Chapter 517: Chapter 516: Courting Death Innovatively, Overestimating One’s Abilities (Second Update)
The press conference venue.
A few uniformed staff members walked directly towards Ye Wenhan, who looked confident and spirited until just a moment ago.
Ye Wenhan’s eyes tightened as he tried to hide his panic.
The leader of the group, rather bluntly and in front of all the reporters, said, “Mr. Ye, someone has accused you of embezzling public funds and signing duplicitous contracts regarding the construction of the old town. You need to come with us for an investigation!”
“Got proof?” Ye Wenhan refuted.
In front of so many reporters, of course, he couldn’t afford to lose face.
“Yes, please come with us to assist in the investigation.”
“Show me the evidence! I strongly suspect that I am being framed – just like the news just now implies. Someone is deliberately tarnishing my name and making me look bad! At such a young age, I have already made considerable achievements – there must be some people who are jealous and unwilling to see me thrive!”
“If Mr. Ye insists on seeing the evidence…” The lead investigator waved his hand.
The person beside him stepped forward to present a document.
“This is Mr. Ye’s hand-signed document stating the misuse of public funds for the renovation of Jin City Amusement Park, but the renovation has not started yet, and $200 million has already been paid out from the national treasury.”
“I always make sure to pay my workers fairly, since I believe they work much harder than most people to earn a living. Thus, I always prepay them and then have them start the project.”
“We tracked down the contractor – a shell company with no actual operations. The money, upon receipt, was directly transferred to an account specifically meant for the old city renovation!”
Ye Wenhan’s face turned a shade darker at this.
“Where did you get this ‘evidence’? These are all just rumors! I use my money legally and honestly. I don’t know where these ridiculous allegations are coming from. I think I’m just wasting my time talking to you. I need my lawyer to handle this.”
“Fine.”
Ye Wenhan quickly left the scene of the press conference.
All he did was put up a front to avoid unveiling the truth before the press.
Once out of the venue, his apprehension was difficult to suppress.
No.
As long as he did not admit, as long as he did not admit that he did this, he would be fine.
He could pin the blame on Zhang Xiang. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time he has framed others.
That realization eased his tension slightly.
While Ye Wenhan instructed his assistant to find his lawyer, he reluctantly went with the representatives from the prosecutor’s office to cooperate with the investigation.
There before Ye Wenhan were two damning pieces of evidence.
The first was proof of embezzlement of public funds, and the second showed the existence of duplicitous contracts.
Indeed, he had embezzled for his own reputation, and after realizing the importance of money, he colluded with Zhang Xiang to find a few reliable contractors and consigned a yin-yang contract. The contract on paper showed that they were using the most high-grade material available in the current market, but in reality, they used the same material that they always used. The difference in price of these two materials helped to fill Ye Wenhan’s pockets to a great extent.
Looking at all the evidence in front of him, Ye Wenhan was stunned.
The person in charge of the prosecutor’s office flatly stated, “Zhang Xiang has already confessed, and the other contractors have also admitted their guilt. Mr. Ye, there are plenty of witnesses and concrete evidence against you. It’s time for you to confess.”
“These signatures are forged. I never signed these things. How is it possible that I did this! You better reconsider – do you even know who I am? You dare to frame me, aren’t you afraid of retribution?”
“Mr. Ye, we have already verified the written evidence. More importantly, we have found some unknown sources of income in your account.”
“Isn’t it natural for someone in my position to be bribed? I haven’t spent a penny of it!”
“Mr. Ye, offering flimsy excuses will not lead to a reduced sentence or even an acquittal. All the evidence is right here. If you don’t agree, you have the right to defend yourself in court. But for now, we need to take you into custody as per the law.”
“On what grounds…”
“Excuse us.”
With that said, the people from the prosecutor’s office allowed the police to handcuff him and escort him to the police car.
Since Ye Wenhan was taken from the press conference, the reporters were almost instantly aware of it and rushed to the entrance of the prosecutor’s office, putting a blockade on Ye Wenhan. Reporters kept asking, “Mr. Ye, did you really embezzle public funds for personal gain?”
“Mr. Ye, you just claimed that everything you do is for the country and the people, but now you’re accused of inappropriate practices. Don’t you think you’re contradicting yourself?”
“Mr. Ye…”
Ye Wenhan was taken into the police car.
Seeing so many reporters behind him, his face turned extremely ashen.
He didn’t even need to think – he knew that Song Zhizhi must be behind all this.
He swore to himself that once he gets out, he would deal with her!
The foolish Ye Wenhan, even in this dire situation, still held on to the hope that he would be able to start over.
He was taken to the detention center.
Ye Wenhan’s lawyer informed him that the evidence for his case was substantial and, according to the Laws of Yanshang Country, would lead to a sentence of at least 20 years.
“What!” Ye Wenhan was completely shocked.
He had only diverted a little money, embezzled just a bit of public funds. Did it really warrant such a heavy sentence?
“In Yanshang Country, there is a law that states that important personnel on duty will receive the maximum sentence. For ordinary people, if you embezzle public funds and take private profits, with a good attitude and an apology, you may get less than 10 years. For those at your level, however, 20 years is considered a light sentence.”
“No! I absolutely can’t accept that. Isn’t there any way to fight this in court?” Ye Wenhan was seriously panicking.
He was just now beginning to comprehend the severity of the situation.
He never considered that the consequences would be so severe.
“Mr. Ye, we can only try our best to seek leniency from the court, but the minimum sentence will not be less than 20 years!”
“I didn’t murder or set fire to anything. Why should I carry such a heavy crime!”
“That’s because…”
“I won’t accept it! No matter what, you have to find a way to get me off the hook!”
“That’s a pipe dream. The evidence against Mr. Ye is clear. The other side has collected each piece of evidence meticulously, leaving no loopholes. I advise Mr. Ye to confess and take it easy. Maybe then you can still serve a 20-year sentence, otherwise, you might face a life sentence!”
“Don’t you threaten me.” Ye Wenhan pointed at the lawyer, saying harshly.
“Mr. Ye should have some common sense.” The lawyer was also angered by Ye Wenhan, and he didn’t hide his feelings anymore, “Mr. Ye, you better know your position!”
“How dare you, a lawyer, talk to me like this, do you know who I am?”
“It’s exactly because I know who you are that I’m truly disappointed in you. I never thought the Dean of Commercial Management would be this ignorant and foolish! I assumed that even if you weren’t Mr. Ye, Chief Qian Guanshu would be smarter than you. I regret that Mr. Ye Taiting has such a son. The foundation built by generations of the Ye family was destroyed by you. I truly feel sorry for the Ye family. As for your lawyer, I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Feel free to find someone more capable.”
“Stop right there!” Ye Wenhan was so angry he jumped around.
But the lawyer had already left.
Ye Wenhan’s eyes were flamed with anger.
He was looked down upon?!
He was actually looked down upon?!
Wait until he got out, he would make sure these people suffered a terrible end, all of them!
He was very emotional, shouting at the prison guards, “I want to see Jun Minghan, let Jun Minghan come to me, let him come to me!”
Nobody paid any attention to him.
Ye Wenhan started making a scene in the prison, “I’m telling you, I’m not just the Dean of Commercial Management, I also have deep ties with the government. If you dared hurt me, you’d all suffer! Now, right now, immediately get Jun Minghan to come to me!”
No one dared to answer, but no one dared to stop him either.
Although Ye Wenhan’s actions shocked everyone, none dared to touch him due to his status. They could only endure as he continued to make a fuss.
Ye Wenhan finally ran out of steam and sat in his cell, still in a state of complete disbelief and denial.
He was well and fine, he had an esteemed position, why would he end up like this? Just a moment ago he was confidently addressing the media, why was he now locked in this prison?
No.
He couldn’t comprehend it, and he couldn’t accept it.
Fired up like he’d been provoked, he jumped up from the floor and bellowed, “You bunch of bastards, I told you to bring Jun Minghan here, I told you to find Jun Minghan for me, wait till I get out, all of you will be shot…”
“You were looking for me.” The door to the cell was opened, and Jun Minghan leisurely appeared before Ye Wenhan.
At that moment, Ye Wenhan grabbed Jun Minghan like a lifesaver, “I knew you would help me.”
Jun Minghan smirked.
He brushed Ye Wenhan’s hand away.
Ye Wenhan felt embarrassed, but at that moment, he didn’t dare to make a scene. His attitude toward Jun Minghan was much more polite.
Jun Minghan waved his hand, indicating his subordinates to step back, and met with Ye Wenhan alone.
Ye Wenhan, feeling hopeful, hastily crawled up to him, with a sycophantic smile, “Mr. Jun, we’ve cooperated quite a few times before, this time I was trapped by that bitch Song Zhizhi, she fooled me, you must help me take her out. As long as I can return to my former position, I’ll do whatever you say. Didn’t you always want to take control of Commercial Management? I’d definitely support you.”
Jun Minghan laughed.
A very sarcastic laugh.
Sure enough, without the competent strategist Qian Guanshu, Ye Wenhan was indeed easy to take down.
He had fallen so far and so fast.
More importantly, he dared to commit such an easily traceable crime.
He said, “Mr. Ye is joking, how could I let you help me with anything?”
“Mr. Jun, don’t be so modest, in the future you’ll definitely be the Dean, and together, I’m sure we can take Yanshang country to new heights.”
“It’s true that we can take Yanshang country to new heights, but I don’t need Mr. Ye’s help. Given your present situation, you should think about how to reduce your sentence.”
“What do you mean ‘reduce sentence’? I believe Mr. Jun you can make me innocent.”
“Where did Mr. Ye get the confidence that I would help you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Mr. Ye, you are caught both with material and eyewitness evidence. How am I supposed to help you?”
“The government listens to your words, if you say it’s possible, it is possible!”
“I really don’t have time to waste words with you. I just came to tell Mr. Ye, confess and cooperate, serve your prison time properly. I’ll take care of Commercial Management for you in the future!”
“Jun Minghan, what do you mean by ‘take care of Commercial Management for me’? What do you mean?!”
“Just the literal meaning. Even if Mr. Ye is too stupid, you should understand that.”
“Jun Minghan!”
“Take care of yourself.” Jun Minghan turned to leave.
“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll expose the fact that you were involved in killing Qian Guanshu?” Ye Wenhan said, speaking coldly.
Jun Minghan paused.
Ye Wenhan continued, his tone icy, “The fact that you faked Qian Guanshu’s death to get him out of prison, if you don’t help me, I’ll expose it, and we’ll go down together if necessary!”
“You can try!”
“I’m not threatening you!”
“So, you should try!” Jun Minghan seemed utterly indifferent.
Qian Guanshu didn’t die by his hands; he could push all the blame onto Ye Wenhan.
“Jun Minghan!” Seeing that he couldn’t threaten him, Ye Wenhan hurriedly grabbed him, “I admit I lost, help me, help me escape, I can’t accept spending my entire life in prison. I can’t.”
