Chapter 461: You’re Really Good At It
Continuing, Wendy pointed out, "DR’s investments have milked HG dry.
"The huge outflow of funds to DR is the reason why HG has collapsed.
"However, we all know very well that even with these funds, DR would only hold out for three months, at best.
"So, what’s going to happen in three months?
"Without HG, where would Christian find the funds to carry on?
"Let’s put aside the question of whether Christian will go under. Because, even if he does not go bankrupt, he would barely be in a position to help himself, let alone rescue you.
"With the mountain of debts growing every day, it would be a matter of time before the courts will order HG’s assets to be frozen.
"When that happens, do you think you could still cover up the fact that HG has been actively engaged with the mafia in running illicit activities?
"Christian is now safely tucked away in Lake City. As a shareholder, he may be able to claim ignorance. But what about you?
"As HG’s Chairman, you would be the key person of interest when the courts conduct their in-depth investigation.
"If you turn yourself in now, you would be able to make restitution for many of your crimes.
"I have consulted with the lawyers about this and asked about how you might be sentenced.
"But, since I don’t know the details of HG’s internal operations, I have not been able to get an estimate of the requisite punishment for the crimes you were involved in.
"Whatever it is, turning yourself in would yield a better outcome than waiting for the authorities to knock down your door."
All this time, Rosa had been standing by the side, listening in quietly.
She hadn’t known that HG was involved in dirty dealings.
However, she had always assumed that Timothy had been applying underhanded methods when doing business.
But based on what Wendy had just said, there had been more to it than she had naively assumed.
It would appear that HG’s woes were way more serious than she had imagined.
Her tears flowed free as she covered her quivering mouth with her hands.
She wept silently, not daring to make any noise.
"So, as I expected, you have come here to get me to turn myself in," Timothy responded in disbelief.
"Well, you can dream on because I will definitely not turn myself in."
"Why not?" Wendy asked. "Why are you still resisting this option when you are already in this position with no other way out?"
At that, Timothy shook his head and laughed, saying nothing.
Timothy was a proud man. HG was his pride and joy, the crowning glory of a lifetime of blood, sweat, and tears.
There was no way he would turn himself in and spend the rest of his life in a prison cell.
He knew the punishment for all the crimes he had committed would be a lifetime behind bars.
So, instead of rotting away in a prison cell, he would opt for a little more freedom.
Judging by the turnaround time that the courts would take to process a case like his, he expected to still have a few more months of freedom left.
"Mr. Woods, even if you refuse to consider what’s best for yourself, please spare a thought for Mrs. Woods and Jill," Wendy continued.
Refusing to give up, she added, "Surely you wouldn’t want them to feel sad and worried about you?"
"Would they not feel sad or worry about me if I turned myself in?" Timothy sneered.
"Look, Corinne, I lost. I concede defeat.
"Turning myself in is not an option. However, if you wish to tell on me to the authorities, be my guest."
"No!" Rosa exclaimed. Having remained silent until now, she couldn’t help herself when she heard Timothy say, "tell on me."
She clutched Wendy’s hand, sobbing and shaking her head. "Please, Corinne. Please do not tell on your mentor. Despite everything, he is still your mentor.
"I realize that he might have done you harm in the past. However, could you please, on account of your past relationship, not report him to the authorities?"
Wendy felt torn at the sight of the sobbing, devastated Rosa.
Tell on him?
Indeed, Wendy had toyed with that idea.
Nonetheless, she had relented when she had gathered her thoughts and calmed down.
Despite everything, Timothy had been the one who had trained and nurtured her.
He had imparted all that he knew without reservation to Wendy.
Besides, Jill had looked up to her as a sister, and Rosa had treated her like a daughter.
That was why Wendy could not tell on Timothy. She just could not bring herself to do this to Rosa and Jill.
Now that HG had collapsed, it would be a matter of time before the authorities traced everything back to Timothy.
Wendy had no reason to push ahead and report him just to see him put behind bars sooner rather than later.
...
"I know that Timothy has done a lot of terrible things, but I’m begging you to give him a way out, okay?" Rosa Perrie is, after all, Timothy’s wife.
Whatever Timothy had done, she couldn’t really sit back and do nothing about it.
Although Wendy had no intention of reporting Timothy, she came here today with other intentions in mind.
Rosa Perrie looked at Wendy with no intention of letting go, she cried and was on the verge of kneeling down to beg for mercy.
Wendy immediately reached out to hold her up.
After all, she is the wife of her mentor, she can’t bear to see her kneel down to beg for mercy.
"Rosa, please get up." Wendy helped Rosa Perrie to sit down and said, "Rosa, don’t rush to plead for Timothy just yet. You should have asked him what he did in the first place."
"I ..." Although Rosa Perrie didn’t know exactly what was going on, how could she not know the gravity of the situation when it came down to it? But Timothy is her husband, father to her daughters. What else can she do?
Wendy turned and looked at Timothy and with a serious tone, "Timothy, I didn’t want to turn you in. I just came by to see you, and hope to persuade you to turn yourself in. Likewise, I would like to ask you for something ..."
"Ask me for the something?" Timothy’s tired eyes lifted slightly as he scowled at Wendy who stood in front of him. He single-handedly trained Wendy as his apprentice, and he knew what was Wendy up to. He guessed what Wendy actually meant.
Wendy continued, "And I won’t beat around the bush, I want the safe in your lounge."
"Haha...." Timothy had a great laugh after listening to Wendy’s request.
He laughed to tears.
It took a while before Timothy stopped laughing and said, "Corrine, Corrine, you are said to have top-notch negotiating skills in the business world, but I never thought that one day you would use them on me as well. You tried to manipulate me emotionally by persuading me to turn myself in, and finally reveal your true purpose for coming here. You are indeed impressive, you have definitely outdone me as your mentor. Previously you were able to enter my lounge under my nose, leaving no evidence. I’m kinda curious as to how you did it."
"Timothy, from the outset, it’s always been Christian we’ve been up against.
We didn’t want to go against you, we just couldn’t help it. You are Christian’s guy, and we are destined to be on the opposing side. You knew all along how Christian planned against me, didn’t you?
He set up kidnappers to kidnap me so that you can save me and train me.
This included during my time in Lake City when he sent someone to tamper with my brakes and I went blind and lost my memory. It’s lucky for me to be alive till now.
How can I not hate Christian, don’t you think? In this life, I am destined to be at odds with him. If he doesn’t fall, there’s no telling what crazy things he’ll do in the future. I have two children, nothing can happen to me and to them as well.
So, I had to take down Christian.
I know that the safe contains evidence of Christian’s crimes. Timothy, please hand over the safe to me.
I promise I won’t give you a hard time."
Wendy had no intention of making things difficult for Timothy, this was just an attempt to trick him.
Timothy replied with a smile, "Is that what you’re asking for by not reporting me?"
Wendy pursed her lips and nodded even though that wasn’t her intention.
This is the only way to make Timothy felt threaten and afraid.
...
"You are such a good disciple of mine." Timothy smiled and laughed, but his eyes were a little red.
After these words, for a while, he did not speak again.
Wendy gazed at Rosa and said, "Rosa, please help persuade Timothy."
Rosa didn’t know anything about a safe deposit box at all.
But she knew that someone had broken into Timothy’s lounge, and Timothy had investigated for a long time but to no avail.
"Timothy, why don’t you just give her the safe," Rosa’s tone was a little shaky, and there were still tear marks on her face.
Right now, she just wanted Timothy to be okay.
Other than that, she couldn’t care less about anything.
"In the safe, in addition to the evidence of Christian’s crime, is evidence to mine."
Timothy turned his gaze to Rosa and said, "And there’s enough evidence in there to put me behind bars for the rest of my life. Knowing this, are you going to persuade me to give it to her?"
"I ..." Rosa heard this, and the tears that had stopped rolled down again. Why did things turn out this way? A month ago, everything was still fine.
"Timothy, I will hire the best lawyer for you." Wendy said, "I will try to mitigate your crime as best I can. You won’t necessarily spend the rest of your life inside."
"Do you know how much blood is on my hands? Do you think the best lawyer will be able to help me?" Timothy sneered and spoke.
All this blood, he did not spill any of it voluntarily.
Even if it was not voluntary, it was still spilled blood, wasn’t it?
When he first learned about the HG Enterprise situation but didn’t leave, he was already doomed till the point where he couldn’t get out of it.
If he had been like Todd, he would have left on his own accord, knowing that HG Enterprise was involved in the shady business.
Maybe it would all be different.
"Timothy, you know that it is all wrong, so why did you continue the mistake all the way through?" Wendy again urged Timothy, "No matter if a lawyer can help you or not, haven’t you ever been afraid or regretted all the wrong things you’ve done?"
Afraid?
Regret?
Timothy was naturally terrified at first.
He became numb over time.
As for regret...
He also wondered if he had ever regretted it.
And he had no idea if he should regret his wrongdoings.
"No need to talk so much nonsense. I am now a dead man, so do whatever you wish.
If you want me to cooperate by giving you shreds of evidence and turn myself in, you can save your breath."
Timothy seems disheveled.
"Timothy, I’m doing this for your own good. It’s the best option for you right now."
Wendy was a little bemused that Timothy was more stubborn than she had thought.
Or rather, she underestimated the importance of HG Enterprise to Timothy.
Timothy did not speak again.
Wendy sighed again, knowing that it was no longer possible to talk him out of it.
Thus, Wendy simply went straight to the lounge.
Timothy picked up the cup on the table and smashed it hard in Wendy’s direction.
The cup shattered on the floor with a crisp clatter.
Wendy was startled.
Her footsteps subconsciously stopped.
Seeing this, Michael immediately ran to Wendy’s side and stood in front of her.
After making sure that Wendy was okay, he picked up his phone and dialed Mr. York directly, "Bring ten bodyguards up."
"Ten bodyguards?" Timothy said disdainfully, "Do you think that ten bodyguards will be enough to take things from me? Although HG Enterprise is out of business, ten bodyguards? You definitely underestimate me."
...
HG Enterprise had been out of business, and Timothy had not eaten much for a few days now.
But at this moment, in order to defend his last dignity, Timothy braced himself and rang his phone, "Mobilize everyone we have immediately and get all the irrelevant personnel out of my office!"
Timothy didn’t want to see Wendy and Michael anymore.
Their presence highlighted Timothy’s defeat and reminded him that he had lost.
"Mr. Timothy, w-we..." The person on the other side of the phone said helplessly, " All of our men have been taken control of."
"What do you mean?" Timothy, as if he had heard wrong, asked again with certainty, "You say our people are all under control? What about HG Enterprise’s bodyguards?
Even if HG Enterprise is out of business, it won’t be controlled by just a few people."
"It isn’t just a few of them. There are many of them..."
"Many?" Timothy sounded a little incredulous.
"There are about a hundred..." sighed the person on the other side of the line.
The phone in Timothy’s hand fell to the floor the next second.
Even sitting in the chair, he felt his body fall back a little.
"More than a hundred?"
Timothy bowed his head and murmured the number softly.
He then slowly lifted his head and looked at Wendy and Michael who were in front of him.
Looking at them, he tried to put a smile on his face.
But this smile was extraordinarily bitter and heartbreaking.
The laughter was accompanied by tears dropping to his cheek.
He nodded, his gaze locked on Wendy. "So, all that talk upfront was just to set the stage, right?
Corrine, since you have brought so many people to HG Enterprise, why do you need to pretend to persuade me to turn myself in?
Now, you have the power to defeat HG Enterprise who trained you, and you brought more than a hundred bodyguards to force my hand. Corrine, you’re really capable."
Michael’s ten or so bodyguards soon came up.
Todd had no intention of going into the office, but looking at so many bodyguards, he realized that something wasn’t right.
He followed the bodyguard and walked in together.
"Corrine..." Todd’s eyes scanned the office, obviously in a bad way. He walked up to Wendy and asked her with a whisper, "What’s the need for bodyguards? " "I came for the safe, and Timothy wouldn’t give it," Wendy explained briefly.
"Safe?" Todd immediately reacted to what Wendy was referring to.
He knew that the relationship between Wendy and Timothy was more complicated than the one he had with Timothy.
Although he felt that it was not appropriate to use bodyguards to force Timothy into this situation, that safe, too, was really what Wendy had been trying to get her hands on.
Todd stood silently at one side, not speaking.
Between Timothy and Wendy, Timothy made his choice a long time ago, didn’t he?
He had betrayed Timothy when he promised Wendy that he would help her.
Rosa saw that Todd did not say anything. She cried and walked up, reached out, and pulled his sleeve, pleading, "T-Todd please help persuade Corrine. This safe cannot be in her hands. Once she takes it, Timothy would be finished."
Looking at Rosa’s face full of tears, Todd secretly clenched his fist.
However, he could not interfere.
It was true that Timothy was kind to him, but it was also true that he committed a crime.
They went to such great lengths to bring down HG Enterprise. If they could not get that safe, then every effort would be in vain.
