The living room of the villa was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Upon hearing the captain's words, Lin Fei was completely dumbfounded and took a moment to process what was happening.

In the silence, Lin Xiyue pointed at Guan Hao again.

"This is Guan Hao. Take him away as well."

The soldiers were momentarily stunned. Then, with a wave from their captain, two of them quickly stepped forward, restrained Guan Hao, and snapped handcuffs on his wrists.

Luo Xiu had already figured out what was going on and quietly stood aside, ready to watch the drama unfold.

"Guan Hao, you are a prime suspect in the Lin Family Winery arson case," the captain announced. "Please come with us and cooperate with our investigation."

A bitter expression crossed Guan Hao's face as he shot a pleading look at Cao Hong, hoping for rescue.

But Cao Hong simply stood aside like Luo Xiu, watching the show without a word. He certainly didn't want to get involved in this mess.

Still, he felt incredibly frustrated, having never anticipated Lin Xiyue's sudden move. He had already thought of a dozen ways to deal with Lin Xiyue and Luo Xiu for a pleasant evening, but now, it seemed his plans had gone up in smoke.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed as Lin Fei's parents rushed into the hall.

Just moments before, a group of soldiers had arrived at the Lin Family Villa looking for Lin Xiyue. When she led them to Lin Fei's villa, Lin Youyuan realized they might be coming for his daughter and hurried after them.

Sure enough, the moment he entered, he saw Lin Fei in handcuffs.

"Lin Xiyue, what is the meaning of this?" Lin Youyuan demanded. "Why did you bring people to arrest my daughter?!"

Lin Xiyue's face was expressionless. "You should ask her yourself."

That very morning, after receiving the evidence from Luo Xiu, Lin Xiyue had wasted no time in reporting the case. Unfortunately, Lin Fei had been asleep in a hotel and couldn't be reached. Lin Xiyue had thought Lin Fei might have caught wind of the investigation and fled, but to her surprise, Lin Fei had contacted her in the evening to propose a meeting. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xiyue immediately called The Official Residence to have her arrested here.

Lin Youyuan gritted his teeth. "So this is your game, Lin Xiyue? You couldn't beat Fei Fei fairly at home, so you resort to these despicable tricks?"

Lin Xiyue took a deep, patient breath. "The fire at the Lin Family Winery was orchestrated by Lin Fei and Guan Hao."

"Bullshit!" Lin Youyuan's face flushed with rage. "How could Fei Fei do such a thing? Lin Xiyue, you're just making wild accusations! By that logic, couldn't I just say you orchestrated the fire?!"

The captain stepped forward to address Lin Youyuan. "Sir, we only act once we have sufficient evidence. Otherwise, an arrest warrant would never have been approved. I cannot disclose the specifics of the evidence right now. Once our investigation is complete, we will make a public announcement and provide a full account to the citizens.

"The Lin Family Winery fire has drawn significant public attention, and our local Official Residence is under immense pressure. We have been investigating this for some time. Thanks to Ms. Lin Xiyue's active cooperation, we were able to make a breakthrough and identify the suspects."

Hearing this, Lin Youyuan swayed, as if he might fall. He could imagine just how serious this was. The winery fire had claimed several lives. If it was proven to be deliberate arson, it was undoubtedly a capital crime—punishable by death.

Lin Fei, who clearly understood the severe consequences, was now in a full-blown panic. She suddenly dropped to her knees, weeping as she begged Lin Xiyue for mercy. "Sister, I swear I didn't do it! Please, let me go, okay?"

Lin Xiyue, however, showed no sympathy. "For years, we've fought, openly and in secret. I chose to let it go many times, but you never learned. You just pushed things further. I'm sorry, but this is no longer just a private grudge between us. Confess honestly, and you might receive a more lenient sentence."

Filled with despair, Lin Fei gritted her teeth and turned to Xu Tao. "Ah Tao, save me..."

Xu Tao, however, remained cold and ignored her. He had once abandoned his dignity to love and pamper this woman, but now his heart was completely dead to her. Besides, it wasn't his place to speak here anyway.

"Lin Xiyue!" Lin Fei's mother suddenly roared, pointing a trembling finger. "You heartless wretch! Did a dog eat your conscience? How could you harm your own sister? She's your sister!"

Lin Xiyue suddenly began to laugh—a complex sound filled with mockery, helplessness, and resentment.

She looked at Lin Fei's mother with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "The daughter you raised burned down the Lin Family's legacy of nearly a hundred years, all for her own selfish gain. She killed so many innocent people, and she nearly killed Grandpa and my father. And you have the nerve to lecture me about conscience? Do you really think you have any right to say that word? Just how thick-skinned is your family?"

The captain waved his hand. "Alright, take them away!" To Lin Xiyue, he added, "Ms. Lin Xiyue, we'll also need you to come down to the station to give a statement."

Lin Xiyue nodded. "I'll be right there."

「Shortly after.」

Once the soldiers had left, Lin Xiyue gave Luo Xiu a deep look and nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. If it weren't for him, she never would have been able to resolve the matter of the winery fire.

"Damn, what a buzzkill! How did things turn out like this?" With a frustrated look on his face, Cao Hong cursed as he headed for the door, intending to leave. With so many soldiers around earlier, he hadn't dared to act recklessly. After all, he'd only left Sea City in the first place because he got into trouble, so he had to keep a low profile now.

As he reached the doorway, he stopped and glanced back at Lin Xiyue and Luo Xiu, a strange smile playing on his lips.

"Sigh, looks like tonight's no fun. I'll let you two off the hook for now, but don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to play later."

"Did I say you could leave?" Luo Xiu suddenly asked.

Cao Hong froze, surprised. He couldn't believe Luo Xiu was still trying to start something, even now.

Lin Xiyue was also stunned, looking at Luo Xiu with a puzzled expression.

Cao Hong sneered. "Country bumpkin, you got a death wish?"

Luo Xiu strode toward him. "Punk, since you're here, you're not leaving empty-handed." He paused, then added, "You'll leave your two hands behind."

Seeing such arrogance from Luo Xiu, Cao Hong couldn't take it anymore. He rolled up his sleeves and advanced on Luo Xiu. "Country bumpkin, I've been way too easy on you, haven't I?"

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