To Love You Again

The butler had distanced himself slightly to answer the phone call again. He wanted to interrupt the exchange but those were people of even higher status than his master. 

Finally, he could not help but try to approach once more and tap on his master's shoulders.

Still, he was ignored.

Xiong De had calmed down and continued on with his aggrieved act.

"If uncle really doubts me, then I will comply and follow the investigation of the law. I am willing to prove my innocence." He stood up, pale-faced but with his chin held high in dignity.

The main branch could not topple his pride. He got scared earlier when his scheme was exposed and was worried that he might suffer big losses, but he would not easily lose. 

With the failed scheme, taking the Xiong Empire would just be more difficult and take a much longer time. However, with his backers' power, it was only a matter of time.

This dying old man and this bitch, he thought. You two will soon cry in despair!

Old Xiong waved a hand, unwilling to see the hypocrite's face any more. 

"That's good to hear. Your shamelessness really knows no bounds. Zhou Min, drag this rabid dog away. Even a dog that bites its master was more acceptable than this man."

Xiong De's face blackened, but somehow surprised that the old man was actually letting him leave without further interrogation or punishment.

"Oh right, by the way, Xiong De. I will consider your suggestion. Please look forward to it." The old man raised his teacup for him. 

Please remember what you said, Old Xiong coldly thought.

Xiong Zhi also did not let this chance to rub more salt go. "Uncle, while you are in prison, don't worry about cousin Wuyu'er. I will take good care of her."

Xiong De's mask finally cracked. "You..." Bitch! "Don't you dare touch my daughter!"

"*chuckle* Enjoy your time in prison."

Xiong De finally stepped outside the garden. 

As if he would go directly to prison, Xiong De thought.

The official procedure would take a couple of days to issue a warrant of arrest. He still had time to hide his traces. Although, there was nothing he could do to stop the banishment.

He felt pain for the big loss of his right and inheritance. Like a huge chunk of flesh was taken away from his body. But being drowned by regrets about it wouldn't do much, he must act quickly. The matter of inheritance should be left to his daughter. He could pass this hurdle. That's what Xiong De believed. 

"Master, we had some issues at hand," the butler said as he anxiously came to his side.

Xiong De had a dark face. The severe matter of the earlier issue had already made him care less to whatever 'issues' his butler was talking about.

"Big problems, Master. A lot of calls came and tried to reach you—"

"Give me my phone," Xiong De cut him off. He needed to prepare himself quickly. Perhaps tomorrow the police might come knocking at his door. With Old Xiong's power, he might really spend his night tomorrow at the detention cell. 

So before anything else, he needed to contact his 'friends' in the judicial court.

They were now about to exit the Xiong Mansion. The butler handed to him the phone and still tried to report the contents of the calls he received. "The chiefs wanted to confirm if the news is true—"

"Where's the car?" Xiong De ignored him and asked Zhou Min questioningly. 

Zhou Min did not answer him and pressed the gate button. The gate began to open.

Xiong De suddenly felt something was amiss. Where was his driver, and the Xiong family guards on the gate earlier?

When the gate opened, all noises came out once. Flashes of cameras and a group of police officers came gushing in. The Xiong family guards were busily blocking a huge crowd of reporters from entering the gate.

!!!!

Xiong De was shocked.

What was happening?!

The police officers surrounded him and took his arms.

"Wait—" He shook them off. His mind was confused and he could not process the situation at the moment.

Why was the police here so fast? Why were the reporters here in such a secured private residential area? What the f***ing hell was going on?!

"Zhou Min, what is the meaning of this?!"

Zhou Min politely smiled at Xiong De. "Why don't you ask the officers? Your ride is waiting for you."

The police officers showed their badges.

"Mr. Xiong De, you are under arrest for charges of attempted murder, collusion in attempted r.a.p.e, illegal smuggling..."

Xiong De become dizzy hearing all the charges that were listed against him. The next moment, his hands were cuffed and he was dragged away.

"No! You don't have an arrest warrant! This is an illegal arrest!" Xiong De finally reacted. He tried to struggle out of their hold. 

The chaotic shouts of reporters overwhelmed his ears as he was dragged through them. His clothes were tugged back and forth as they tried to hold him down.

"Mr. Xiong De! Just one statement! Is it true that you murdered the head of the Xiong family?"

What?! The old creep was not even dead yet!

"Is it true that you sent men to violate the heiress of the Xiong family?"

How the hell did they know this?! 

"The business deal in the South was actually a front for illegal smuggling?" 

"The project XX you are handling at the North is really a smuggling channel from country C to country F?"

"Is it true that you have business dealings with the underworld?"

There were so many questions that hit him. All of these rang in Xiong De's mind, making his vision twist. 

How—how... how they knew! Some were even his secret underground deals over the years!

Who let it out?! Just who?! Which bastard…

His mind no longer could think properly.

Xiong De felt that darkness was closing in on him. The feeling of vertigo immersed him in coldness and his consciousness was slowly disappearing...

Two men stood within the mansion and watched the farce at the gate.

Linfeng patted the other man's shoulder. "Great job in exposing him. Since you made yourself trustworthy, I will let you work in the company. Someone will arrange a position for you. It's best to lie low for a while first though."

The former Zhou butler bowed gratefully to Linfeng. "Thank you, boss. I will not betray your trust."

If Xiong De saw his face, he would instantly recognize him.

*****

Stage Behind the Scene: 

Xiong Zhi had preparing all the proofs and evidence over the past two years regarding Xiong De's crime.

Xiong Zhi: This..this..that..this..that..so many crimes.

Linfeng: Don't worry, young miss. With this, Xiong De wouldn't be able to pave the way to get out of prison. Even he was helped by his 'friends', they couldn't turn a blind eye to this case.

Xiong Zhi: En, we just need a witness.

Linfeng: *smile* Don't worry, that is already handled. Our resources also gave all the detailed channels. We can use him. Xiong De had no way out.

Xiong Zhi: *stare at Linfeng with amazement* My man is so capable. Want a kiss as a reward?

Linfeng: *look left and right* En...*shyly*

Smooch~