"Betrayal at the Ball"

The air in the private room grew tense, the silence heavy with the weight of unsaid words and unresolved animosity. Xu Yan's grip on Xu Zhounian's collar tightened, his knuckles white with anger. Zhounian, however, remained unfazed, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked down at his nephew.

"You always did have a temper, Yan," Zhounian said calmly. "But violence won't change the truth."

Before Xu Yan could respond, the door to the private room burst open once more. This time, it wasn't a waiter or another family member, but a stern-looking man in a dark suit. He carried an air of authority that immediately commanded attention.

"Mr. Xu Zhounian, Miss Lin Xingxiao," the man addressed them directly, ignoring Xu Yan's presence altogether. "I am Detective Li from the Jiangcheng Police Department. We need to speak with you both regarding a new development in the case of your parents' accident."

Xingxiao's heart skipped a beat. She had suspected foul play in her parents' death for years, but every lead had gone cold. The sudden appearance of the detective sent a chill down her spine. What could have changed?

"Detective Li, what is this about?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

"We've discovered new evidence that suggests your parents' accident was no accident at all," Detective Li stated gravely. "We believe they were murdered."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Xu Yan's grip on Zhounian loosened, his face a mix of shock and confusion. Zhounian's smirk faded, replaced by a look of grim determination.

"Murdered?" Xingxiao whispered, her mind reeling. "Who would do such a thing?"

"We're still investigating, but there are indications that it was someone close to them," Detective Li replied, his gaze shifting to Xu Yan for a moment before returning to Xingxiao. "We need to bring you both in for questioning to discuss these findings further."

As they left the private room, Xingxiao felt a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, fear, and a burning desire for justice swirled within her. She glanced at Zhounian, who met her gaze with a reassuring nod. They were in this together now, bound by more than just a hastily arranged marriage.

At the police station, Detective Li led them to a small, dimly lit interrogation room. He gestured for them to sit before placing a file on the table in front of them. "These are the preliminary findings," he said, sliding the file towards Xingxiao.

She opened it with trembling hands. Inside were photographs, witness statements, and forensic reports. Each piece of evidence pointed to a calculated and deliberate act. Her parents' accident had been meticulously staged.

"This is..." Xingxiao's voice trailed off, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the revelation.

"We believe the mastermind behind this is still at large," Detective Li continued. "And they may be closer than you think."

Xingxiao's eyes widened. The implications were staggering. Someone within their inner circle, someone they trusted, was responsible for her parents' death. She looked at Zhounian, who nodded grimly.

"We'll do whatever it takes to find the truth," Zhounian said firmly. "No matter the cost."

As they delved deeper into the investigation, the lines between friend and foe blurred, and the stakes grew higher. Xingxiao knew that unmasking the killer would change everything, but she was prepared to face whatever lay ahead. The truth demanded justice, and she would stop at nothing to achieve it.