Chapter 15: The Theft

Under the direction of Jin’er, the servants upended Mu Chi’s room, leaving no corner untouched—not even the trash bin. Yun Sufen stood at the foot of the bed, surveying the chaos and urged, “Jin’er, the money Mu Chi has might have come from Young Master Ji; she wouldn’t be desperate enough to steal her brother’s belongings.”

“I already asked Young Master Ji. He didn’t give Mu Chi any money.” Jin’er rummaged through drawers and overturned boxes herself, eager to pry even between the bed’s seams. “Mu Chi suddenly has a lot of money, and my brother’s luxury watch and accessories just happened to go missing. If she didn’t steal them, then who else could it be?”

“But we haven’t found anything yet…”

“She must have sold them! Mother, we can’t let this go. Otherwise, all the valuables in this family will disappear!”

Mu Chi appeared at the doorway. At her feet lay a shattered family portrait, mocking in its brokenness. Her eyes swept the room: her clothes, blankets, computer, and desk lamp were strewn haphazardly on the floor, trampled without mercy.

Yun Sufen quickly approached upon seeing Mu Chi and explained, “Mu Mu, the house was robbed. Xiao Yi’s things were stolen. Jin’er was only trying to prove your innocence by searching your room.”

Jin’er, exhausted and empty-handed, followed and demanded, “Where did you hide Xiao Yi’s belongings?!”

Mu Chi’s gaze was icy and distant. She took out her phone and called the police. “Hello, my home has been robbed. The stolen property is of great value. The address is Hengyu Bay…”

Jin’er was stunned. “You actually dare to call the police? That’s just like the thief crying ‘Stop the thief!’”

“Who the real thief is will be determined by the police. Until they arrive, no one is allowed to move anything!”

“On what grounds? You say no one can touch anything, so no one can?”

“Because I suspect you.”

“Ha, suspect me? This is my home! I would steal my brother’s things?”

“You have a prior record of theft.”

Jin’er froze instantly, her expression hardening.

Yun Sufen gasped, “Jin’er, you have a criminal record? What happened?”

Her voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear.

Everyone was stunned.

Five minutes later, the police arrived.

The entire Chi family was taken in for questioning.

At the station, everyone was interviewed separately.

Xiao Yi had lost six watches, three necklaces, five bracelets, and two car keys. Corresponding to two luxury cars that had gone missing, the total value was thirteen and a half million yuan.

The amount involved was extraordinarily large!

The police immediately dispatched a task force to the Chi residence to investigate and collect evidence. They also accessed the surveillance system of Hengyu Bay for the past two weeks, reviewing footage one by one.

It wasn’t until evening that they identified the suspect—the family’s maid, Wang Ma.

Wang Ma had always been responsible for taking care of Young Master Xiao Yi. After Xiao Yi went abroad to study, she took charge of his room.

She had taken the day off yesterday to attend her son’s wedding back in her hometown.

Only today, when other servants came in to clean, did they discover Xiao Yi’s missing items.

The police quickly organized a cross-province arrest.

Mu Chi was cleared of suspicion and sat alone on a white bench in the station’s corridor, head bowed, her face mostly hidden behind a black mask, appearing despondent.

A female police officer approached, overhearing her muttering, “It wasn’t me… really wasn’t me…”

“Mu Chi, we’ve confirmed you’re not responsible,” the officer tried to comfort her. But as soon as she touched Mu Chi’s shoulder, the girl shuddered violently as if electrified.

Then she crouched down, clutching her head, trembling with fear as if deeply traumatized.

At that moment, media reporters burst in, raising their live cameras and focusing on the girl clad in black.

“Miss Chi, an anonymous tip accuses you of stealing over ten million yuan worth of items from the Chi family.”

“Are you the one who stole them?”

“Is this why your family was taken by the police today?”

The barrage of questions shot at the curled-up Mu Chi like countless sharp arrows from every direction.

She looked up from her folded arms, revealing a pair of misty, terrified black eyes.

She shook her head, sinking deeper into despair.

“I didn’t steal.”

“Please don’t hit me.”

“Dad, Mom, please let me out. It hurts…”

“Please, I beg you, don’t hit me anymore…”

Mu Chi raised her arm to shield her forehead. Her sleeve slipped down, revealing a forearm crisscrossed with scars.

The media zoomed in on the scars, capturing a close-up.

Sensing a sensational story, the reporters pressed on.

“Miss Chi, did your parents do this to you?”

“Are you being held captive by them?”

“Is it related to your brother’s stolen belongings?”

Mu Chi shook her head, as if both answering and speaking to herself.

“My parents didn’t beat me here. These scars were from my sister burning me with a candle… She didn’t mean to…”

At this moment, the female officer noticed Mu Chi’s fragile mental state and stepped in front of her, addressing the reporters:

“The burglary case involving the Chi family has been resolved. Mu Chi is not the culprit. We will release details through the police department’s official platform. Please refrain from provoking the victim.”

Mu Chi was then led away by the officer.

Meanwhile, online viewers exploded on the live streaming platform.

“This poor girl…”

“Abusive parents, a vicious sister, and a shattered soul.”

“The authorities have cleared her name. Those who insulted her before should come back and apologize!”

“I suspect her sister’s abuse has caused serious mental issues. Police, please help her!”

“She’s a classmate of mine at Haida University! She took sick leave due to burn injuries from being hospitalized! And it was her sister who did this! Terrifying!”

“She looks so helpless…”

…

With the officer’s reassurance, Mu Chi gradually calmed down.

She drank a cup of warm water and went to the restroom.

Looking at her reflection, those sharp, cold fox-like eyes had lost their earlier fear and timidity.

Mu Chi washed her hands, lazily leaning against the wall, and opened the live stream to read the comments.

In just five minutes, the truth about Li Feng Chi was exposed.

Netizens began boycotting the appliances produced by the Chi family’s company.

All purchases were returned.

In an instant, the Chi family’s business teetered on collapse.

Jin’er came out of the partition and saw Mu Chi, her gaze venomous.

“Why did you tell them I have a criminal record? I’m the Chi family’s real daughter. You’ve been a usurper all these years. Why won’t you leave me alone?”

Mu Chi put away her phone, looking at her coldly.

“Learn what it means to be a usurper. The Chi family adopted me; I was never switched at birth. Before you were even a fertilized egg, I was already part of the Chi family.”

“I don’t care! I want you out of the Chi family! Never show your face to me again!”

“Fine, you say that now, but don’t come crawling back begging me later.”

Mu Chi curled her lips slightly and, passing by Jin’er, glanced sideways at her.

“Businesspeople chase profit. Do you think Dad cares more about his company or you, his biological daughter?”

“Of course, it’s me!”

“Good. I’ll be watching.”