Chapter 1667 Cleaning up the Trash
Hearing the word "special gift" made everyone present freeze in fear. They knew this meant that there was a high possibility that they would undergo thorough investigations.
If even Judah, someone with even more influence than Fredric, had fallen, they were next!
Eamon's face contorted with fear and his mind raced before he threw himself onto his knees before Wynter.
"Wynter, it was all Edison's doing! He threatened me! He said if I didn't side with him, I'd face the same fate as the Whitman family. I didn't have a choice!
"I had such a great relationship with your uncle and worked so hard for the Whitman Group all these years! Please forgive me! I beg you! I'll apologize to your uncle! I will call him right now!"
Hearing his plea, the other Chamber members crowded forward, mimicking his groveling tone.
"I'll apologize too, Ms. Quinnell! We were wrong! We'll return to the Whitman family now!"
"That's right! If it weren't for Edison's threat, he wouldn't be able to become the acting chairman!"
Edison's eyes widened, bloodshot with rage. "You ungrateful traitors! Me, threatening you? Weren't you just complaining that the Whitman family was too strict with its rules and were too old-fashioned?
"Just a few minutes ago, you people were drinking, swearing your loyalty, and saying we'd all live it up together. Now you turn around and play me for a fool!"
As he spoke, Edison pointed
Eamon. "Who was it that said the Whitman family deserve all this? It was you,
wasn't it? You want to take over the Whitman family, yet you haven't got the guts or skills!"
Eamon's face drained of color as he glanced at Wynter, visibly flustered. He then yelled at Edison, "You're trying to slander me!"
"Slandering you? I couldn't get the Whitman family removed on my own! We all had a part in it," Edison said as he had reached the point of no return.
He turned to Wynter, pleading, "I admit my mistakes, Wynter, but don't let these people deceive you. I am the one being played here.
"If we're talking about connections, I've always had the closest ties with the Whitman family. They've just been setting me up for a fall, propping me up only to pit me against them."
Edison had always been shameless. Even now, he was still trying to weasel his way out.
Wynter's gaze was calm as she watched the middle-aged men squabble. She lightly rolled a cigar between her fingers, her tone laced with disgust.
"All of you should have known this would be the result when you hid the news of my mother's return for your own selfish interests. You didn't get away with it—it's just that the time wasn't right for your punishment."
As soon as Wynter mentioned Marie, the faces of three men, especially Edison's, changed. Wynter knew full well that both he and the Wray and Montclair families were the root cause of this.
"Edison Waldron, you've wanted to replace the Whitman family for a long time now. Don't worry, jail is too light of a punishment for you. I'll make sure you taste the same bitterness everything that the Whitman family has been through."
Edison's face stiffened. He didn't quite understand what she meant.
"As for you all?" Wynter's voice dropped lower. "None of you are innocent. You've broken the law, engaged in malicious competition, and spread rumors about domestic brands."
She looked up. "Take them away. Let the courts decide their fates. If they want to file a lawsuit, that's fine, too. The Quinnell's Legal Department is always ready to engage."
"Understood." With that, a dozen or so people in uniforms rushed in.
Seeing this, those who had been begging for mercy suddenly pulled out something.
other countries, so we demand an
"You don't have the authority arrest us! We have permanent resident cards. international trial!" six out of eight of them shouted, their faces still showing a hint of arrogance.
It was as if they thought Wynter was not qualified to take them, and if she didn't want to escalate this into an international diplomatic issue, she'd better not act recklessly.
Despite their attempts to hide it, a sense of superiority still leaked from their bones. They looked at Wynter, as if daring her to do more.
Wynter grabbed a pair of handcuffs and walked over with a commanding presence. Without saying a word, she snapped them on with a sharp click.
"I'd like to see which international connections behind you are bold enough to come here and try to save you."
The six of them exchanged glances, incredulous. How could she not be afraid of causing an international incident? How dare she take them away like this?
Seeing their terrified expressions, Wynter slowly smiled. "I've encountered people like you before-those who receive the country's benefits and make money here but look down on the very land that raised them.
"You think just because you've obtained foreign citizenship, you're superior, and that 'international issues' are your trump card. Let me tell you-with your status, you're not even qualified to sit at the table.
"The last batch of people who were like you had nowhere to run. Do you want to guess what happened to them?" The six of them immediately panicked, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.
Wynter chuckled lightly. "Originally, this case was nothing special. But congratulations! You just escalated it with one sentence. I do hope the people behind you have enough guts to come forward for you."
However, the six people still didn't understand that they were nothing more than pawns, used to disrupt Cascadia's market.
They had overseas bank accounts, and money laundering had already extended beyond borders. They were nothing more than tools, manipulated and deceived with promises of good conditions. But when things went wrong, they would simply be discarded as expendable pieces.
In the entire venue, only Edison was left behind. Wynter had stated that it wasn't yet time for his arrest.
Edison was on the verge of collapse. As he listened to the voices of desperation around him, he desperately tried to make calls, but none of them connected.
...
The dynamic outside had already changed. After all, how could Wynter allow those who had targeted the Whitman family to boost their own political achievements to remain?
From the moment the Whitman family's reputation began to turn around, many in the office started to feel
uneasy.
Most of them were directors, their palms sweaty as they wondered if they should contact Fredric to figure out how to handle the situation.
However, when the announcement regarding Fredric came out, they slumped in their chairs.
These people remembered the time when Reuben had sought their help. None of them had treated him kindly. Some had been polite but only to mock him.
One of the directors' subordinates, Huron Paloma, noticed something and quietly said to the director, "Mr. Moody, we treated Mr. Whitman Senior with respect when he came to us. We served him good tea and didn't neglect him.
"Even if you didn't help him, everything we did was according to the rules. We can't just start using personal power every time someone asks for help, can we? This way, it better reflects your integrity."
Yet, they didn't mention how they were practically talking about the Whitman family as if they were a laughingstock.
The director, Aleron Moody, took a sip from his thermos cup before responding, "Huron, what you say makes sense. We didn't do anything wrong.
"Just because we didn't help the Whitman family doesn't mean we should be held accountable if they managed to get out of their predicament. Even if Wynter is powerful, she can't just act recklessly against public officials." Aleron thought he was safe. After all, major cases like Fredric's wouldn't implicate someone at his level. Besides, with the high-ranking officials under scrutiny, he assumed his minor connection to Fredric would remain buried. But in the next moment, that illusion shattered. The investigative unit arrived at his office, giving him no room to talk his way out of it, presenting evidence of his involvement. Not only was he detained, but his entire team was also taken into custody.
This was a corruption crackdown targeting an entire chain of accomplices. Wynter had waited patiently to uncover each of these hidden parasites. From top to bottom, not a single one would be spared.
Those who thought their uniform was a shield, fed off public funds while indulging used their power to oppress and exploit others were sent away, one by one.
corruption and abuse, and
This became the largest corruption scandal in the region's history, with news bulletins rolling out nonstop. Officials were arrested mid-meeting, and company heads were detained right as they cut ribbons at new openings.
The news left the public in shock.
"Things are really changing."
"And it's all thanks to the new official. They used the investigation into the Whitman family's case to blow up this
whole mess."
"Finally, some justice! The dad of the kid who bullied my child was arrested! Serves him right!"
"That dude who kept nitpicking at my business and always hinting for bribes is in custody, too! Oh, this feels so
good!"
At first glance, these comments seemed minor, but the truth beneath them was profound.
Behind bullying cases in schools often lay not just the students but also influential parents and corrupt schools Some kids, emboldened by their family's status, bullied others without remorse, mimicking their parents'
unethical behavior.
Meanwhile, those in positions meant to support the community instead demanded bribes, treating anyone who refused as "low EQ" or undeserving of success. This was precisely what Lucas aimed to eliminate. Some individuals, unrelated to the Whitman family's affairs, were also taken down on the same day. Many figures were high-ranking officials and appeared defiant. They didn't think anyone would find out about their past
these
wrongdoings.
However, Wynter had already gathered evidence on them and provided it to Lucas prior to taking action.
One such case that resurfaced was that of Vanessa, who had tragically leaped to her death.
Some of the officials paled upon hearing Vanessa's name. They didn't think this was something anyone would be able to uncover. Yet, the evidence now laid bare in front of them.
This case had lingered in the shadows, with many voicing suspicions. Nevertheless, Vanessa's parents had issued an agreement, quelling further inquiry.
But beneath the surface, the case was linked to a dark, horrifying network-a chain of exploitation involving the Scholarship Committee and Club Solstice. Many young women had suffered under this system, and behind it was undoubtedly a powerful shield of protection.
Wynter's mission was to uproot this protective force entirely, ensuring not a single guilty party escaped justice.
Evil people would naturally forget their evil deeds, assuming they were buried and forgotten as public discourse had faded. But when they were forced to confront their past crimes, the veneer of righteousness they once displayed dissolved instantly.
They were terrified. Their hands shook as they tried to drink tea, and large beads sweat rolled down their faces. They knew they were done for, and no one could save them now.
Even those who had initially criticized Lucas' methods as "too severe" were swiftly removed from their positions.
Meanwhile, Club Solstice's case received an official update.
Perhaps the public no longer cared about the updates as the heat of the topic faded. However, Leo knew that there was still someone who cared.
Vanessa's spirit lingered near Club Solstice's corner, drifting aimlessly, day in and day out. Other spirits had homes to return to, but she did not. Spirits like her, who were betrayed by their families after death, were denied even the dignity of a name in the world of the dead.
Her parents had treated her like a commodity. No one pitied her while she lived, and after her ambiguous death she didn't even know who she was or where to go. She simply wandered around Club Solstice, never willing to
stray too far.
Leo himself was a malevolent spirit. He understood what could happen if she lingered too long. She would
eventually become like he once was-bound to one place, unable to reincarnate or live again.
But now, things were different. Vanessa paused, and her gaze landed on Leo. For the first time, her eyes glinted. "You're the one who follows that
person... I've seen you before."
Leo nodded and walked toward her. "My master has other matters to attend to, but she sent me to persuade you to move on. She said there are things you need to come to peace with on your own."
"My parents... they knew I was murdered. Yet, they took the money anyway just so they could one day buy my brother a house when he marries." Vanessa's face twisted with a sad smile that soon turned to quiet sobs.
"I don't get it... others might call me unprincipled, a gold digger who came to this place for money-but my own
parents? "They constantly pressured me to send money home. I felt like I couldn't breathe under all that. I thought that they might at least consider what I went through after dying like this."
Her gaze drifted as she murmured, "It turns out that all they cared about was selling me for a good price."
Leo, with his small figure, who normally looked like a malevolent spirit that others wouldn't dare approach, appeared different today. He was dressed in a little dog-print pajama set Wynter got for him.
He raised his small face and spoke softly. "I understand. My mother abandoned me, too. But my master says we need to learn to love ourselves. And, more importantly, we need to have the courage to live even without our parents' love.
"Now that the truth is out, and you have all your memories... My master has already broken the heavenly law and collected too much resentful energy. So, she asked me to bring you this."
Leo raised his hand and passed something to Vanessa. "This is a spirit talisman. If you take it, it will allow you to avenge yourself without attracting the underworld guards. It's your choice as long as you can release your resentment.
"My master said that a part of the world's resentment comes from injustice. Those who were hurt shouldn't have
to endure shame even after death. And those who profit from immoral or illegal means have no right to live in
comfort.
"If some people are unworthy of being parents, then so be it. It's up to you. However, my master promised she will never let those who have hurt you left unpunished."
As Vanessa heard his words, her bloody tears gradually turned into ordinary tears. No one knew that she had
suffered more than she ever had in life after her death. Betrayed by her own parents, she was treated as an outcast even among ghosts.
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