Chapter 4

Valerie was still angrily barking out orders when the wails of a fire truck cut through the air and echoed throughout the mountain.

The local department of forestry had immediately leaped into action.

Several fire trucks and off-road cars with the words "Forest Rangers" spray-painted onto the sides turned on their sirens and sped up the mountain.

The massive fire burned for over three hours.

Dozens of firefighters and armed police officers worked together to bravely put out the fire. It was incredibly difficult, but with their combined efforts, they managed to stop the fire before it could spread toward the deeper parts of the mountain.

However, hundreds of acres of forest around the cemetery had been burned until there were only ashes left. It was hard to estimate the economic and ecological damages.

Shane and Valerie had followed the terrified employees when they escaped down the mountain. They weren't even given time to catch their breath when a few forest rangers appeared on the scene and apprehended them.

"You're suspected of causing a major forest fire. We'll be taking you back to the station with us for questioning in accordance with the law!"

Shane and Valerie crumpled to the floor before two police officers forcefully hauled them into a police car.

As one of the company's high-ranking executives, I slipped into another police car and followed them back to the police station to cooperate with their investigation.

…

Both Shane and Valerie looked utterly disheveled as they sat in the interrogation room in the police station. Their clothes were in tatters because of the fire, and their faces were covered in soot.

Shane didn't show an ounce of remorse when the two police officers interrogated him. On the contrary, he slapped his palms on the table and yelled, "It's not our fault, officers! We were simply there to discuss a lucrative business deal with our client.

"We only lit the candles because we wanted to pay our respects to his ancestors. We had no idea that the winds were so strong today. Everything that transpired was purely an accident!"

The police officer slammed his hand on the table and snapped, "It's against the law to light a fire outdoors during fire prevention season. You caused a major forest fire, and yet you have the nerve to tell me that it was just an accident?"

Shane was stunned by the officer's outburst. After he recovered his composure, he pointed an accusing finger at me and exclaimed, "If someone needs to take responsibility for this incident, it should be her! Her name's Jennifer McQuinn, and she's the one who's in charge of this event.

"She's also a legal representative of my company. She used the company's funds to purchase all the candles that were used during today's event under her name. She's the one who led our team up the mountain, but she's also the one who failed to take the necessary safety precautions.

"I was just following her instructions. I'm not responsible for the fire today. She should be the one taking responsibility for what happened!"

Hearing those words, Valerie immediately understood what Shane was trying to do. She fixed a troubled look on her face as she looked at the officers, but her tone was colored with blind confidence and arrogance.

"You have to seek justice for us, officers! I'm just a woman. What would I know about fire prevention season? I was solely focused on doing my best to help Shane secure the business deal."

Tears streamed down her face as she turned to look at me.

"How could you be so cruel, Jennifer? I know that you've always been jealous of the close friendship between Shane and me. I know that you've always resented me for stealing your glory even though you're the boss' wife, and I'm just a special assistant. But you can't do something so terrible to frame us!

"You stood by and did nothing when we lit the candles. You didn't say a single word! You just wanted to watch me humiliate myself, didn't you?

"You have to get to the bottom of this, officers! I was manipulated by her! Not only did she show a severe lack of professionalism, but she also planned to commit a crime all along!"

Several core members of the company who normally relied on currying favor with Shane and Valerie to secure their bonuses also chimed in to support them.

"They're right, officers. Mrs. Carlton usually behaves like a control freak when she's at the company. She's also prone to scolding anyone for even the smallest mistakes. It was strange that she suddenly kept her distance and stayed quiet even though we were hosting such an important event today."

"Exactly! She's also the one who approved the purchases of the candles. On top of that, she's never liked Ms. York. She must have planned this scheme to get Ms. York fired from the company. I had no idea that she was such a cruel and ruthless woman!"

"Poor Mr. Carlton. He was totally duped by his own wife. She nearly ruined his company too!"

I nearly burst into laughter as I listened to their preposterous statements.

Shane watched as the officers frowned slightly. He assumed that he had successfully shifted the blame onto me when he noticed that the officers were taking notes of their statements.

He hurried over to me and threatened me in a hushed voice, "Jennifer, the company has to compensate Mr. Paulson with over ten million dollars for breaching the contract. I can't allow Valerie to have a tainted record. It'll ruin her future.

"You're one of the company's legal representatives. Take responsibility and admit that you're the one who accidentally set the forest on fire. Don't worry. If you take the fall for this incident, I'll handle the rest of the company's issues.

"You'll only have to be imprisoned for a few months. Once the dust has settled and you're released from prison, I'll give you half of the company's shares. We can still live a good life just like old times!

"But if you refuse to comply, I have plenty of ways to kick you to the curb without a single penny to your name. I'll also make sure that you can no longer work in this industry."

I slowly pulled out a tablet from my bag as I took in Shane's smug expression, looking as if he had everything under his thumb.

"Officers," I said calmly and firmly as I tapped the screen, causing it to light up. "I have conclusive evidence to prove who should be responsible for the forest fire. I can also prove that they're giving false statements in an attempt to frame me for their crimes. "