Qin You, you're finished!

Qin You was stunned. "What did you say? Your father is about to be released without charge? That's impossible!"

He had clearly spent money to make sure everything was taken care of!

"Justice lives in people's hearts. My father is innocent, and the police will naturally uncover the truth for him," Wen Shuang replied, her voice icy cold. "Qin You, you despicable man, you have nothing left with which to threaten me!"

Suddenly, Qin You thought of something. "Wen Shuang, was it you who sent those photos to An Ran's parents? Are you trying to set me up on purpose?"

"What photos? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Wen Shuang, I never realized how vicious you could be. Wen Yao is your own sister. No matter how badly you two got along before, you shouldn't have sent those photos to An Ran's parents! You really are a poisonous woman!"

Qin You was convinced Wen Shuang was behind it—who else could hate him so much?

Wen Shuang seemed to find his words hilarious. "If I had done something, I'd admit it, but this wasn't me. Qin You, stop biting at people like a mad dog. Still, considering how contemptible you are, whoever did it really did the world a favor!"

She hung up with a snap.

"Qin You, now it's your turn to taste the suffering I've endured!"

After the abrupt end of the call, Qin You was lost for a long time.

How had everything changed overnight?

He had been so confident of victory, certain that Wen Shuang would soon be forced into his arms. But now, it was as if some invisible hand had overturned the chessboard, undoing all his previous schemes.

He was furious.

The bird he thought was in his grasp had flown away.

And just yesterday, he’d been beaten up by those damned Xia family parents!

Enraged, he smashed everything in the room to pieces.

That evening, when Ji Shen returned home, Wen Shuang asked him if he was the one who had sent the photos of Qin You.

The man admitted it without hesitation. "I had someone take a stack of photos of Qin You with other women and sent them to his future mother-in-law."

Wen Shuang was speechless.

She was astonished. "But... isn't Qin You your eldest nephew? If you did this, his engagement to the Xia family will probably be off."

"Just a nephew—he's nowhere near as important as you. Besides, having a nephew so steeped in scandal is nothing but an embarrassment to me." Ji Shen had grown fond of running his fingers through her hair, gently smoothing it over and over. "Besides, the Xia family should be grateful. If I hadn't sent those photos, they would never have known what kind of beast their daughter was about to marry."

Wen Shuang hadn't expected Ji Shen to go to such lengths for her.

"The woman in those photos... is my sister."

This time, it was Ji Shen who was surprised. He paused. "Your sister isn't much, is she."

The Wen family had gone bankrupt, Wen Fanhai was in prison—all at Qin You's instigation. And yet, at such a critical moment, her sister had gotten involved with him, disregarding the family's reputation entirely.

"Wen Yao is not my full sister. Our relationship could best be described as cold and strained. When I learned of her involvement with Qin You, I tried to stop her, but she and her mother were stubborn and wouldn't listen, so I gave up."

Ji Shen had previously done some research into Wen Shuang’s family. He knew that after Wen Fanhai's first wife died, he’d remarried.

"It's all right. From now on, I'll protect you," Ji Shen said, pulling Wen Shuang into his lap, his voice low and tender. "From now on, you won't have to suffer such bullying anymore."

In just one short week, the shares of the Qin Group plummeted.

Several old economic disputes were unearthed and investigated thoroughly. Many business partners ended their cooperation, resulting in incalculable losses.

Qin You, as the leader of several key projects, was summoned to the police station multiple times to assist with inquiries.

Madam Qin was overwhelmed with anxiety, so much so that she developed blisters on her lips. That evening, she arranged a family banquet and specifically invited Ji Shen.

Since her marriage, she’d had little contact with this younger brother. But, after all, they were siblings. Madam Qin felt he should help—and was sure he would.

Before leaving, Ji Shen told Wen Shuang he would be home late that night.

"Working late again?" she asked.

"Not work," Ji Shen replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I'm just going to settle a few scores for you."

The family banquet was a lavish affair.

Madam Qin and Mr. Qin treated Ji Shen with extraordinary respect, as if he were not their younger brother but the family patriarch.

Many Qin relatives were present, each hoping to use this opportunity to build a connection with Ji Shen, the captain of the criminal investigation unit, and, of course, the powerful Ji family behind him.

Given the recent plunge in the company's stock price, no one was in a good mood.

Once Ji Shen was seated, Madam Qin eagerly began, "A-Shen, you work in law enforcement, so you must be aware of the difficulties the Qin Group has faced lately. We don't know who we've offended, but several old disputes are being investigated. Is there anything you can do to..."

Ji Shen responded calmly, "If the Qin Group hasn't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear from an investigation."

"Of course, we would never break the law. A-Shen, can't you show a little leniency and help wrap up these cases quickly? That way, the company's losses can be minimized."

"Exactly! The recent crash in company shares is all because of these economic disputes. And Lan is your own sister—can't you do us this favor? The Qin and Ji families are linked by marriage, after all!" Madam Qin’s elder sister-in-law spoke with the authority of a senior.

Ji Shen set his teacup down with a sharp sound.

"If the purpose of this banquet is to discuss these matters, then you'll have to excuse me."

He stood up, decisive and efficient.

The aunt panicked and tried to persuade him with a flurry of words, but Ji Shen remained aloof, barely responding.

She was used to being direct and forceful, always scolding others in the Qin household, and had never humbled herself like this—especially to someone of the younger generation!

Finally, unable to contain herself, she snapped, "Ji Shen! You're junior to us in the family, you ought to call us ‘sister,’ but since you came in, you’ve shown us no respect at all. Do you think so little of the Qin family?"

She pulled Qin You, who had been silent, forward. "Xiao You is your own nephew. He’s been run ragged for the company lately, in and out of the police station so many times. Don’t you feel any sympathy for him as his uncle?"

At last, Ji Shen lifted his gaze.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot about my dear nephew."

Qin You pleaded, "Uncle, please help me. If this continues, the Qin Group will be finished!"

Madam Qin, always indulgent toward her beloved son, added, "A-Shen, I know Xiao You can be troublesome, but he’s always dedicated himself to the company. For the sake of his efforts, can't you help him?"

Ji Shen arched an eyebrow.

Qin You thought his uncle was finally going to intervene on his behalf.

"Qin You, it seems your mother still doesn't know about all the things you've been up to."

Qin You was dumbfounded.

Ji Shen reached into his pocket, pulled out a thick stack of photographs, and flung them onto the table.