Meng Qian's arrest immediately sparked heated discussions right after she was taken away. No one could have anticipated such a shocking scandal to break out right after a meal.
The brilliant painter suddenly fell from grace, revealing dirty dealings behind the façade of a supposedly enviable life.
"Ever since Meng Qian rose to fame, I've been curious how those kindergarten doodle-like paintings fetch such exorbitant prices. I wonder where Jiang Yang got the audacity to gift those paintings to Huo Yun. Turns out, Huo Yun returned them with a resounding slap. That was satisfying."
"The news fabricating Meng Qian's genius persona in the past two years was probably orchestrated by Fang Yan. To call that art genius, when the paintings look like that, and Meng Qian didn't even flinch during interviews, it's clear they meant business."
"Meng Qian defiles art, colluding with a bunch of vile individuals like a group of stinking bugs."
As the entire internet started dissing Meng Qian, "Huo Yun" quickly topped the trending charts.
Huo Yun was an internationally recognized powerhouse painter, her style unparalleled and unreplicable to this day. Despite her four-year hiatus, her position in the industry remained unshakable. What's more astonishing was her background—she was the beloved younger sister of Huo Qing, a scion of the Huo family. Compared to her, Meng Qian appeared as insignificant as an ant in terms of both artistic talent and social status.
Huo Yun had ceased all activity on her social media accounts four years prior. However, after Meng Qian's money laundering scandal surfaced, Huo Yun suddenly spoke up.
"When you defile art, there's a price to pay. @PainterMengQian, wouldn't you agree?"
Huo Yun had previously returned Meng Qian's paintings, and now she openly criticized this case on a public platform, shocking numerous bystanders. Meng Qian truly meant business to provoke Huo Yun, who hadn't updated her status in four years!
While onlookers could only spectate, the upper echelons of Moon City's society gleaned hints from Huo Yun's statement.
Jiang Yang initially gained Huo Qing's support by using Meng Qian's paintings to win over Huo Yun's favor. Now, not only had Huo Yun returned the paintings, but she also publicly condemned Meng Qian's actions. This clearly irked her. If Huo Qing withdrew support because of this... the real drama was yet to unfold.
In the interrogation room, Fang Yan sat handcuffed to the table, his spirit waning. After five days of being detained, enduring torment without a meal or sleep, he had lost all sense of time and was on the brink of madness.
The police had left him here without further questioning after a simple statement on the first day. At best, someone would come in every few days to offer a glass of water or slap him awake if he dozed off.
Initially, Fang Yan gritted his teeth, filled with vengeful intent. But as time passed, his spirits dwindled. Cut off from anyone but the police, unaware of any news from the outside world, he grew increasingly anxious.
Finally, on the seventh day, he met his lawyer.
Fang Yan vigorously slapped his own face, gathering his resolve, and angrily asked, "When can I get out? Damn it, once I'm out, I'll dismantle this police station!"
"The gallery and nightclub have been sealed off." The young lawyer sat down and stated matter-of-factly. Fang Yan paused, his ferocious expression frozen. The lawyer sighed and continued, "Everyone under your wing has been rounded up. Not a single one escaped, Uncle Yan, it's all over."
"Nonsense!" Fang Yan struggled against the handcuffs, slamming both hands on the table. "Impossible!"
"Even Meng Qian has been arrested." The lawyer calmly observed Fang Yan's transition from shock to panic and whispered, "Uncle Yan, don't hold on."
Fang Yan clenched his fists, trembling all over. "And Jiang Yang? If Meng Qian's caught, Jiang Yang just stands by and does nothing?"
"Jiang Yang?" The lawyer sneered. "Uncle Yan, do you know who's pulling the strings behind this? It's Secretary Li. Where does Jiang Yang get the nerve to go against the Secretary? "
Fang Yan gradually released his clenched fists, his disbelief turning his complexion deathly pale. How could he have possibly stirred trouble with such a big figure? How was this even possible!
"The money laundering in the gallery has been uncovered. Moreover, the authorities are investigating your bribery of the Moon City Mayor. This has escalated significantly. The provincial government will likely send an investigation team soon," the lawyer explained.
"How...?" Fang Yan broke into a cold sweat instantly, slumping in his chair with widened eyes.
"In truth, this isn't aimed at you. You're caught in the crossfire. You shouldn't have helped Meng Qian deal with Jiang He from the start," the lawyer regretfully elucidated. "It's Yan Su, the stepson of the Jiang family. A few years ago, Secretary Li's only son was shot in the head while serving in a peacekeeping force abroad. It was Yan Su who saved him. When Yan Su returned to the country, he's been targeting Jiang Yang. Including this, it's all his doing. He's after the Jiang family, and Secretary Li is merely his weapon. You had to meddle between Yan Su and Jiang Yang. It's not just your life at stake."
"How the hell was I supposed to know not to mess with that doctor?" Fang Yan's lips trembled as he stood up, kicking the chair over, shaking uncontrollably.
"Uncle Yan, didn't you hear what I said? This isn't about you. Yan Su is after the Jiang family. Jiang He was meant to be killed by Meng Qian, not by your hands. After Meng Qian and Jiang Yang got engaged, didn't you modify the contract? Meng Qian is the main player here. As for the Mayor's bribery, with Jiang Yang's massive company..."
It took the lawyer a full two hours to conclude his conversation with Fang Yan before leaving the police station. The already mentally collapsed Fang Yan immediately called for the police after the lawyer's departure, ready to confess his crimes.
After dinner, Nie Jia was taking a break in the courtyard's shade with Huo Qing. Leaning against him, she murmured softly.
Suddenly, Nie Jia raised an eyebrow and smiled at Huo Yun, who was nearby playing with their son and the dog. "Huo Yun, your favorite TV series just updated."
At the sound, Huo Yun took out her phone and indeed found fresh developments in the case.
Not only was Meng Qian involved in illegal money laundering, but there were also suspicions of bribing the Mayor... This inevitably led to speculation. Previously, the Jiang Corporation had been pressured by Yan Su, and although they received support from Huo Qing, it was only after securing the bid for the submarine cable project. Who knows if this contract was acquired through underhand means by bribing the Mayor in secret.
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