Chapter 587: Sudden Murder
The three chatted for a while in the milk tea shop. Wang Haitao mentioned, “Did you guys notice the extra security today?”
“It does seem like there are more guards than usual.”
“Originally, they hired only twenty. Today, they increased it to sixty. Something must be going on.”
“Mr. Wang, where did you hear that?”
“My father told me. He has shares in the security company. I’m here today for a signing ceremony on his behalf. He told me to be cautious. Seeing you guys here makes me feel better.”
Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue glanced at the scene. The guards did seem tense. Lin Dongxue said, “Do you think something might happen today?”
“Did the police get any wind of this?”
“No… During our investigations, we rarely saw the Qu brothers. Even when we did, they were always surrounded by guards, overly cautious as if they were constantly on guard.”
As Chen Shi pondered, Wang Haitao asked, “Are you investigating Da Hong Group? Did they do something wrong?”
Chen Shi replied, “I can’t disclose that. But if your father has their stocks, he should sell them. The Qu brothers might be in trouble soon.”
“Thanks for the tip!” Wang Haitao immediately started typing a message.
Lin Dongxue asked, “Should we inform my brother?”
“We have no solid leads. What would we say?”
Wang Haitao offered, “If you want to go inside, I have invitations. You can come with me.”
After exchanging glances, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue decided to go in and check. They followed Wang Haitao into the hotel, which had been entirely booked by Da Hong Group. The hall had a few buffet tables, and guests were mingling, eating, and chatting.
Wang Haitao piled some food onto a plate and started eating, offering some to Chen Shi, who declined. Wang Haitao said, “I skipped breakfast, so I’ll just grab a bite.”
“Trying to save money by not showing off your wealth?”
“Haha, everyone knows my identity. It’s good to save where I can. Even vast fortunes can run out. I told my father to cut unnecessary expenses, and he was happy to agree. Honestly, I think my father is quite reasonable.”
“Old Mr. Lu is indeed kind and reasonable,” Chen Shi thought. If not for losing two sons, Mr. Lu’s attitude might not have changed so much. But it was good he could spend his later years peacefully.
Lin Dongxue wandered around, then returned to say, “Guards are stationed at the emergency exits and kitchen doors. Security is tight… I’ll contact the local police to be on standby nearby. In case anything happens, we won’t be caught off guard.”
Chen Shi nodded, “Good idea.”
As Lin Dongxue made the call, a reporter suddenly clutched her stomach and fell to the ground, screaming in pain. The guards immediately surrounded her. Seeing this, Wang Haitao spat his food back onto the plate.
Chen Shi said, “Something’s about to happen. You should leave now.”
“I need to meet the Da Hong Group executives. Otherwise, this trip would be wasted.”
“Forget the formalities. This is for your safety.”
“Alright, see you next time!”
Lin Dongxue checked the reporter, whose lips had turned blue and who was sweating profusely. It looked like poisoning. She quickly called for medical help. Meanwhile, Chen Shi noticed a suspicious man sneaking into the emergency exit.
Chen Shi rushed over and grabbed the man’s shoulder, startling him. The man clutched a small metal box.
“What’s in the box?” Chen Shi demanded.
“I… I don’t know!”
The guards arrived and demanded the man open the box. Hearing a ticking sound from inside, Chen Shi warned, “Wait, this might be dangerous!”
“What’s inside?” a senior guard demanded.
The man, trembling, replied, “I really don’t know!”
“Who sent you?”
“I… I can’t say.”
The guard looked ready to hit him, but Chen Shi intervened, handing the box to the guard. “Take this outside to a safe area and let the police handle it.”
“Who are you?”
Chen Shi flashed his badge, and the guard complied.
Chen Shi ordered the guards to detain the man and check for other suspicious individuals. The guards hesitated.
“We can’t take orders from you. Who’ll be responsible if something happens?”
“Yeah, how do we know you’re really a cop?”
Frustrated, Chen Shi almost laughed. Lin Dongxue approached and said, “The local police said a truck blocked their way. They couldn’t find the driver.”
“It’s definitely targeting the Qu brothers. Where are they?”
A guard replied, “We can’t disclose that.”
Lin Dongxue said, “I saw Qu Jing’an being escorted upstairs by the guards…”
Just then, a scream echoed through the hall. The elevator was descending rapidly. The guards panicked. Fortunately, it stopped at the third floor, likely due to the emergency button being pressed.
The guards rushed upstairs, with Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue following. They found guards frantically trying to pry open the elevator doors. One guard cried out and pulled back, his hands blistering. It seemed there was a fire inside the elevator.
Even from outside, the heat was intense. Screams of agony came from within, making it clear the scene inside was horrific.
Chen Shi shattered a fire extinguisher box with his elbow and took out an axe, while Lin Dongxue fetched an extinguisher. The guards used the axe to pry open the doors. Flames surged out as the doors opened, forcing everyone back.
Several burning figures stumbled out, screaming and rolling on the ground. The sight was unbearable.
Lin Dongxue quickly extinguished the flames on them. When the smoke cleared, the bodies were severely burned, making identification difficult. The guards checked each one and found one had already died. It was Mr. Qu.
Stunned, Lin Dongxue said, “Call for backup and seal off the area. Don’t let anyone leave!”
The signing ceremony was abruptly halted. Guests from the partnering companies hurriedly left. The place descended into chaos, with people fleeing and nearly causing a stampede.
Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue struggled to maintain order. It took an hour for Lin Qiupu to arrive with reinforcements, finally bringing the situation under control. The scene was left in disarray, with everyone still reeling from the shock and terror of the sudden incident.