Footsteps paused at the door for a moment before continuing forward, but Johnny's vigilance did not waver.
The footsteps outside the door gradually faded, eventually disappearing down the corridor, as if it were just a late-returning tenant.
Johnny's taut nerves relaxed slightly, but his hand on the gun did not loosen. He slowly moved behind the door, looked out through the peephole, and the corridor was empty.
A false alarm?
But he knew the danger was not over; the whirlpool of Yeosu was accelerating.
At the same time, Busan Gimhae International Airport.
A flight from Shanghai landed in the night, and Ding Qing, surrounded by his subordinates, hurried out of the hall.
His usual smile was gone, replaced by a deep weariness and a cold sharpness.
The negotiations in Shanghai had drained him, but the sudden change in Yeosu required him to rush back immediately.
The motorcade drove directly to the police station where Lee Joong-ku was being held.
"Big Brother, news came that Chief Jiang went to see Lee Joong-ku alone this afternoon."
In the car, a confidant reported in a low voice.
Ding Qing's eyes, which had been closed in contemplation, snapped open; a cold glint flashed in his eyes, but his face showed no emotion. "Jiang Chenghao... he's eager to stir up trouble. And my good brother?"
"Director Li was unaware."
Ding Qing snorted coldly, said nothing more, and just looked at the night scenery outside the window.
Jiang Chenghao's move was vicious, directly arresting Lee Joong-ku; this way, it was clear at a glance who had the advantage. Wasn't this clearly trying to throw dirt on him?
On the surface, there were only him and Lee Joong-ku. This was clearly meant to sow discord, to direct Lee Joong-ku's anger towards Ding Qing.
Fine.
A barely perceptible cold sneer curled Ding Qing's lips.
Since the waters were already muddied, then his "good brother" should be even more concerned.
Outside the police station's detention room, Ding Qing "happened" to encounter Chief Jiang Chenghao of the Police Agency, who had just come out.
"Oh, Chief Jiang, you're still working so hard personally at this late hour?" Ding Qing's face instantly broke into his usual slightly anxious and concerned business elite smile, and he extended his hand proactively, "I just got off the plane and heard something happened to Zhongjiu. What exactly is going on?"
Jiang Chenghao also smiled, shaking his hand, his smile official and distant: "Director Ding is back? That was fast. Director Lee Joong-ku's case has relatively clear evidence, and we are acting according to the law."
Hearing the implied meaning in Chief Jiang's words, Ding Qing did not get too entangled with him.
"I understand, I understand. But I trust Zhongjiu. He might have his ways of doing things, but he would never cross the line."
Ding Qing's tone was sincere, his brows slightly furrowed, playing the role of a company leader worried about his brother, "Can I see him? I just want to see how he's doing."
"Of course, but please keep the time as short as possible." Jiang Chenghao nodded, stepping aside.
Ding Qing entered the detention room accompanied by his lawyer.
Lee Joong-ku sat on the hard cot, his face terribly grim, his eyes filled with violence and a wild suspicion born of betrayal.
Seeing Ding Qing enter, he suddenly looked up, his gaze like a knife, and sneered, "Ding Qing! You still have the nerve to come see me?! Who are you putting on a show for?"
Ding Qing's face immediately showed a look of shock and hurt. He waved the lawyer out first, then pulled up a chair and sat opposite Lee Joong-ku.
He leaned forward, his voice very low, filled with confusion and urgency: "Zhongjiu! What do you mean by that? I just got back from Shanghai and rushed over as soon as I heard the news!"
He carefully observed Lee Joong-ku's expression, and continued in a heartfelt tone: "This is clearly someone trying to mess with our Goldmoon Group, trying to mess with us brothers! Think about it carefully, who would target you at this time? And who stands to gain from it?"
Lee Joong-ku stared intently into Ding Qing's eyes, trying to find a trace of insincerity.
But Ding Qing's expression was flawless: concern, urgency, and even a hint of anger towards the mastermind.
"Have you seen that document?" Lee Joong-ku asked.
But Jiang Chenghao's seemingly unintentional words echoed in Lee Joong-ku's mind: "...the evidence is solid, some even involving your group's 'top-secret files,' and the source is very reliable..."
Top-secret files!
The word bit at his heart like a venomous snake.
The people who could access those things... besides him, it was Ding Qing, there was no third person. His gaze was fixed on Ding Qing's face; he wanted to see through this guy!
And Ding Qing still looked innocent, subtly implying that he hadn't seen the document. "This time, the police seem to be fully prepared."
"Is that so?"
Lee Joong-ku's reply was light, but his face held a mocking smile.
If Jiang Chenghao's previous reminder had only caused doubt and suspicion in Lee Joong-ku's heart, then at this moment, he was completely certain.
He already knew about the meeting between Jiang Chenghao and Ding Qing at the airport, so there was no reason for Ding Qing not to have seen this top-secret document.
So all the evidence pointed to Ding Qing; he was lying.
"Then tell me, who gave that document to the police?"
Lee Joong-ku's expression became calm. His eyes quietly watched Ding Qing, and his words implied that he was completely certain that Ding Qing was the one who betrayed him.
Ding Qing looked at Lee Joong-ku with a bewildered expression, then said, "Don't look at me like that. How could I do such a thing? And I don't have those top-secret files in my hands."
Lee Joong-ku leaned back, looking at Ding Qing calmly, "Is that so? Then who gave the files to the police? Your follower, Li Zicheng?"
When he heard the name Li Zicheng, Ding Qing paused. He had considered many possibilities, but this one had not occurred to him; the subsequent information from the hacker hadn't reached him yet.
But at this moment, Ding Qing's expression made Lee Joong-ku even angrier, and he pounded on the glass, "You bastard, stop acting! It was you, it was you who instructed Li Zicheng to frame me, you unscrupulous son of a bitch!"
Then Lee Joong-ku calmed his emotions. He looked at Ding Qing, a characteristic smile appearing on his lips, "We'll see. I won't be in here for long. Let's see who gets the last laugh."
Upon hearing this, Ding Qing slowly reined in his expression. After glancing at Lee Joong-ku, he stood up, "We've been fighting for so many years, when have I, Ding Qing, ever used such official means to deal with you? This doesn't follow the rules, and it's not my style!"
But his answer was Lee Joong-ku's middle finger extended from behind the glass, a very friendly international gesture.
But Ding Qing only glanced at it before turning to leave. Lee Joong-ku, however, called out to him, "Hey! Director Ding."
Hearing Lee Joong-ku's words, Ding Qing stopped and looked back at Lee Joong-ku.
Lee Joong-ku smiled at Ding Qing and said, "You must take good care of yourself."
Even through the glass, Ding Qing could feel the strong threat in Lee Joong-ku's words. Hearing this, he also laughed.
He took out his glasses, put them on, "Ya, you motherfucker, you're already in here, and you're still worried about my personal safety? I really do thank you."
Then he extended his right hand, pointed at Lee Joong-ku and tapped his finger. He smiled and turned to leave, leaving Lee Joong-ku alone in the detention room. Watching Ding Qing's retreating figure, Lee Joong-ku also began to laugh.
The camera slowly pulled back, and Lee Joong-ku's full figure appeared on the entire screen.
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