122: Chapter 122 The wicked will be punished by the wicked.

It was normal for subordinates not to know fellow inmates, but Jiang Tao was a man who understood things, so he explained the backgrounds of these three people.

Xiao Liu Zi was a swindler, and his ability to investigate backgrounds was unparalleled.

Brother Pillar was a murderer; he was ruthless, and kidnapping and murder were nothing to him.

The third person was a special criminal, nicknamed Mouse, who was a hacker with incredible computer skills.

That he was actually involved made Jiang Tao completely dumbfounded, even doubting himself—who exactly had he offended? Had he stirred up a hornet's nest?

Mouse put down the briefcase and politely addressed Chen Hao.

"Boss, the money you requested has been delivered. Do you have any further instructions?"

"Go out and wait for me. I want to speak with Boss Jiang alone."

"Yes, sir."

Mouse hadn't spoken to Jiang Tao from beginning to end because they had only met once in prison; it was just an acquaintance, not a close relationship, so there was nothing to talk about.

After Mouse left, Chen Hao clapped his hands.

"The compensation you requested totals 750,000, and it’s all here. To show my sincerity, there's also a surprise in this box."

He spun the lazy Susan, and the four briefcases rotated on the turntable until the fourth one stopped in front of Jiang Tao.

Jiang Tao didn't open it; out of sight, out of mind. Besides, he couldn't see through the other party's depth. He only knew the other party was not to be trifled with and that he needed to yield when necessary.

"It was all my fault. I was blind and judged people poorly. It was like the Dragon King's Temple being flooded by my own people."

Jiang Tao proactively picked up the wine decanter and went to Chen Hao's side, personally pouring him a glass of wine.

"Brother, what kind of business do you do?"

"Legitimate business."

Chen Hao heavily emphasized the word 'legitimate,' intending to convey the literal meaning, but it sounded different to Jiang Tao's ears.

"Is it convenient to disclose?"

Chen Hao retorted.

"As long as you are also in legitimate business, we will definitely have a chance to cooperate."

After speaking, Chen Hao nodded toward the four briefcases on the dining table.

"It's 750,000 in total, not a penny more or less. This settles the matter of face for Boss Jiang. Here is the last surprise I have for you. Take a look first, and then we can discuss how you will compensate my girlfriend for the fright she endured."

With that, he stood up.

"Let's leave it at that for today. If you have no objections, I'll be taking my leave now."

Jiang Tao quickly said, "Don't be in a hurry to leave. Have something to eat and a drink before you go."

Chen Hao refused with a tone that gave no quarter, using a righteous excuse.

"No drinking and driving, no driving and drinking. We are both decent people and don't do illegal things."

Jiang Tao wiped his sweat continuously and watched Chen Hao leave before finally looking at the last box.

When opened, it also contained a neat stack of 150,000 in cash, along with a stack of documents.

Jiang Tao picked them up and his scalp went numb again.

These were his company's accounts, evidence of fraudulent contracts, detailed enough to put him to death.

Jiang Tao collapsed onto the chair, his hands shaking, covered in a cold sweat.

"Who on earth did I offend?"

...

Chen Hao walked out of the five-star hotel and went to the parking lot, politely thanking the three renovation workers for their help tonight.

Pillar didn't quite understand.

"What's the use of just showing our faces? We might as well have had a good talk with Tao Zi, and maybe you wouldn't even need to give him 750,000."

Chen Hao looked toward the entrance of the five-star hotel and gave a cold smile.

"One matter is one matter. The money owed must be repaid in full. What they owe me, I will never swallow silently."

"Wait until tomorrow. If Jiang Tao knows how to conduct himself, he will know what to do. Let the bullet fly for one night."

As the three left, driving away in the van marked with the Decoration Company's name, a subordinate rushed into the hotel to report secretly. Chen Hao knew his objective had been achieved.

Borrowing the might of the three ex-convicts for false prestige, and then using his own connections to intimidate him.

Any person would be terrified.

Based on Chen Hao's understanding of this type of person, the 750,000 indeed paid off the debt, but as long as Jiang Tao wasn't foolish, he would surely send it back tomorrow because he wouldn't dare gamble on the evil in human nature.

Chen Hao got into a taxi, called Zhang Menglu to ask where she was, and then went to find her.

...

The narrative splits.

In the private room of the five-star hotel.

Everything unfolded as Chen Hao had predicted; Jiang Tao was plunged into deep fear.

He considered himself a local big shot, but in reality, he was just a gang leader. Bullying ordinary people was fine, but daring to bully a group of master criminals was like an old man eating arsenic—he was tired of living.

Looking at the documents tucked within the three briefcases—personal information, photos of relatives, and evidence of his crimes—

These things, tied together with an unfathomable power, put pressure on Jiang Tao that even alcohol couldn't suppress his inner fear.

He was scared!

Every villain has a match. No matter how bad he was, he couldn't be worse than a gang of villains.

Moreover, his leverage was firmly held in their hands, meaning his life and death were firmly grasped by others.

At this moment, looking at the four boxes of cash on the table, this wasn't compensation; it was clearly a warning to him.

"What should I do?"

While Boss Jiang was panicked, a subordinate rushed in to report.

"The three men left driving a van printed with the name Pang Dahai Decoration Company."

"Pang Dahai Decoration Company? I haven't heard of it."

Jiang Tao muttered to himself, and with a thought, he ordered people to investigate the Decoration Company, its behind-the-scenes boss, employees, and stock structure—investigate everything in minute detail.

That night, Jiang Tao couldn't sleep.

Tossing and turning sleeplessly in his villa, he smoked one cigarette after another until dawn. Jiang Tao, with dark circles under his eyes, reviewed the results his subordinates had uncovered overnight.

Jiang Tao was stunned!

Pang Dahai, the former captain of the criminal police team, resigned due to injury and opened this Decoration Company.

It seemed ordinary, but it was actually full of hidden mysteries.

The Pang Dahai Decoration Company had over ten employees, all of whom were ex-convicts.

Xiao Liu Zi, Brother Pillar, and Mouse were all his employees.

They had connections in both legitimate and illegitimate circles, and they had complete evidence. Wasn't this clearly a death sentence for him?

While there was still time, Jiang Tao didn't delay. He quickly called a few capable subordinates, took the four boxes of cash, and rushed directly to the Pang Dahai Decoration Company to apologize in person.

Everything happened exactly as Chen Hao had predicted.

...

Early in the morning, before Pang Dahai even arrived at the company, he received a call from Chen Hao.

"Brother Dahai, my matter is resolved. If my guess is correct, Jiang Tao will probably come to your place to apologize this morning. Feel free to educate him and persuade him to turn over a new leaf."

"If he brings back my compensation money, take it for me first. Keep this money for now; it can be used for company registration later."

Pang Dahai was utterly bewildered.

"How did you resolve it?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Chickens have their own ways of peeing."

"Alright, I'll handle it."

Just as he parked his car, he saw a group of people standing at the entrance. The visitor was none other than Jiang Tao, the boss and overlord of Jiang City.