118: Chapter 118 Who Can Protect You

Tongan City's Xiushan District is a bustling city center.

In a prime location in the city center, a 28-story building rises abruptly.

Qicheng Group.

The headquarters of Qicheng Group, one of the landmarks of Tongan City.

Zhao Yang and Gao Yan arrived at the front desk on the first floor and presented their credentials directly.

"Where is Lai Xunmei? We need her to cooperate with our investigation!"

Seeing the aggressive demeanor of the two, the front desk staff's expression changed slightly.

She picked up the phone, dialed an internal line, and spoke a few words in a low voice.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a dark suit walked over quickly, his face full of smiles.

"Oh my, comrades from the Commission for Discipline Inspection, forgive us for not welcoming you sooner! I am the director of the group's office, surnamed Sun. President Lai is in a meeting. Would you two mind waiting in the reception room for a moment?"

Zhao Yang glanced at him. "A meeting? I'm afraid it will have to end here today."

Director Sun's smile froze on his face.

Gao Yan said sternly, urging him, "What are you still stunned for? Lead the way."

The three took the elevator to the 24th floor, and the general manager's office door was right opposite the elevator.

Lai Xunmei was not in a meeting at all; Director Sun's words were just an excuse.

Knocking on the door of the general manager's office, a pleasant female voice soon came from inside:

"Please come in!"

Zhao Yang pushed the door open and walked in, discovering that the office was over a hundred square meters.

The south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows were enough to take in half of the Tongan City downtown area.

Zhao Yang swept a glance and locked eyes with Lai Xunmei.

"Auntie Lai, we meet again!"

Lai Xunmei had been smiling, but her smile suddenly stiffened, and her lips began to tremble uncontrollably.

Since Guo Mingkai had been taken away, she hadn't slept well for a single day.

She had dialed the secret number for Ji Hongwen, but it never connected.

This made her increasingly restless.

She often prayed in her heart, thinking that with Guo Mingkai's ruthlessness, he should be able to hold out.

However, the thing she feared most had happened.

She feigned not knowing Zhao Yang and asked tremblingly:

"Who... who are you?"

Gao Yan presented her credentials. "We are personnel from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Come with us."

Lai Xunmei instinctively took a step back, almost falling onto the boss's chair behind her.

Gao Yan stepped forward to support her and prompted, "Please bring some personal items."

Lai Xunmei couldn't move her feet at all. Pretending to be calm, she said to Director Sun:

"Director Sun, there are some changes of clothes in the wardrobe. Pack some for me."

There were indeed many clothes in the wardrobe, including many flashy undergarments.

Director Sun didn't dare to look closely and randomly stuffed a full handbag.

Zhao Yang took the handbag, and Gao Yan helped Lai Xunmei downstairs.

Arriving at the parking lot on the first floor, Lai Xunmei struggled hard, trying to shake off Gao Yan's support.

Unexpectedly, Gao Yan was prepared and held her arm firmly.

Seeing this, Zhao Yang reminded her coldly from the side:

"Auntie Lai, don't think there are only two of us. If we let the police come to take you, I'm afraid it won't look very good for your reputation."

Lai Xunmei looked around, a flash of fear in her eyes.

Like a puppet, she was escorted by Gao Yan toward the vehicle of the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

After returning to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's Integrity Education Center, Zhao Yang and Gao Yan immediately began interrogating Lai Xunmei.

Gao Yan took out the transfer records and asked:

"Lai Xunmei, where did the 23 million yuan transferred from the Die-Casting Machine Factory to Qicheng Group this May go?"

Lai Xunmei's hair hung low, and her beautiful face had lost its color.

She looked up slightly, her eyes drifting.

"Oh, that money helped the Die-Casting Machine Factory purchase imported equipment."

"What equipment?" Gao Yan pressed.

"Two imported large machining centers. The equipment is currently in the courtyard of the Public Security Bureau."

After saying this, the look in Lai Xunmei's eyes became much more confident.

She hadn't expected that she would come up with such a perfect excuse at this moment.

Zhao Yang couldn't help but take a deep look at Lai Xunmei. This woman was not only beautiful but also quick-witted.

If he hadn't been familiar with the situation regarding those two machining centers, he really would have been bluffed by her.

Zhao Yang tapped the table lightly. "Lai Xunmei, lying won't do you any good.

"Those two machining centers were installed in January of this year. Guo Mingkai only transported them out of the factory temporarily to transfer assets.

"Let me remind you, quibbling is equivalent to opposing the organization's investigation. You should know the consequences."

Gao Yan added, "From the bank expenditure records of Qicheng Group for that month, we can see that after the money arrived, it was quickly withdrawn as cash. Where did this money go?"

Lai Xunmei looked at the two in surprise, not expecting their people to have checked the withdrawal records directly through the bank.

"This... the other party required cash on delivery..."

"Lai Xunmei!" Zhao Yang shouted sharply. "Don't harbor any lucky thoughts. Since we came to find you, we naturally have evidence."

"Guo Mingkai has already confessed everything. What's the point of you quibbling?"

"I am not quibbling. Everything I said is the truth." Lai Xunmei gritted her teeth and lowered her head.

She was already scared to death inside, but at this moment, she was just gritting her teeth and holding on.

Such a large sum—she couldn't say it. If she did, even if she wasn't executed, she would spend the rest of her life in prison.

She wasn't old yet, her beauty was still there, and she didn't want to spend the rest of her life in prison.

Zhao Yang looked into her eyes and let out a cold laugh.

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you say it or not; the evidence in our hands is already complete. We are asking you now just to give you a chance to confess voluntarily."

Lai Xunmei suddenly looked up, her voice somewhat hysterical.

"I really paid for the goods, what do you want me to confess!"

Zhao Yang sneered, "You really don't give up until you hit the wall. That man has already betrayed you; is there any need for you to keep secrets for him?"

At this point, Zhao Yang stopped suddenly and took out a photo, holding it in his hand.

He continued, "Do you think that as long as you don't speak, someone will come to save you? You might as well take a look at this first."

Zhao Yang flicked his finger, and the photo drifted in front of Lai Xunmei.

Coincidentally, the side with the person's portrait was facing up.

Lai Xunmei's gaze fixed on the photo, her pupils gradually contracted, and her face turned deathly pale.

Zhao Yang knew that Lai Xunmei had lost all her backing at this moment, and her spirit was on the verge of collapse.

"No one can protect you. If you confess voluntarily now, you can still strive for lenient treatment for meritorious service."

As Zhao Yang's voice fell, Lai Xunmei suddenly raised her head, and two lines of tears slid down her cheeks.

"Fine, I'll say it, I'll say everything..." Lai Xunmei's throat became hoarse, her voice getting quieter and quieter.

Gao Yan stood up to get a disposable paper cup and poured her a cup of warm water.

Lai Xunmei drank the water in one breath and spoke again:

"Of that 23 million yuan in cash, 13 million was given to Guo Mingkai, and he took 2 million of it and gave it to me. The remaining 10 million was all given to Secretary Ji."

After Lai Xunmei finished speaking, she let out a long sigh, as if she had unloaded a heavy boulder from her body, and suddenly felt much lighter.

Zhao Yang recorded it quickly and continued to press:

"Who is the Secretary Ji you are talking about?"

"The current Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Ji Hongwen."

Zhao Yang stood up, took the transcript, and walked to Lai Xunmei.

"Please review it and confirm by signing."

Among all the people interrogated in Tongan, Lai Xunmei was the fastest one.

Zhao Yang took the transcript and went to report to Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng nodded with satisfaction. "Good, next, interrogate Guo Mingkai!"