The three of them turned to look simultaneously.
Hong Zhang and Zoey stood at the doorway.
All matters in the Zhang family were now decided by Fyren.
The elderly couple had assumed their eldest son would move heaven and earth to save the youngest. Yet after two days, Fyren hadn't lifted a finger for his brother, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
Fyren's mother had come demanding answers.
Knowing his son's temperament, Hong Zhang feared his wife might become distraught and followed closely behind.
They encountered Officer Zoey at the entrance and entered together.
From the doorway, they'd heard Fyren reasoning with his mother.
Hong Zhang listened silently with bowed head, while Zoey found herself unexpectedly moved.
Was this really Fyren?
Had he truly come to understand these principles? With his wealth, he could certainly pull strings for his younger brother.
The world wasn't fair. Sometimes money could indeed buy anything.
Showing leniency toward Sullivan Zhang might enable Fyren to contribute more substantially to the city's development through actual investments.
For any leader, this wasn't a difficult calculation to make.
Were Sullivan Zhang's actions serious? Extremely.
Producing counterfeit drugs? Unforgivable. Anything less than eight to ten years would disgrace their ancestors.
Yet in another sense, they were minor.
There'd been no malicious intent - merely cost-cutting for profit. Completely different from intentional counterfeit drug production. Even the defendant's legal team insisted it was an internal technical error. Nothing could be proven.
Moreover, the operation had been internally halted and destroyed. All procedures were legal and compliant, actions swift and decisive, every link seamless.
No counterfeit drugs had reached the market. No societal harm caused.
Zoey offered a faint smile: "Auntie, this is the maximum concession we can make for the Zhang family. Were it not for Dasheng Group's outstanding contributions to urban construction, Mayor Ziv wouldn't even bother with this matter! I've always despised those who exploit connections at the police station. I didn't come here today to listen to you haggle with me."
Zoey showed no deference.
She detested being involved in this affair!
What kind of nonsense was this? Granting special favors to the wealthy - disgusting!
These scoundrels ought to be lined up and shot!
Fyren's mother grew frantic: "Hong! Say something! You and Mayor Ziv are so close. Why don't you make a call? Speak up - Sullivan's fate rests with you!"
Hong Zhang couldn't suppress his paternal anguish.
As a father, he simultaneously pitied his son's impending suffering in prison and seethed at his utter worthlessness - breaking laws and nearly causing catastrophic consequences.
Fyren Zhang shot a glare at his wife, teeth clenched: "The decision now rests entirely with Fyren. Officer Zoey, I'm withdrawing from this matter. You may negotiate directly with Fyren."
Zoey's lips curled in subtle disdain.
Hmph! The wealthy protecting their own, is it?
Mayor Ziv and our director couldn't be bothered to show up, leaving me to handle this distasteful business.
Fyren Zhang won't intervene either, passing the buck to his son.
How absurd!
This reveals the true nature of the rich - heartless capitalists!
Fyren gnawed at his fingernail, pacing relentlessly.
Zoey pressed: "Let's conclude this discussion. We still need to address today's matters afterward. For your information, Mayor Ziv suggests classifying this as a technical failure. If deemed a failure rather than criminal intent, it becomes a major operational error requiring no court involvement - just standard procedural handling."
She produced a letter of intent from her bag: "Sign here if you agree."
Fyren scanned the document, fists tightening.
Zoey grew impatient: "Hey now, such an important executive - could you hurry up and sign?"
Fyren snapped: "What technical failure nonsense! He did this deliberately!"
Fyren's mother immediately shrieked: "Fyren! Watch your words!"
Fyren commanded: "Dad, take your wife home. I have business to attend to."
Hong Zhang stood stunned.
Never had Fyren addressed him so bluntly.
The abruptness left even Eliza and Zoey struggling to suppress smirks.
Eliza particularly noted the transformation:
Moments earlier, during his confession, Fyren had appeared flustered and vulnerable.
Now confronting this crisis, he'd morphed into an authoritative figure assuming complete control.
After a stunned pause, Hong Zhang rose, taking his wife's arm: "Come, let Fyren handle this."
"No! Hong, this boy's grown too arrogant! He's forsaken brotherly bonds! You can't just walk away!"
Hong Zhang suddenly glared back: "Can't you understand? Even I can't salvage your precious son now! When he caused trouble as a boy, you coddled him. When he messed up again, you excused him! Now he's nearly brought down catastrophe upon us all!"
Tears brimmed in Hong Zhang's eyes: "Do you think I want this? If we bail him out now, next time he might commit crimes warranting execution! A mother's indulgence ruins her son!"
Fyren interjected irritably: "If you must quarrel, do it at home. I've got important matters to resolve."
He patted his father's back. This time, Hong Zhang's tears truly overflowed uncontrollably.
He glanced at his eldest son and nodded, his expression conveying both relief and profound emotion.
His son had grown up and become sensible.
Even if the sky fell, he could hold it up now.
His words blended strictness with compassion - cutting decisively through chaos while leaving matters in their hands.
That gentle pat offered comfort, silently promising he wouldn't abandon his younger brother or his parents.
He would do his utmost and bear whatever burdens needed bearing.
Fyren's mother understood Hong Zhang's temperament, but never imagined Fyren would mirror it so completely now.
Once these two men made a decision, nothing could change it.
No amount of weeping would help.
They could only depart, casting pitiful backward glances at Fyren as they left.
Fyren dared not meet his mother's eyes, maintaining a stern expression fixed on the letter of intent instead.
After the elderly couple departed, Fyren spoke: "Officer Zoey, I'll express my gratitude to Mayor Ziv personally later. Regarding my brother's case, you may judge as you see fit. He deliberately cut corners with materials to reduce costs. But considering our prompt corrective actions, I beg for leniency. For this, I thank you."
Fyren delivered these words with a deep bow.
Zoey's lips twitched: "Fyren's integrity and selflessness, sacrificing personal interests for the greater good, is truly moving. Rest assured, the law won't wrong the innocent nor spare the guilty."
"Thank you."
Exhaustion washed over Fyren.
[These relentless days offered no respite - one crisis chasing another.]
[Family needing my care; friends requiring protection; countless villains plaguing this city...]
[God! I'm just a petty crook! Others think villainy looks cool - why do I feel so powerless and wretched?]
[I long to walk away. But at minimum, those 300,000 relocated slum residents need homes I've promised!]
[I'll do it! When else will I get to help so many? Even if it kills me, I'll build houses for those ordinary people!]
Zoey stood genuinely shocked now. Fyren... This was his true nature?
Inner monologues... Couldn't be fabricated, could they? Lying to oneself... That would indicate severe instability!
Yet he'd been scoundrel since childhood...
What explained this sudden philanthropic streak?
Eliza watched Fyren's back, her smile radiant with pride and joy.
My man - a true hero - would provide homes for hundreds of thousands? What magnificent idealism!
To support you, I'd walk through fire!
Fyren turned abruptly, locking gazes with Zoey.
For reasons she couldn't articulate, Zoey panicked, swiftly looking away as she composed her expression.
Fyren narrowed his eyes:
["This young police officer looks so exciting! She'd be wild fun in bed!"]
["So angry! Hehe! The angrier she gets, the cuter she looks!"]
["Tie up the officer and give her a good spanking! What a unique flavor!"]
Zoey's face turned nearly green.
Eliza's lips twitched:
So Fyren's actually a huge pervert?