Oritis in the world of Detective Conan

Chapter 257: Melodi Family Birthday Party (Part 7)

The photographer saw the composer and his group around Conan, so he came over to say hello, but he greeted the explorer first and ignored the composer, his original "partner".

"Director Campbell, I've heard a lot about you. Your mining business seems to be booming. Congratulations."

The composer and the explorer were both stunned, as if they didn't expect the photographer to greet the explorer first.

However, the explorer reacted quickly and replied immediately: "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Melody. I owe my current success to my own hard work."

The photographer smiled and extended his hand. "Of course, of course. Hardworking people never have bad luck, right? However, I did find something interesting about your rise to wealth. It seems you're the sole survivor of Mine No. 13 in the Glittering Caverns?"

The explorer was about to shake the hand extended by the photographer, but after hearing these words, he paused and slowly withdrew his hand.

"This incident was reported by all major newspapers. I never thought Mr. Melody would care so much about me, a poor and destitute person in the past."

The photographer also withdrew his hand. "Of course, I learned a lesson from old Count Baril and improved the treatment of the workers below. But I still want to know what kind of treatment old Count Baril gave to you low-level miners?"

"For example, will you be taken for regular medical checkups? How will your daily wages and working hours be arranged? How will pensions and accident insurance be paid? And of course...will there be any illegal use of explosives in mining?"

The explorer's previously normal face suddenly turned painful. He took two steps back and bowed slightly: "I'm sorry, Mr. Melody, I can't answer such questions in detail in such a short time. Please forgive my absence."

After saying that, the explorer took off his hat and put it in his arms. He hurriedly asked a waiter where the bathroom was and left.

The novelist saw this and his expression became serious: "This is not good. Campbell has actually been defeated."

The composer muttered quietly, "It seems he wants to defeat us one by one. You better be careful."

Conan secretly pulled the two of them over and asked, "What did Uncle Norton go through in the past? I only know that he was a miner and what kind of accident happened to him later..."

The novelist patiently explained to Conan: "You heard what Melodi said just now about the benefits."

Conan nodded.

The novelist goes on to say: "These welfare conditions would have been a pipe dream for old Earl Barrier, the hellish place where Norton used to live."

"The mine owners don't care about the miners' health. The working hours are always getting longer, but the wages can't even afford a normal meal. Pensions are exploited at every level, and there is no accident insurance. I heard that the day after Norton's father died, Norton started working with a pickaxe that was as tall as he was at the time."

Conan couldn't believe that there was such a horrible place in the world. If this happened in Beika Town, such a president would have been killed by his employees more than ten times.

As everyone knows, the job of president of Beika Town is a high-risk job. If employees feel that their wages are too low, that the boss does not respect them, and that they have to work overtime every day, then the probability of something happening to the president will greatly increase.

There will always be employees who can't stand it anymore and finally choose to explode with their boss. Before taking action, they will attract Conan over, and then cry, kneel and confess after Conan solves the case.

Conan thought about what the photographer had just said. It could be said that every word hit the explorer's sore spot, so it was normal for the explorer to leave in anger.

Seeing that Conan had finished communicating with the novelist, the photographer turned the conversation to the composer.

"Mr. Kreiberg, you haven't been around lately, and I can't help but feel worried. I thought you were so sad about losing your loved ones that you couldn't help but follow Lady Mary."

The composer blushed immediately after hearing this: "Who do you think is responsible for my aunt's tragedy? Melody! You forced her to death!"

"How can you say that? I provided Madam Mary with a stage, all kinds of luxurious cosmetics and dresses, and of course I also continued to support her behind the scenes. Do you really think that her performances over the years can really repay my support? Once her identity is exposed, not only will she be liquidated, but your nephew will also be implicated."

"So, she only chose to sacrifice herself to protect you, her nephew, and write off all those debts. What a great aunt. Looking at it this way, I actually made such a losing investment. Really..."

"You...you!" The composer was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"Oh, by the way, because 'Madame Bella' unfortunately passed away, I had to invest in a new lady. She is a jeweler who is as noble and elegant as 'Madame Bella'. Most importantly, she has high standards."

As the photographer clapped his hands, a lady in a purple dress who looked 90% similar to Mrs. Bella walked up to him under the guidance of a perfumer.

Lady Red (Lady Diamond) appeared before everyone.

The composer's eyes widened, tears rolling down his cheeks: "Aunt?"

The novelist quickly slapped him to wake him up: "Wake up, Madam Mary is gone, I'm afraid..."

However, the composer was a little dazed when he saw someone who looked exactly like his aunt: "Aunt, it's me, I'm Frederick."

However, the touching reunion scene did not occur. Instead, the slightly arrogant voice of Madame Red rang out: "Mr. Melody, is this the great composer you wanted to recommend to me? He doesn't look very good. He was frightened and cried in such a small scene."

The composer stood still for a moment as if struck by lightning. Then his eyes rolled back and he fainted. Fortunately, the entomologist was quick to support him.

"Sorry, Frederick may not be feeling well today. I'll take him to the bathroom." The entomologist dragged the unconscious composer away.

The novelist couldn't help but hold his forehead. "Oh my God, he was just trying to tell me to calm down, but he left even earlier than me... This is really troublesome."

Conan looked at the photographer's smug expression and couldn't help but frown. After all, this nasty guy destroyed Uncle Orpheus and the others' plan with just a few words, and he might have a backup plan.

After looking around, Conan did not see the prophet who was supposed to appear at the banquet and whose public identity was the adopted son of the Melodi family. Similarly, the priest who was the head maid also did not appear.

Regardless of where the prophet is now, the priestess, who grew up as a maid, is probably in a place like the kitchen. Conan plans to find an opportunity to sneak in and take a look.

At this point, the photographer had already set his sights on the novelist. He walked over and greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Orpheus, you're a world-renowned mystery and suspense writer. I've long heard of you."