The sudden cry startled Wang Guan, making him jump. Turning around, he saw that the person calling out was Lin Hai.

At this moment, Lin Hai wore an expression of arrogance, like a cat that had finally cornered a mouse, his features brimming with schadenfreude and a veneer of false pity.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Sizing up Wang Guan, Lin Hai shook his head and sighed dramatically, “Oh, Wang Guan, Wang Guan. I thought you were so upright. Turns out, when things get tough, you’ll resort to desperate measures, sneaking around in the shadows.”

“What are you talking about?”

Wang Guan frowned, momentarily stunned, before understanding dawned on him. A flash of realization made him want to laugh and cry at the same time; after all this, Lin Hai actually thought he was a thief.

“Nonsense.”

Having figured it out, Wang Guan couldn't be bothered with the self-important, refined scoundrel before him and started to walk away.

Seeing this, Lin Hai rushed forward to block him, his tone dripping with sarcasm: “Hah, caught red-handed, and you still think you can run off? I say, Wang Guan, you’ve got some nerve. Have you forgotten where we are? Do you really think this place is your own home, that you can just waltz in and stride out as you please…”

Seeing Lin Hai persist in his entanglement, Wang Guan’s patience was nearly exhausted. He stopped walking, tilted his head slightly, his expression turning cold, and slowly uttered a single word.

“Scram!”

In that instant, Lin Hai froze, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. This brat, caught doing something wrong, had the audacity to treat him this way.

“Wang Guan, you’re asking for trouble!”

Lin Hai became enraged, his expression contorted and slightly savage. He growled lowly, “Originally, considering we know each other, if you had begged me, I might have considered letting you off easy. But now it seems you’ve sealed your own fate.”

“Idiot.”

Wang Guan paused, then coldly spat out another curse, undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

“Very good…”

Lin Hai laughed in his fury, then reached out and grabbed Wang Guan’s wrist, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Help! There’s a thief here! Everyone, come catch this scoundrel!”

Meanwhile, Wang Guan offered no resistance, allowing Lin Hai to seize him while he coolly observed the performance.

“You’re finished,”

After shouting several times, Lin Hai said smugly and softly, “From this day forward, forget the Porcelain Capital; there won’t be a place for you in the entire southeast region, or even anywhere in the country.”

“Hmm, I think I misspoke…”

Suddenly, Lin Hai shook his head and grinned maliciously, “There is one place that will certainly welcome you. Don't worry, once you’re settled in, I’ll come visit if I have time.”

“Crack! Snap!”

It must be said that the hotel’s security was exceptionally diligent. Hearing the commotion, within moments, seven or eight burly security guards swarmed the area, surrounding Wang Guan and Lin Hai.

“What’s going on?”

The question didn't come from the guards, but from Fang Mingsheng, who, having heard the noise from a private room nearby, opened the door with an annoyed expression to demand an explanation.

“Boss Fang, I’ve caught a thief!”

Lin Hai naturally knew Fang Mingsheng’s standing. He had come specifically from the Porcelain Capital, willing to take on odd jobs in the hotel just for the chance to interact more with the big boss and secure a better future. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, Lin Hai couldn't possibly miss it, and he called out excitedly, “Just now, I saw this person loitering suspiciously near the entrance, looking like he was stealing something, so I apprehended him.”

“A thief? Stealing?”

By now, Fang Mingsheng could clearly see that the person Lin Hai was gripping was Wang Guan, and he immediately frowned. Especially noticing Wang Guan’s composed, faintly smiling demeanor, Fang Mingsheng felt a spike of irritation.

Of course, the annoyance was directed at Lin Hai.

Recall that he had just lost to Wang Guan during the treasure appraisal segment. Now, word was spreading that one of his staff had caught Wang Guan attempting to steal. Although this was most likely a misunderstanding, it was easy for malicious rumors to take root.

“Fang Mingsheng can’t handle losing; he has no magnanimity…”

“Appearing upright and noble, but in reality, he’s a hypocrite, targeting people behind the scenes.”

Fang Mingsheng could easily imagine that if he didn't handle this matter properly, such gossip would certainly start circulating within a small circle. Thinking of this, Fang Mingsheng narrowed his eyes, a hint of suppressed anger coloring his tone: “This is a misunderstanding. Let him go immediately.”

However, Lin Hai was utterly intoxicated by dreams of his own advancement and failed to notice Fang Mingsheng’s shift in attitude, or perhaps he was too excited and selectively ignored the tone of Fang Mingsheng’s voice.

Originally, Fang Mingsheng had issued the command with certainty, but in Lin Hai’s ears, it sounded like a tone of doubt—as if suggesting, perhaps it was a mistake, so release him first. While the implied meaning might be similar—the ultimate goal being release—Lin Hai’s own elaborate mental fabrication led him to commit an act he would regret for life.

“Boss Fang, this man isn't just a petty thief.”

To bolster his own importance and secure greater credit, Lin Hai didn't deliberate; his mind running hot, he spoke whatever came to mind: “Actually, I know this person. He used to be the accountant at Taihe Pawnshop in the Porcelain Capital. But he made a mistake and was dismissed about a month ago. I have reason to suspect that because of this, he harbors resentment toward you, Boss, and has secretly infiltrated the hotel, planning to harm you…”

After this string of accusations, everyone present was dumbfounded, stunned into silence.

Wang Guan felt a touch of pity for Lin Hai. With a brain and imagination like that, why bother with a pawnshop? He should switch to writing novels. Poor Lin Hai, had he never considered that before he was fired, Wang Guan didn’t even know Taihe Company had a hidden boss, let alone planned revenge? Furthermore, if Wang Guan were seeking revenge, shouldn't it be directed at him?

At this point, his vision clouded by the lure of future rewards, Lin Hai ignored Fang Mingsheng’s strange expression and continued enthusiastically, “Boss Fang, leave this matter to me. There’s no need to rush to call the police; let’s first find out if he has accomplices, otherwise, how could he have gotten into the hotel so easily…”

It seemed Lin Hai hadn't forgotten that he had ordered Wang Guan to be thrown out earlier at the hotel entrance. It could also be deduced that Lin Hai must watch a lot of spy films; at this moment, his mind was focused on how to extract information from Wang Guan through torture.

“Enough!”

Just as Lin Hai was lost in his fanciful thoughts, Fang Mingsheng’s face turned ashen, his anger evident: “I’ll say it again: release the man.”

“Ah…”

Lin Hai started, raising his eyes to meet Fang Mingsheng’s furious gaze, and instantly felt a tremor of fear. He released Wang Guan’s wrist.

Simultaneously, Fang Mingsheng let out a slight sigh, his expression softening. He quietly asked, “Young Brother Wang Guan, can you tell me what exactly is going on here?”

“Originally, what has passed should remain in the past, and I didn't wish to say much,” Wang Guan stated calmly. “However, there is a limit to patience. Since he has pushed this too far, and matters have come to this, I will not conceal anything further for his sake…”

.................. Brothers, thank you. I hope we can maintain momentum, as we are pushing hard, and others are too. Thanks to book friends Youyou Baidu and zxhboy for the tips. And Qinghai Qingmo for the perfect rating. Finally, please collect and recommend—that is the foundation. Please support me generously. Thank you. C