42: The real purpose is to frame someone

“Contraband?”

The Hotel Manager’s panicked words were like a spark dropped into boiling oil, instantly causing the entire banquet hall to erupt!

Everyone present was a prominent figure in the Beijing Circle, either wealthy or powerful. For such a high-end, private banquet to have something as shocking as “contraband” appear was simply unbelievable!

For a moment, guests whispered amongst themselves, their faces showing shock, curiosity, and even a hint of barely perceptible excitement. After all, such thrilling “big news” wasn’t something one encountered every day.

“What’s going on? What contraband?”

“No way? How could anyone bring that kind of thing to an event like this?”

“Anonymous report? I bet someone’s trying to cause trouble!”

The Hotel Manager wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forcing out a smile uglier than a cry, and repeatedly bowed to the crowd: “Esteemed guests, I am truly sorry for disturbing everyone. We just received a report, and to ensure everyone’s safety, as well as our hotel’s reputation, we have no choice but to conduct a routine inspection. Please cooperate with us; we promise to finish as quickly as possible and try not to spoil your enjoyment.”

He spoke of a “routine inspection,” but the sight of several heavily armed security guards (though only with rubber bullets, their presence was imposing) and his nervous expression indicated that things were far from simple.

Li Shengshi’s brows were also tightly furrowed. He glanced at Lin Da beside him, then swept his gaze towards Wang Hong and Zhang Yang, whose expressions were somewhat unusual not far away, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. As an old hand who had navigated the business world for many years, he naturally saw through the trickery involved.

“Since it’s a routine inspection, then let’s cooperate,” Li Shengshi said indifferently, his tone carrying an undeniable authority, “However, I hope the hotel can quickly ascertain the truth, not wrong good people, and not let any scoundrels attempting to stir up trouble here get away!”

His words were pointed, causing Wang Hong and Zhang Yang’s expressions to subtly change.

The Hotel Manager quickly nodded and bowed: “Yes, yes, Chairman Li is right. We will certainly investigate as quickly as possible and give everyone an explanation.”

Soon, several security guards began their “routine inspection” within the banquet hall. They did not conduct extensive body searches but primarily focused on unattended corners and questioned and checked individuals whose behavior seemed slightly suspicious.

Lin Da stood still, his expression still calm and unruffled. He knew that the opponent’s true target must be him.

He quietly activated the passive skill of the Eye of Truth, while silently chanting in his mind: “Qi Chang Control - Focus.”

His perception became exceptionally acute; every subtle expression, every unintentional movement around him, clearly registered in his mind.

He noticed that a faint, cold smirk consistently played on Wang Hong’s lips, her eyes occasionally darting towards him, full of calculation. Zhang Yang appeared somewhat nervous and excited, his fists slightly clenched at his sides, as if anticipating something. And Sun Hao wore a look of schadenfreude, eager to see Lin Da’s reputation ruined immediately.

Just then, a waiter carrying a tray, responsible for clearing wine glasses, “accidentally” stumbled as he passed by Lin Da, his tray tilting, and several empty wine glasses “clattered” to the floor, shattering into pieces.

“Oh dear! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” The waiter quickly crouched down, frantically picking up the glass shards from the ground, his face filled with panic and unease.

Lin Da’s gaze sharpened slightly.

He hadn’t paid much attention to this waiter before. But under the Eye of Truth’s insight, he clearly saw a hint of barely perceptible panic and… deliberate action flash in the waiter’s eyes as he approached him.

Moreover, his stumble just now seemed a bit too exaggerated and unnatural.

Something is wrong!

Alarm bells rang in Lin Da’s mind.

Just as the waiter was fumbling to pick up the glass shards, attracting the attention of those around him, another security guard, who had been standing not far away, seemingly maintaining order, suddenly walked quickly towards Lin Da.

On his face was an expression of “surprise” and “gravity,” and in his hand, he conspicuously held a small, white powdery substance wrapped in a transparent plastic bag!

“Found it! It’s here!” the security guard shouted loudly, his voice carrying a deliberate excitement, “Manager! Chairman Li! Esteemed guests! We… we found this… in this gentleman’s… jacket pocket!”

As he spoke, he held up the plastic bag containing the white powder, raising it high, as if afraid others wouldn’t see it clearly.

At these words, the entire hall erupted in an uproar!

Everyone’s gaze, like spotlights, instantly converged on Lin Da!

Shock! Confusion! Disdain! Schadenfreude!

All kinds of gazes surged towards Lin Da like a tide.

Wang Hong and Zhang Yang simultaneously revealed triumphant smiles of a successful conspiracy. They knew that this “framing” tactic had largely succeeded!

As long as Lin Da was convicted of carrying contraband, not only would he lose the role of Wei Zhongxian, but his entire acting career would be completely ruined!

“No… impossible! This is absolutely impossible!” Xiao Min, Qin Ya’s assistant, was the first to cry out, her face instantly turning pale.

Li Shengshi’s brows also furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with disbelief. He never expected the other party to use such a despicable method!

The Hotel Manager was even more terrified, rushing over, looking at the plastic bag in the security guard’s hand, his voice trembling: “What… what exactly is going on? Sir, is this… is this yours?”

Lin Da stood still, his expression still calm and unruffled, as if everything happening before him had nothing to do with him.

He merely looked quietly at the security guard holding the plastic bag, his face full of “righteousness,” a cold, somewhat mocking curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

The dagger is revealed, has it finally arrived?

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Wang Hong and Zhang Yang’s triumphant and ferocious faces, his voice calm yet carrying a chilling power:

“This thing is not mine.”

“Furthermore, I suspect this is a meticulously planned frame-up!”