Fu Yan Ting's sharp gaze fell upon Xia Shi Xue, striking such fear into her that she instantly felt regret. She had been wrong, truly wrong.
She shouldn't have repeatedly challenged Fu Yan Ting's bottom line.
Xia Shi Xue knew that Fu Yan Ting rarely lost his temper, but when he did, he was ruthless.
She dared not confront Fu Yan Ting, so she pleaded in a low voice, "Fu Yan Ting, I was wrong. I'll do whatever you ask, but my mother is innocent. Can you please not be so cruel to her?"
He Liao was innocent?
That was the most ridiculous joke Fu Yan Ting had ever heard.
Even Fu Yan Ting, whose sense of humor was usually quite high, burst into laughter without restraint.
Xia Shi Xue felt incredibly awkward, yet she dared not retort to Fu Yan Ting. She could only cautiously observe him. Fu Yan Ting was truly terrifying.
Xia Shi Xue now understood the consequences of offending Fu Yan Ting.
If given another chance, Xia Shi Xue would never have brought suffering upon herself.
She would not have endured the pain of IVF and used a child to threaten Fu Yan Ting.
But now, it was too late to say anything.
Fu Yan Ting glanced at Xia Shi Xue indifferently and asked, "Do you know what innocent means? And you so confidently claim your mother is innocent?"
"I..." Xia Shi Xue was so choked by Fu Yan Ting's words that she was momentarily at a loss for a response.
Fu Yan Ting, not wanting to waste any more breath on Xia Shi Xue, sent her a picture of He Liao being arrested by the police.
Upon seeing it, Xia Shi Xue's face turned deathly pale. She snatched Fu Yan Ting's phone away. This time, no matter how angry Fu Yan Ting became, even if he killed her, she wouldn't care. She could no longer control herself; she had to know what had happened to He Liao.
How could she have been taken away by the police out of the blue?
Fu Yan Ting was quite pleased with her reaction.
He then presented the evidence of He Liao's crimes before Xia Shi Xue.
Xia Shi Xue's face was pale, but Fu Yan Ting was unconcerned. He stared at Xia Shi Xue and said, "If you tell me everything you know now, I can plead with the judge that your mother was framed and did not knowingly break the law. Then, the judge might show leniency."
Xia Shi Xue was half-believing, half-doubting. She couldn't believe Fu Yan Ting could be so kind as to speak favorably of He Liao.
However, Xia Shi Xue had no other options now. She had to try her best, however slim the chance.
She eyed Fu Yan Ting, hesitating. Should she believe him or not?
Fu Yan Ting saw through her thoughts and calmly explained, "You don't have to tell me, but I feel obliged to warn you that even if you say nothing, the police will interrogate and pressure your mother, and she will confess. In that case, she will still go to jail, but whether her sentence will be reduced, I cannot say."
Xia Shi Xue bit her lip tightly and asked cautiously, "Does my mother have to go to jail?"
Fu Yan Ting nodded.
Xia Shi Xue lost her balance and stumbled back several steps. Fortunately, there was a wall behind her; otherwise, she would have fallen, especially since Fu Yan Ting had merely glanced at her and had no intention of helping her up.
Leaning against the wall, Xia Shi Xue steadied herself and then broke down in tears.
Fu Yan Ting detested people who cried and wailed before problems were solved. He looked at Xia Shi Xue and said coldly, "You must understand that crying is the most incompetent expression; it solves nothing. If you truly care about your mother and want to help reduce her sentence, then tell me what you know and help lessen her time in jail."
Xia Shi Xue was silent for a moment, then confessed He Liao's criminal evidence before the recording device.
To Fu Yan Ting's surprise, what Xia Shi Xue revealed were details he hadn't yet uncovered.
After speaking, Xia Shi Xue pleaded, "Fu Yan Ting, what happened between us was my own folly. I will accept whatever you do to me, but you cannot involve my mother. You must speak well to the judge. My mother is truly innocent. I hope the judge will show leniency and allow my mother to suffer less."
Now, Xia Shi Xue knew that asking the judge to release He Liao was impossible. All she could do was hope for a reduced sentence and less suffering for her mother.
Although Xia Shi Xue didn't want this, she had no choice.
Fu Yan Ting was her last straw of hope. Xia Shi Xue knew well Fu Yan Ting's capabilities and strength, which was why she confided these secrets to him.
Fu Yan Ting put away the voice recorder, glanced at Xia Shi Xue, and said, "Your mother will thank you."
With that, he left without looking back.
Xia Shi Xue followed behind Fu Yan Ting, pleading, "Brother Fu, may I see my mother?"
Fu Yan Ting stopped, turned, and looked at Xia Shi Xue, asking coldly, "What did you call me?"
His gaze made Xia Shi Xue tremble. She shivered and quickly changed her address, "Fu Yan Ting... Mr. Fu, may I see my mother? You can have your bodyguards monitor me; I definitely won't escape."
Fu Yan Ting had initially thought there was no need to let Xia Shi Xue see He Liao.
However, on second thought, if He Liao knew that Xia Shi Xue had betrayed her and revealed the criminal evidence that Fu Yan Ting hadn't discovered,
This could help He Liao remain in prison for life. He wondered if He Liao would explode.
With this thought, Fu Yan Ting suddenly became interested and took Xia Shi Xue to see He Liao.
In prison, He Liao's face was already disheveled. She hadn't eaten or slept well these past few days. Even washing her face was done with plain water, without facial cleanser or makeup remover. Her heavily made-up face simply couldn't be cleaned.
He Liao was now filled with deep regret.
If only she hadn't schemed against Fu Yan Ting to get Xia Shi Xue married into a wealthy family and have her carry Fu Yan Ting's child.
Now, she had lost both the lady and her soldiers.
He Liao's rage here was nothing new to them. She had nothing left but a shred of her princess complex.
They ignored her, and He Liao, finding no audience, subsided. When they initially tried to placate her, she threw tantrums, becoming utterly overbearing.
This was not a place for He Liao to throw tantrums. Therefore, the police initially indulged her somewhat, making a show of comforting her, on Fu Yan Ting's behalf. But over time, they stopped paying attention.