💡 Attention - A Reminder of Extended Event Duration💡

Due to the upcoming public holiday, the duration of this detective game will be extended to 3 weeks. With a story that is more complicated this time.

The new submission deadline is May 8, 2026.

To make up for the extended duration, rewards will be boosted accordingly!

The top three participants who provide the correct answers along with a high-quality reasoning process will receive rewards of 3000, 2000, and 1000 points respectively based on their order of submission.

Participants vote with the correct answer will receive 3x vote points, and those who submit answers with a thoughtful deduction process will earn 2-3x bonus points as well according to the quality of answer.

The extension only applies to this single event, and after this we'll back to our normal weekly routine :>

👇Thank you for your understanding and support! Without further ado, let's then dive into the game. Shall we 👇

🚪Behind a locked door, the only thing louder than silence is what’s missing.📑

📕Story Background

In the private study of Blackwood Library, at 9:00 PM, a cleaner found renowned suspense writer Eleanor Worth unconscious at her desk. Her phone and wallet were untouched, yet her new manuscript — set for publication next month and positioned as a major new IP—had vanished.

The study door was locked from the inside. The only key was found in Eleanor’s coat pocket, and the lock showed no signs of forced entry. Recently, Eleanor had become withdrawn and rarely allowed anyone into the study, staying in contact with only a few people.

Between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM, four individuals were seen around the library. Each had a chance to approach the private-study area—and each had a hidden tie to Eleanor.

Hale Carter (Librarian) — Works at Blackwood for 10+ years; manages keys (including a spare key he recently claimed was lost); handles cleaning and maintenance.

Clara Bennett (Editor) — Worked with Eleanor for 8 years; the only person who knew the manuscript’s core content early; recently argued with Eleanor frequently.

Marcus Worth (Ex-husband) — Divorced 3 years; entitled to 10% of annual royalties; conflict escalated after Eleanor refused payment.

Lena Cole (Assistant) — Manages schedule, manuscript organization, and errands; has complained of unpaid wages.

🔍Known Clues

1.A half-full bone china teacup sat on the desk. The rim held faint water stains. A bitter almond scent lingered, yet tests found no toxins in the tea or on the cup. Nearby was an empty small glass jar; its blurred label only showed: “food”

2.Eleanor’s mechanical watch stopped at 7:45 PM. It’s a limited edition with strong shock resistance and had been fully wound that morning. Per the manual, it wouldn’t stop unless hit hard or tampered with.

3.In the wastebasket lay a crumpled note with light pencil scuffs along the edge. In Eleanor’s handwriting were two words: “silver feather.” Eleanor normally writes only with a custom gold fountain pen and never uses pencil or quill.

4.The study window was slightly open. The sill had faint scratches and a small, dried green paint smear. The library exterior is beige, hasn’t been repainted, and nothing green-paint-related exists in the study.

5.A desk drawer was half-open. Inside, a notebook read: “Overdue for three months—no more delays,” with a simple paintbrush doodle. Another page warned: “The manuscript must stay confidential. If it leaks, years of work are ruined.”

6.Surveillance: 7:10 PM someone pushed a cleaning cart past the study door; 7:30 PM someone walked deeper into the library holding a folder; 7:50 PM someone left via the side door with light-colored powder on their cuffs; 8:20 PM someone hurried out carrying a black backpack.

7.A small fragment of silver metal lay on the carpet by the desk—confirmed as part of a feather-shaped ornament, unrelated to Eleanor’s pen. A trace of green paint clung to it.

8.Timelines:

Hale Carter: Arrived 6:30 PM. 7:10 PM pushed cleaning cart past the study (seen on camera). 7:15–7:40 PM sorted books on the first floor (witnessed). Returned to office 7:45 PM. Left 8:10 PM. No record of leaving the building; no powder/paint on cuffs.

Clara Bennett: Waited at a café from 6:50 PM. Entered deeper into the library with a folder at 7:30 PM (camera; manuscript proofs inside). Spoke with Eleanor in the study 7:35–7:45 PM, during which they argued. Left via side door 7:50 PM (camera; cuff powder = paper debris). Returned to her studio at 8:00 PM; green paint remained on her cuffs (not washed).

Marcus Worth: Arrived 7:00 PM, lingered outside due to no access. Slipped in through the back door gap 7:20 PM. Wandered 7:25–7:40 PM (couldn’t find the study). Tried to pry the study lock at 7:45 PM but failed. Left hurriedly with a black backpack 8:20 PM (camera; personal items only, no manuscript). No bitter-almond odor or green paint detected.

Lena Cole: Came with Eleanor at 5:30 PM, helped organize the manuscript, left 6:40 PM. Bought dinner, then returned 7:20 PM to deliver forgotten medicine. Left at 7:25 PM without entering the study, reached home by 7:30 PM (traffic cameras). No chance to contact green paint.

🕵️‍Questions and Discussions for YOU

1.Who caused Eleanor’s coma and took the manuscript? Explain the motive and criminal process.

2.Have you ever argued with someone over work? How did it end? (Open-ended)

🎉Participation Rewards

The FIRST user to successfully deduce the identity of the "culprit" and their motive in the comment, will receive a reward of 2,000 GT points! Other participants will earn 200-500 GT points based on the completeness of their submissions. 💰(Except for extended special edition)

📅Submission Deadline

May 8, 2026

Reminder: This is the submission deadline if you want to claim the reward with your vote, but after this date the vote will still remain open for a period of time, so please feel free to participate at any time if you want to test your skills, detectives!

----- Previous answer (The Stolen Coins) -------

Correct Answer: Emma (Community Staff)

Why She Went Unnoticed

Time Blind Spot: From 14:30–14:35, everyone was distracted by the show.

Visual Trick: The LED glare hid the 5 cm gap when she opened the case.

Quick Theft: The small coins took 10 seconds to pocket—no one saw.

Her Mistakes

Impossible Timeline: Her 3-minute alibi is physically unworkable (proven by recreation).

Fake Evidence: The cleaner (not normal use), sticker (planted), and map (overpreparation) all point to deception.

Why Others Are Innocent

Liam: Glass bits came from a decoration, not the case.

Zoe: No passcode access; her materials are unrelated.

Noah: Glitter transferred naturally; past record doesn’t prove guilt.

Link to the post: https://forum.gtarcade.com/topic/255613

We will be rewarding 200 GT points to all players who voted correctly, and additional points to some outstanding responses.

Congratulations and enjoy your juicy GT points reward!!!