In the information age, the speed of information dissemination is astonishing.
Almost as soon as Min Ziqiong walked into the police station, various rumors were already flying.
While people were still questioning the authenticity, photos of Min Ziqiong in handcuffs soon circulated!
The entire process, like an industrialized operation, precisely targeted people's psychology.
It kept people in a state of doubt—fact confirmed—doubt—fact confirmed, a rollercoaster of emotions. Even the most resolute person would eventually waver when faced with continuous confirmation.
And the photo of Min Ziqiong walking into the police station in handcuffs was the final blow.
It shattered the psychological defenses of the vast majority, leading people to almost instantly conclude that Min Ziqiong had crossed the moral boundaries and conducted human experimentation!
The creation of the mirage was built upon the blood and bones of innocent people!
In an instant, online comments flooded with criticism, and Min Ziqiong became a universally condemned executioner.
Even if someone refuted the rumors, saying that Min Ziqiong was merely cooperating with the investigation and had not been convicted, it was all in vain.
Her words were quickly drowned out by the torrent of abuse.
That afternoon, another bombshell piece of news was released, sending Min Ziqiong's reputation crashing to the bottom, utterly ruining her name!
After investigation, the police confirmed the identities of those twenty-odd corpses.
Without exception, they were all vagrants or lonely individuals from Jianghai!
The manner of death for these individuals varied. Some had suffered torture before their deaths, some had been injected with too many different drugs, and others had undergone dissection without timely treatment, dying from infection.
In reality, the Jianghai police statement was not biased or falsified.
The deaths of these vagrants had indeed occurred in such ways.
However, the Jianghai police could never have imagined that these methods of death were deliberately fabricated by the Eden Laboratory.
Furthermore, Eden Laboratory had even applied varying degrees of decomposition treatment to the bodies, making them appear to have died at significantly different times.
An international-level life science laboratory and the police of a third-tier city were on entirely different planes of understanding regarding life technology.
Therefore, it was understandable that the Jianghai police could not detect the conspiracy.
Let alone the Jianghai police, even higher-level, more experienced forensic doctors would likely have been deceived at first.
"They say the most venomous heart belongs to a woman, and it's true! Who would have thought that a woman who appeared gentle and demure possessed such a venomous heart?"
"A wolf in sheep's clothing! I finally know who best embodies the phrase 'wolf in sheep's clothing'! Throughout history, in China and abroad, for thousands of years, no one deserves it more than Min Ziqiong!"
"While Western pharmaceutical companies have done similar things, they at least recruited volunteers and provided them with trial fees and compensation. Min Ziqiong, on the other hand, directly abducted vagrants from the streets! This not only saved recruitment costs but also eliminated the need for compensation! Can humanity sink to such a low level? I am so disappointed in this nation!"
"Friend upstairs, state your case without resorting to generalizing. Min Ziqiong is certainly not a good person, but you are definitely not a good one either! Honestly speaking, I support a severe sentence for Min Ziqiong!"
"A life for a life, a debt for a debt. This has been the natural order since ancient times. No question about it, sentence her to death!"
"Wouldn't death be too easy for her? In our Dragon Country, despite the prevalence of various crimes in recent years, we have never seen such outrageous criminal behavior! I propose reinstating the punishment of Lingchi, and broadcasting Min Ziqiong's execution to the public as a warning to others!"
The entire internet was in an uproar, everyone enraged, paying no mind to the truth of the matter.
Nor did they care that the police had not yet released the investigation results.
It seemed an invisible hand was subtly manipulating people's emotions and public opinion, eager to nail Min Ziqiong and the mirage.
Those who had previously offended Min Ziqiong also seized the opportunity to stir up trouble.
For instance, Min Ziqiong's best friend ambiguously told reporters, "She did have a period of mysterious absence before. I couldn't reach her whether I messaged or called. Once, I clearly saw her in the park with a few people, but when I called her, she denied it."
"Of course, I'm not saying she was abducting people in the park at that time, as I have no evidence. You should clarify this point when reporting."
It would have been better if Min Ziqiong's best friend hadn't added that last sentence. By adding it, she instantly directed people's attention to "abduction"!
This indirectly solidified Min Ziqiong's crime of abducting vagrants for drug trials!
The person responsible for investment promotion also stepped forward, saying, "I had contacted Min Ziqiong and offered a series of preferential policies to persuade her to relocate to our park. But she always refused, saying she preferred her previous plot of land."
"I was baffled. The previous plot of land was clearly inferior to our park in terms of location and preferential policies. Why was she so attached to it?"
"Now it all makes sense. Perhaps its remote location was convenient for engaging in activities that needed to be concealed!"
"Of course, this is just speculation. It might provide a direction for the relevant departments to investigate. If my guess is wrong, please don't blame me!"
The investment promoter's remarks poured more fuel on the fire.
Further solidifying Min Ziqiong's guilt!
Countless people online even started live streams, preparing to investigate Min Ziqiong's plot of land at night and document all of Min Ziqiong's crimes!
For a time, all sorts of demons and ghosts emerged.
Some took the opportunity to kick someone while they were down, some to fish in troubled waters, and some to gain profit by riding the wave of popularity.
In short, it was a scene of chaos and unrestrained misconduct.
And in a certain location in Jianghai City.
Min Ziqiong's best friend, the investment promoter, and a few previous business partners, who had just finished their interviews with reporters, all appeared here.
They opened the rolling shutter door, which looked like a warehouse door, and walked inside.
Upon entering, they discovered that this was not a warehouse at all, but more like a palace!
Splendid and magnificent.
The center of the palace was filled with banquet tables laden with all sorts of delicacies and fine wines.
Attractively dressed waitresses provided various services to the guests.
There were not many guests present, but without exception, they were all prominent figures.
Karl and his two companions, as hosts, greeted each guest, their glasses clinking.
Upon seeing Min Ziqiong's best friend and the others, Karl stepped forward, uncharacteristically opening his arms to these people he considered "dogs."
"Oh, I thought it was someone else, but it turns out our heroes have returned!"
"Your contributions in bringing down Min Ziqiong and destroying the mirage this time are invaluable!"
"Come, a hug!"
Karl embraced each of them.
While outwardly warm, he discreetly took out a handkerchief to wipe his clothes after letting them go.
Then, Karl, regaining his enthusiastic demeanor, raised his wine glass and addressed everyone present: "Let us raise our glasses together! To celebrate this great victory!"
"And also to serve as a warning to the world: what we cannot have, no one else shall ever have!"
"If we can't have it, we will destroy it!"