"Why are you all just standing there? Grab that phone or we're all doomed!" Xiao Bull roared at the 23 shareholders Bai Sheng had just exposed.
Panic struck. The 23 men instantly surged toward Ye Chen, but before they could reach him—thud. One by one, they collapsed to the floor.
"W-What's going on? Why does my body feel so heavy?" one of them gasped, struggling even to lift a finger.
Ye Chen had quietly released a sliver of his aura. That tiny bit was more than enough to suppress them all like helpless insects under a boot.
Xiao Bull was stunned—he couldn't even move his jaw. It was as if something had locked his mouth shut.
"You can all stay right there for now," Ye Chen said coldly as he pulled up a chair next to Zhao Jinshan. He was curious to learn more about Zhao Yanyan from her grandfather.
The five people who weren't involved with the crime sat frozen in place. They dared not even breathe loudly in Ye Chen's presence.
About thirty minutes later, Liu Yue and Luo Bing returned. As Ye Chen had anticipated their arrival, he quietly withdrew his aura. Behind them marched a dozen police officers—reinforcements that Luo Bing had called in.
Liu Yue's eyes widened as she stepped into the room. "What in the world happened here?" she asked, shocked by the sight of twenty-three limp bodies on the floor.
"Welcome back. How did the verification go?" Ye Chen asked calmly.
Luo Bing stepped forward. "We checked the documents you handed over. Everything checks out. The names listed match those involved in the fund embezzlement."
Ye Chen smiled slightly and held up his phone. "I also got Bai Sheng to talk. He admitted everything and named all those involved—including some company employees."
Luo Bing grabbed the phone from him, visibly shocked. "How did you even manage to get this kind of confession?"
Ye Chen shrugged. "Does it really matter how I got it? What matters is that the truth is out and justice can be served."
Luo Bing's eyes narrowed. "Tell me how you got it—or I'll have no choice but to arrest you for interfering with a police investigation."
Ye Chen held out his hands mockingly. "Go ahead. Arrest the guy who just helped you break open a massive corporate fraud case."
"You—!" Luo Bing pulled out a pair of handcuffs, clearly ready to make good on her threat.
"Stand down, Luo Bing," a stern voice called out from the doorway.
Everyone turned to see a new officer enter the room—it was Commissioner Bei Wu.
After hearing about a major fraud case and knowing Luo Bing's tendency to act impulsively, Bei Wu had come personally to ensure things didn't spiral out of control.
Upon entering and seeing the state of the room, Bei Wu sighed and shook his head. "Luo Bing, I'll take it from here. Return to HQ."
"But—!" she started.
"That's an order," Bei Wu said firmly.
Tight-lipped, Luo Bing handed over the evidence to Bei Wu, glaring one last time at Ye Chen. "Consider yourself lucky today. Next time I catch you breaking the law, I won't let you off."
As she stormed out, Bei Wu approached Ye Chen and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You'd better be careful with her, kid. Luo Bing always means what she says."
Ye Chen gave him a thankful nod. "I appreciate the warning, Commissioner."
Bei Wu then turned to his officers. "Round up all suspects and bring them in."
Ye Chen and Liu Yue followed behind them out of the building. Outside, dozens of police vehicles were waiting—and a crowd of reporters, too.
"Let go of me! Do you know who I am? I'm a wealthy man! I'll ruin your careers!" one of the suspects shouted as officers dragged him toward a van. The police, unfazed, shoved him inside like cargo.
Liu Yue rubbed her temple, exhausted. The scope of the corruption was staggering—more than a hundred people were involved, including employees. She realized that cleaning up the company was going to be a massive task.
"We'll take it from here, Miss Liu. You'll receive a full report once we've completed our investigation," Bei Wu said.
"Thank you, Commissioner. I'll be waiting for your findings," she replied.
Inside the building, Ye Chen and Liu Yue watched as the police hauled away the last of the suspects. Reporters were held at bay by security, who blocked the entrances to prevent chaos inside.
Finally, Liu Yue's legs gave out beneath her. She leaned back instinctively—and Ye Chen was right there, catching her.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
"I'm just… exhausted. Everything today was so overwhelming," she sighed, releasing all the tension she'd been holding in.
Ye Chen could feel the weight of responsibility she carried for the company. "Want a massage? Might help ease some of that stress," he offered.
Liu Yue chuckled softly. "That actually sounds great. Come with me to my office, will you?"
With a smile, Ye Chen followed her.
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