Chapter 56: Confessions and Confrontations

"What are we waiting for? Let's go now." Zhao Jiong couldn't help but cast an appreciative glance at Bai Luan for her foresight in assessing the situation.

This girl had become more meticulous and reliable since that incident ten years ago, and Zhao Jiong wondered who would ultimately benefit from her growth.

"Let's go." Ling Ji decided to give Zhao Jiong some face, partly out of gratitude for the breakfast he provided and partly due to her growing curiosity about the people behind Gao Buhan.

The ability to place such formidable restraints in someone's mind indicated exceptional power. Ling Ji, having been confined to Fengling Mountain for so long, had yet to truly test her abilities against a worthy opponent. Her hands and feet were itching for action.

As they stepped out, Ling Ji glanced casually at the neighboring house and remarked, "That Zhao fellow didn't come back today. Could it have something to do with this?"

Xing Miao looked over as well and replied, "Probably afraid of running into us."

The neighbor was someone important, and his formation was practically useless. If she were in his shoes, she wouldn't return either. Privacy would be non-existent under their watchful eyes, especially for someone with secrets to hide.

Ling Ji dismissed the thought and focused on their destination. The group drove towards the Bai residence.

Shortly after their departure, a sports car stopped at the Zhao family home. A handsome young man with striking features stepped out, retrieved a suitcase from the trunk, and entered the house. He paused briefly, gazing at the lush bamboo grove next door, and muttered, "When did new neighbors move in? Quite the taste, I must say."

The youth quickly shrugged off the sense of being watched and went inside.

Unbeknownst to him, a large bubble emerged from the aquarium in the living room next door. A pair of crystal-clear eyes watched in awe, "What a handsome young man."

...

Bai Nian had been brought to the Bai residence the previous night. Initially, when the black-clad bodyguards grabbed her arms and forced her into the car, she felt a surge of anxiety, fearing her previous actions had been discovered, and someone had come for retribution.

She clutched a ring on her pinky, ready to call for backup if needed.

As the car drove on, the surroundings grew increasingly familiar. When they finally stopped at the Bai residence, her tension eased, replaced by confusion.

"Could it be that my father has woken up and wants to see me?" Bai Nian's first thought was of her father. Her expression turned to one of anxious excitement, complex enough to draw a glance from the bodyguard.

"Mr. Bai is upstairs. Go on your own." The black-clad bodyguard spoke coldly, the first words he'd said to her, before stepping back and locking the door behind him.

Bai Nian missed the sound of the door being locked, too absorbed in her joy. She rushed upstairs and pushed open her father's bedroom door. "Dad, you're finally awake..." Her voice trailed off when she saw him lying there, hooked to an IV and an oxygen mask, surrounded by medical equipment.

The joy froze on her face, doused like a bucket of cold water. "Dad?" She called softly, moving closer, then louder when there was no response, "Dad!"

Her father's unresponsive form lay still, her calls as ineffective as a lover's kiss waiting for a slumbering king. Disappointment crashed over her, leaving her mind blank and chaotic. She stood by the bedside for two hours before hunger pulled her back to reality.

Downstairs, she found the refrigerator stocked only with mineral water, no food in sight. She searched the kitchen, opening every cupboard, but found no edible supplies.

"Bai Luan must have done this on purpose!" Bai Nian thought, realizing she had been set up. She knew she was left with only bottled water to ensure she wouldn't starve.

Infuriated, she picked up her phone to call for help but hesitated, remembering her boss's instructions: unless it was a life-or-death situation, never call. The consequences would be severe. The memory of his warning made her reconsider. She called a fast-food restaurant, but the line was busy. She tried several more with the same result.

Bai Nian finally noticed the signal icon on her phone showing disconnection. The house was being jammed.

Determined to leave, she found the doors and windows locked from the outside. With nothing to do but endure the hunger, she eventually fell asleep on the sofa, hugging her knees.

Outside, a woman's voice announced, "The person is inside." The door opened, and a group entered. Bai Nian woke to see them approaching, her vision blurred by the light behind them.

The girl leading the group was strikingly beautiful, with an aura of cold detachment and authority. Her presence was overwhelming, almost divine.

Bai Nian instinctively shielded her eyes before adjusting to the light. "What is this about, Bai Luan?" she demanded, avoiding the lead girl and focusing on Bai Luan.

"You should know," Bai Luan replied indifferently, not surprised by Bai Nian's survival instincts. She whispered to Ling Ji, "Should we check her mind for restraints?"

Ling Ji examined Bai Nian for a moment, causing her heart to race and her nerves to fray, before saying, "No need. There are no restraints in her mind."

Bai Nian felt a strange sense of disappointment in Ling Ji's tone, as if she was deemed insignificant for not having such restraints.

"Let's get straight to the point. Who are you working for?" Bai Luan asked directly.

Bai Nian's eyes flickered, and she feigned ignorance, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"If you don't cooperate, we have methods to make you talk," Xing Miao warned gently. "There's a technique called Soul Searching. It doesn't matter how well you hide it; we'll find out everything. But the person subjected to it often becomes a fool afterward. Are you sure you want to risk that?"

Bai Nian's face paled. "No," she muttered.

"Ms. Bai, honesty might reduce your sentence. Otherwise, you risk going back to prison," Zhao Jiong added.

"Really?" Bai Nian blurted, then realized her mistake. She'd exposed herself. Seeing the lack of surprise on their faces, she knew she'd met her match. Bai Luan had powerful allies, and now she had no choice.

She had to confess.

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