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"What kind of reversal? Wasn't Fast and Furious banned because of that news event? I heard the losses were huge!" Jake continued, his voice carrying just enough to reach the neighboring table.
"That news was fabricated. The police have already launched an investigation. Turns out that underage street racer was actually a mechanic who stole a customer's car and crashed it. Then it seems Titan Games paid off the mechanic to deliberately frame Stormwind Studios!"
At the next table, Liu Chao's entire body language shifted. His shoulders hunched defensively, eyes darting nervously between his food and the speakers. His chopsticks trembled slightly as he brought noodles to his mouth, trying to appear focused on eating while clearly straining to hear every word.
"Really?" Jake's voice rose with feigned surprise.
"The police have currently launched an investigation into Titan Games and have already gathered evidence. As soon as they have enough, arrests will begin!"
"Oh man, really? If that's true and he gets caught, that mechanic committed a serious crime!"
"Yeah, this incident caused tens of billions in losses to their company. I heard this is called 'criminal damage to commercial reputation,' and the sentence is based on the amount of loss. Tens of billions? That's probably life in prison!"
"Damn, that serious? No wonder the FBI's involved. This is major federal crime territory!"
Danny and Jake's performance grew more animated, their voices carrying clearly through the small restaurant. Liu Chao's face had gone from pale to almost gray. When Jake mentioned "life in prison," the teenager's chopsticks clattered to the floor.
From his corner booth, Alex watched with grim satisfaction. The kid was genuinely terrified—confirming everything they'd suspected. This wasn't some misguided fan who'd made a mistake. This was someone who'd taken money to destroy lives.
Based on Jake's investigation, Alex had profiled Liu Chao perfectly: seventeen years old, junior high education, no understanding of legal consequences. The kind of person easily manipulated by fear—first by Brandon's threats, now by the possibility of those threats backfiring.
Seeing Liu Chao on the verge of panic, Alex slipped away to the restroom and made a quick call.
Within minutes, two local police officers entered the restaurant, looking around with professional alertness. Liu Chao took one look at the uniforms and bolted for the restroom, nearly knocking over a chair in his haste.
"Who called about a theft?" one officer asked.
"Sorry, officers, that was me," Alex stepped forward smoothly. "False alarm—I found my wallet. It was in my other jacket. Really sorry to waste your time."
"Happens all the time. Just be more careful, sir." The officers left with friendly nods.
Alex caught Jake and Danny's eyes, sharing a quick smile. The psychological pressure was working perfectly.
"Check please!" Alex paid and left. Jake and Danny waited until Liu Chao crept out of the restroom—checking repeatedly that the police were gone—before following.
Back in their rental car, Jake was practically vibrating with excitement. "Did you see his face when I mentioned life in prison? I thought he was going to pass out!"
"The kid's terrified," Danny agreed. "He knows he did wrong. Now he's wondering if Sterling's money was worth federal prison."
"Time for phase two," Alex said, already driving toward Liu Chao's rural hometown. "His parents need to understand what their son's gotten into."
The next morning, Alex arrived at the Liu family's modest farmhouse. He found Liu Chao's mother at a neighbor's house, playing mahjong and loudly bragging about their upcoming house purchase. Her husband, Liu Shiquan, watched quietly from the side. The room was full of curious villagers.
"Is Liu Shiquan here?" Alex announced, immediately commanding attention.
Liu Shiquan's expression shifted the moment he saw Alex—recognition followed by guilt. He knew exactly who Alex was and why he was there.
"W-what do you want with me?" Liu Shiquan stammered.
"You're Liu Chao's father, right? I'm Alex Morrison from Stormwind Studios. Can we talk about your son?"
"I-I have nothing to talk about. Whatever it is, talk to Liu Chao. I don't know anything!" The denial was transparently false.
"Hey, what are you trying to do?" Liu Chao's mother rushed over, voice rising aggressively. She had the bearing of someone who believed volume equaled authority.
Alex's expression hardened. "If you don't want everyone here to know about your son's 'good deeds,' I suggest we talk privately."
The woman's bluster faltered. After a moment's hesitation: "Fine. Let's talk outside."
"Let's go to our house," Liu Shiquan suggested. His wife pulled at him disapprovingly, but he ignored her, leading Alex to their home.
"You must know about Liu Chao's accident—"
"My son just played your company's game and went bad! You businessmen are evil!" the mother interrupted.
"Aren't you afraid of karma for lying?" Alex's voice turned cold. This woman disgusted him—no wonder her son had turned out this way. "Let me be clear: your son framed our company, constituting criminal damage to commercial reputation. Our company has filed charges, and the police have evidence.
Your son stole a customer's car and crashed it. You know this. The compensation he couldn't afford, his sudden wealth—we've traced every penny back to Titan Games. Their people have already confessed to paying Liu Chao to frame us.
Your son committed a crime. Because of his lies, my company suffered massive reputation damage. Our entire corporation's stock plummeted, resulting in losses of tens of billions.
This is a major federal case. Even though Liu Chao is underage, he faces massive compensation and decades in prison!"
The parents' faces had gone white. Liu Shiquan practically whimpered: "D-decades in prison? How is that possible?"
Alex's heart leapt—the father had just confirmed they knew the truth.
"Don't try to scare us! My son didn't frame anyone!" the mother insisted stubbornly.
"Fine. Keep that attitude and you're signing your son's death warrant." Alex's voice was ice. "The police have evidence to prosecute, but the legal process takes time. Meanwhile, my company loses hundreds of millions daily from this scandal.
The final sentence will be based on total damages. The longer this drags out, the higher the amount, the longer the sentence. Maximum is life without parole. Another two weeks of losses? Your son dies in prison.
I came here hoping Liu Chao would admit his mistake publicly. Clear our name quickly, minimize damages. We might even recommend leniency—get his sentence reduced.
But if you want to keep lying? Fine. Your son can rot in federal prison forever."
Alex turned to leave.
Liu Shiquan grabbed his arm desperately. "Boss Morrison, please! Don't go! This is my son's fault, please be merciful! He's still young, you can't destroy him!"
PLZ THROW POWERSTONES.