Since the Fuller family employed Ruben, his murder naturally drew police scrutiny. Standard procedure dictated questioning anyone who had interacted with him before his death. Kayla was the first to be questioned.

When questioned, Kayla answered smoothly, her expression calm and composed, leaving no room for suspicion. Her explanation was simple: it had nothing to do with her. She recounted her story effortlessly: "That night, Ruben drove me to the shopping district. I told him he could take a break while I shopped. But when I finished and came out, he was gone. The car was missing, and I couldn't reach him on the phone."

Dexter, standing nearby, interjected, "That's right, Captain Quinn. My daughter wouldn't lie. She was furious about having to take a cab home and even yelled at me about firing Ruben. Who could have guessed this would happen to him...?"

Laurence, a seasoned investigator and longtime acquaintance of Dexter, remained unfazed by personal connections. "Mr. Fuller," he interrupted, "I'm questioning your daughter. Please don't interfere."

Laurence concluded the questioning and started to leave with his team. However, just before departing, he asked Kayla, "By the way, what did you buy during your shopping trip?"

"Well..." Kayla paused. Then, she replied, "A watch, clothes, and accessories."

He smiled politely. "A young lady's love for fashion—nothing unusual about that." But as he turned away, Felicia noticed a glint of doubt in his eyes.

No crime was without inconsistencies. And Kayla's story? It was riddled with them. Felicia watched silently, shaking her head slightly. Kayla was practically a walking web of contradictions. Pull one thread, and the entire story would unravel.

At the front door, Dexter saw Laurence and his team out. Though Ruben's death troubled him, he still hoped for answers. "Captain Quinn," he asked, "what can you tell me about how Ruben died?"

Laurence's expression grew grave. "Ruben was strangled from behind, likely to ensure asphyxiation. Afterward, the scene was staged to look like a drunk-driving accident—his body and the car were pushed into the river."

Dexter gasped. "So it was... a murder? A personal vendetta?"

"Too early to say," Laurence replied. "But we're closing in on some leads." He placed a firm hand on Dexter's shoulder, his gaze heavy with unspoken meaning. "In the meantime, Mr. Fuller, you and your daughter Kayla need to stay in Khogend. Neither of you can leave the city until the investigation is concluded."

"Understood. We'll cooperate fully," Dexter promised with a hearty laugh, showing no signs of concern. The thought that Kayla might be involved didn't even cross his mind.

Back inside the Fuller residence, Kayla breathed a sigh of relief after the tense encounter. She clung to Myra's arm, her voice playful and exaggerated. "Mom, that was so scary! What if our family is cursed or something? Ever since all this started, everything's been going wrong!"

Her eyes flicked briefly to Felicia, the implication in her words sharp. The message was clear—none of this chaos had happened before Felicia's return. Kayla was subtly accusing Felicia.

"Nonsense!" Myra playfully chided, a hint of mock sternness in her voice. "Quick, take it back—knock on wood! Don't jinx it!"

Kayla mimicked the gesture with an exaggerated laugh. "Mom, why do you always treat me like a little kid?"

"Because in my eyes, you'll always be my little kid," Myra replied with a warm smile, tapping her daughter gently on the forehead. The sweet bond between mother and daughter was heartwarming.