The country entrusted me to buy an aircraft carrier, Hou Liangping, do you dare to investigate?

The reporters' questions bombarded Zhong Zhengguo and Hou Liangping's eardrums like a machine gun.

Zhong Zhengguo's face was grim; he remained silent, coldly staring at the group of reporters before him. Hou Liangping clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. He knew he absolutely could not afford to lose his composure now.

"Please be quiet, everyone. I will answer any questions you may have." Zhong Zhengguo's voice was deep and powerful, emanating the authority of someone who had long held a high position, which caused the reporters present to fall silent involuntarily.

"First of all, I want to say that the accusations against me and my son-in-law circulating online are pure slander! I, Zhong Zhengguo, have served as an official for decades, and I have never done anything to betray the country or the people!" Zhong Zhengguo's voice was firm and resounding, and his gaze was piercing, as if he could see into people's hearts.

"As for those so-called pieces of evidence, I advise you to verify them first, lest you be used as pawns without even realizing it!" Zhong Zhengguo sneered. "I'd like to ask, who is spreading these rumors behind the scenes, and what is their purpose?"

No sooner had Zhong Zhengguo finished speaking than a commotion arose in the crowd. A reporter pushed to the front and asked loudly, "Mr. Zhong, are you implying that someone is deliberately framing the Zhong family?"

"Implications?" Zhong Zhengguo sneered. "I never imply anything; I only believe in evidence. If you have evidence to prove that my son-in-law and I have committed illegal or criminal acts, then produce it!"

Zhong Zhengguo's tough stance caught the reporters off guard. They had assumed that the Zhong family, already in dire straits, would try to appease the situation, but Zhong Zhengguo was unexpectedly firm, showing no sign of backing down and instead questioning them in return.

"Mr. Zhong, you said you believe in the evidence, so could you explain why you suddenly transferred most of your assets to your daughter's name after being dismissed from your post?" A reporter suddenly threw out a pointed question.

Zhong Zhengguo's expression changed slightly. This question was clearly something the other party had carefully prepared, with the aim of pushing him into a corner.

"My friend, please watch your words!" Hou Liangping shouted angrily. "My father-in-law transferring his assets to my wife is their family matter and has nothing to do with anyone else! Don't make baseless accusations and malicious speculations!"

"Family matters?" The reporter sneered. "Director Hou, you say this is a family matter? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? You are the dignified director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. What? Are you leading the way in seeking special treatment?"

"You..." Hou Liangping was speechless. He never expected that the other party would attack him in this way.

"Enough!" Zhong Zhengguo took a step forward, glaring at the reporter. "I'll say it one last time: my son-in-law and I are innocent! If you really want to report the truth, please investigate thoroughly instead of making baseless accusations and spreading lies here!"

After saying that, Zhong Zhengguo ignored the reporters and turned to walk into the villa. Hou Liangping glared at the reporter and followed him inside.

The reporters were stunned by Zhong Zhengguo's assertive attitude, and for a moment no one dared to stop him.

"Dad, what do we do now?" Zhong Xiaoai asked anxiously as Zhong Zhengguo and Hou Liangping walked in with gloomy expressions.

"What did the Zhao family say?" Zhong Zhengguo didn't answer Zhong Xiaoai's question, but looked at his secretary instead.

The secretary wiped the sweat from her brow and said cautiously, "The Zhao family... the Zhao family said..."

"What did you say?" Zhong Zhengguo's tone was icy, his gaze sharp as a knife, making the secretary tremble with fear.

"The Zhao family said that they are in dire straits themselves and probably can't help us."

"What?!" Zhong Zhengguo and Hou Liangping exclaimed in surprise at the same time, their faces instantly turning extremely ugly.

Just then, Zhong Xiaoai's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and her face turned deathly pale.

"It's...it's Zhao Shanhe..."

Zhong Xiaoai answered the phone with trembling hands. Zhao Shanhe's cold voice came from the other end, "Zhong Xiaoai, I advise you to persuade your father and husband to obediently confess their crimes, otherwise, the consequences will be beyond your ability to bear!"

"What...what do you mean?" Zhong Xiaoai's voice trembled. She already sensed that an even bigger storm was about to break.

"What do you mean?" Zhao Shanhe sneered. "You'll find out soon enough!"

After saying that, Zhao Shanhe hung up the phone.

Zhong Xiaoai stood there blankly, her phone slipping from her hand and falling limply to the ground with a crisp sound...

The Zhong family study, usually filled with the aroma of books, was now permeated with a suffocating oppression. On the antique mahogany desk lay a document; the black and white words seemed like sharp knives piercing Zhong Zhengguo's heart. His once dignified eyes were now bloodshot, as if he had aged ten years overnight.

"Dad, isn't there any other way?" Hou Liangping's voice trembled slightly. He clenched his fists, trying hard to control himself and not lose his composure in front of his father-in-law. However, the throbbing veins and slightly pale lips betrayed his inner panic.

Zhong Zhengguo shook his head with a wry smile and threw the document in his hand onto the table. "This report was made at Huang Feipeng's behest. He's trying to drive us to our doom!"

"That bastard! I'll kill him with my own hands sooner or later!" Hou Liangping slammed his fist on the desk, the mahogany tabletop groaning under the weight, leaving a deep fist mark.

Zhong Zhengguo ignored Hou Liangping's anger. He leaned back in his chair, as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant. "It's too late to say all this now. We have no way out."

"Dad, how about I go find Huang Feipeng and fight him to the death!" Hou Liangping suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with determination.

"Nonsense!" Zhong Zhengguo roared. "Going to him now is no different from suicide! Do you think he wouldn't be on guard against you after setting up such a huge scheme?"

Hou Liangping slumped back into his chair. He knew his father-in-law was right, but he just couldn't swallow his anger.

How could he, a dignified director of the anti-corruption bureau, be forced to such a state by a mere young upstart?

Just then, Zhong Xiaoai pushed open the door and walked in. She was wearing an elegant white dress and had no makeup on, but it still couldn't hide her stunning beauty.

However, those once bright and lively eyes were now filled with sadness and despair.