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"Excuse me."

Chu Yuening turned around, took down the 'Open for Business' sign, and threw it into the food cart. "I've never been interested in doing business with villains."

Mu Kuan's expression darkened.

"For twenty consecutive years, I've donated to charity and helped numerous underprivileged children. Miss Chu, I don't understand what you mean."

Ever since he entered politics and held an important position, he had always been surrounded by sycophants. No one had ever treated him like this before.

"You don't understand?" Chu Yuening tore away his facade with a single sentence. "If it weren't for using your good reputation to enter politics and run for elections, would you have consistently engaged in charity work for twenty years?"

Mu Kuan felt a chill run through his body under the girl's clear gaze. Cold sweat trickled beneath his suit.

The Mu family had once been on the brink of collapse. As the eldest son of the Mu family, he bore the responsibility of reviving the family's fortune. It wasn't easy for him to enter politics, so he would do whatever it takes to climb up the ranks.

He had been doing charity work for decades, to the point that he even believed himself to be genuinely passionate about it.

Today, his facade was ruthlessly exposed by a young girl.

The bigger the scandal, the more attention would be drawn to the Mu family. He was meticulous about his reputation, with the only exception being his affection for Mu Xingwang.

If any skeletons were dug up, the Mu family would be finished. He would also have to step down from politics.

Mu Kuan cherished his reputation and would do anything to avoid such a scenario.

That's why he sought out Chu Yuening; he was willing to pay any price to quell the controversy. Finding a scapegoat was a strategic matter, and Chu Yuening fit the bill in every aspect.

He didn't pin his hopes on the police solving the case swiftly.

Only he knew how many individuals were eager to see Mu Xingwang, and himself, dead.

He wasn't interested in finding the real culprit; he sought only to preserve his reputation, even if it meant sacrificing his own family members.

"I've never committed any wicked deeds."

"Ha."

Chu Yuening didn't bother to respond. Pushing the food cart onto the street, she dusted her hands off and turned away without another glance at Mu Kuan.

Not sparing him so much as an extra look.

The car window rolled up.

It was a while before a voice echoed within.

"Let's head back to the Mu residence first."

Mu Kuan was in no rush. He held Chu Yuening's profile, which mentioned an educated younger sister.

A hunter must have patience when stalking their prey; there would always be an opening.

On their way back to the Mu residence,

Mu Kuan replayed Chu Yuening's last words over and over in his mind.

He closed his eyes, a hint of resignation in his demeanor.

Mu Xingwang had indeed committed numerous wrongdoings in the past.

He had helped clean up many messes, but he was never the one who instigated evil deeds.

He wasn't lying.

Except... a few years ago... a family had personally come to the Mu residence. They seemed to bear the surname Ying and had a daughter with the same surname.

When Mu Kuan left, Ying Liang was arguing with the guard at the Mu residence, while a 16-year-old girl, bruised and battered, nestled in her mother's arms.

Throughout the incident, Li Guizhi held Ying Zhihe's head protectively, fearful that it might affect her.

"Here you are again?" Upon seeing the trio, Mu Kuan was filled with impatience. This young girl constantly reminded him of the rape committed by Mu Xingwang.

After the incident,

Ying Zhihe went to the police station to report the crime. Fortunately, Mu Xingwang was quick-witted enough to realize the magnitude of the mess he had created and promptly contacted Mu Kuan.

If such an affair were to become public knowledge, it would inevitably hinder Mu Kuan's political career.

Without hesitation, Mu Kuan utilized his political influence to resolve the issue through connections with the police department.

Ying Liang was a cement worker on a construction site, clad in tattered clothes and still wearing his hard hat. Upon learning about his daughter's suffering and the false accusations, he rushed in with his wife and daughter in tow.

"Mu Kuan! Your whole family are beasts!" Ying Liang forcefully pushed aside the guards, stormed up the steps, and fiercely grabbed Mu Kuan's collar, his eyes reddened from the fury stirred by the events at home.

Mu Kuan raised his hand, still maintaining the composure of a government official as he said with a smile, "Mr. Ying, in such situations, both children bear responsibility. Young people can be overly impulsive..."

"You dare say that again! Say it again! It was that beast who bullied my daughter, how can she be at fault? !" Enraged, Ying Liang raised his fist to strike, only to be held back and pinned to the ground by the security guards who had arrived promptly.

Ying Liang gritted his teeth, "We're all parents. Imagine if this happened to your daughter, how would you feel if someone did this to her? Why won't you give us a chance to live!"

Mu Kuan patted his crumpled shirt, "Unfortunately, I have no daughter."

"You talk about being a parent. I do it for my son; as long as he's safe, no matter how big the mess he creates, I'll take responsibility. As for you..."

Mu Kuan glanced at the girl trembling in Li Guizhi's arms. Her fair arm, exposed beneath her short sleeves, was covered in blue bruises, the shape of five fingers clearly visible.

Mu Kuan didn't need to look closely to know whose work it was.

He withdrew his gaze and pulled out a check from his suit, throwing it at Ying Liang's head. "Blame your daughter for being too beautiful. How many men can resist her charm?"

Furious, Ying Liang was forcefully pushed to his knees by the bodyguards. Unable to fight back, he could only crawl on the ground, weeping hoarsely for his wife and daughter.

"Take the money and buy your daughter some nice clothes. With her looks, it should be easy for her to marry into an ordinary wealthy family."

"Get lost! We don't want your dirty money!" Li Guizhi released her daughter, rushed up the steps, and threw the check back at him.

Ying Zhihe no longer tried to avoid it. Seeing her father kneeling on the ground, she approached the bodyguard, pushing against them while sobbing. "Dad, let's go home. We won't fight with them anymore. We can't win against them."

The bodyguard released Ying Liang.

Just as the three of them were about to stand up, Yu Xincai returned with Mu Xingwang. Spotting Ying Zhihe, she rushed over and slapped her. "Bitch! Whore! You're already seducing men at such a young age!"