"Why use the word 'out of control'? Have you known each other for a long time?"

"Yes."

"How did you meet? What kind of relationship do you have?"

"He's my bodyguard, and sometimes he handles some private affairs for me."

Jenny said, "Haven't you publicly claimed that you don't have bodyguards?"

Muriel Balldini glanced at Jenny, "You should know that no matter how well you do, there will always be people who resent you.

It's the same with business, there are profits and losses. If you want to make money, you have to take the corresponding risks, but some people can't understand this. They think that if they invest in our company, the company is obliged to make money for them, and they stir up trouble as soon as they lose money.

If I didn't have bodyguards secretly protecting me, how could I cycle to and from work freely?"

Luke asked, "Does Soster drive you to work every day?"

"Sometimes it's Marbury, he's also a bodyguard I hired."

Jenny asked, puzzled, "With so many bodyguards, why did you hire two people with bad records as bodyguards?"

Muriel Balldini said, "As you mentioned, to maintain an image of being close to the public, I can't claim to have bodyguards publicly.

Although Soster and Marbury have criminal records, in the end, it's just for money. As long as I pay them enough, they'll be content to work for me."

Luke knew that Muriel Balldini wasn't telling the truth; her purpose in picking these two men as bodyguards wasn't simple.

There must be something wrong with Muriel Balldini's company. The situation with Jacob Johnston might not be an isolated case, and these two bodyguards were probably doing her dirty work.

Jenny accused, "You say you like eco-friendly transportation, but you have three luxury cars in your garage. You say you don't have bodyguards, yet you order them to harm others.

I didn't think you would be such a hypocrite. What else about you is fake?"

"Sorry to disappoint you.

I don't want to deceive anyone, but there are many in this world who like... a certain image, who like to be comforted.

If cultivating such an image helps my career, then why not?"

Luke stared at Muriel Balldini and asked, "Mrs. Balldini, I've been observing your expression and have noticed that you haven't shown much emotion throughout. Can you tell me how you manage that?"

"I've taken professional courses in emotional management; it's a basic quality for a successful businessperson. Also, I've had minor plastic surgery to make my facial lines appear more affable and more likely to make clients feel good about me.

If you need it, I can recommend it to you."

"No, I don't need it." Luke understood why he couldn't see through her lies. Emotional management was one aspect, but it was probably mainly the plastic surgery.

After plastic surgery, the muscles in the face can become stiff and incoherent, which affects the observation of microexpressions.

"What's the conflict between you and Jacob Johnston?"

"A conflict at work."

"Describe it in detail."

"Uh... The company has had some management problems lately, and I and the senior executives have been doing our utmost to deal with them. As long as we follow my plan, there's a way to transition smoothly and turn danger into safety.

However, Jacob Johnston had different ideas. He's very stubborn and inflexible. He stole a lot of data from the company and even threatened to give it to the media.

If this negative news gets out, it could destroy the company, and I couldn't let that happen, so I had Soster take care of it."

"Mrs. Balldini, we obtained a document from Soster, which belongs to Jacob Johnston. He has a different view of the company's situation than you."

"You found that document?"

"Yes, would you like to hear it?" Luke took out a document from his folder and read,

"This decision is very difficult for me. I don't want to do anything that will betray the company, nor do I want my colleagues to lose their jobs, but if I turn a blind eye, our clients' interests will be harmed, and my conscience will be troubled.

"The company has had some recent issues; to be precise, I've had doubts about some of the company's practices for a long time, but the recent financial crisis has fully exposed the company's deceit.

I can no longer deceive myself; this is not just a matter of professional ethics. If I stay silent, I will feel like a fraudster.

Yes, a fraudster.

I found that the company has been misusing clients' funds. At first, the problem wasn't big, but later, they used new clients' money to cover the old clients' money, which was bound to cause problems sooner or later.

So, the senior management decided to cook the books, using 'legal' means to shift the losses onto the clients. Some disputes might arise in the short term, but as long as we are willing to spend money, influence the media, and control public opinion, it won't affect the company's reputation.

It's terrifying; I can hardly believe this is the company I have worked so hard for.

If I don't expose these matters, I will be condemned by my conscience for the rest of my life.

Jacob Johnston."

"He's lying; it's not at all like he says. He must be out of his mind."

Luke said, "I've already handed that document over to the Economic Crimes Division."

Muriel Balldini closed her eyes, her cheeks showing irregular twitching, "This company is my life's work; I've put a lot into it. I can't just watch and let him destroy it..."

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