At this stage, things can be considered to have come to a close. Judging from the behavior of the members of the investigation team, the situation has not reached the point he feared most. This Director Parker is a rather shrewd, calm, and very pragmatic person. If they really couldn’t find Shawn Bolton and that witness, William Carter didn’t know whether the other side would just suppress the matter.

Chapter 9 Things Are Really This Simple

James Jennings didn’t know how long he had been in this room. The light was dim, and the surroundings were tightly covered with curtains. He had no idea what was happening outside, or whether, after coming in like this, he would have a chance to walk out again. For the first time, he felt the power of the organs of authority.

He was no saint. Although he could speak tough on economic matters, that didn’t mean he was invulnerable. If someone really wanted to dig up something on him, there were a hundred ways to ruin his reputation. But to use this incident to smear and topple him—James Jennings still felt a deep bitterness inside.

He was unconvinced, but powerless. Only when a person’s freedom is restricted do they realize that many things they once prided themselves on are not worth mentioning.

Once your contact with the outside world is cut off, no matter how capable you are, you can’t do anything.

These dozens of hours were like a nightmare from which James Jennings could not wake.

The investigators had questioned him several times. James Jennings could even recite every question they asked and every word of his own answers.

They kept probing from different angles, scrutinizing every detail. This made James Jennings fear that perhaps they really were here with a purpose.

Finally, the door opened. In came Director Parker, who had only appeared twice, but each time asked the most crucial questions. For every question he raised, James Jennings had to think carefully before answering, afraid of falling into a trap.

“All right, Director Jennings, our investigation of this case is basically concluded. You may leave now.” Director Parker walked over with a smile and extended his hand. “Sorry, if there were any shortcomings in our work, I hope Director Jennings can be understanding and forgiving.”

“I can go?” James Jennings looked at him, dazed and in disbelief.

When that damned crystal ornament was taken from his office and placed in front of him, James Jennings had already resigned himself to not getting out for three to five months. Especially when that Staff Member Taylor kept hinting and warning that they had other evidence about his personal conduct, James Jennings truly felt a chill all over. He never expected this to be the outcome.

“You’ve verified everything I said?”

“We have our own methods of investigation and criteria for determining issues. What you said has been basically verified as true. As for other issues, they are not within the scope of this investigation.” Philip Parker smiled. “What, you’re not happy, don’t want to leave? We’ve already exchanged opinions with your Changjiang Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission and your factory’s Party Committee. If you have any specific questions, you can communicate with the relevant leaders of your provincial commission and factory Party Committee.”

“Then, Director Parker, may I ask, I was brought here for investigation without any explanation, and now I’m leaving just as inexplicably. What exactly is the nature of this matter?”

James Jennings gradually calmed down. Since they were letting him go, although he didn’t know the reason behind it, he believed that asking a few more questions wouldn’t change anything.

“In terms of nature, bribery can be ruled out, but you were negligent in your work. As a Party leader…” Philip Parker smiled slightly. Everyone needs to save face, it’s understandable, after all…

When he walked out of that obscure guesthouse, James Jennings was still pondering the meaning behind Director Parker’s final, seemingly meaningful words: “Your daughter’s boyfriend is quite impressive.”

Emily Jennings didn’t have a boyfriend yet. The girl said she wanted to focus on finishing her graduate studies and wouldn’t consider dating before that.

As for Nancy Jennings, although she was dating William Carter, the relationship between William Carter and Nancy Jennings was still not clear. Even James Jennings himself didn’t think much of their relationship, especially since it was obvious that William Carter wouldn’t be able to stay in Changzhou.

Could it be that William Carter was worth such a comment from Director Parker? That would be a joke.

James Jennings was completely baffled, until he saw Emily Jennings and William Carter standing in front of a taxi waiting for him. Only then, in his surprise, did he begin to understand.

From the taxi ride home to his visit to Leonard Goodwin, James Jennings remained in a state of shock and confusion. He couldn’t imagine how all this had happened.

True, he had a clear conscience regarding the Central Discipline Inspection Commission’s investigation, but that didn’t mean he was flawless. The fact that he hadn’t handed over the item to the commission at the first opportunity was enough for someone with an agenda to blow it out of proportion a hundred times. Although many people were themselves filthy, that didn’t stop them from making an issue out of this.

Director Parker had put it very accurately: he had acted inappropriately, but the nature of the issue hadn’t risen to a certain level. There were still some other details to be addressed.