"A murder-for-hire case?" Mandy Snow stared at Xue Wenchang in disbelief.

Xue Wenchang started to panic, while Old Master Xue remained composed. "Officer, do you have any proof of what you're saying?"

"Of course we do. If you have any objections, you can take them up at the station. Please don't interfere with police business."

Lu Chaoran produced an arrest warrant, and the officers next to him seized Xue Wenchang, snapping handcuffs around his wrists.

Just then, Sean Snow entered from outside. When he saw his father being arrested, he became agitated on the spot.

"What are you doing? Why are you arresting my dad?"

"We're simply following the law." Two officers escorted Xue Wenchang into the police car.

After the police left, Mandy Snow looked at Old Master Xue, her expression fraught with confusion. "Dad, what on earth is going on?"

In the living room, the entire Snow family fixed their eyes on the Old Master, waiting for his words.

Old Master Xue said nothing, leaning on his cane as he made for his room. As he turned, his voice was fraught with age and gravity.

"We'll talk about this once the results of the police investigation are out. For now, keep your mouths shut."

Though he was old, his words still commanded authority. After he spoke, no one dared utter a word.

Mandy Snow wanted to press further, but Xue Qiang stopped her. "Mandy, wait until today is over. Dad isn't in a good mood; don't provoke him."

It wasn't that he was worried about Mandy getting scolded—he was more afraid of Old Master Xue flying into a rage. When the old man was angry, the whole family felt it.

After all, it was Xue Wenchang being arrested, not him.

Mandy Snow swallowed her questions and fell silent.

After the police took Xue Wenchang away, Sean Snow drove to the police station.

He truly knew nothing about what his father had done all these years, so when the police took him away, Sean Snow instinctively assumed his father was being framed.

"What crime has my father committed? Why are you arresting him?" He stormed into the police station, unable to hide his anger.

Lu Chaoran glanced at him with meaningful eyes. "You're Xue Wenchang's son?"

Sean Snow nodded, repeating his question. "What did my father do? Why are you arresting him?"

Lu Chaoran fixed his gaze on him. "Someone reported Xue Wenchang in connection to a previous murder-for-hire case."

"Murder-for-hire? That's impossible!" Sean Snow refused to believe it.

"The details are still under investigation. Please don't interfere with police work, Mr. Xue."

Lu Chaoran was used to scenes like this but still kindly filled him in. Whether or not he could accept it was out of his hands.

At that moment, Yancy Shaw appeared at the station. When Lu Chaoran saw him, he greeted, "Third Young Master Shen."

Upon hearing the voice, Sean Snow stiffened and turned to see Yancy Shaw.

"You... You, what are you doing here?" He suddenly sensed the answer, but couldn't bring himself to believe it.

Yancy Shaw's face was cold; the warmth of the past was gone, replaced with nothing but ice.

"I came to see the man who killed my grandfather."

Sean Snow staggered back a few steps, gathering his courage to ask, "The killer you mean is...?"

"Your father."

Yancy Shaw's reply was utterly frigid; he nearly ground those three words out through clenched teeth.

Standing beside him, Lauren Shaw gripped Yancy Shaw's hand tightly. At that moment, she could feel his pain.

Sean Snow had been his close friend for years, but now he'd discovered he was the son of his enemy. For Yancy Shaw, watching this friendship shatter was its own kind of agony.

"No—no way. There's no way my dad killed Grandpa Shen! He couldn't—he couldn't be a murderer."

Seeing Sean Snow's disbelief, Yancy Shaw gave a cold laugh. "Of course he wouldn't kill with his own hands, but he would order someone else to do it. Ask him if he knew anything about my second brother's car accident, too."

"You probably have no idea how many lives your father has stained his hands with over the years."

When Yancy Shaw finished, Sean Snow was shattered, his eyes filling with tortured disbelief. He shook his head. "No, that's not true—my father is being slandered! He would never do such a thing. You must have it wrong..."

Yancy Shaw took out his phone and played a recording by Qian Peng.

"Xue Wenchang ordered my brother to kill Old Master Shen. Then, afraid the truth would come to light, he bribed the prison guards so my brother would die in jail, covering up his crime. Later, he told me to kill Bryce Shaw. If someone hadn't shown up and rescued Bryce Shaw that day, he'd probably be dead too..."

...

After listening to the recording, Sean Snow stood for a long time without reacting.

Worried he might break down, Lu Chaoran considered sending him home, but Sean Snow refused.

Lauren Shaw remained at Yancy Shaw's side, feeling his silent grief. She looked up at him, her voice gentle: "Honey, let's go home."

Yancy Shaw gave her a reassuring look. "I'm fine."

He had mentally prepared for this day. He and Sean Snow were never meant to remain friends.

Sean Snow, devastated, rushed back to the Xue house and ran straight to Old Master Xue's room, but was stopped by a servant at the door.

"Young Master, the old master's health is poor. It's best not to disturb him right now."

"I need to ask Grandpa something."

The servant stood firm. Sean Snow raised his voice, "Move aside!"

Though they knew he was angry, the servants would not budge from the doorway.

A voice called from inside, "Let him in."

Sean Snow entered the room. It was dim, the lights off, the air heavy with the scent of herbal medicine.

Old Master Xue coughed a few times, his voice weak. "Speak. What do you want to ask?"

"You knew about what my father did, didn't you?"

Swallowing his pain, Sean Snow couldn't reconcile his memories of his father and grandfather—both men he'd always admired—with what he'd learned of their deeds.

Old Master Xue said nothing.

Sean Snow, getting no answer, suddenly laughed—a hollow, broken sound.

"So you were all in this together." He demanded, "Why did you do it? Weren't you ever afraid of divine retribution?"

"Bang!" A heavy sound as Old Master Xue slammed his cane onto the table.

"Divine retribution? Everything we did was for the Snow family! All your riches and privilege—the life you enjoy—who do you think fought to win them for you? And what about you? Instead of thinking how to save your father, you come here to interrogate me?"

"If I'd known sooner, I would never have let you keep making these mistakes."

Old Master Xue let out a scornful laugh. "Ha! What do you know? Without our cunning, where would the Snow family be today?"

"So what if we're wealthy—it's all built on the lives of others! I'm going to the police. I'm going to confess and atone for your crimes!"

With that, Sean Snow turned to leave. Old Master Xue was furious, roaring, "You're not going anywhere! Stop right there!"

But Sean Snow wouldn't listen.

The old man, overcome by rage, coughed up a mouthful of blood.

As Sean Snow left the room, he heard the maids shouting, "Something's wrong! The old master has coughed up blood! Quick, call the doctor—quick!"