Mr. He shook his head, "That necklace is very precious. It's normal for someone to covet it. As long as it's recovered, it's fine."
Ning Xin pursed her lips, her tone slightly heavy, "The necklace is still with Shen Qingqing. She refuses to give it to me, but don't worry, I will find a way to get it back."
Mr. He's eyes darkened, "She called me just now."
"Oh? What did she say to you?" Ning Xin's face was curious, her fingertips tightening slightly.
"She said she wanted to buy the necklace from me."
Mr. He's tone was calm, but there was a hint of mockery in his words, "The necklace is clearly with her, and yet she wants to buy it from me. I really don't know if she thinks I'm an idiot."
She could be easily fooled.
Ning Xin was dumbfounded, "How dare she?"
Mr. He picked up his teacup and held it in his palm, gazing at the tea leaves within. "Perhaps she thought you wouldn't tell me."
Or perhaps she wanted to put on a show. In any case, he didn't care.
As long as he knew where the necklace was, he could definitely get it back.
Ning Xin's face showed disgust, "I really misjudged her. I always thought Shen Qingqing was just temporarily confused... You don't know, when we first met, I really admired her."
She glanced at Mr. He, looking quite crestfallen and very disappointed.
"But it's one thing for her to steal, it's another not to admit it, and now she's putting on a show in front of you... How, how did she become like this?"
Mr. He's mind conjured up Shen Qingqing's appearance.
That girl was beautiful, and for some reason, her features always made him feel a sense of familiarity.
As he was lost in thought, Ning Xin had been observing him. She said softly, "Mr. He, please don't worry, I will definitely get the necklace back."
Mr. He looked up and, in turn, comforted her, "Don't rush, take your time."
Ning Xin nodded slightly. To express her sincerity, she even called Shen Qingqing in front of Mr. He. The call was answered quickly.
"What is it?"
"Shen Qingqing, please return what you have to me."
"What?"
Shen Qingqing was very confused.
Ning Xin glanced at Mr. He and persuaded her in a gentle tone, "Shen Qingqing, I think you should understand a principle: taking something without permission is considered stealing. Are you really going to do such a despicable thing?"
"Are you alright?" Shen Qingqing even suspected Ning Xin had dialed the wrong number, and glanced at her phone. Although the fact that Ning Xin had called her by name meant she hadn't dialed incorrectly, she wondered, "What nonsense are you talking about? Have you been drinking?"
"It seems you don't intend to return it."
Ning Xin's formerly gentle tone turned cold.
Shen Qingqing said coldly, "Explain yourself clearly. What am I returning to you? I don't have anything of yours here."
"You said the same thing before." This time, Ning Xin didn't give Shen Qingqing a chance to reply. She left her with a parting sentence and hung up the phone, "But I won't give up."
Shen Qingqing: "???"
She stared at her phone, her mind full of question marks. She dialed back, but only heard a busy signal.
What was wrong with this person?
Ning Xin put down her phone, her tone heavy, "I really didn't expect her to be so obstinate."
Mr. He wasn't surprised, only felt disappointed. "Regardless, since she did it, she must be prepared to bear the consequences. You don't need to show her any mercy. If you need my help, just ask."
"Yes, Mr. He. Again, I apologize for my negligence."
"It's alright, you don't need to apologize. You did nothing wrong."
The one who steals is the most shameful.
Ning Xin's objective was achieved, so there was no need to stay any longer. She checked the time and proposed to leave. Mr. He had someone escort her out, and then turned to walk upstairs.
Standing on the roadside, Ning Xin looked back at the villa.
Mr. He was truly a good person.
His upbringing and manners were impeccable.
Unfortunately...
She turned and got into the car. As the assistant drove, he asked, "CEO Ning, should we proceed as planned?"
"Why do you ask?" Ning Xin looked at him.
The assistant hesitated, then adjusted the rearview mirror. Ning Xin's reflection was clearly visible in the mirror. She was beautiful, with a pair of phoenix eyes that looked somewhat cold when she wasn't smiling.
But at this moment, a trace of bewilderment flickered across her face.
The assistant placed his hands on the steering wheel. After thinking for a moment, he still offered a piece of advice, "CEO Ning, if you don't want to do it, you can give up now. It's not too late."
Ning Xin seemed to snap back to reality instantly. She suppressed all emotion from her face and said faintly, "Continue."
"...Yes."
The assistant could only nod.
But in his heart, he felt it was not worth it for Ning Xin. She clearly had a bright future, and could even be friends with Shen Qingqing. He had followed CEO Ning for many years and could tell that CEO Ning truly admired Shen Qingqing.
It was a pity that Ning Su was in the middle.
For the sake of this foolish sister, CEO Ning had done many things against her own conscience.
This time was no exception.
Mr. He sat calmly in the tea room, his broad hands beginning to arrange the tea set. The clinking of the tea ware produced pleasant sounds.
The butler stood by, silent.
As hot water infused the tea leaves, a rich aroma of tea permeated the air. Mr. He felt his agitated heart grow tranquil with the scent.
He spoke again, his voice much calmer, "Do you think she really stole it?"
The butler pondered for a moment and said, "I can't be sure. After all, that lady only visited once. You don't know her very well, and I wasn't even here last time."
"I'm being foolish, why did I think to ask you?"
Mr. He sighed softly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. It was a bit hot, but the taste was excellent. He savored the tea aroma blooming on his taste buds.
Bitter at first, then sweet, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
He said, "So, do you think it might be a misunderstanding?"
The butler tried to look from an observer's perspective and offer an impartial opinion, "Mr. He, I think you should give her a chance to explain."
From the conversation between him and Ning Xin, they had already concluded that Shen Qingqing was the thief.
But even in the phone call just now, Shen Qingqing had not admitted to anything. Of course, someone who had stolen something would not admit it, but to convict someone, evidence was needed.
Mr. He slowly sipped his tea, offering no reply.
The butler continued, "You could talk to her again. If it's not her, everything will be resolved. If it's confirmed to be her, you don't need to show any mercy. With your means, getting the necklace back would be a simple matter."
But the master's continued inaction indicated that he still held a shred of trust in Shen Qingqing.
Mr. He put down his teacup. The base of the cup contacted the table with a soft clink. The butler immediately lowered his head, deciding to stop there and not say anything more.
"You know me quite well," Mr. He snorted, his tone ambiguous.
The butler smiled, "After all, I've been with you for so many years."