Free Web NovelChapter 220: Chapter 141: Interrogation, Big Shot (Part 2)
He asked this deliberately, the air crackling with tension.
The other three members of the Superpower Bureau who had come with him all stared at the floor, pretending they hadn’t seen a thing.
But of course,
the man known as Captain Dai shook his head with an air of righteousness. "If Captain Lu is truly the murderer, I, Dai Jianjun, will personally arrest him! I’m sure Vice Director Liu would agree!"
"But..."
His tone shifted, and he asked curiously, "To this day, none of us have seen the final footage from the villa."
"Leader Zhao, I’d just like to ask, how exactly were Mei Ning and the others killed?"
Hearing this, the other members of the Superpower Bureau also looked over, their faces full of curiosity and doubt.
Although the scene had been secured, there were some problems with the surveillance footage from inside the villa; it wasn’t complete.
Facing their collective gazes, Leader Zhao’s eyelid twitched.
’If people found out Ruan Hui killed Mei Ning and the others, all hell would break loose.’
In the end, he pushed up his glasses, shook his head, and made an excuse before ordering them to interrogate the next person.
...
"Captain."
"Don’t worry. No one can frame you."
Outside the conference room, Yang Wangtao was already waiting.
He clapped Lu Chao on the shoulder. It wasn’t just him; Captain Yu Yong had also been interrogated, and even Chen Xiao and the others were lined up nearby, waiting their turn to be questioned.
"This incident has caused a huge stir, but the killer was clearly a Superpower Level expert."
"A grudge might establish motive, but everything requires evidence."
His square face was serious as he led Lu Chao away and into the captain’s office, offering several words of reassurance.
Lu Chao nodded.
’He wouldn’t tell anyone that he was the one who killed Ruan Hui.’
Since his deception had succeeded in shifting the primary suspicion away from himself, all he had to do was follow his plan.
"The task force includes Vice Director Ruan’s secretary and personnel from the Superpower Bureau, but Captain Dai is a trusted confidant personally promoted by Vice Director Liu."
"Even if something unfavorable happens, Vice Director Liu will be the first to know. We just need to handle things as they come."
Yang Wangtao said in a low voice, even going so far as to brew two cups of hot tea.
Lu Chao accepted a cup and nodded his thanks.
"Thanks, Captain."
’It wasn’t for the tea, but for the special consideration his captain had shown him, never once suspecting him.’
"Bah, it’s nothing."
Unaware of Lu Chao’s thoughts, Yang Wangtao smiled.
With his rival, Ruan Hui, dead, he also felt some of the pressure on him lighten.
However,
"Although this matter has nothing to do with us, the fallout is sure to be significant."
He took a sip of hot tea, spitting out a small tea leaf before speaking. "His mother left the Ring Branch years ago and is now one of the directors at the Biotechnology Company headquarters. Her methods are extremely aggressive, and she doesn’t play by the rules."
"There might be some turbulence ahead. We should just let them vent their anger and not resist directly. Someone will step in to resolve it when the time comes."
Taking in the subtle reminder, Lu Chao nodded thoughtfully, committing it to memory.
’So far, the Ruan family has been playing by the rules and demanding evidence.’
’This was largely because both sides were part of the Patrol Department and had to be mindful of the consequences.’
’But if that director from the megacorp got involved herself, her methods would certainly be different.’
"I understand, Captain."
"Good."
Seeing that he had taken it seriously and understood, Yang Wangtao didn’t say any more on the matter.
Then, after a moment of small talk,
his tone shifted, and he lowered his voice. "Regarding the special promotion, Vice Director Liu has already submitted your report to the Yao Capital headquarters."
"I expect a specialist will arrive in person in a few days. Remember to prepare and make a good impression."
’Oh?’
Lu Chao was a little surprised. This was progressing faster than he had anticipated.
’But from what he had heard, there were no suitable vacancies in the Rhombus Ring City Circle at the moment.’
’Could it be...’
"You might be transferred to another allied city,"
Yang Wangtao said with a smile.
"I’d like for you to stay, but people are always striving for greater heights. You can’t just stay in one place forever."
"Besides,"
he rose and walked to the window, remarking wistfully, "perhaps one day in the future, you’ll come back?"
WHOOSH!!
A breeze swept past, carrying the image of a wild goose spreading its wings and soaring across the endless sky.
Lu Chao was silent.
The tea was bitter at first, but a hint of sweetness emerged in the aftertaste.
...
「The Inner Ring.」
Skyscrapers stood like a dense forest, packed tightly together.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched from the ground to the rooftops, soaring dozens, even hundreds of meters high. They reflected the sunlight, shimmering like a blue-green ocean.
Glass-enclosed skywalks crisscrossed between the tall buildings. Looking closely, one could see employees of the megacorporations moving back and forth between the towers.
Some walked with hurried steps, tapping the cybernetic arms on their wrists to project light screens and handle business on the go.
Others zipped swiftly through the glass corridors on small personal mobility devices.
The bustling skyscrapers seemed to form a world within the city, a new human ecosystem. Beneath a glass canopy, sky elevators appeared to offer a panoramic view of the entire city circle.
And at this very moment.
WHIR!!
A medium-sized flying car descended from the sky, landing on the rooftop of the Biotechnology Company building.
PSSH! CLANK!
The vehicle’s cabin door opened, releasing several plumes of white vapor.
Then,
CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP!
Amidst the sound of footsteps, a line of armed security personnel with grim expressions emerged from the vehicle.
Most were dressed in crisp suits, with bulges at their waists. A cybernetic glow emanated from their necks and wrists. Their powerful and steady presence made the waiting executives from the Ring Branch turn serious, their gazes fixed on the far end of the cabin door.
At the center of the security detail,
a woman who appeared to be in her late twenties walked out.
Her features were exquisite, her lips a fiery red.
She had long, wavy hair, wore tea-colored sunglasses, and was draped in a black trench coat. Beneath a pair of straight-cut black pencil pants, she wore silver high heels.
"Greetings, Director Han!"
"Director Han!"
Several of the branch executives greeted her respectfully before leading her into the building.
"Director Ruan is already waiting for you in the conference room."
"Mm."
"Regarding Young Master Ruan’s matter, please let us know your decision at any time. The Ring Branch will cooperate fully!"
The branch executive leading the way quickly pledged his support, his tone feigning grief and loyalty.
The woman known as Director Han remained expressionless as she walked all the way to the top-floor conference room.
Many people were already inside—other senior executives from the branch, as well as elite officers from the Patrol Department and the Superpower Bureau.
A chorus of similar greetings arose as everyone from the Ring Branch stood up to welcome her.
This included the branch’s own director, a man of comparable status.
"Director Han, my condolences."
The director of the Biotechnology Subsidiary was an old man with gray hair. He offered a handshake, showing her ample respect.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man in a black suit, the cybernetic luminescent patterns on his neck flashing with a silver light. It was none other than the Superpower Level Armored Transformer who had tried to hunt down and kill Lu Chao last night.
"I’m sorry, Director Han. I failed to protect Young Master Ruan."
He actually lowered his head, his voice filled with apology.
The woman, who had been silent until now, stared at him for several seconds before finally speaking.
"Advisor Sun, I actually want to kill you."
As her words fell, the room went silent. Even the Superpower Armor User known as Advisor Sun felt his heart clench, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his face.
He was well aware of the power the woman before him wielded; she was one of the true higher-ups at the Biotechnology Company.
If she truly decided to make a move against him, he would be lucky to escape with his skin intact.
"Of course,"
"...if that would bring my Xiaohui back to life."
CLACK, CLACK!
The sound of high heels echoed on the floor as she brushed past him.
The Superpower Armor User named Advisor Sun let out a sigh of relief, then glanced at the gray-haired old director to his side.
The old man gave a slight shake of his head, signaling with his eyes.
Advisor Sun understood. He quickly strode forward to follow, positioning himself behind the woman like a loyal bodyguard.
"You’re late."
Dressed in a white shirt, Ruan Yongheng sat expressionlessly in one of the two seats of honor at the head of the conference table. He didn’t even stand up.
She met his gaze for two seconds.
The woman known as Director Han removed her sunglasses.
They revealed a pair of gem-like eyes, the color of amber, that did not seem quite human.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy. The entire conference room fell silent, and the elites from the Biotechnology Company, the Superpower Bureau, and the Patrol Department all felt a sense of unease.
Finally,
"I apologize, Director Ruan."
"Director Han was attacked by warlords on the way and was forced to change her route."
A female secretary quickly spoke up, trying to diffuse the tension.
Hearing this, everyone present paled, their hearts pounding in silent shock.
Ruan Yongheng’s brow furrowed. His expression eventually softened, and he seemed about to say something.
But in response to this,
"You’ve greatly disappointed me,"
the woman known as Director Han said flatly, causing Ruan Yongheng’s eyes to darken.
Unable to refute her, he could only watch as she took the other seat of honor and swept her gaze over the room.
"Now, tell me who killed my son."
Her voice was cold, and the conference room seemed to plunge into the depths of winter.
She looked at everyone and said, word by word, "I don’t care who he is, and I don’t care what his background is."
"I just want to know... who is the killer!"
