Zhou Yan slowly spoke up: "Yes, the customs documents are fine. But the origin of these goods is unclear, and many of them are the same as those stolen from foreign museums and even private collectors before. How does Miss Ning explain this?"
Ning Yuan curled her lips slightly and sneered, "Superintendent Zhou, you have no common sense at all. Who would dare to say that there is only one of a certain style of antique? Even top auction houses like Christie's in the world would not dare to say that."
Zhou Yan leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp as knives: "But coincidentally, not only are the styles the same, but even the minute signs of wear are exactly the same. Miss Ning, are you sure these are all coincidences?"
Ning Yuan paused. The goods she sold all went to various wealthy families, and those people were not to be trifled with; they would never normally make a move.
How did he know the details were the same? How could he have access to someone else's collection?
Zhou Yan chuckled, as if he could see through her thoughts, and gestured for Bao C to take out the evidence bag.
It was a string of white jade beads from the Warring States period, perfectly preserved in a sealed plastic bag.
Ning Yuan recognized it at a glance; it was an item she had purchased at her first auction.
In the past year and a half, she has organized two large-scale trade fairs, and this is the third time she has received goods. She remembers every single item she has handled clearly.
Zhou Yan said slowly and deliberately, "It's not just your Ning family that's rich. Although it's a bit tough, it's not impossible to get this kind of 'missing' antique."
He paused, his sharp gaze fixed on Ning Yuan: "The photos have been sent back to the owner for verification, and it's confirmed that they are indeed their lost item. Ms. Ning, would you like to use this as evidence in court?"
Ning Yuan didn't speak, but stared coldly at the bag.
Explosive C couldn't help but laugh happily on the side—
Hey hey hey! The advantages of having a rich kid as your boss! Not only can you afford to treat people to late-night snacks all the time, but you also have to pay for all the case-handling expenses yourself – it's "plenty"!
Those who are more capable than Inspector Zhou are not as rich as him, and those who are richer than him are not as good at solving cases. He might not even be interested in the money that is offered to bribe him!
Evan is grooming him to be the future "number one" police officer, and Inspector Chow is worthy of this honor!
Ning Yuan didn't speak, but gently turned the transparent plastic evidence bag with her slender fingers, as if admiring a fine work of art, rather than evidence that could send her to prison.
Seeing this, C assumed she was scared and immediately slammed a folder on the table: "Ms. Ning, it's not too late to confess. As long as you name the seller, we can consider having you as a witness!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan slowly raised her head and glanced leisurely at Bao C: "Officer, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"
That look made Bao C's heart tighten.
Ning Yuan spoke casually, tapping the table as he did: "How about this, officers, first prove that you obtained this item legally, then the evidence will be compliant. Secondly, prove that this white jade bracelet was obtained from my buyer."
She put down the evidence bag: "And..."
Ning Yuan sneered: "You have to make the so-called 'owners' prove that these are the items they stole—after all, there are plenty of antiques in this world. Just because they say they lost them doesn't mean they did."
Ning Yuan leaned back in her chair, turned her head slightly to look at Zhou Yan, and smiled coolly: "Also, Zhou Sir isn't an expert in this field, so let me give you a piece of advice—you still need to prove that what they stole is genuine. There are too many fakes when it comes to antiques. Who knows if the so-called 'owner' lost a fake but claims it's real in an attempt to extort money?"
With each word she spoke, Explosive C's face darkened, and the other agents monitoring the interrogation from the next room also felt as if they had swallowed a fly.
C's face turned pale and then red. After struggling for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out, "You...you're just being unreasonable!"
Ning Yuan chuckled lightly: "I'm not just making excuses, I'm simply protecting my legal rights. When you police investigate, you need evidence; you can't just convict me based on nothing, can you?"
She threw the evidence bag on the table, her tone suddenly turning cold: "One last thing, officers, please ask the seller to explain how this item, which should have been in the China Museum, ended up in the hands of these so-called owners? They say my goods are of dubious origin, but they themselves claim they bought them. Where is the evidence?!"
Bao C was rendered speechless by her series of rhetorical questions, her face turning red with embarrassment.
He gritted his teeth and whispered in Zhou Yan's ear, "Brother Yan, this woman is too difficult to deal with! She's even more troublesome than those gangsters, what should we do!"
Their counter-surveillance and legal awareness are frighteningly strong! What's truly frightening is when criminals are educated!
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes dangerously, his thin lips pressed into a straight line: "It seems Miss Ning has no intention of admitting it."
Ning Yuan lowered her eyes and took a sip of coffee: "Zhou sir, I have already taught you how to produce a complete chain of evidence to prove that this is stolen smuggled goods. Without evidence, everything is just empty talk."
Beneath Zhou Yan's hat brim, a strange gloom lurked in his arrogant eyes: "Are you teaching us how to do things?"
Ning Yuan casually curled the corners of her lips: "According to Hong Kong law, as a citizen, I have the right to remain silent. From now on, I will not answer any of your questions until my lawyer arrives!"
In the monitoring room next door, everyone's faces instantly darkened.
The moment those words came out of the suspect's mouth, they knew the situation had reached a stalemate.
C couldn't help but slam his fist on the table, veins bulging on his forehead, and exclaimed, "You..."
Ning Yuan raised her eyes and lightly tapped the Patek Philippe watch on her wrist, making no attempt to hide her provocation: "Gentlemen, you only have twenty hours left, why don't you get some rest?"
The atmosphere froze instantly, and the air was thick with tension.
Bao C finally couldn't hold back and pointed at Ning Yuan's nose, cursing: "You stinking bastard! You stupid idiot! You really think you're so great just because you have a few stinking coins?"
Ning Yuan stared at the exposed C with a cold, icy gaze.
"Watch your words, officer. It's not easy to get into the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB), is it? Only the lowest-ranking officers fight tooth and nail to get a chance to go to headquarters. Officer Zhou has money and doesn't care if he doesn't work, but it's different for you people. Without this job at the OCTB, what will you eat when you go home? Your mother?"
Bao C was trembling with rage, his finger pointing at Ning Yuan shaking: "You stinking bastard, how dare you threaten me?!"
They're the ones who always threaten criminals! How dare a criminal threaten them!
Ning Yuan's tone was as cold as ice: "Try saying 'stinky' again? The Hong Kong Police Force is a disciplined force. If you officers have no manners, I don't mind taking away the jobs of some of you. I'll stand up for the Hong Kong government and citizens to monitor the discipline of the police force!"
Zhou Yan's face was gloomy. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said in an icy tone, "Bao C, apologize to Miss Ning."
Explosive C could barely contain his fiery temper: "Brother Yan, that girl..."
Zhou Yan suddenly raised his voice: "This is an order! I'm telling you to say—Sorry to Miss Ning!"
Bao C gritted her teeth, trembling with anger, and lowered her head with reddened eyes, saying, "I'm sorry, Miss Ning, I misspoke just now, please don't take offense!"
He knew that Brother Yan was doing it for his own good.
In this newly renovated interrogation room, the Hong Kong government has installed for the first time an imported audio and video recording system used by the US police, so that everything you say and do will be recorded.
But without any leverage over Ning Yuan, even if the recordings and videos are deleted, given her current status and the Ning family's influence, it would be too easy for her to deal with a lowly police officer like him, strip him of his uniform, and send him home to live off her.
Ning Yuan glanced at Bao C expressionlessly, her tone indifferent: "This is the last time."
Upon hearing this, Bao C felt a surge of anger rush to his head, almost causing him to vomit blood.
He clenched his fists tightly, but had to suppress his anger and could only glare at Ning Yuan!
At this moment, Zhou Yan spoke, his voice low and cold: "Bao C, you go out first, and turn off the recording and audio recording while you're at it."
Upon hearing this, Bao C's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly turned to look at Zhou Yan.
Is Brother Yan really going to get serious? Is he going to use torture to deal with Ning Yuan? Otherwise, why would he ask him to turn off the recording?
This method is not uncommon in the police force and is often surprisingly effective in dealing with difficult criminals.
But this time the person is different! This is Miss Ning!
Bao C opened his mouth, wanting to dissuade Zhou Yan: "Brother Yan..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yan interrupted him, saying slowly and deliberately, "Get out. That's an order."
Explosive C knew that nothing he said would make a difference.
He sighed helplessly and frustratedly, then turned and walked out of the interrogation room.
Only Zhou Yan and Ning Yuan remained in the interrogation room.
A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air, making it difficult to even breathe.
Zhou Yan suddenly stood up, walked up to Ning Yuan, and looked down at her.
Ning Yuan sat calmly in her chair, showing no fear whatsoever despite her predicament.
Instead, she unabashedly raised her deep, bright eyes and stared straight at him.
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