The interrogation room was blindingly bright, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me.
Just then, the door to the room was flung open.
A police officer marched in with Jiang Feng.
"Enough!" Jiang Feng strode in confidently. "You have no right to treat Ms. Zhu this way."
"I'm here to save you," Jiang Feng turned to the officers. "I have evidence that Zhu Linghua is innocent."
He pulled out a document. "This is Shangguan Ming's exit record. He left the country using a fake passport arranged through a company owned by Zhu Biao."
The officers exchanged glances.
Zhu Biao was the de facto leader of the local gang. On the surface, he ran a legitimate business, but everyone in law enforcement knew about his extensive connections.
"Zhu Linghua, you can go now. We apologize for the inconvenience."
As I stepped out of the police station, the night had deepened.
"Thank you, Jiang Feng," I whispered.
"No need to thank me. I promised I would always be by your side, remember?"
I looked into his eyes and suddenly realized how lucky I was.
However, this tranquility was short-lived.
The next morning, I was surrounded by flashing cameras and microphones from the media.
"Zhu Linghua, did you participate in Shangguan Ming's escape plan?"
"Were you and Shangguan Ming putting on a show?"
"Do you have anything to say to the public?"
I stood in front of the camera, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. It was as if the whole world was accusing me, doubting me.
"I didn't..." My voice was so faint it was almost inaudible.
Just then, a familiar voice broke through the noise.
"Everyone, please give me a chance to explain."
I turned in surprise to see Hu Lan pushing through the crowd, standing beside me.
"I am Shangguan Ming's ex-girlfriend. I can testify that Zhu Linghua is innocent. Both of us are victims; Shangguan Ming is the real culprit!"
Hu Lan's words struck like lightning, cutting through the haze of public opinion.
The media's attention instantly shifted, and I seized the opportunity to escape the scene.
Back home, Xiao Yu was nowhere to be found; I had no idea where she had gone to play.
"Mom, is what they said on TV true?" my daughter asked timidly.
I shook my head, fighting back tears. "No, sweetheart. Mommy is innocent."
Suddenly, my phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.
"Zhu Linghua, you didn't expect me to reach out to you, did you?" Shangguan Ming's cold voice came through the receiver.
My heart sank. "What do you want?"
"Don't be nervous, darling. I just want you to see your new friend, my old friend, and your son!"
A photo popped up on my phone screen, and I gasped in horror.
In the picture, Hu Lan was tied to a chair, her eyes filled with fear, while Xiao Yu was bound next to her, blindfolded.
"Let them go! They have nothing to do with this!" My voice trembled with anger.
Shangguan Ming chuckled softly, "That depends on your performance."
"What do you want from me?"
"It's simple. Change your testimony, and bring me the documents from the drawer in your living room." His voice suddenly turned ominous. "Don't call the police, and don't try any tricks."
The call ended, and my hand trembled as I held the phone.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and forced myself to calm down.
I knew that meeting alone would lead to no good outcome.
I dialed Jiang Feng's number and briefly explained the situation.
Half an hour later, I stood at the entrance of the police station, struggling to suppress my inner unease.
"Ms. Zhu, are you sure you want to do this?" The officer looked at me with concern in his eyes.
I nodded. "It's the only way."
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