Chapter 1109 I Want to See Her First
Xiao Peng met Frank Bauer in the café of Amsterdam's 'Citizen Hotel M', a four-story old villa in the heart of Amsterdam.
"Mr. Xiao, you are a person who knows how to enjoy life." When Frank Bowman came, Xiao Peng was sitting there looking at the scenery outside the window.
Xiao Peng saw Frank Bowman coming over and stood up to greet him, saying with a smile, "I thought you would be curious about why I live here."
The 'M Citizen' Hotel is not the most luxurious hotel in Amsterdam, it is only a four-star hotel, but the price is not too expensive.
Frank Bauer smiled and said, "If I come to Amsterdam, I will choose to live here too. The location is so good. Tourist attractions like the Dutch National Opera and Ballet and Rembrandt's House are all here."
Xiao Peng nodded and said, "In fact, that's exactly why I came here. Frank, please take a seat. Your height is really too much of a burden for me!"
Frank Bowman smiled and said, "Mr. Xiao, please sit down too. I heard you had some trouble in The Hague and were unwell. I wanted to go to The Hague to visit you as a friend, but I didn't expect you to come to Amsterdam instead."
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Frank, you're quite well-informed. In fact, I came to see you today not as a friend, but as a 'client'."
"Huh?" Frank Bowman was stunned.
Xiao Peng said, "As far as I know, Frank, you're still working at a law firm, right? I'm here today to consult you on a legal matter. I've already paid the consulting fee to the law firm. You should have received the call, right?"
In Europe, civil servants are charged with serious crimes, such as bribery. However, as the saying goes, "every policy has its own countermeasures," there are many ways to make money, such as speaking fees and consulting fees.
Frank Bowman was about to speak when his cell phone rang: "Sorry!"
He nodded to Xiao Peng and answered the phone. He didn't know what was said on the other end of the line, but Frank Bowman said with a smile, "Mr. Xiao, we are all friends. Why are you spending so much money?"
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Friendship is friendship, and business is business. I always respect anyone who works hard."
Frank Bow smiled and said, "I've heard that. They say your company is the dream job for every sailor. Your respect for the labor of others is something everyone should learn from. You can win the friendship of all Dutch people."
Xiao Peng smiled but said nothing.
Frank Bowman asked curiously, "Mr. Xiao, what do you want to consult?"
Xiao Peng said, "You said we're friends, so just call me Xiao. Here's the thing: I have a friend whose daughter was sentenced to two years for theft and is now incarcerated in Amsterdam Women's Prison..."
Before he could finish his words, Frank Bowman was stunned. "Jelena Chen is your friend's daughter? Oh, that's right, she's obviously mixed-race. And she has a surname like that."
Xiao Peng was stunned: "You know Jelena?"
Frank Bowman nodded and said, "Of course I know. I don't know whether to call the girl who robbed Councilman Van Peren's villa brave or ignorant. Her education and upbringing shouldn't have allowed her to do such a thing."
Xiao Peng sighed and said, "She just encountered family problems. It's hard to explain. Is there any way to erase her crimes?"
Frank Bowman replied bluntly, "There's nothing we can do. She's already been sentenced and imprisoned. Even if you go to see Fan Peilun, it's useless. It's not the appeal period for him to withdraw the case. Legislative and executive powers are separate here, so erasing her guilt is practically impossible."
Xiao Peng was a little disappointed after hearing this, but Frank Bowman continued, "But there is a way to get her out of prison, and there's more than one way."
"Hmm?" Xiao Peng looked at Frank Bowman.
Frank said, "Xiao, the content of our current conversation has nothing to do with my identity. I am talking to you entirely as your friend."
Xiao Peng understood and raised his hand to signal him not to speak for the time being. Then he took out his wallet, cell phone and other things from his pocket. Walter came over and took them away for him.
"Frank, you can talk now."
Frank nodded with a smile: "There are two ways. The first is to find a 'professional substitute'."
"Professional stand-in? What does that mean?" Xiao Peng asked in confusion.
Frank explained: "It's easy to understand. It's just finding someone to take her place in jail."
"What?" Xiao Peng was stunned after hearing this: "Is this even possible?"
Frank spread his hands. "In the Netherlands, there have been companies specializing in helping convicted prisoners evade prison since the 1980s. Although it's a shady business, it's not difficult for me to find such companies in my line of work. Those employed mainly take on short-term sentences of three or four months, but longer terms are also possible as long as the price is right. Xiao, I assume money isn't a problem for you, right?"
Xiao Peng was dumbfounded: "Is there anyone who would do something like this?"
Frank laughed and said, "What can't people do to make money? Some people even prefer this kind of life, like those who like to read and study but don't want to be disturbed, or those who want a quiet life and are exhausted."
Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "It's probably because of money! How many people are like this?"
Frank held up two fingers. "Two percent. Currently, about two percent of inmates in Dutch prisons are serving time for someone else. If it weren't so expensive, more people would want this service—after all, most people in prison are poor and can't afford it."
Xiao Peng was completely shocked. No wonder Frank had just said this was a 'conversation between friends'. The content was too explosive! Could it be that rich people here could commit crimes without even going to jail?
The money must be in place, otherwise it would be strange if Frank could tell him these things.
"What about another way?" Xiao Peng asked.
"Naturally, it's the 'medical parole' approach," Frank said. "This method is actually more economical and easier to handle, but it also has its drawbacks. Jelena's movements will be restricted upon her release. She'll need to spend weeks under supervision, perhaps wearing an electronic anklet or using a guardianship system. For example, if you sponsor her, you'll be responsible for her actions during this period, and you'll also bear some responsibility if she causes any problems during this period. Both options are easy for you, though. Which one would you like to pursue?"
Xiao Peng thought for a moment and said, "Frank, I'd like to see her first and understand her situation. To be honest, this is a very troublesome matter involving complicated family issues. I wonder if you can help me meet with her first?"
"That's easy!" Frank laughed. "Now we can get back to being friends: it doesn't cost any money!"
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