Chapter 12: No Need to Investigate Further
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Chi Ling turned to look at Su Nuo, who was still standing there in a daze, and sighed silently.
“Get some rest early, and keep your phone switched on.”
“Chi Ling.” Su Nuo raised her head mechanically, her eyes still devoid of light.
Chi Ling paused, then nodded. “What is it?”
“I don’t have a SIM card.”
Chi Ling said she would get her one.
But early the next morning, instead of Chi Ling, Su Nuo was met by the police.
News of Su Nuo had caused a huge uproar online, and under mounting public pressure, the police had no choice but to investigate.
Normally, if the Duan family did not report the matter, the police had no reason to come knocking.
But public opinion demanded an explanation, which meant the truth had to be uncovered.
After all, the netizens merely wanted an answer.
When Su Nuo saw a male and female police officer, she quickly lowered her head.
The moment they showed their badges, her hands clenched involuntarily.
Police officers. She had seen them at the compound too.
At first, she had tried to ask them for help. But what had happened in the end?
She had been taken to the Duan family’s house by Madam Duan and seated on the sofa.
Mr. and Madam Duan had sat on either side of her.
“Miss Su, I’m Lu Xinxin, and this is my colleague, Zheng Jie. We’d like to have a talk with you.”
Su Nuo nodded, then shook her head, her body trembling uncontrollably.
There had been so-called police officers at the compound as well. She had tried to report the crimes, and they had taken her away.
In the end, they had locked her in the basement.
What had that man said then?
“We’d all like to have some fun with you. What shall we play first?”
The laughter of a group of men had pierced her ears without end. Su Nuo instinctively covered them.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know anything. I’m sorry!”
She repeated her apologies over and over, not daring to utter another word.
Were the police officers before her truly real?
Had she really left the compound?
The confusion overwhelmed her until she had no strength left.
Madam Duan hugged her pityingly. “Officers, my daughter merely got lost in the woods. She has a fever that won’t come down. What is it you want to ask her?”
“Exactly. If there were any problem, wouldn’t we have called the police ourselves?” Mr. Duan’s voice carried a hint of anger.
“Those people online are making things up. Since the police have time to spare, why don’t you go deal with them instead?”
“Rumors alone can destroy a company. We intend to pursue legal responsibility to the fullest extent.”
Lu Xinxin looked at him with displeasure.
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“Chairman Duan, Su Nuo is your adopted daughter. We believe you must be deeply worried after what happened to her.”
“But if she truly was abducted and imprisoned, then only the truth can restore justice to the victim.”
Crash!
Mr. Duan hurled the ashtray to the floor with great force.
“Who said my daughter was abducted? That’s utter nonsense!”
“She simply went hiking with some friends and got separated from them. We have witnesses!”
“The Duan family has its own rescue team. Everyone has been searching for her all this time. Nothing happened the way those people online claim!”
Madam Duan held the trembling Su Nuo in her arms, her tone turning hostile as well.
“Please leave. My daughter isn’t feeling well. Sister Cui, show them out!”
Several servants hurried over, and Lu Xinxin and Zheng Jie could only leave for the time being.
Before departing, however, Lu Xinxin left them with one final remark.
“This matter has caused such a commotion that the police must investigate it thoroughly and give the public an explanation. We’ll be back.”
At the words “be back,” Mr. Duan’s expression turned exceedingly grim.
Come back?
What else did they intend to do?
Family disgrace must never be exposed. Once exposed, it would deal the Duan Corporation a fatal blow.
Madam Duan ordered someone to prepare ginseng soup, then said tenderly, “Little Nuo, eat a little more later. You need to eat if you want to regain your strength.”
“What strength? To see what she’s done?” Mr. Duan glared furiously at Su Nuo.
“Su Nuo, that’s enough. Do you have any idea how much the company’s market value has fallen?”
“We’ve spoiled you too much in the past. That’s why you’ve caused such a catastrophe!”
“Su Nuo, I’m warning you: if you say anything reckless in front of the police, you will no longer be a daughter of the Duan family!”
Su Nuo looked up in disbelief, tears blurring her vision as she stared at him.
Madam Duan quickly embraced her daughter. “Stop saying such things!”
While the two of them were arguing, the villa’s front door was pushed open.
Duan Yubai entered with the police officers who had just left, along with Mo Xiaoxue and the family doctor.
“Uncle, Auntie, what happened?”
Mo Xiaoxue hurried forward, directly removing the arm that had been wrapped around Su Nuo before taking her place herself.
“Auntie, please don’t be angry. Whatever it is, let’s discuss it calmly.”
Madam Duan patted her hand, but did not know what to say.
Seeing the police return, Mr. Duan glanced at his son.
“Yubai, what is this?”
“This female officer says she studied psychology and would like to speak with Su Nuo alone.”
Duan Yubai pointed toward Lu Xinxin.
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Lu Xinxin nodded. “I believe Miss Su may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.”
“Nonsense! She merely got lost in the forest for a few days. What kind of aftereffects could there be?”
Madam Duan glared at her. “My daughter isn’t ill!”
“Then it should be even easier for her to answer our questions.”
The other officer, Zheng Jie, immediately took out a recording device.
Mr. Duan cast a meaningful glance at the doctor beside him, who understood at once.
“Officers, you may question her, but I’m afraid the young lady isn’t in any condition right now.”
“She suffered a serious head injury, and her emotions are unstable. She isn’t suitable for police questioning. We can submit the examination results to the station.”
Su Nuo kept her head bowed and remained silent.
The family doctor was truly remarkable. One look at her, and he already knew what was wrong.
If the matter had not blown up online, she probably would not even have been allowed to see a doctor.
But she did not dare defend herself, nor did she dare say another word.
One more word, and she would fall into an abyss.
“Yet Miss Su appears perfectly calm to me.”
Lu Xinxin still refused to give up.
It was obvious that the Duan family was trying to conceal something.
Moreover, Su Nuo had been terrified upon seeing her police badge. Could the people who abducted her have been police officers?
There were far too many unanswered questions surrounding Su Nuo. Lu Xinxin was determined to uncover the truth.
“She has post-traumatic stress disorder?”
Duan Yubai let out a cold laugh. “She could have suffered trauma from anyone but herself. Ask whatever you need to ask. I want to see what other lies she can tell!”
He sat down on the sofa beside Su Nuo and spoke in a sinister voice.
“Su Nuo, giving false testimony can land you in prison. I won’t save you.”
Su Nuo shuddered and lowered her head even further.
Lu Xinxin frowned slightly. Was Duan Yubai trying to make Su Nuo reveal what had happened, or was he trying to stop her?
As she pondered this, Duan Yubai spoke again.
“Speak! Where have you been all these days? Answer me!”
“Yubai, lower your voice. Didn’t you hear the officer say that Little Nuo may be suffering from aftereffects?”
Madam Duan rose and sat beside Su Nuo, pulling her back into her arms.
“If you don’t let her speak, how are you supposed to know what tricks she’s playing?”
Duan Yubai wore a mocking smile, looking as though he would not leave until Su Nuo answered.
Without drawing attention to herself, Mo Xiaoxue typed something into her phone.
Only after seeing the reply did she speak.
“I think Miss Su is genuinely frightened. And since the Duan family never reported the matter to the police, there’s really no need for you two officers to continue investigating, is there?”