Chapter 140: Sending Someone to the ICU

Lu Yao flashed a radiant smile at the elderly man. "Principal Lan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lu Yao, and I am..."

"You’re the television reporter who requested this meeting today?"

The man was Lan Zhengtian, the principal of the girls' school. He appeared kind-hearted and approachable, with a gentle gaze.

Lu Yao had originally intended to use that identity to slip into the school and thoroughly investigate the case of Fang Xiaoya. However, upon meeting Lan Zhengtian’s benevolent eyes, she changed her mind.

"Principal Lan, it is a pleasure to meet you," she said truthfully. "My name is Lu Yao, and I am an attorney representing the Ye Group."

At the mention of the Ye Group, Lan Zhengtian’s expression shifted slightly.

He probed, "Attorney Lu, I don't recall you scheduling an appointment with me in advance."

Lu Yao offered an awkward smile. "Principal Lan, please don't misunderstand. I am not here on behalf of the Ye Group today. After taking over the firm's business, I discovered that the eldest daughter of the Ye family has been transferring a significant sum of money from their charitable foundation to a student named Fang Xiaoya every year. Mr. Ye asked me to visit you to clarify the specific situation regarding Fang Xiaoya and to arrange a meeting for me to speak with her."

"Mr. Ye sent you?" Lan Zhengtian looked at Lu Yao with suspicion, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Yes. And before I left, Mr. Ye specifically urged me not to let his eldest daughter know about this. He simply wants to understand what his daughter is doing." Lu Yao observed Lan Zhengtian’s reaction as she spoke. Seeing his expression grow increasingly grave, she quickly corrected herself, "Please, don't misunderstand. Mr. Ye only asked me to look into the situation because it concerns the succession of the next head of the group."

Lan Zhengtian stared at her intently, nodding with hesitant belief.

"Follow me to my office."

"Thank you for your understanding, Principal Lan."

Lu Yao hurried to keep pace with Lan Zhengtian as he led her to his office.

No sooner had she sat down than Cui Ya, the vice-principal in charge of the high school division, walked in. She paused for a moment upon seeing Lu Yao.

Meeting Cui Ya’s gaze, Lu Yao curled her lips into a professional smile.

She stood up and politely extended her hand. "Hello, my name is Lu Yao. I am an attorney representing the Ye Group."

"Hello, I am Cui Ya, the head of the girls' school high school division." Cui Ya hesitated for a second before shaking Lu Yao’s hand.

Her palm was cold and damp, and her hand trembled slightly during the handshake.

Noticing this, Lu Yao grew cautious. While waiting for Lan Zhengtian, she kept a watchful eye on Cui Ya.

She observed that Cui Ya seemed extremely nervous in her presence.

Cui Ya was either drinking water or wiping away sweat; although her facial expression remained seemingly calm, her body language betrayed that she was currently sitting on pins and needles.

After some thought, Lu Yao looked directly at Cui Ya and asked, "Principal Cui, have we met before?"

At this question, Cui Ya’s hands shook with nerves. She took a deep breath, clasping her hands tightly together.

Her lips trembled, and she tried to speak several times, but she couldn't seem to produce a sound.

The more Lu Yao watched her, the more peculiar it seemed.

She quickly searched her memory and was one hundred percent certain that she had never met Cui Ya before.

Puzzled, she continued, "Principal Cui, you seem very nervous to see me."

Cui Ya swallowed hard and took several deep breaths to steady herself. Only then did she speak, her voice raspy. "Attorney Lu, I heard from Principal Lan that you came to the school today to inquire about Fang Xiaoya. You have arrived at a very unfortunate time. Yesterday, Fang Xiaoya got into a conflict with her roommate and assaulted her, putting the girl in the ICU. She is currently at the police station cooperating with an investigation."