Inheritance of Two Trillion Chapter 2463 - 1826: Please Help Me With Something

The day following the assault, precisely at noon, Hou Yuncheng arrived at Bai Xiaosheng’s residence to impart the most recent findings from the investigation.

Naturally, the investigation team from Lekram first updated Hou Yuncheng, the esteemed head of the business group, before relaying the information to Bai Xiaosheng. With his schedule free at midday, Hou Yuncheng decided to personally deliver the news to Bai Xiaosheng, dismissing the messenger and expressing a desire for a brief discussion.

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying, Bai Xiaosheng’s most trusted confidantes, remained present. Knowing their positions, Hou Yuncheng made no request for them to depart.

"Under the intense interrogation by Lekram’s investigation team, Fiewood has finally confessed that he was indeed instigated by another party and has agreed to reveal the mastermind behind this ordeal," Hou Yuncheng informed Bai Xiaosheng.

This revelation carried significant weight.

"Is that so?" Bai Xiaosheng’s curiosity was piqued, and both Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying listened with heightened attention.

"Fiewood stated that he had been acting under the influence of Cilio, the former Deputy Executive President of Zhenbei Group’s Africa region, who orchestrated this attack," Hou Yuncheng continued. "Furthermore, he admitted to several severe commercial violations, implicating eight or nine other individuals. These figures are prominent players in major companies, some on par with Yorko, yet all operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Zhenbei Group. Fiewood revealed that Cilio had bribed these individuals as well, leading to the clandestine embezzlement of substantial Group assets. It is understood that Cilio’s father, Brown, serves as the Business President of Zhenbei Group’s Africa region, placing him above them. Under pressure to protect their careers, they were compelled to follow Cilio’s directives, including the execution of this attack through coercion."

"Did he truly say all of that?" Bai Xiaosheng marveled, clicking his tongue.

Hou Yuncheng then added, "While these other matters are separate from the attack itself, your group will be notified by the investigation team for internal handling."

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying exchanged a meaningful glance.

It seemed less like a confession from Fiewood and more like a calculated maneuver to shift blame. After all, orchestrating an attack that caused such a significant disruption could easily lead to a lengthy prison sentence. By framing his actions as mere compliance under duress, he transformed his culpability into a form of merit, thereby reducing his potential sentence.

Only if Cilio’s guilt is definitively established would he bear the full brunt of the consequences.

Even if Brown could shield him from repercussions on a corporate level, in the realm of legal proceedings, his options would be severely limited, possibly resulting in early retirement under pressure from other executives within the group.

"This is truly an unexpected turn of events," Lin Weiwei murmured.

While the identity of the mastermind behind Fiewood – Cilio – was surprising, upon further reflection, it was not entirely implausible.

"Did the investigation team fully accept Fiewood’s claims, placing all blame on Cilio?" Bai Xiaosheng inquired.

Hou Yuncheng offered a smile. "I understand your concern, that Fiewood might be fabricating his story to evade responsibility. However, rest assured, Lekram’s investigation team operates at a state level and is not easily deceived. This notification is merely a procedural step; they will undoubtedly verify these claims and conduct individual interrogations of the individuals Fiewood mentioned. He will not be permitted to escape accountability so readily."

Bai Xiaosheng acknowledged this with a nod.

"Well, I have shared all the information I have; my primary intention was to check on your well-being. If there is nothing further, I shall not impose," Hou Yuncheng stated, beginning to rise from his seat.

Bai Xiaosheng swiftly composed his thoughts and stood to escort him out.

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying also rose in unison.

"I will be departing this afternoon. Should any further developments arise, they will be communicated to you directly. After all, you are the party most affected by this situation," Hou Yuncheng added as a final remark to Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng nodded and accompanied him to the exit.

After Hou Yuncheng's departure, the trio returned to the room.

Lin Weiwei could not contain her surprise. "I never would have guessed! We suspected Caroline or Mr. Tike might be behind Fiewood, but it turns out to be Cilio. And why would he orchestrate the attack with two distinct teams, making it appear as if two separate factions were involved? What was his ultimate objective?"

Bai Xiaosheng remained in thoughtful silence.

Lei Ying offered a possible explanation. "If we seek a logical motive, perhaps it was a strategy to create a scapegoat. Fiewood heads a company directly under Mr. Tike. His involvement would immediately lead us to suspect Tike. Possibly, they intentionally allowed information to leak, pointing us towards Fiewood, thereby diverting suspicion onto Tike."

Lin Weiwei clicked her tongue in mild exasperation. "A pity for them that they weren't aware Xiaosheng had already foreseen the potential danger and alerted the police preemptively, who then treated the matter with utmost seriousness."

Even at this point, Lin Weiwei still marveled at the prescience of Bai Xiaosheng’s actions.

"So, do you genuinely believe that Cilio is the mastermind?" Lei Ying suddenly asked, casting a questioning glance at Bai Xiaosheng.

Lin Weiwei looked startled. "Huh?"

Bai Xiaosheng chimed in, "Even if Fiewood was genuinely acting under Cilio's orders, his attempt to lessen his own culpability by solely pointing fingers at Cilio seems overly convenient. Why would he abruptly expose eight or nine high-ranking corporate officials? His eagerness to confess seems excessive. Revealing those names would only serve as supporting evidence to potentially shorten his sentence, making it an unnecessary move, wouldn't you agree?"

Lin Weiwei directed her gaze towards Bai Xiaosheng and Lei Ying, inquiring cautiously, "So, what you're suggesting is... Fiewood is attempting to drag others down with him because he finds himself in an unfortunate predicament?"

Bai Xiaosheng offered no conclusive response, while Lei Ying remained lost in thought.

"What are you truly contemplating? What is the core of the issue here?" Lin Weiwei couldn't suppress her curiosity and pressed for an answer.

"Oh? Are you impatient for answers?" Bai Xiaosheng chuckled, "Hold on, there's no need to rush. Let's observe how the situation develops."

With that, Lin Weiwei reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Later that afternoon, Bai Xiaosheng received further updates. Following an in-depth investigation, all the prominent business figures and enterprise leaders implicated had privately acknowledged Fiewood's claims, admitting they were all operating under Cilio's directives.

Some of these individuals reported directly to Mr. Tike, while others were under Brown's supervision within the Zhenbei Group's African operations.

Their testimonies significantly amplified the gravity of Cilio's alleged transgressions.

Bai Xiaosheng also became aware that the investigative team had communicated their findings to the Zhenbei Group headquarters and had reached out to Brown.

Brown, a figure of considerable renown in African commerce and Cilio's father, naturally warranted notification.

Given Brown's prominent standing, Lekram was also giving the matter considerable attention.

The investigators further disclosed that they had presented their findings to Cilio, encouraging a forthright confession. However, Cilio reacted with intense animosity and staunch resistance, professing his innocence and claiming he was being set up, demanding a direct confrontation with Fiewood. The investigation is presently ongoing.

The investigators expressed their hope that Bai Xiaosheng would attend a closed-door hearing scheduled for the following day.

Among those also extended invitations were representatives from Zhenbei Group, including Brown and Mr. Tike.

Bai Xiaosheng readily accepted the invitation, of course.

That same evening, Bai Xiaosheng learned of Hou Yuncheng's return and promptly sought him out to discuss the unfolding events.

Upon hearing of Bai Xiaosheng's arrival, Hou Yuncheng extended a warm welcome, offering him a selection of fine teas.

Once the door was closed, the conversation was confined to Bai Xiaosheng and Hou Yuncheng.

Clutching his teacup, Bai Xiaosheng addressed Hou Yuncheng with a serious demeanor, "Director Hou, I would like to request your assistance."

"Oh? It's quite rare for you to ask for my help. Tell me, what is it?" Hou Yuncheng responded with a smile, his surprise mingled with keen interest.

In Hou Yuncheng's estimation, despite his youth, Bai Xiaosheng possessed remarkable discernment and understood his own boundaries, seldom making requests concerning professional matters or significant issues.

This particular plea for help from Bai Xiaosheng thus caught Hou Yuncheng off guard.

Hou Yuncheng surmised that Bai Xiaosheng might be seeking official backing for this particular situation. Bai Xiaosheng found himself entangled in a complex predicament within his own conglomerate, and pursuing individual accountability could jeopardize his standing within the Group, especially considering the primary suspect, Cilio, was Brown's son. However, such concerns would likely not be present if the business conglomerate itself initiated such actions.

Hou Yuncheng inquired about the specific nature of the help needed, and Bai Xiaosheng proceeded to explain the entire situation.

Hou Yuncheng had initially been holding his teacup, poised to take a sip while listening to Bai Xiaosheng. Yet, as Bai Xiaosheng spoke, Hou Yuncheng completely forgot his intended action, becoming so engrossed in the narrative that he remained motionless, teacup still in hand.

"Is this truly what you're asking me to do?" Hou Yuncheng questioned, his voice tinged with disbelief, "Are you being serious?"

Bai Xiaosheng nodded firmly, "Director Hou, please listen carefully as I explain. I would never request anything that contravenes regulations or the law."

Hou Yuncheng gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

As Bai Xiaosheng meticulously detailed his request, Hou Yuncheng set his teacup down entirely, listening intently with a furrowed brow, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table in contemplation.

Upon Bai Xiaosheng's conclusion, he did not press further, patiently awaiting Hou Yuncheng's response.

"This matter is truly..." Hou Yuncheng murmured, before adding, "However, you are correct, it does not violate any regulations."

Hou Yuncheng delivered his verdict, "If you are insistent, I shall agree."

A sudden smile bloomed on Bai Xiaosheng's face, conveying his heartfelt gratitude.

Hou Yuncheng chuckled, "As long as it adheres to regulations, senior officials will generally concur. Your remarkable commercial acumen in Bichi City, enhancing inter-country and inter-city corporate collaborations, holds considerable significance and is highly regarded by leadership."

Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng felt a profound sense of honor and jokingly remarked to Hou Yuncheng, "Isn't it all thanks to your outstanding leadership?"

"Cease the flattery, I don't deserve such praise," Hou Yuncheng laughed heartily, "Come now, let's enjoy our tea!"

Bai Xiaosheng smiled as he sipped his tea, his gaze drifting into the distance.

Preparations for the upcoming hearing were finalized, and he felt a keen anticipation for the events that were about to unfold!