Chapter 455: 451. A Guilty Conscience (Please subscribe, monthly tickets!)

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ran immediately knew what the purpose of his call was, and said in a somewhat indifferent tone: "Huang Lin, do you know what kind of person I detest the most?"

"What kind of person?"

"The kind who starts taking sides without knowing the full story, while still acting like they are in the right." Zhang Ran's voice was very cold.

Huang Lin was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he said: "Mr. Zhang, I don't quite understand what you mean. Is there something about this Zhuo Fan matter that I don't know?"

"Zhuo Fan was definitely in the wrong, and he has received the punishment he deserves. No matter what you do, I won't say anything more; after all, wrong is wrong."

"But his wife and children are innocent, aren't they? Was it necessary to strike so ruthlessly?"

Huang Lin had just found out that Zhuo Fan's wife and child had both been locked up. It was obvious that Zhuo Fan's wife was detained for helping him transfer assets, but for some reason, Zhuo Fan's son had been locked up as well.

Zhang Ran, of course, also knew about this matter. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "If I told you that I wasn't the one who moved against Zhuo Fan's son, would you believe me?"

Huang Lin was instantly stunned. At this point, there was no need for Zhang Ran to lie, and even less need for him to lie to him.

"Then who was it?" Huang Lin was somewhat confused; he felt as if he had misunderstood something.

Zhang Ran said with a hint of mockery in his tone: "It was Zhuo Fan himself who sent his son in."

"Impossible!" Huang Lin said instinctively.

Who would send their own son to prison? Especially a child who had just turned eighteen, unless there was absolutely no affection between father and son, or even a deep-seated hatred.

But clearly, that was not the case for Zhuo Fan and his son. So why would Zhuo Fan do such a thing?

Zhang Ran said coldly: "Impossible? Why is it impossible?"

"He... I..." For a moment, Huang Lin didn't know what to say.

Since Zhang Ran had said it this way, it was highly likely that Zhuo Fan had indeed sent his son to prison himself. But why would Zhuo Fan do that?

Huang Lin couldn't figure it out, so he simply asked directly: "Why would he do that?"

"Why? Perhaps it's a guilty conscience," Zhang Ran said indifferently.

"Also, Huang Lin, am I, Zhang Ran, such a vindictive person in your eyes?"

Huang Lin was silent. Wasn't he?

"I know you all think that I set a trap for Tian Yaohui's son back then to get him locked up, but what I want to say is that it was truly a coincidence that time. Perhaps that's just how fate arranged it," Zhang Ran said.

Huang Lin frowned. Could it really have been a coincidence?

But wasn't that a bit too coincidental?

"Fine, I believe it was a coincidence, but..."

Before Huang Lin could finish his sentence, Zhang Ran sneered: "You believe it? Do I need you to believe it? Huang Lin, I previously thought you were a sensible person, but now it seems—heh!"

"Do you think that Huamei really can't function without you? That I must use you?" Zhang Ran's tone grew colder and colder.

Huang Lin took a deep breath and said: "Mr. Zhang, I didn't mean that, but you should know that I also have a son and a daughter. For this, I sent them both away and let them start their own businesses with money that belongs entirely to me, just so they wouldn't be involved in this."

"But the matters involving Tian Yaohui and Zhuo Fan have made me somewhat worried. Please understand the feelings of a father."

"I know that saying this will displease you, but I still want to say that if you really must implicate family members, then even if you win this time and obtain Huamei, it will only be an empty shell."

At this moment, Huang Lin felt very heavy-hearted and nervous. He knew that saying this would make Zhang Ran angry and furious, but he had no choice but to say it.

Because this matter was too important to him.

Zhang Ran also fell silent upon hearing this. Finally, he said coldly: "Zhuo Fan knows what he did himself. I said he has a guilty conscience because he does. Think whatever you want; if you insist on doing this, I will accompany you to the end."

After saying this, Zhang Ran hung up the phone. He couldn't be bothered to explain anything to Huang Lin. This guy had made unauthorized decisions before investigating the matter clearly—did he really think he had no temper?

Huang Lin was a bit dazed listening to the dial tone on the phone, but he wouldn't be able to put his worries to rest until he figured this out. So, even though he knew Zhang Ran didn't welcome him, he called again.

He called five times in a row before Zhang Ran finally answered again.

"What exactly are you trying to do, you guy?" Zhang Ran frowned and barked.

"Mr. Zhang, I want to..."

"Fine, fine, fine, I get it. Can't you just go ask Zhuo Fan yourself?" Zhang Ran said impatiently.

Huang Lin was silent for a moment and said: "I don't really believe what he says anymore."

"Then you'd rather believe my words?" Zhang Ran sneered.

Huang Lin said earnestly: "By comparison, I am still willing to believe your words."

Zhang Ran was also left helpless by this guy. His initial anger had mostly dissipated, and he could understand Huang Lin's feelings.

As a father, the safety and future of one's children occupy too large a place in their lives.

Zhang Ran finally sighed and said: "Fine. The reason for the matter is very simple: Zhuo Fan was afraid that I would move against his son."

"Why?" Huang Lin pressed.

"Can't you just listen to me finish?" Zhang Ran said angrily.

Huang Lin sheepishly stopped talking.

"I've finally realized it—you guys really all think I'm the type of person who likes to implicate family members. Why haven't you thought about the fact that someone like Tian Ya, who even had a grudge against my daughter, was left untouched by me in the end? Why would I move against Zhuo Fan's son?" Zhang Ran's tone was somewhat mocking.

Huang Lin opened his mouth, but in the end, he kept it shut to avoid being snapped at by Zhang Ran again.

"I, Zhang Ran, actually consider myself a person who distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grudges. Furthermore, I have a family of my own now, so I won't take things to the extreme. But there is a prerequisite: don't touch my family."

"Zhuo Fan touched my taboo. He went to find Lotnikov. I don't know what he went to find Lotnikov for, but I know it was definitely nothing good. That is the reason he sent his own son in. Understand? Satisfied?" Zhang Ran said coldly.

Huang Lin said in a low voice: "I understand. I'm sorry, it was my..."

"Get lost. I'm saying this to you today, and I'm saying it to those other people as well. You tell them: whoever dares to make a single dangerous move, don't blame me for wiping them out completely. Also, don't think that hiding outside will make you safe." After saying this, Zhang Ran hung up the phone again.

Huang Lin's mood, however, became quite good. He finally knew the reason for the matter. According to Zhang Ran's account, he also believed that Zhang Ran had done nothing wrong; Zhuo Fan had simply gone too far.

Moreover, Zhang Ran hadn't actually moved against Zhuo Fan's son; it was just that Zhuo Fan had a guilty conscience.

Of course, no one could guarantee that Zhang Ran wouldn't have moved against him, but after all, Zhuo Fan hadn't given him the chance.