Chapter 101: Chapter 100: No One Can Get Away
PM.
Under Lana’s urging, she reluctantly ate something. Clearly, her fear of snakes still lingered; perhaps she was too timid, or perhaps her character was too weak.
Even this slight setback had thrown her into a panic...
Bzzz Bzzz~
The vibration of the phone brought Elliana Lyle back to reality from her daze at the windowsill. The cat in her arms opened its eyes, seeing nothing was wrong, wrapped its white front paws tightly around its head with some effort, and comfortably went back to sleep.
Opening her phone to WeChat, several messages were already there.
Andrew Hue: "Boss, let me show you a video." [Video]
Luna: "Quick, retract it for me!"
Andrew Hue retracted a message.
Seeing this, Elliana Lyle had to ask, "What video?"
Luna: "Nothing much, just an indecent loan video. I’m afraid you might lose your appetite if you see it."
"Whose is it?"
After asking this, Elliana Lyle suddenly paused and then uncertainly typed, "Evelyn Dunn’s?"
Luna: "Smart, it’s hers. As for where it came from, you’ll have to ask Andrew Hue."
Seeing this, she had no hesitation and directly started a voice chat with Andrew Hue.
According to Andrew Hue, that same morning, after playing basketball with a male classmate, the classmate shared it with him during a casual chat while resting.
Hearing this, Elliana Lyle asked, "Did he tell you where it came from?"
"A gaming group, but I’m not sure who the uploader is. I’ve applied to join that gaming group but haven’t been accepted yet."
Listening to Andrew Hue’s words, Elliana Lyle thought for a moment and decided to inform the police officer Galen Collins about the indecent loan video.
At 6 PM, when Luna returned alone, she also received a call back from Galen Collins.
Galen Collins: "Miss Lyle, we have already checked the deceased’s phone records prior to death and confirmed that the deceased was a victim of indecent loans. The message left by the deceased to the parents indeed confirmed it was suicide, and the cause of death is in no way related to you."
Hearing such an inconclusive "result," Elliana Lyle couldn’t help but ask, "Then, how will the loan company that drove the person to death be dealt with?"
Galen Collins said: "Here’s the thing, first of all, private lending is a civil issue. It’s about how much two willing parties decide to lend, in whatever manner, and with what collateral. Even if they decide to use nude photos as collateral, it’s a violation of public morals, not subject to public authority interference."
"However, since it involves the dissemination of obscenity and results in the victim’s death, the police are obliged to carry out arrests. But since this was shared online and because the dissemination through the internet makes enforcement very difficult for us, sometimes it’s indefinitely delayed. But rest assured, we will keep pursuing this investigation."
"In recent years, cases of suicide due to online loans are not uncommon. We are also striving for technological breakthroughs and enhancing internet regulation."
"Tomorrow, we will help clarify to the public and address the rumors and misinformation about you online. You can resolve these defamatory cases through legal avenues. We will continue tracking the loan issue, and if we uncover anything, we will inform you."
At this point, with nothing more to say, all Elliana Lyle could do was reply, "Okay, thank you."
Just after hanging up, Luna, who was gorging on food beside her, looked disdainful. "Wait for them to check? I’d be faster doing it myself."
Elliana Lyle sat quietly, not speaking. Because Evelyn Dunn’s death... reminded her of Nancy, could it be...
She quickly dismissed the foolish notion rising in her heart. She had to get to the bottom of this!
Not just because of Evelyn Dunn’s death. Nancy had also once taken the indecent loan path, and they were investigating the loan companies.
...Perhaps they would find clues about Nancy.
"Alright, we’ll investigate," Elliana Lyle said with determination, with no trace of joking in her tone.
"Okay, first deal with your affairs—sue those spreading defamatory information online. What nonsense! If anyone dared defame me like that, I’d torch their house."
After venting her anger, Luna remembered the two people who came back that afternoon, looked around, and asked, "Where are Tommy and Li Si? Weren’t they supposed to arrive by 2 PM?"
"Inside." Elliana Lyle pointed at a corridor on the first floor. "They should be asleep. They didn’t look too well when they arrived."
"Alright! While I’m busy here, those two are sleeping!" Luna immediately stood up and stormed inside.
...
On the sofa sat two not yet fully awake people. Tommy explained that he went out last night to cover news, trying to overshadow Elliana Lyle’s hype with other trending topics.
As for Li Si, he said nothing.
Next, Luna pulled out a printed document from her bag and tossed it into Li Si’s lap, instructing, "Li Si, you’ll need to work overtime tonight. I’ve sorted out all the personalities for you, a few hundred big and small internet celebrities. Draft lawyer’s letters to them, send them out tomorrow."
After flipping through a couple of pages, Li Si confidently looked at Elliana Lyle, promising, "Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll send those loose-tongued bastards lawyer’s letters tomorrow. And the old Boss has already started taking action. In no time, they won’t know what hit them!"
Having such a team, Elliana Lyle felt somewhat relieved, saying, "I appreciate your hard work today, I’ll raise everyone’s salary this month."
"No need, just split the compensation this time," Luna pointed at Elliana Lyle, "You take 40%, we three will split the remaining 60% equally."
Li Si said, "There’s no cap on mental anguish claims, let’s aim high."
...
That night.
―― Melody Harmony Group.
"President, the livestream platform has already reached an agreement with Radiant Light Company," said Raymond Wood. He seemed more relaxed, having been tense for two days, but now there was good news.
Melody Harmony seized this opportunity to reach an acquisition agreement with Radiant Light Company. Since they are from different circles, White Goose’s entry into the livestream market would undoubtedly face resistance, whereas a renowned company like Radiant Light was different.
According to the plan, acquisitions would proceed where possible, and where not, negotiations would pursue capital agreements. As for all the various streamers stirring trouble on the platform, none would escape.
The next day.
The South City Public Security Bureau announced the truth about the victim’s death on Weibo.
South City Public Security Bureau
#Situation Announcement#
Regarding the recent "South University student Du’s fall and death case," the latest notice, as determined by forensic examination and after several consecutive days of investigation, with consideration of all evidence, the possibility of homicide and accidental events was excluded, ultimately confirming the incident as a suicide.
In response to recent online rumors about Elliana Lyle of "murder" and "arrested for drug use," these are false. The South City Public Security Bureau calls on everyone not to spread or believe in rumors. Victims have the right to claim mental damages in rumor-mongering incidents, with serious cases potentially facing imprisonment of over three to less than ten years.
An attached image below clarified Evelyn Dunn’s cause of death and the autopsy report.
Simultaneously, Elliana Lyle’s studio also issued a notice.
Elliana Lyle Studio.
Solemn Declaration
Regarding the malicious fabrication and public dissemination of rumors about Miss Elliana Lyle, as well as the malicious snake sending incident, we will not tolerate it. Therefore, the Melody Harmony Group declares: In response to this malicious rumor and harm incident, the Melody Harmony Group’s legal department has mailed out lawyers’ letters and will hold them legally accountable!
――― Elliana Lyle Studio.