Chapter 402: Twisted Maternal Love

Wiping away her tears, Hao Jie’s mother began to speak: “It’s all that man’s fault. He pretended to love me just to get my father’s help, kicking his poor first love to the curb. After we married, he became cold and unfaithful, driving me insane. If it weren’t for him, I would never have ended up in a mental hospital…”

“I don’t want to hear this,” Lin Qiupu interrupted coldly.

“After Hao Jie was born, he became my only motivation to live…”

“Enough of that too!”

By now, Hao Jie’s mother had no will left to resist. Smiling wryly, she asked, “What do you want to hear then?”

“Tell me about the murder.”

“The murder… right, the murder. Last November, that shameless mistress texted him, saying she had a child for him and wanted to bring it to meet him…”

Lin Qiupu rapped on the table. “Hao Jie’s father didn’t know about the illegitimate child. Even now, he doesn’t know. You installed surveillance software on his phone and used it to get information.”

“You’ve done your homework. Yes, I monitored him to gather evidence for a divorce. When I saw that text, I was furious. I went to confront him, but he was drunk. Using his phone, I tricked the mistress into bringing the child to our house.

“You might not know, but at that time, Hao Jie’s father had already been diagnosed with cancer, mistakenly thought to be benign. He was ruining his health with his affairs, destined to die before me. I wouldn’t allow another child to call him father and claim his inheritance. If my life was ruined, I wouldn’t let him be happy!”

Hao Jie’s mother showed a fierce expression, then smiled.

“I was going to kill her! I’d been waiting for a chance to get rid of that shameless woman. I devised a plan to make their deaths look accidental, leaving the police with no case against me. I set everything up and waited. When they arrived, I said, ‘Sorry, Hao Jie’s father isn’t home. Please wait.’ After giving them drinks, they fell asleep. I turned off the power, opened the gas, locked the doors and windows, and left…

“At eight, I returned, turned off the gas, and opened the windows. They were dead. After the gas dissipated, I called my brother for help with the bodies. He scolded me, saying the motive was too clear and the police would suspect me. I got scared, but he had a plan. The next day, he helped me dump the bodies on the mountain. Then, I had an idea to use this to bring Hao Jie to live with me.

“I told my brother my plan. He thought it was crazy but agreed. We started preparing. In December, the kidnapping began. Hearing Hao Jie’s cries on the phone broke my heart, but he didn’t know it was fake. I even started to believe it was real. Several times I wanted to call it off, but I held back.

“I endured until the kidnapping ended. When I saw Hao Jie safe at my brother’s, I knew it was worth it. Nothing could separate us! That man thought Hao Jie was missing, and his condition worsened. This was karma! I moved Hao Jie to a boarding school under the mistress’s child’s name. Though I hated to admit it, they looked alike.

“Hao Jie asked why he couldn’t come home. I lied, saying his father was in danger and he had to hide. It pained me, but Hao Jie was always obedient. The plan went smoothly, and an unexpected surprise came when the cancer worsened. The man thought Hao Jie was dead and became gravely ill. Once he died, I would inherit his estate, which I deserved. I planned to take Hao Jie away and live together forever… forever!”

With hopeful tears in her eyes, Hao Jie’s mother suddenly returned to reality, realizing she was in a cold interrogation room, facing two emotionless officers. She buried her face and cried again.

Lin Qiupu, with nothing more to say, ordered, “Take her away.”

As he stepped outside, the police cheered. Chen Shi said, “I kept my promise. Case solved in a day.”

Lin Qiupu lightly punched him. “Let’s go, I’ll treat you to a late-night snack.”

Chen Shi glanced at his watch. “No, I have somewhere else to be.”

On the way, Lin Dongxue asked Chen Shi if it was the right thing to do. He replied, “It’s still good news.”

“But also bad news. He doesn’t know it was his illegitimate child and first love who died.”

“He has the right to know the truth.”

“But he’s so sick. Can he handle it?”

Chen Shi fell silent. Lin Dongxue suggested, “Let’s only tell him that Hao Jie is alive. The rest can wait until the trial. He might not live to see it.”

“Alright,” Chen Shi agreed with a smile. “A kind lie.”

In the hospital, Hao Jie’s father sat up when he heard that Hao Jie was alive, his heart rate spiking. He grabbed Chen Shi’s hand, “You’re not lying? Really?”

“Here’s a photo taken today,” Chen Shi showed his phone.

Hao Jie’s father wept with joy, “Thank you, thank you.”

Lin Dongxue smiled in relief.

“But why was Hao Jie’s mother arrested? And why did you ask about Guo Bilian? Did she kill Guo Bilian?”

“We can’t…”

“I have the right to know. Please.”

“Alright, you guessed correctly. She killed Guo Bilian. The body has been found.”

Hao Jie’s father cried, punching his leg. “It’s my fault. I ruined everything. Officer, don’t believe her lies. I only ever cheated once, with Bilian.”

“It doesn’t matter now. Rest well. After your surgery, we’ll bring Hao Jie to see you,” Chen Shi patted his hand.

“Where is she?”

“In the morgue.”

“No, I mean Hao Jie’s mother.”

“In custody.”

“Please let Hao Jie see her. She’s his mother after all. It’s cruel for him. A mother in prison, a dying father… How will he live?”

After a pause, Chen Shi agreed, “Alright, I promise.”