1196 I Don’t Accept The Settlement
“This is a handicraft designed by Zhu Jin. My mother loved collecting the works of this artist. This shell wind chime is part of her collection. The name and seal of Zhu Jin are engraved on the shell wind chime. If you don’t believe me, you can ask someone to investigate and see if I lied to you.”
The female police officer took the shell wind chime. Sure enough, she saw the carved name and red seal in the shell at the top of the wind chime. She took a closer look at the wind chime. The craftsmanship was indeed exquisite. It was different from ordinary wind chimes.
This shell wind chime was considered cheap among Zhu Jin’s works, but each of them was unique. The shells of each wind chime were different, so if the shells were broken, the chime would lose its value.
As the amount involved was too high, the police station specially hired professionals to verify the authenticity of the artwork. After a moment, the other party came to a conclusion. “This is indeed a piece designed by Zhu Jin. The current market price is at least 200,000 yuan.”
“Miss Xia, you’re suspected of destroying Miss Qiao’s collection and causing the other party to lose 200,000 yuan. Now that the evidence is conclusive, please come with us!”
Xia Mengyan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s really worth 200,000?”
Xia Yunlou’s face was also filled with shock, but then she pointed at Qiao Xi and screamed, “Qiao Xi, why are you so calculative? Isn’t it just 200,000 yuan? Is there a need for you to do this?”
“This is a relic left behind by my mother, but Xia Mengyan deliberately destroyed it. I’ve never cared about money. I just want to punish her.”
Xia Yunlou immediately blurted out, “She’s already dead. What’s precious about the things she left behind? Don’t forget that I’m your biological mother…”
“Madam Xia.” The female police officer frowned unhappily. “This is the police station. Please don’t shout. Besides, I have to remind you that the victim now is your daughter. Instead of speaking up for your daughter, you actually think that your daughter is being calculative. How many mothers like you exist in this world?”
After the policewoman finished speaking, she looked at Xia Mengyan coldly. “Miss Xia, the 200,000 yuan has already reached the filing amount. Your actions constitute a crime…”
“No! I didn’t do it!” Xia Mengyan panicked and shouted, “I can compensate her! I apply for a settlement. I don’t want to be detained!”
At this moment, Xia Mengyan’s forehead was covered in sweat. She was no longer as calm as before. She shouted in panic, “Xi Xi, I’m your cousin! You can’t sue me. How can you be so heartless? Let’s reconcile, okay? I can compensate you with 200,000 yuan!”
“There’s no need.” Qiao Xi refused coldly. “Miss Xia, I’ve already said that I’m not calculative about money. This is about getting justice. I want the person who destroyed my mother’s belongings to be punished, so I won’t accept a settlement.”
She looked up at Wei Feng. “Lawyer Wei, I’ll have to trouble you next.”
“Miss Qiao, you’re too kind. I’ll definitely settle everything and seek justice for you!” Wei Feng promised. Then, he turned to look at Xia Mengyan. “Miss Xia, I’m sorry. My client won’t accept the settlement. Quickly hire a lawyer. It won’t be long before we meet in court.”
Xia Mengyan felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her head felt like it was about to explode, and her breathing stopped. She stood rooted to the ground for a few seconds before fainting.
A week later.
Qiao Xi sat comfortably in the teahouse, drinking hot flower tea while waiting for Gu Zheng to finish his work. At the side, Li Xing’er was chatting with a few good friends.
“You guys don’t know yet, right? Something big happened in Li City’s socialite circle!” Li Xing’er’s mysterious tone and exaggerated expression immediately attracted everyone’s curiosity.
“What is it? Tell me!”
Li Xing’er cleared her throat and said, “You guys haven’t seen Xia Mengyan for a long time, right?”
“That’s right! It’s strange that someone like her who likes to join in the fun didn’t attend Miss Ye’s birthday banquet. Moreover, it was Old Madam Xia who rejected the invitation for her. Miss Ye was so angry that her face turned green!”
“The Xia family has just moved to Li City, but they’re already putting on airs. Not only did they reject Miss Ye, but they also rejected others. Xia Mengyan is really arrogant!”
Just as they were discussing, the ‘Miss Ye’ they were talking about happened to come to the teahouse. She was accompanied by Madam Ye. The mother and daughter had come out to shop. When they were tired from walking, they came to the teahouse at the side to rest.
When Madam Ye saw Li Xing’er, she pulled her daughter back and said in a low voice, “Let’s sit at the side and listen to what they’re saying.”
