257 Scapegoat
“That’s right. You’re the most suitable person to be this person. As my assistant, you’re the easiest person to approach me. You just have to say that you stole my seal. This matter is purely your personal action and has nothing to do with the company.”
“You can’t be so heartless.” The assistant’s voice began to tremble, and her words were intermittent. “We did everything related to the firearms business together. I did whatever you instructed me to do. I’ve always listened to your instructions. You can’t do that now that we’ve been discovered by others. You’ve pushed me into the fire pit alone at the critical moment. You’re prepared to pull yourself out and stay out of it.”
“It’s not like that. Listen to me first.” Tang Li tried to calm her assistant down. If she continued to press her step by step and her assistant did not agree to take the blame, she would be finished too. “I’ve already told my father that he’ll find a connection. In the end, he’ll definitely give you a lighter sentence. You can come out after staying there for a few years. After you come out, I’ll give you a large sum of money. A sum of money that’s enough for your family to live the rest of their lives without worrying. At that time, you can take this money and go far away. Find a suitable place to settle down and live the rest of your life peacefully. Isn’t it good to exchange a few years of your youth for the rest of your life?”
After the assistant heard Tang Li’s words, although she still looked very resistant, she was already moved in her heart. She imagined all the possibilities of the future in her heart and slowly looked into Tang Li’s eyes.
After half a minute, the assistant slowly said, “How many years does this charge take?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Li immediately understood that her assistant’s thoughts had been shaken. Her chance was coming. After trying to calm down her slightly excited mood, she said, “You don’t have to worry about this problem. It will only take two to three years at most. With Father outside setting up all the connections, you will definitely be released early.”
“So if I take the fall for you, how much money do I get in the end?”
A faint smile appeared on Tang Li’s lips. “As long as you agree to this request, you can name your price. I can satisfy you. Moreover, while you’re in there, I’ll bring your family home and treat them like my biological parents.”
The assistant frowned slightly and slowly made up her mind. “I can promise you to take the blame for you, but you have to promise to let me out of prison as soon as possible and give me a billion yuan to let me take my family away after I’m out of prison. From now on, anything in the Tang Corporation has nothing to do with me. And I hope you can keep your promise and take good care of my family. But if you go back on your word in the end and refuse to give me money or let me know that you didn’t treat my parents well, I can’t guarantee that I won’t say anything bad to you in prison.”
“Of course, there’s no problem at all. I can agree to everything you say.” Tang Li originally thought that her assistant would take this opportunity to ask for three to five billion yuan like Shan Yue. However, in the end, her identity as an assistant limited her horizons.
In fact, Tang Li was already prepared to spend a lot of money to escape punishment. Now, with this mere billion yuan, she could exchange it for the innocence of the Tang Corporation and her freedom. This was simply a good deal.
However, Tang Li still pretended to be embarrassed in front of her assistant to show her dilemma. In order to make her assistant more willing to take the blame, Tang Li deliberately added a few more words to make her assistant feel more at ease.
“You’ve been by my side for so long and have always worked for me. You should know very well what kind of person I am usually.” Tang Li’s eyebrows did not move, revealing a trace of calm steadiness. “I’m a person who keeps my word. Since I’ve already agreed to your requests, I’ll definitely fulfill them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made you a promise so easily.”
The assistant did not speak immediately. Instead, she kept looking into Tang Li’s eyes, as if she was confirming the answer in her heart over and over again. After all, this was very important. “President Tang, can you swear that what you said to me is true? You definitely won’t change your mind at the last minute.”