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Chapter 385

~12 min read 2,211 words

10 minutes later,

the Guo family received the kidnappers' call again.

This time, they had changed to another phone and called from another place.

Kidnapper subordinate: "I want to speak to the Mrs. Li from just now!"

Mrs. Li: "It's me, it's me!"

She was extremely excited.

Kidnapper subordinate: "Are you really not afraid of death?"

Mrs. Li: "I'm not! I only hope Mr. Kidnapper won't hurt my husband for the time being!"

Kidnapper: "Hahaha~~~ Interesting, I personally admire people like you the most. Fine, I'll give you this chance!"

"One hour later, at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, someone will pick you up to take a boat out to sea. I know there are police in your Guo family, and I also know they are listening to our call. I want to tell you seriously, this time only you can come. You cannot bring any trackers, recording devices, etc... At the same time, the police cannot follow. If we discover them, then sorry, we will take Young Master Guo's life."

Mrs. Li said hurriedly: "We won't, we won't!"

At this time,

the Criminal Intelligence Bureau had already located the phone's position.

Yang Zhen (Louis Koo) shook his head and said to Chen Guozhong: "30 kilometers out on the eastern sea..."

This location was useless. In the middle of the night, how could they find them?

One hour later,

Mrs. Li was searched, and then checked with a metal detector, before boarding a modified broken yacht, and under the driving of a masked kidnapper subordinate, she went out to sea.

The police didn't dare to follow.

If anything happened to Young Master Guo's life, the police force would surely face a major earthquake.

Another hour later,

Mrs. Li, wearing a mask, boarded a place she didn't know where.

She saw Young Master Guo.

Young Master Guo was shocked to see his wife come.

Mrs. Li saw Young Master Guo naked, covered in bruises, and her eyes turned red.

The two hugged and cried bitterly.

Next was the negotiation.

Phone negotiation; the kidnapper used a metallic voice over the phone.

"How much money can you bring for ransom?"

"I can sell my dowry and all my belongings; 200 million HKD."

"The Guo family is one of the Four Great Families, why can't you even scrape together 500 million USD? Tell me the real answer."

When the kidnapper said this, Young Master Guo also looked over.

I may be tough, but I don't want the family to suffer heavy losses to redeem me, but if you don't redeem me, then you have a problem.

Mrs. Li also had resentment toward the Guo brothers: "Now that my husband is away, his two brothers are in control of the Sunbase Group and refuse to pay, and the old lady can't sway them."

Young Master Guo's eyes turned gloomy.

Kidnapper: "Besides your 200 million, how much more money can you bring out?"

Mrs. Li: "Adding my husband's, at most 500 million." (PS: In the real event, some media speculated it was 700 million in total.)

The kidnapper laughed: "Fine, then 700 million."

Mrs. Li was pleasantly surprised: "Really?"

The kidnapper's metallic voice came through: "There is one more additional condition!"

Mrs. Li: "Please speak!"

Kidnapper: "Young Master Guo must split the family property with his two brothers, within a time limit of 1 month."

Young Master Guo and Mrs. Li were both shocked.

Kidnapper: "Agree to me, and this deal is done. If not... Young Master Guo, sorry, we will take your life!"

Young Master Guo gritted his teeth: "Fine!"

Since the brothers are unrighteous, why should I be a friendly brother?

Kidnapper: "Good, remember your promise... otherwise, we can take your life at any time."

Soon, both sides reached an agreement.

Mrs. Li was reluctant to part, and finally took the boat back.

The kidnapper's voice came over the phone: "Mr. Guo, you are truly very lucky to be able to marry such a good wife."

Young Master Guo: "I think so too."

One hour later,

Mrs. Li returned to the Guo family, scraped together the ransom, and then found HSBC to transfer the money to the kidnapper's account.

Adding it up, it was over 90 million USD.

Until 23:00 at night,

Young Master Guo was sent to the Tin Hau Temple on Lantau Island, and then walked alone along the road to Tai O Village, only then calling the Guo family. Not long after, Mrs. Li drove over and picked up Young Master Guo to return to the Guo family.

Guo family villa,

In the middle of the night, they held a ritual for Young Master Guo to cross a fire basin and sweep away evil spirits.

"Big brother, you're finally back; we were worried to death." Guo second young master said with a worried look.

"Heh..." Young Master Guo looked coldly at his second brother.

"It's normal for big brother to have resentment... but big brother should also understand us; we really had no choice. The group's funds have been tight recently, and we were also thinking for the family." Guo third young master defended.

"Thinking for the family? That's right, you're both right." Young Master Guo sneered.

Old Lady Kuang looked at the three sons arguing, feeling very helpless and heartbroken.

"Alright, stop arguing. It's good that he's back safe... Eldest, you go take a bath, change clothes, and get some good rest..." Old Lady Kuang's authority wasn't heavy, so she could only try to smooth things over.

"And eldest daughter-in-law, this time it's all thanks to you..."

Old Lady Kuang looked at Mrs. Li and couldn't help but sigh. In the past, she had never liked this daughter-in-law, but tonight, she changed her view of her.

This daughter-in-law is the best daughter-in-law she has!

Then, Old Lady Kuang said to all the maids and security guards in the villa: "Today's matter, no one is allowed to speak of it!"

All the maids and security guards shouted loudly: "Yes!"

With faces full of loyalty, unquestionable!

However...

Internally: "Sorry, I'm only loyal to money!"

After Young Master Guo was kidnapped, reporters from all walks of life showed their magical powers, spending money to find these maids and security guards. They had already quietly sold the information to TVB, ATV, and various newspapers for a good price.

A new day,

Early in the morning, over a thousand newsstands in Hong Kong began to shout loudly.

"Newspapers for sale, newspapers for sale, big news!"

"Young Master Guo is home safe, but only paid 700 million HKD..."

"Rumor has it that his wife, Mrs. Li, personally negotiated with the kidnappers..." Citizens heard the shouting and were all attracted, one after another taking out money to buy newspapers.

—"After experiencing hardships, Young Master Guo was released near the Tin Hau Temple on Lantau Island around 23:00 last night and returned safely to the Guo family..."

—"Young Master Guo's wife, Mrs. Li, showed heroic fearlessness in this incident, going alone to negotiate with the kidnappers and successfully reducing the ransom to 700 million..."

All citizens who saw this were shocked by Mrs. Li's actions.

"Mrs. Li is too amazing, a legendary woman!"

"Actually daring to go alone to negotiate with kidnappers, truly courageous!"

"Truly makes one admire her to the ground!"

And TVB and ATV were also reporting with all their might on the morning news.

TVB News: "... It is reported that behind this incident, it was because the second and third young masters did not actively pay, and Mrs. Li was forced to be brave..."

ATV News: "... This matter exposed the discord between the Guo brothers and the struggle for family power..."

This whole day,

the entire Hong Kong was discussing the internal grievances and grudges of the Guo family's wealthy family.

Admiring Mrs. Li's bravery.

And despising the second and third young masters for not saving him.

Think about when Boss Guo passed away and had his funeral ceremony, a bunch of tycoons came to support the coffin.

Yet only a year later, the three brothers were already fighting each other so fiercely.

Peninsula Hotel,

By the window, Fang Anxin and Aunt Fang were leisurely drinking morning tea.

On the table, a set of blue and white tea sets was arranged in an orderly manner, wisps of heat rising from the spout, and various snacks were placed beside them...

"Recently, big news has come one after another."

"Even if I want to move against this Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, I can't grab the hot spots."

Aunt Fang sighed.

Actually, Fang Anxin had been ready for a long time, but had been waiting for the media's cooperation.

As a result, the news hot spots were endless.

Fang Anxin chuckled and slowly took a sip of tea: "No need to rush, haste makes waste..."

"Keep waiting..."

Next, another 2 days passed, and the Guo family's storm had calmed down.

Public opinion and media were calm.

Aunt Fang and Fang Anxin finally felt the time was ripe.

Start the move!

The tax department of the Financial Secretary organized seven groups and rushed to 7 enterprises at the 3 billion level.

Tax audit!

The operation code name was "Bright Mirror"!

Implies that the bright mirror hangs high, investigating illegal activities in corporate taxation.

This time, TVB obtained authorization from the Financial Secretary to track this earth-shattering tax audit operation together.

Because the operation was completely unannounced!

These 7 enterprises were caught off guard.

Just as Fang Anxin said, human nature is greedy, and enterprises are greedy; tax evasion is a normal behavior for an enterprise.

Sure enough, after a thorough investigation, all 7 enterprises were found to have staggering amounts of tax evasion.

TVB, follow-up report:

"Fellow viewers, at this moment we are at the frontline of 'Bright Mirror'..."

"Everyone can see that our tax personnel are conducting..."

"This enterprise has been profitable for many years relying on its status as an industry leader, yet now it has been found to have evaded taxes. Preliminary estimates suggest the amount involved is as high as several hundred million HKD..."

As the investigation deepened, the dark curtains of one enterprise after another were unveiled.

Some enterprises transferred profits through fictitious overseas transactions, while others played tricks on cost accounts, falsely reporting expenses.

TVB's report triggered heated discussions throughout the city. Citizens on the streets and in the alleys gathered in front of the TV, watching the big enterprises that were usually glamorous have their disguises torn off, and couldn't help but discuss it fervently.

"So these big companies were earning our money while evading taxes behind our backs; it's too outrageous!"

"This time the tax department did a beautiful job; they should really rectify these illegal enterprises."

Seeing public opinion growing bigger and bigger,

the eyes of all Hong Kong citizens were looking over.

The headlines of the newspapers for two days were occupied by this "Bright Mirror" operation.

At night,

TVB also did an exclusive interview with Fang Anxin.

Fang Anxin faced the interview camera, her eyes cold and full of righteousness:

"... The tax evasion acts found in these enterprises are truly heartbreaking and infuriating."

"Enterprises, as an important pillar of the social economy, should have assumed corresponding responsibilities, giving back to society, paying taxes according to the law, and seeking welfare for the people..."

"Their behavior not only seriously damages the fair competition market environment but is also an open plunder of every law-abiding citizen, ruthlessly eroding the foundation of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability..."

"'Operation Bright Mirror' will continue to persist, never tolerating any illegal acts, and must make these lawbreakers pay a painful price, returning a bright and clear sky to Hong Kong's commerce..."

"Here, I call on the general public to actively report tax evasion and work together to build a beautiful Hong Kong!"

Her voice was firm and powerful, resounding, spreading to every corner of Hong Kong through the airwaves.

After hearing this, all Hong Kong citizens cheered!

For a time, Fang Anxin became famous.

After the interview,

Fang Anxin and Aunt Fang arrived at a high-end private club in Central.

Aunt Fang was extremely excited.

These past few days, TVB's news ratings have rebounded, returning to the situation of over 50%, already surpassing ATV.

Moreover, there is an even more important main course that hasn't been served yet————Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, Five Star Group!

Building momentum for so long!

It's time to take the knife to Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu!

By then, it's hard to imagine how high TVB's ratings can get!

And Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, under such great attention, is dead!

Aunt Fang couldn't wait: "Secretary Fang, when can we move against Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu?"

Fang Anxin swirled her red wine glass, the corners of her mouth slightly hooked: "The time is ripe."

She looked down at the bustling scene of Central from the high floor of the building,

a cold color added to her eyes,

"It's getting cold~~"

————————

PS: Owed one chapter on the 21st, making it up on the 27th. Today is the 29th, this chapter counts as interest for the "nine out thirteen in" rule.

Asking for monthly tickets at the end of the month.

(End of chapter)

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