Chapter 1052: Gu Zi’s Resistance

“And let’s not forget,” Huang Fei sneered, her voice growing shriller with every word, “your adoptive parents’ biological daughter ended up in the hospital because of you. You deliberately booked your celebratory banquet at the same venue as your sister’s, just to humiliate her, just to make her feel inferior. Have you conveniently forgotten that the only reason you had this so-called prestigious education in the first place was because you took her place? How dare you trample on her like this?”

Huang Fei was on a roll now. Sure, she had been intimidated by the spectacle of the day, but that didn’t mean she was wrong. And besides, she had only said what everyone else was thinking! It wasn’t even her who had done the reporting–that had been Sun Qi. Why should she be the one to take the fall?

Gu Zi, who had been listening with mild astonishment, finally responded. “Wow, Huang Fei, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have even known that Lin Miao fainted and ended up in the hospital. And you think I orchestrated all this just to make her miserable?” She let out a soft chuckle. “If I had that kind of free time, I’d rather go for tea or catch a movie. Let me give you a word of advice: don’t jump to conclusions when you don’t have all the facts. Otherwise, the only fool here will be you.”

Huang Fei’s expression darkened. She let out a derisive laugh. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to believe you? You’re just furious because I hit a nerve, and now you want revenge. But don’t forget–the Xu family is not one to be trifled with. I suggest you settle this matter quickly and let me go. If my husband arrives and finds me here, you’ll all regret it!”

Unfortunately for her, Captain He was a man who had never once been fazed by these so-called “powerful” people who thought their influence could bend the law. He took a step forward. “It was the police who arrested you, and if your husband wishes to cause trouble, he’s welcome to try. I will personally see it through to the end. But let me be clear: you broke the law. The only way you’re leaving this place is by following due process.”

His tone turned even sharper. “Miss Gu Zi may not care to waste her breath explaining herself to you, but since you seem so keen on knowing the truth, let me make things crystal clear. Gu Zi severed ties with the Gu family a long time ago, and that decision was made by the Gu family themselves. Furthermore, when the Gu family forced Gu Zi to take Lin Miao’s place in an arranged marriage, that alone was repayment enough for any so-called debt of gratitude.

“That marriage agreement? Lin Miao agreed to it herself. She took the betrothal money, then had her biological parents pressure Gu Zi into taking her place in some rural backwater. She stole what rightfully belonged to Gu Zi. And when the theft was exposed, I was the officer in charge of the case. I remember it all too well. From start to finish, the ones who smeared Gu Zi’s reputation were none other than the very people you claim ‘raised’ her.”

Huang Fei’s blood ran cold. She had thought she was playing a game of social warfare, but now she saw that the stakes were much, much higher. Panic gripped her like a vice. If she went to prison, what then? The Xu family would never accept a convict as their daughter-in-law!

Meanwhile, Sun Qi was equally shaken. She had only gotten involved in this because Huang Fei had encouraged her, insisting that the best angle for a story was through Gu Zi’s adoptive parents.

Sun Qi had resented Gu Zi for years. Throughout school, Gu Zi had always been ahead of her in every way. Apart from family background, Sun Qi had never been able to compete with her. And the worst part? People barely cared about background when Gu Zi was already stunningly beautiful and brilliant on her own.

Sun Qi had merely wanted to complete her assignment while taking the opportunity to knock Gu Zi down a peg. She had expected Gu Zi to cower away in disgrace after her reports went public. Instead, Gu Zi had retaliated at lightning speed, and even Captain He was standing up for her.

Realizing the enormity of the situation, Sun Qi turned to Gu Zi, desperation creeping into her voice. “This isn’t my fault! I had no idea–Huang Fei used me! Everything I reported came directly from the Gu family and the Zhang Mei. You can’t blame me for repeating what they said!”

Gu Zi arched an elegant brow. “Sun Qi, we were both students at Guangwai Elementary School, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you at least have some legal knowledge. Those statements may have come from them, but who was it that spread them and amplified their impact? That would be you and your newspaper. Do you really think you can escape liability?”

She finished with a slow, mocking smile. Sun Qi suddenly remembered a key legal principle: “Who profits, bears responsibility.”

A wave of horror swept over her. What had she done? How could she have been so reckless?

Her face turned ashen as she turned pleadingly to Captain He. “Captain He, I swear, I was just careless! I never meant for this to spiral out of control. Please, consider my father–”

Captain He cut her off immediately. “Miss Sun, choose your words carefully. The law does not make exceptions for personal connections, and I would advise you not to say anything further that might be misinterpreted.”

Gu Zi, for her part, had no interest in prolonging the exchange. She had already decided–there would be no settlements, no backdoor negotiations. People like Huang Fei and Sun Qi would only learn their lesson if they were made to suffer the full consequences of their actions.

“My stance remains unchanged,” she said coolly to Captain He. “I will not accept any mediation.”

With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of the interrogation room without a single glance back.