223: Chapter 221 For Fairness Sake 223: Chapter 221 For Fairness Sake “A master thief?
It’s like they think we’re in a TV show—where would a master thief come from?
Even if there was one, they wouldn’t dare be so audacious here, right?”
“Exactly, who knows what’s really going on.
It’s not like an item worth over ten million can just grow wings and fly away.
With such temptation, nothing is impossible.”
“Humph, just because a girl is pretty doesn’t mean she won’t steal.
I’ve seen plenty of that, and searching her ownself does sound a bit ridiculous.”
Sundry discussions floated over from the crowd, most bearing the aura of those who relished the spectacle or even schadenfreude, including some jealous girls who spoke ill of Liu Shanshan.
These words fell into Liu Shanshan’s ears, making her exceptionally uncomfortable, as hardly anyone seemed willing to believe her.
Zhu Yanfang and Zhou Tao couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile of triumph upon seeing this effect.
However, Zhu Yanfang said, “Everyone, don’t talk like that.
This is a minor issue, let’s not let it dampen our spirits.
I will look for it myself again, perhaps I just misplaced it.”
“Miss Zhu, you’re too kind.
We can’t stand by and watch this happen.”
“Exactly, Miss Zhu, with such a valuable diamond, how can we let this go so easily?
Whoever took it must be found, and you will definitely have our support, Miss Zhu.”
Liu Shanshan bit her lip and said, “Fine, you don’t believe I searched myself, so let someone else do it.
Is that acceptable?”
“No, no, I really didn’t mean to suspect you; you don’t need to do this,” Zhu Yanfang immediately shook her head and said.
“I appreciate your understanding, Miss Zhu, but that won’t quiet the crowd.
I have always been upright and have nothing to hide; I would rather not be the subject of gossip.
So, Miss Zhu, please have someone you trust search me,” Liu Shanshan said.
Zhu Yanfang secretly delighted in her heart, but she still hesitated with an appearance of difficulty on her face for a moment before she said, “Alright, then I’m sorry.” After speaking, Zhu Yanfang gestured to the female attendant behind her to come and search.
Tangyu chuckled coldly, turning to look at Zhou Tao, whose gaze met his at that moment, sparking an invisible clash in the air.
Seeing the mocking, smug smile on Zhou Tao’s face, Tangyu smirked inwardly—’Laugh all you want, you’ll be the one crying later.’
“Hold on,” called Zhu Yanfang as the waitress approached Liu Shanshan.
Liu Shanshan cooperated by standing up and stretching out her arms.
With Tangyu’s words, the attention of many shifted, and Luo Shuang scoffed and said, “What now, you want to stop us?”
Tangyu gave Luo Shuang a cold glance and smiled lightly, “Of course not, I just have a few words to say.
Miss Zhu, my friend is voluntarily allowing you to search her to prove her innocence, which is a big sacrifice.
Should this get out, it could significantly impact her reputation.
So, I have a couple of points to make.
Number one, if it later proves my friend is innocent, I hope Miss Zhu will speak up fairly for her.
Number two: has anyone considered this—if I were to hypothesize, if the diamond had been stolen by myself, do you think I would be foolish enough to keep it on me?”
Hearing Tangyu’s words, Liu Shanshan also looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Zhou Tao raised an eyebrow, his eyes briefly emitting a sharp light as he regarded Tangyu, not quite grasping the implication of his remark.
“Humph, is that your way of saying, since someone might have stolen it, it wouldn’t be on her anymore hence a search would be pointless?
So you mean there might be accomplices?” Luo Shuang coldly laughed.
Yang Xiaoyu angrily pointed at Luo Shuang and bellowed, “Last warning, Luo!
Watch your mouth.
My elder brother and his friends would never do such a thing.
Watch your words, or I won’t be polite.”
Inspired by Yang Xiaoyu’s outburst, Luo Shuang was truly upset but dared not retaliate.
After all, as the son of the Yang Family, Yang Xiaoyu could easily crush him, Luo Shuang, if provoked.
“I’m somewhat confused by your point,” Zhu Yanfang said.
“My meaning is simple, for fairness, and to thoroughly investigate this matter, I suggest that everyone at this table be searched and the surroundings carefully inspected.
Since Miss Zhu is certain the diamond was lost here, surely turning everything upside down should uncover it, right?
I assume no one objects?” Tangyu stated.
Zhu Yanfang secretly smiled but still looked at Zhou Tao for confirmation.
Zhou Tao looked at Tangyu, his lips curling up in a cold smile, “Fine, I agree.
Mr.
Tang makes a good point about fairness in searching together.
This also ensures we don’t miss anything, quite thorough indeed.”
“Since that’s the case, I must apologize in advance.
Miss Zhu will personally make amends with a toast after this,” Zhu Yanfang said, signaling her bodyguard to commence the search.
This spectacle indeed drew the eyes of almost everyone present.
It was quite indecorous for such an event, but now it seemed like just another drama to watch.
The female attendant commenced searching Liu Shanshan carefully but ultimately shook her head at Zhu Yanfang, saying, “Miss, there’s nothing.”
“Hmm.” Hearing that, the expressions of Zhu Yanfang and Zhou Tao briefly stiffened, skepticism flashing through their eyes.
Zhu Yanfang had indeed seen her attendant search the pocket where she had placed the diamond but found nothing.
This was perplexing to her; she had definitely placed it there, so how could it be missing?
Had it really just vanished?
Moreover, she had been watching Liu Shanshan closely, certain that her hands had never slipped into the pocket.
What was going on?
Zhou Tao also looked at Zhu Yanfang with a somewhat questioning gaze.
Zhu Yanfang, at the moment, was in a bind and visibly confused, not understanding why things had turned out this way.
Bizarre, strange.
Zhu Yanfang’s bodyguard started by searching Tangyu and then Yang Xiaoyu, but they found nothing.
The bodyguard also searched Luo Shuang and Du Xiaowen and still found nothing.
Meanwhile, a female waitress began carefully searching around the table; after all, a diamond is not a bulky object and could easily be hid.
The onlookers were also very puzzled by the situation since they did not know what was happening.
Only Zhu Yanfang understood the situation and she was indeed very perplexed.
However, at this point, all they could do was wait until the search was completed.
Everyone had been searched, with only Zhou Tao left.
“Forget it, no need to search anymore.
It might be my mistake; maybe it wasn’t lost here,” Zhu Yanfang said.
Although trying to mask her discomfort, one could still tell from her expression that she was quite upset.
If the game went on, it would have been a huge ordeal.
If it truly couldn’t be found, that would mean a loss of over ten million.
Not just the loss, but today, the incident would be a huge embarrassment: to lose such an expensive birthday gift and not be able to find it again.
Zhou Tao’s eyes also flickered with light as he thought of a strategy.
He hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events, and it had caught him completely off guard.
He had thought his plan was foolproof but hadn’t expected such an unforeseen and startling development.
This made Zhou Tao extremely frustrated, gritting his teeth in anger.
Tangyu curled his lips and said, “Since Miss Zhu has said there’s no need, then let it be.
Miss Zhu and Young Master Zhou have such a good relationship; there must be no issue.” Tangyu’s words carried an oddly accusatory tone.
Zhou Tao twitched his mouth and said, “Search me anyway.
I can’t be treated differently; everyone else was searched except for me.
That would just point all suspicions toward me, and I certainly don’t want to give anyone that leverage over me.”
It was only then that Zhu Yanfang nodded at her bodyguard, who started searching Zhou Tao.
His expression soon darkened as he pulled something from Zhou Tao’s pocket—a beautiful pendant, precisely set with a large diamond, familiar to those who had seen Zhu Yanfang’s necklace.
This development shifted everyone’s gaze onto Zhou Tao.
Zhou Tao was also stunned, his face turning exceedingly grim in an instant.
Du Xiaowen and Luo Shuang were also incredibly shocked, their faces filled with confusion.
How did the diamond end up in Brother Tao’s pocket?
Zhu Yanfang was flabbergasted; she had clearly placed it in Liu Shanshan’s pocket— how could it fly into Zhou Tao’s pocket?
This was completely illogical, highly implausible, and there wasn’t any delay, as she had not left the spot at all.
Liu Shanshan and the other two were sitting across from the three Zhou Tao individuals, far apart; it was impossible that it could have ended up in Zhou Tao’s pocket.
What in the world was going on?
Zhu Yanfang was entirely baffled, feeling like her brain wasn’t functioning properly.
Zhou Tao’s face turned ashen, his eyes also shimmering differently.
The atmosphere at the venue also became somewhat chaotic, with everyone murmuring softly.
Zhou Tao was quite well-known, and there it was—a major disgrace for a son of the Zhou Family.
“Impossible,” Zhou Tao snorted coldly, his gaze icy and sharp as he looked towards Tangyu.
Tangyu let out a cold laugh and said, “What drama is this, I just don’t get it.
I too find it unbelievable, Young Master Zhou.
How could you do such a thing given your close relationship with Miss Zhu?
Young Master Zhou, can you explain this?”
The corner of Zhou Tao’s mouth twitched violently, and he was furious, but he had to suppress his anger at that moment.
Zhu Yanfang was also in disarray, completely uncertain about how to resolve the situation and cover up the incident.
This sudden development had her completely disoriented.
The atmosphere at the venue had also started to turn rather eerie.
“Haha,” Just then, a loud laugh came as the CEO of Longhai Technology walked over, gesturing for everyone to sit down.
He came to Zhou Tao’s side, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, “Zhou Tao, I must say you are truly a talented actor.
This performance could win you the Best Actor award.
Thank you for this brilliant idea for my daughter’s birthday, truly an unexpected surprise.”
Zhou Tao blinked, looked at the CEO of Longhai Technology, and immediately understood his implications.
His face finally relaxed.
“Mr.
Zhu, don’t say that; it’s what I should do,” Zhou Tao responded with a smile immediately.
“What?”
“What’s going on here?”
Everyone was utterly confused, staring at Mr.
Zhu with a puzzled expression.
Zhu Yanfang glanced at her father and quickly caught on.
“Hmph,” Tangyu sneered inwardly.
Liu Shanshan noticed Tangyu’s unusual expression, and Liu Mei’s eyebrows creased slightly, her eyes glinting with deep meaning.