ronan is under Lamont Russo's complete control. He can't resist...
Artem: How much do you know about Ronan's mental state?
Fiona: Ronan has been suffering from insomnia for a long time, but I'm not sure when it started. I often see him sitting in front of his computer in a daze...
Fiona: At the time, I thought he was just under academic pressure...
Artem: When did you find out Lamont Russo coerced Ronan into committing a crime?
Fiona: About a month ago... Lamont Russo invited Ronan to a dinner party where they serve alcohol... He knew that Ronan was on medication and couldn't drink...
Fiona: Ronan came home that day and broke down, telling me everything.
Fiona: I told him to call the police, but he dared not betray Lamont Russo...
Artem: Why do you think Ronan won't betray Lamont Russo?
Fiona: ...He didn't say. But I guess... he's afraid of his crime being exposed...
Hearing that answer, Artem's eyes grow dim. He's unable to ask any more questions.
You: So you were headed toward the law department because of Ronan?
Fiona blushes a little. She plays with her fingers, then looks up at you.
Fiona: I... I'm not a law student, and I don't know any attorneys... I didn't know what to do...
Fiona: But Ronan is a law student, and I got to know a few teachers through him. I thought I'd ask one of the teachers for help...
You: Who would you have asked if we didn't come along?
Fiona: I don't know who is here. I only know which classrooms the law students usually take their classes in... and thought I'd try my luck...
You: I see.
Fiona: G-Good thing you guys came along.
Fiona reveals an awkward smile for the first time since you met.
You: Why didn't you tell Ronan?
Fiona: His mental state is very unstable. I'm afraid Lamont Russo would've sensed something was wrong, so I also hid the truth from Ronan.
Fiona: I just hope this ends soon, and Ronan can be free from Lamont Russo's control.
Artem: What makes you so sure that Lamont Russo is keeping Ronan under strict control?
Fiona: I just know it!
Fiona: He must be scared that Ronan might turn him in, knowing everything he's done.
Fiona: He "helped" Ronan apply for a leave of absence.... probably so that he could use Ronan's graduation as leverage.
You: Then... do you have any proof that Lamont Russo is blackmailing Ronan?
Fiona: ...No, but I'm certain that's the truth!
Fiona knows what she just said wasn't convincing, pleading with her eyes.
Fiona: I know that I don't have much evidence... and it doesn't quite prove my words, but...
Fiona: Please, you have to believe me! I'm telling the truth!
Fiona: Ronan, he's a good guy! Please believe me...
Fiona scrambles to take out her phone, swiping through it quickly with her fingers as if looking for something.
Fiona: Look! This is Ronan's legal aid account! Every day, he answers questions for people online!
Fiona: He's got hundreds of thousands of followers! He's really helped a lot of people!
Fiona: Mr. Wing, please, you have to save Ronan! I don't know what else to do!
Fiona clasps her hands together, overflowing with sincerity.
Artem looks at Fiona's phone for a brief moment, his expression softening.
Artem: Rest assured, people from various industries have placed heavy importance on this case, so the truth will come out.
Artem: Besides, you can choose to trust the police. If there's at least one person who can help you, it's the police.
Fiona did not seem relieved to hear Artem's words. Instead, there is despair in her eyes.
Fiona: Mr. Wing, are you not accepting my case?
Artem: ?
You look at Artem, still stunned, and Fiona in despair. You explain hastily.
You: Fiona, that's not what he means. He just wants to put your mind at ease.
Fiona: So Mr. Wing accepts my case!?
You: ...
Artem doesn't immediately respond to Fiona, but instead brings up another detail.
Artem: You said you're not a law student, and you don't know any attorneys. So how do you know about me?
Fiona: Because... of Ronan. He looks up to you. He always said that he wanted to strive to become more like Artem Wing.
Fiona: I think whoever Ronan looks up to must be a good person.
Artem listens to Fiona, not surprised by what she said.
You: (It seems... Artem had guessed that Fiona heard about him from Ronan.)
You: (And judging by Artem's strange behavior just now, he seems very concerned about Ronan...)
You: (If all goes well...)
Artem looks at Fiona, still uneasy and full of anticipation, but he doesn't let her simmer for too long.
Artem: I'll accept your case.
Fiona lets out a long sigh, finally looking relieved.
Fiona: Thank you, Mr. Wing... Thank you, guys... I'm so fortunate to have met you today!
Artem: We now have a good understanding of the situation. The police will talk to you, but don't worry.
Artem: Don't be scared. We'll be with you when the police ask you questions.
Fiona: Okay, sure.
Artem gets up to leave the room. Shortly after, he re-emerges with Captain Morgan, and Fiona's interrogation officially begins.
After the interrogation ends, the police bring up a new request.
The police need Fiona to continue cooperating with them to investigate the cases of alleged sentence misconduct described in the article.
Since Fiona can't get away from the investigation for now, Captain Morgan sees you and Artem off.
Darius Morgan: Don't worry. I'll have someone send Fiona back to the university afterward.
With that said, Captain Morgan takes a look at Artem, thinking about something.
Darius Morgan: I heard from Fiona that you finally accepted the case. Why so sudden?
Artem: No reason... I just wanted to do something for her.
Seeing that Artem doesn't want to say much more, Captain Morgan pats Artem understandingly on the shoulder.
You: (...That's it?)
You: (But when we questioned Fiona earlier, it didn't seem like Artem "just wanted to do something"...)
You: (Why would Artem hide it?)
As you ponder over these questions, Artem arranges the investigation plan.
Artem: Captain Morgan, do you know the situation between Lamont Russo and Ronan?
Darius Morgan: Now that you're involved in the investigation, I can update you on their situation.
Darius Morgan: The situation with Ronan still needs to be investigated, but Lamont Russo came by the police station today.
Darius Morgan: He alleged that Fiona's article severely damaged his reputation, though the matter has not been settled.
Darius Morgan: Stellis University is taking this case seriously and has suspended him pending the outcome of the investigation.
Artem: I understand. Today, [Player] and I will conduct a preliminary investigation into Ronan and Lamont Russo.
Darius Morgan: Okay, keep me posted.
