Marcus paled. Fear and unease overwhelmed his chest as he paced around the room, complaining, “I thought they said that Jasper has woken up? That means he’s fine, no? So why won’t he just move on and leave us alone?”
“This isn’t just a conflict between us and Jasper anymore. Our situation has become a case study in meetings and the higher-ups need to give investors a sign of a good investing environment. To them, people like us have become an eyesore that must be removed,” Len spoke weakly and sighed deeply.
“Who does Jasper think he is? He’s hardly worth us becoming a topic of discussion with the higher-ups,” Marcus spoke disbelievingly.
Just then, the doors were slammed open and a bunch of uniformed officers entered.
“Who are you? What are you doing?! Do you even know where this is? Tell me what your leader’s name is! Who gave you the right to barge into my home?”
Startled, Marcus stared at the group of intruders and shouted fiercely.
However, these men no longer spoke courteously like they usually did and were being very formal. “Marcus Coine, you’re suspected of defrauding state-owned assets. We’re here to bring you in for investigation.”
With that, two officers stepped over and surrounded him.
Marcus was truly terrified now and he fought back while shouting at Len, “Dad! Save me!”
Len could not just watch and do nothing as they brought his son away, so he got up and spoke, “Please wait. I’d like to see—”
The leader of the team interrupted Len ruthlessly and spoke in a cold tone, “Mr. Coine, you have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can and will be used against him in the court of law.
“We have discovered a great deal of tax evasion from Fortune Co., Ltd. As its former chairman, you’re not completely clear from suspicion either so please come with us as well.”
Len forced down the unease within him and spoke, “Then I want to call my father.”
“According to the regulations, you’re not allowed to make any contact with the outside world from this moment on.
“Of course, you have the right to talk to your lawyer. Any communication with the outside world can be done through your lawyer.”
The officer then added, “Lastly, your father, Old Mr. Coine, is fully aware of our operation.”
At that, Len felt his world go dark and as though a huge weight was pressing over his chest. It felt like the world was ending.
The same situation happened with the Adkins. The only difference being that Ned and Fletcher were brought away from their hospital wards.
Fletcher had been gravely injured by a mysterious person the night before. It was paraplegia caused by an injury in the spine, meaning that he could only live the rest of his life in a wheelchair or on the hospital bed. There was not much of a difference whether he spent his days in jail or not.
…
No one had expected the Adkins and Coine families to topple so quickly.
The upper class of Reed City was rendered speechless.
The havoc stopped after the toppling of the two families, and the rest of the upper class continued to live their lives.
However, they were all aware that change had come to Reed City.
A foreign investor had managed to topple the Coine and the Adkins families.
No one had thought this would be possible before.
Everyone held their breaths as they waited for the next bomb to drop. Parents also reminded their kids to be mindful and not cause trouble outside, while more cautious parents even tried to send their children overseas—just to prevent any misstep at such a crucial time.
No one dared to step up and say something, opting to just keep their eyes on Reed City Hospital instead. They knew that the mastermind behind it all was currently lying in a hospital bed there.
Meanwhile, Jasper was currently hosting a guest in his ward.
His arrival came as a surprise, but at the same time, it was only logical he would be here.
A frail old man in his 80s was slowly walking. His head was full of white hair and there was a cane in his hand.
The old man entered the hospital room and greeted Jasper gently, “Hello. Let me introduce myself, I’m Peter Coine.”
