The scumbag doctor Warren Wakefield was a man in his forties, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. Even when confronted with Jack's FBI badge, he only showed a hint of fear before coldly demanding to see his lawyer.
In this country, wealth—or a certain social status—meant drastically different treatment even within the police station. Even someone as tough as Danny had to temper his attitude when dealing with people like Warren. Wealth meant access to top-tier lawyers, the kind that charged thousands of dollars per hour, wielded extensive connections, and knew police procedures inside out. Even the smallest procedural error could be seized upon and exploited.
Fortunately, the evidence against the couple was overwhelming. Not even the best lawyers could fully exonerate them, and soon enough, they'd run out of money anyway. Jack had already notified the IRS—none of their baby-selling profits had ever been reported for taxes.
The problem, however, was time. Police had managed to bring Warren Wakefield and his Chinese wife, Nancy Wakefield, to the precinct at 5 PM. With nightfall approaching, Mintai's whereabouts remained unknown.
"You're wasting my time. I won't say another word until my lawyer arrives," Warren said, gripping his wife's hand firmly and speaking with resolute confidence.
Nancy Wakefield—formerly Nancy Cheng—appeared to be in her early thirties. Her face was adorned with a Japanese Takarazuka-style makeup, exuding the demeanor of a gentle, wealthy housewife. She epitomized the image of an Asian woman who had successfully integrated into Western high society. Dressed in Chanel and carrying an LV handbag, her outfit, including her jewelry, must have cost well over $100,000.
"You're finished," Danny slammed his palm on the stack of files on the table, struggling to keep his anger in check. "Dozens of babies sold, most of their mothers missing, and every piece of evidence points straight to you. Don't think you can wriggle out of this. Tell us where Mintai is, or you'll both face additional charges for accessory to murder."
"Murder?" Nancy instinctively pulled her hand away from her husband, her face going pale.
Seeing this reaction, Jack's eyes lit up. He immediately sensed an opening and switched to speaking fluent Mandarin, addressing Nancy directly.
"Didn't you know? Mintai changed her mind. She doesn't want to give up her baby. Haven't you been following the news? Two people have already died because of this. The Triads killed one of their incompetent lackeys and recaptured Mintai. What do you think will happen to her now?"
Before Nancy could respond, Warren turned red with rage. "What are you saying? Speak in a language I can understand!" He then turned to his wife. "Honey, don't believe their lies. We'll be fine."
Jack let out a cold chuckle and continued addressing Nancy in Mandarin with a calm, persuasive tone. "This fool is finished. If I were you, I'd be considering divorce right about now.
"There's a Chinese saying, isn't there? 'Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways.'
"I also have Chinese ancestry, which is why my Mandarin is so fluent. Since we're compatriots, I'm willing to help you. Speak up about Mintai's location, and I'll try to help you become a state witness. That's just a matter of paperwork."
"Nothing will happen to us," Warren interjected, raising his voice. "How could this turn into a murder charge? They just want the baby."
"Shut up," Danny barked, startling Warren into silence. His confidence quickly crumbled, and he sat back in his chair, muttering nervously.
Jack pressed on, turning back to Nancy. "Of course, the baby will be fine. Even if Mintai has complications, they'd prioritize the baby's safety with a C-section, right? But what about the mother?
"Things have escalated to this point. Do you really think they'd let her live as a witness and risk her going to the police? Killing her and disposing of the body would be the safest way to tie up loose ends. Or do you think the gangsters you've been dealing with are saints?"
Nancy's face went blank with terror, her eyes wide as her mind tried to process the implications.
Sensing she was on the verge of breaking, Jack softened his tone. "A woman's youth is fleeting. You're still young and beautiful, and I believe you were more of a bystander than an active participant in this mess. That's why I'm talking to you right now.
"You know what prisons in this country are like, don't you? Even in women's prisons, someone like you—young, soft-spoken, and Asian—wouldn't last ten years. I can't even imagine what you'd look like after coming out.
"NYPD has already shut down the Mott Street Charity Clinic, and two officers are on their way to bring in your brother, Nicholas Cheng. From what I've seen, he's probably the smarter one in your family. There's only one lifeline here—let's see who grabs it first."
"No, he doesn't know where Mintai is. The gang has their own doctor," Nancy blurted out.
Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him. If she hadn't spoken up, his next step would've been heading to 22 Mott Street and reciting cryptic Triad sayings like, "The mountains stand tall, and the rivers flow eternal."
"Keep going," he urged.
Switching to English, Nancy hesitated briefly before continuing in the same language.
"This whole thing started because of my brother, Nicholas. He came to us with the idea. At his charity clinic, he often saw pregnant girls—no husbands, no idea who the fathers were. He said it was a way to give those unfortunate children a better life."
Jack almost laughed. The way she framed their crimes in such noble terms was both absurd and infuriating. Clearly, Nicholas Cheng wasn't the harmless, kind-hearted man he pretended to be.
Of course, Nancy and Warren were no saints either. Jack could see how Nancy was trying to shift blame onto her brother while painting herself in a better light.
"I thought it was a win-win situation," Nancy continued. "Everyone benefited—us, those girls, and the families adopting the babies. But then Nicholas brought in the Triads.
"We had to give them a cut. They were responsible for keeping an eye on the girls, ensuring the deals went smoothly, and eliminating any risks. I didn't know about the murders—honestly, I didn't.
"It was Warren—he called them to make sure they recaptured Mintai. He said we'd already taken payment, and she was the only pregnant girl close to giving birth."
As Nancy spoke, Warren's face turned beet red. When she pinned all the blame on him, he erupted in fury. "You bitch! That's not what you said before! It was you and your bastard brother who dragged me into this mess! You evil Chinese woman!"
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Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
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Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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