And this "next step" is often the time when weaknesses are most easily exposed.

Her thoughts gradually became clearer. Xia Zhining picked up the phone again, her tone calm and meticulous:

“Mr. Duan, directly arresting the person who delivered the tea may only result in catching a scapegoat, while the real mastermind will still be hiding in the shadows.”

She clearly articulated the core of the strategy:

"The other side is in the shadows, while we are in the light. I have an idea."

"The audition room is extremely secret; people outside have no way of knowing what's happening inside."

"How about you go into the audition room and perform your audition normally?"

"But the moment you finish the audition and walk out of the room, immediately act out the state of losing your voice and show great pain and shock."

"The best time for us to uproot them will be when they think they have succeeded and are eager to take the next step."

Xia Zhining ultimately handed the decision over to this professional: "This requires superb acting skills and a good grasp of timing, but it's the fastest way to find the real culprit."

What do you think?

Duan Yuanqing answered almost without hesitation on the other end of the phone, his voice carrying the composure and confidence befitting a movie star: "Great idea!"

"Acting is my profession."

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhining thought of another concern.

She learned from Director He that Duan Yuanqing was auditioning for the lead role in the new film of an internationally renowned director who is known as a "blockbuster maker," an opportunity that was once in a lifetime.

"Don't worry if it affects your audition," Xia Zhining immediately promised. "Once I find out what happened, I will personally explain the reason to the organizers and do my best to get you a fair audition opportunity."

To her surprise, Duan Yuanqing chuckled softly on the other end of the phone, his tone calm and clear:

"Expert Xia, there will always be audition opportunities in the future."

"But right now, the most important thing is to root out those with ill intentions around us and eliminate potential threats. This is fundamental to safety and principles. I can tell what's important and what's urgent."

"And I'm confident I can perform well."

Xia Zhining secretly admired him, no wonder he could win the double Best Actor award at such a young age.

This composure and meticulous coordination under pressure is truly rare.

She immediately instructed, "Try to schedule the auditions later in the order to give us more time."

“Our people will arrive in advance to monitor everyone’s movements from the lounge to the audition room and look for opportunities.”

"No problem." Duan Yuanqing's answer was concise and forceful.

Just then, Duan Yuanqing's low voice came from the other end of the phone: "They're here."

Immediately afterwards, the assistant's footsteps and voice came clearly: "Brother Duan, your tea is ready."

Xia Zhining's expression hardened, and she quickly instructed over the phone, "Proceed according to plan, keep the call connected," before hanging up immediately and rushing to the W Hotel with her accompanying police officers.

After a whirlwind drive, Xia Zhining arrived at the hotel and immediately sent a message to Duan Yuanqing's phone: "Ready."

At this moment, in the hotel lounge.

Duan Yuanqing was straining his voice, letting out suppressed coughs, his brows furrowed, and his expression pained.

The assistant beside him was pacing anxiously.

"Brother Duan, we can't delay any longer! There's only one person left ahead of us!"

“But my voice is still…” Duan Yuanqing said with difficulty, his voice hoarse, “…There’s no other way but to bite the bullet and go on.”

He took a deep breath, with a "I'm going all out" expression, and walked towards the audition room.

Almost at the same time he stepped into the audition room, an undercover police officer disguised as a cleaner casually entered the lounge with cleaning tools to "clean" it.

While wiping the corner of the table, he quietly placed a small gecko above the curtain box.

It was the same little gecko that had helped in the case of the female corpse in the chimney of the villa.

A mini animal detective with an extremely low profile, making it hard to spot!