Manager Wu's words were not spoken to defend Tong Lei.
They were based on the facts at hand.
Firstly, no third person besides Tong Lei and Wang Chen was found on surveillance.
Secondly, he knew Tong Lei's character well; she would never engage in such petty thievery, let alone for an antique of considerable value, which she would disdain to take in such a manner.
Finally, with Tong Lei ruled out, the most likely suspect was now Wang Chen.
Manager Wu had met most of Tong Lei's wealthy friends from the county, but Wang Chen was fairly unfamiliar to him.
Although Tong Lei's attitude towards Wang Chen was quite good, Manager Wu felt that Wang Chen was merely a new acquaintance of hers, and their relationship must not be deep, naturally meaning that she would not fully understand Wang Chen's character.
More importantly, Wang Chen's attire was very ordinary, and even his manners carried a strong rural air.