"You're making it sound like a hit job, aren't you?" Yu He looked up at Shi Ban.
"Even if it's not a hit job, it's definitely not something done in broad daylight," Shi Ban stated confidently.
Yu He remained silent, replaying the entire sequence of events in her mind.
Ever since she received Luo Xiaoyao's scheduled email, she had meticulously checked the email's code and the sender's address. It was sent only to her. Judging by the content, the box Luo Xiaoyao mentioned likely contained something crucial to the safety of the mother and daughter.
However, by the time she arrived in Lin County, she was too late. The item had already been taken. The traces left at the scene indicated it was removed not long before her arrival.
This suggested that the person who took the item also found out about it shortly after she received the email. But she had only sent the email content to Chen Hao.
And Chen Hao had found Yang Lin. There was definitely a leak of information between these two, or perhaps a mole!
Secondly, if this memory card was indeed what was in the box in the woods, Luo Xiaoyao should have known its contents. Yet, the recording was incomplete.
At best, this recording could only indicate that Qin Meimei was engaged in some clandestine dealings, but the specifics of those dealings were unclear without corroborating testimony from the involved parties.
The current situation was not a dead end.
Yu He snapped back to reality and called Chen Hao, but the call was directed to his voicemail. Her brows furrowed as she hung up.
There was a crucial piece of information she had almost overlooked: Chen Hao was Qin Beiting's man!
She thought of Chen Dong, who was guarding outside, and how Qin Beiting had been watching her every move these past few days. A terrible suspicion began to form in her mind.
If this matter was connected to Qin Beiting, had she been falling into a honey trap set by him from the very beginning?!
Qin Beiting, despite his clear preference for men, had been deliberately flirting with her, seducing her, making her fall for him, and thus dulling her vigilance, leaving her unable to extricate herself.
The moment Yu He considered this possibility, she felt as if she had plunged into an ice cave, her entire body turning cold.
"Do you need to report this to the police, or perhaps hire a detective? I have some connections in Southern Europe, I can help you reach out," Shi Ban asked, noticing her pale complexion.
"Thank you, I'll contact you if I need anything." Yu He copied the contents of the memory card, then handed it back to him. "You need to take this to her address and return it to her personally."
Shi Ban took the item. "And then?"
Yu He beckoned him closer. Shi Ban leaned in, and Yu He whispered something in his ear. Shi Ban nodded. "Understood."
***
In the coffee shop lobby.
Qin Meimei emerged from a private room with several reporters, a smile on her face. "I'll have to trouble you all then."
These were reporters from major media outlets specializing in finance, entertainment, and gossip, always on the hunt for sensational headlines. Unexpectedly, the Gu family, currently at the center of a media storm, had approached them for help in reporting the news.
Although they were providing the news drafts and only responsible for publishing them, it was still a highly profitable endeavor.
"It's our duty. Thank you, Mrs. Gu, thank you for your hospitality."
Several reporters nodded and replied with beaming smiles.
After seeing them off, Qin Meimei's smile grew even more confident.
Since Gu Yan had been declared a wanted fugitive by the police, her status as a suspect had been cleared, and even the driving restrictions had been lifted.
Next, she would revive the Gu family.
At that moment, she happened to spot Chen Dong sitting in the lobby, sipping coffee, and her eyes lit up.
"Assistant Chen, it's been a while," Qin Meimei approached and greeted him.
"Mrs. Gu," Chen Dong nodded upon seeing her.
Seeing him sitting there so calmly, unmoving, Qin Meimei felt a fleeting moment of displeasure. Most people would bow and scrape when they met her.
If it weren't for him being Qin Beiting's loyal subordinate, she wouldn't have greeted him with such a pleasant demeanor.
She glanced at the empty coffee cup on the table, then at the door of the private room closest to Chen Dong's location, and said with a smile, "Seventh Master is here too, isn't he?"
Chen Dong's brow furrowed. "Is there something you need, Mrs. Gu?"
"I was just about to look for Seventh Master. I hope he can attend the Gu Group's annual general meeting." Qin Meimei said, turning around. Her assistant, who was behind her, immediately took an invitation from her bag and handed it to her.
"Is this the one? I'll go in and see Seventh Master," Qin Meimei said, about to knock on the door. Chen Dong immediately stood up to stop her.
"Mrs. Gu, you cannot go in."
*Click.* Just then, the door to the private room opened.
Yu He emerged, her beautiful brows knitting slightly as she saw Qin Meimei and Chen Dong.
Upon seeing Yu He, Qin Meimei's smile instantly vanished. She caught a glimpse inside the room before the door closed – there was someone else inside, but it was clearly not Qin Beiting.
Why was this wretched girl here?!
The news she had received was that this wretched girl had fled into the mountains and was rescued by the police, currently being treated at Lin County Hospital.
She looked perfectly fine, not injured at all.
Speaking of which, wasn't Mr. Shao injured? How could he still be in the mood to protect this wretched girl?!
Qin Meimei didn't believe that a bumpkin like Yu He could have any capabilities. She glanced at Chen Dong, whom Gu Ze had told her about, saying Yu He had seduced him.
If it was Chen Dong, then it was plausible.
She had heard before that Qin Beiting wasn't very good at managing companies and had given his subordinates a lot of authority.
Yu He's gaze flickered between Qin Meimei and Chen Dong. She chuckled lightly, "Mrs. Gu, have you come all this way for some fresh air? You must have been cooped up for too long and felt stifled?"
Her words struck a raw nerve. Qin Meimei wished she could grind Yu He into dust, and gritted her teeth, "I came to see if you were still alive."
"Don't worry, even if the King of Hell wanted someone, he'd collect those with one foot in the grave first. I suggest you make the most of your remaining time and flail around a bit more," Yu He said coldly, then left the coffee shop.
Chen Dong immediately followed her.
Was she mocking her for being old?!
Qin Meimei clenched her jaw, her eyes fixed on their retreating figures like a venomous snake.
Wretched girl, don't think you can waltz around Bei City like a crab just because you know how to charm people! Do you really think that sycophantic assistant Chen Dong can protect you? You won't even know how you died!
***
Yu He exited the coffee shop, and Chen Dong immediately hailed a taxi for her.
After they got into the car, Chen Dong asked, "Miss Yu, are you returning to Tianyu or the Ye family?"
"Where is Brother Ting?" Yu He asked, not answering his question.
Chen Dong was taken aback. Was it his imagination, or did Yu He seem a bit different today?
"At the company."
"To the company," Yu He uttered the three words.
Chen Dong was surprised. Qin Beiting was indeed at the company, but it was XS Group, not Shengda Venture Capital. Taking her directly to XS Group would expose his identity.
"Brother Ting is in a meeting right now, so it might not be convenient for him to see you. After the meeting, he has an event to attend. Why don't we go back to Tianyu first? Tiramisu must miss you," he asked tactfully.
Yu He's brows furrowed. The more they tried to stop her, the more suspicious it became.