Ch 96 (Part 1): Rebirth of the Tool Man in a Pampered Protagonist Novel

The base conducted the investigation swiftly.

In less than three hours, with the harsh questioning from the investigation team and the intentional pushing from certain individuals, the suspicion for the data leak temporarily focused on Fang Ziyang. This was a result that none of the team members had anticipated.

When the investigation team called Fang Ziyang to confront him, everyone was shocked by their expressions.

“It’s impossible. How could it be Fang Ziyang who leaked the data?”

“Why would Fang Ziyang do such a thing? What benefit does he gain from it? Besides, the data still belongs to New World Technology. Why would he leak his own company’s information?”

“Yeah, Fang Ziyang has no reason to do this. He’s not someone who loses his mind…”

Facing these accusations, nobody believed them.

Because Fang Ziyang had no reason at all to leak the data. The materials belonged to his brother’s company, and he wouldn’t do something that would harm himself. It should be noted that leaking data in the research institute would be considered a crime against the national interest!

The investigation team didn’t believe it either; that’s why they confronted Fang Ziyang.

“Fang Ziyang, according to the statements from the members of Group A, they consulted you regarding some questions, so you were the only person, apart from them, who had contact with Group A’s USB drive.”

“Moreover, according to the surveillance footage, the USB drive was indeed only accessed by you, an outsider. Additionally, the USB drive was lost for a period of time a few days ago, and the surveillance footage can confirm this. Do you have any explanation?”

Considering that Fang Ziyang was Tang Xun’s younger brother and had outstanding abilities, although there was evidence pointing towards him, the investigation team’s attitude remained calm and neutral.

Although the members of Group A didn’t fully believe that Fang Ziyang could commit such an act, he was currently the only suspect.

Facing everyone’s skeptical gazes, Fang Ziyang remained calm. He finished watching the surveillance videos and the dates of contact that the investigation team handed over to him.

Then, he shook his head and said, “It wasn’t me. Although I had contact with Group A’s USB drive materials, I always operated it in front of them. While the USB drive was lost before, I didn’t have it with me when I went to the visiting area. I was thoroughly checked and didn’t bring anything out of the restricted zone…”

“Furthermore, I would never leak the data. If I really wanted to, I could have stolen my brother’s company secrets outside. Why would I take such a risk by coming here?”

His words made perfect sense. Although he had contact with the items involved in the case, he did so in the presence of others, and he genuinely had no reason to commit such an act.

At this point, Fang Ziyang smiled faintly and added, “There’s something I haven’t mentioned. I’m in a relationship with Xie Zheng, and we plan to get married after the training at the base is over. By then, I will also have a stake in New World Technology…”

How could someone whose mind was so clouded leak his own company’s secrets?

Everyone’s astonishment was evident.

The members of Group A were even wide-eyed!

Although everyone had known that Jin Yu and Fang Ziyang had expressed their liking for Xie Zheng, and they would quarrel with each other every time they met, it was all considered their own little conflicts. Nobody had actually thought that either of them would successfully pursue Xie Zheng.

After all, Xie Zheng was notorious for not being interested in physical appearance, and their romantic involvement didn’t match the personalities of the spoiled young masters like Jin Yu and Fang Ziyang. How could there be any romantic feelings between them?

But the result…

Fang Ziyang had actually won over Xie Zheng? Based on that playful confession phone call that seemed so absurd? It was like something out of a fantasy!

If that was true, then Fang Ziyang would be even more unlikely to leak the data. The suspicion against him would be greatly diminished.

Moreover, the testimony from Group A was not sufficient to incriminate him. At most, there was only some suspicion, but it was too weak.

But if it wasn’t Fang Ziyang, then it must be someone from Group A.

However, after the intense questioning they had gone through earlier, none of the Group A members were able to clear themselves of suspicion. Each one of them had the opportunity to commit the act, and after a long time of questioning, no results were obtained.

And each of them believed in their own innocence. So, in the end, they could only suspect someone outside the group, with Fang Ziyang being the only plausible suspect apart from themselves.

But if it wasn’t Fang Ziyang, then it must be one of them. They couldn’t present any concrete evidence to prove their innocence, so the final result of the investigation would undoubtedly be a collective responsibility for all members of Group A.

Everyone was desperate.

At this moment, Yang Qilong stood up again, his expression anxious as he said, “Investigator, it really wasn’t anyone from our group who did it. If the USB drive data leaks, all of us in the group will be implicated. Why would we do something that harms our own interests?”

“Even if one of us wanted to leak the data, now is not the right time. The data is still incomplete, and even if it was stolen, it wouldn’t be useful. If someone wanted to steal the data, they would want it in its entirety…”

The rest of Group A nodded repeatedly.

“It really wasn’t me. I have no reason to do such a thing. Besides, since the USB drive was distributed, I haven’t even touched it…”

“It wasn’t me either. I usually don’t touch the USB drive, and every day after leaving the study room, I haven’t been alone except when I return to my room to sleep. The base’s surveillance can vouch for me!”

“Although I was in charge of the USB drive and sent the files to everyone, it wasn’t always with me. Yang Qilong, Jin Yu, and many others have also touched the USB drive.”

The matter was of great importance. Even though Qian Yu, who was not good with words and had an honest character, knew that he needed to defend himself.

If they were indeed found guilty, even if it was due to a mistake in data management, it would still be a serious offense!

But if it wasn’t someone from Group A, then it must be Fang Ziyang, right? After all, apart from them, all the others had been eliminated as potential contacts for the USB drive, and they had solid evidence of their innocence.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

At this moment, someone from Group A weakly said, “Although Fang Ziyang always operated the computer in front of us, we didn’t keep an eye on him all the time. His computer skills are so good that he could break through difficult defenses in just a few minutes…”

So Fang Ziyang’s suspicion was still significant.

“But I have no motive. Those materials were the result of hard work by my brother and my boyfriend at the research institute.”

Fang Ziyang didn’t mind being implicated and calmly responded again.

Another person couldn’t help but speak up, “But don’t you and Jin Yu have conflicts?”

The implication was that if he deliberately framed her in retaliation. After all, although the data was suspected of being leaked, it had only been downloaded, and it couldn’t be guaranteed whether it had been transmitted. However, considering the base’s security measures and the surveillance of all team members, it was likely that the data hadn’t been transmitted and hadn’t caused any real damage.

Having a narrow mind and seeking revenge was also a plausible motive.

Previously, Fang Ziyang was even suspected of pushing Jin Yu down the stairs.

With this reminder, the other members of Group A also became suspicious, wavering between Fang Ziyang and Jin Yu.

Jin Yu’s face turned uglier, and she glared fiercely at the member who voiced the speculation, then turned to the investigator and said, “Investigator, I believe Fang Ziyang. Although we did have some conflicts before, they were trivial matters that didn’t escalate to this level of revenge. And recently, our relationship has improved. It couldn’t have been Fang Ziyang…”

Jin Yu was feeling angry.

She had a vague feeling that she and Fang Ziyang were being targeted. Despite the fact that their relationship wasn’t that bad, it seemed to everyone as if they were sworn enemies.

When she applied to view the surveillance footage, everyone was gossiping behind her back, speculating whether she would do something malicious to Fang Ziyang due to their conflicts. And now, when something happened, they immediately suspected Fang Ziyang of pushing her down the stairs and leaking the USB drive data to frame her.

Even if Jin Yu had low emotional intelligence, she could sense that something was not right.

Yang Qilong, seeing this, finally spoke up. His expression mirrored the indignation he showed when Jin Yu fell down the stairs.

“Jin Yu, it doesn’t matter if you believe him or not. People’s true nature is hidden. Last time when you fell down the stairs, it was related to him, and now our group’s USB drive has been leaked. Why is it that every time something happens, it’s always somehow connected to him? Don’t say anything more. Let the investigator continue the investigation. If he’s truly innocent, the investigator won’t wrong him…”

The other members of Group A nodded, persuading Jin Yu with a nod.

“Yes, Miss Jin Yu, don’t be too naive. This is a serious matter now, and we need evidence. It can’t be resolved with just a few words from us.”

“Those who are innocent will be proven innocent, and those who are guilty will be proven guilty. Jin Yu, this is not just your personal matter; it concerns all of us in the group…”

So, Miss Jin Yu, please don’t cause any more trouble.

Even though you had such intense arguments with Fang Ziyang before, as if you were sworn enemies, why is it that every time something happens to Fang Ziyang, you’re always defending him? Could it be that you actually have feelings for him? May-December romances are quite popular nowadays, and Fang Ziyang is quite attractive!

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