Looking at Gao Heng’s expression, it was clear the situation was serious. Wei Lai asked,
"Do you really think he did it?"
Gao Heng replied, "Do you want the truth?"
Wei Lai said, "At this point, there’s nothing that can’t be said."
Gao Heng glanced at Cheng Qiaobei, "I t with him last night. He said he didn’t know the box contained DP, and he couldn’t provide any evidence. But when I talked to him, he was evasive on so issues, so he must be hiding sothing. I can’t determine if he really did it or not."
Cheng Qiaobei raised his eyebrows, "What questions was he evasive on?"
Gao Heng gave two examples, "For instance, I asked him where he t the friend who asked him to hold the box, and how it was suggested to put the box in his room that night. He gave vague answers, sotis saying they t at a bar, sotis saying a friend introduced them, and he couldn’t tell which friend. Before I left, he also told not to worry, that soone would bail him out."
Hearing this, danger flickered in Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes, and his expression turned cold.
Idiot! Cheng Qiaobei cursed inwardly.
He asked Gao Heng, "Can you help apply to et him?"
Gao Heng said, "I’ll try my best, but don’t get your hopes up too high."
The car stopped at the hotel entrance. The lobby manager was waiting there, and as the three of them exited the car, he had the bellboy park it.
The three of them walked into the elevator, and Cheng Qiaobei pressed the button for the floor where his room was. The hotels he managed all had a designated room for Cheng Qiaobei to rest and work.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened.
The two of them chatted as they walked, and Cheng Qiaobei lowered his voice to ask, "Did he say who’s going to bail him out?"
Gao Heng shook his head, "But he seed quite calm, as if he didn’t take this matter seriously at all."
Damn—
Cheng Qiaobei was almost amused by Xu Gao, "He’s got a lot of nerve. His mother is having a heart attack at ho."
Gao Heng didn’t understand either, but he had a suspicion, "I have a hunch, but I’m not sure if I should say it."
Cheng Qiaobei opened the room door and invited the two of them in. Once the door was closed, he said,
"Go ahead."
Gao Heng said, "I suspect he might have contacted so organization that’s quite influential here."
He had heard about unconventional organizations abroad when studying, but he’d never encountered them; he didn’t know if they were like those portrayed in movies like "The Godfather."
Wei Lai said, "If he has that kind of skill, I’d really admire him."
Before he ca here, Cheng Qiaobei thought the matter could still be handled, but after listening to Gao Heng, he felt at a loss.
"Gao Heng, you’re not an outsider, so I’ll speak frankly with you. I must take Xu Gao back; na your price for the lawyer’s fee."
Gao Heng gave a gentle smile, "Mr. Cheng, we’ve known each other for a while now. If I can manage it, I won’t deliberately undermine, and it’s not about the money. The issue now is Xu Gao’s lack of cooperation."
Cheng Qiaobei said, "I understand what you an. We’ve always entrusted you with the legal issues for our hotels in Italy, and after so many collaborations, I personally trust you very much. That’s why I contacted you as soon as Xu Gao’s issue arose. I hope you can handle it diligently; we can’t be indifferent about this. Also, on behalf of Xu Gao’s family, I want to express our gratitude to you."
Gao Heng didn’t refuse again, knowing that cases like these required ti and energy.
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng."
"No need to thank , it’s expected." Cheng Qiaobei shifted the topic, "I need your help in applying for a eting with him."
Gao Heng nodded, "I understand."
Wei Lai escorted Gao Heng downstairs, and Gao Heng said, "We haven’t seen each other for a long ti. When you’re free, let’s have a al."
Wei Lai smiled, "Whenever you’re not busy, anyti."
Cheng Qiaobei checked the ti and sent a ssage to Cheng Xiangheng via WeChat, explaining the situation with Xu Gao and indicating the difficulty of the matter, advising Xu Yunheng to prepare for the worst.
Wei Lai returned, his face grave after coming through the door, "From what Gao Heng said, it seems like it’s not going to be easy to get Xu Gao out this ti."
Cheng Qiaobei leaned by the window, lit a cigarette, and looked into the city as he slowly exhaled a stream of smoke. He said,
"Xu Gao wouldn’t be where he is today if not for Xu Yunheng. People can be judged from an early age, and when Xu Gao first embezzled hotel funds, Xu Yunheng didn’t bla him. Instead, it was as if he discovered a way to get rich. The uncle and nephew started plotting how to embezzle more conveniently from the chain hotels of the group. After doing too much embezzling, their pockets naturally filled up. It’s just like a greedy stray dog; once it tastes at, it becos difficult to go back to eating dead rats."
Wei Lai was sowhat worried, "What if we can’t get him out? We won’t be able to explain to Chairman Xu."
Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "They’ll bla us if we can’t get him out? That’s ridiculous. Were we the ones who told him to go to FD? Didn’t he get caught embezzling from the hotel? He broke the local laws. Am I, Cheng Qiaobei, more powerful than the Italian law? Don’t be ridiculous. If he really did it, he’ll just have to face it; he should be educated in prison."
Wei Lai nodded. That’s right; no one can be above the law.
"Should we report the situation to Mr. Cheng and let Chairman Xu know as well?"
Cheng Qiaobei said, "I already told him."
He flicked the cigarette ash away, eyes deep in thought. If Gao Heng’s suspicion was correct, how had Xu Gao gotten involved with these people?
Cheng Qiaobei stubbed out the cigarette and said to Wei Lai, "Go rest first. In the afternoon, arrange for the manager to co over for so questions."
Wei Lai said, "Okay."
She left the room and closed the door.
Wei Lai lived next to Cheng Qiaobei. Upon returning to her room, she first contacted the Milan Hotel lobby manager to schedule a ti for the questioning.
Cheng Qiaobei returned to his desk, opened his laptop, and searched for information about organizations in Italy. Sure enough, he found plenty of information, but it was mostly about violent acts, with so news involving local prosecutors facing danger.
The more he learned, the more worried he beca about Xu Gao. With his level of intelligence, playing with organizations was like being trampled by them.
But for now, he could only wait for news from Gao Heng. If he could et Xu Gao, even if it ant prying his mouth open, he had to find out what on earth he’d done!
In the afternoon, during rest ti, Lawrence, the lobby manager of the Milan Hotel, ca to Cheng Qiaobei’s room.
Cheng Qiaobei poured a cup of coffee and placed it on the table, "Lawrence, who has Xu Gao been in contact with while here?"
Lawrence hesitated, clearly reluctant to discuss Xu Gao’s private affairs. Cheng Qiaobei noticed this and said, "You know, Xu Gao was taken away by the police. I want to know who he’s recently t or if he’s made any unusual friends. I’m here to help Xu Gao’s family, so what you say doesn’t involve his privacy. Xu Gao and his family won’t hold you responsible."
Lawrence’s gaze was clear. It was evident he knew so inside information.
"Since your last visit, Xu Gao has often brought a man nad Mario around. He is a mber of the local Justice Association."
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