Villain Is Bodyguard of Heroine’s Poisonous Stepmother

Chapter 133: Luo Mingdes Suspicions

“Chen Luo, is the situation with the Wang family connected to you in any way?” Luo Mingde asked over the phone.

He harbored suspicions about Chen Luo’s involvement with the Wang family incident. Luo Mingde always believed Chen Luo was supported by a powerful backing. Otherwise, how could he mobilize individuals like Ah Da? Therefore, Chen Luo could have orchestrated the downfall of the Wang family.

Luo Mingde’s suspicions were spot on, yet Chen Luo would never confess.

“Mr. Luo, the Wang family’s issue is unrelated to me. Could it be your doing?” Chen Luo responded.

“If I had such power, my first target wouldn’t be the Wang family but the Li family,” Luo Mingde said coolly.

Even as Chen Luo denied it, Luo Mingde’s suspicions persisted. He knew Chen Luo would never admit to such a thing, as the consequences of admitting it would be severe.

With the police force fully mobilized for the investigation, if Chen Luo were to be implicated, he would no longer be able to stay in the country.

“Chen Luo, if I were to pay for you to act against the Li family, would you agree?” Luo Mingde proposed.

“I wonder, Director Luo, how exactly do you wish to act against the Li family?” Chen Luo asked, barely concealing a smirk.

“Oh, then I must apologize, Mr. Luo, but I don’t have that kind of power.”

Despite his greed for money, Chen Luo wouldn’t agree to Luo Mingde’s proposal, no matter the amount offered. Should this transaction proceed, Luo Mingde might betray him afterward.

With Luo Mingde now wary of Chen Luo, he would surely exercise caution. No family desired to meet the Wang family’s fate. Chen Luo’s ability to eliminate the Wang family members so decisively suggested he might do the same to the Luo family in the future.

Luo Mingde would certainly harbor such fears and view Chen Luo as a potential threat. After an unsuccessful attempt to gain information, Luo Mingde ended the call.

“Luo Mingde suspects me, as do Ye Chen and the Li family,” Chen Luo reflected.

He didn’t believe Ye Chen and the Li family wouldn’t suspect him. However, without evidence, mere suspicions meant nothing.

Chen Luo wasn’t someone who could be easily manipulated. Without concrete evidence against him, any attempt to target him would be useless.

Time flew, and a month passed quickly. The Wang family was completely wiped out, leaving no trace behind. Chen Luo benefited significantly from this, not the biggest winner, but he made a substantial profit.

During this month, top executives of the Li family’s conglomerate faced attacks, with all evidence misleadingly pointing to the Luo family as the culprits.

In reality, Bai Meixiang executed these attacks, intentionally framing the Luo family to intensify the feud between them and the Li family.

Li Ting, Li Zhong’s daughter, had been in Luo Mingde’s custody all along, and Li Zhong had yet to rescue her. Li Zhong hesitated to involve the police and leverage their power to save Li Ting, fearing Luo Mingde might kill his daughter if cornered.

Fortunately, he was reassured that Li Ting was still alive.

Ye Chen, having recently recovered from his injuries and lost an arm, stayed subdued, showing no signs of seeking revenge.

Chen Luo was currently staying at Gu Wanxiu’s villa.

Now, the bodyguard Ah Wen by Gu Wanxiu’s side has been completely won over and turned into Gu Wanxiu’s person. Thus, even if Chen Luo stayed with Gu Wanxiu, he would not be exposed to Li Zhong.

“I believe that killing Li Zhong as soon as possible is necessary. With Li Zhong alive, it’s challenging for me to assert influence over the Li family,” Gu Wanxiu confided softly while nestled in Chen Luo’s embrace.

Gu Wanxiu had made attempts to influence both the Li family and its business conglomerate but found it difficult to make an impact.

Her capabilities and influence were limited, especially within the Li family, which was tightly controlled by Li Zhong’s autocratic rule, leaving her no room to intervene in the family’s affairs.

As for Li Qiwen, even though he was the Li family’s heir, he was currently too young to be involved.

“Killing Li Zhong now won’t be easy. He’s constantly guarded by a dozen bodyguards whenever he goes out.”

Ever since the Wang family’s collapse, Li Zhong seems to have grown paranoid, always surrounded by a multitude of bodyguards, whether outside or at home.

“I have an idea,” Gu Wanxiu proposed to Chen Luo. “We can have Li Qiwen act and poison Li Zhong.”

Would Li Qiwen be willing to poison his own father? His willingness seemed irrelevant. He had to comply regardless of his preferences, devoid of any real choice.

“Fine, killing Li Zhong might be a good idea.”

After pondering for a moment, Chen Luo concluded that apart from Li Zhong, the Li family lacked any significant figures. With Li Zhong out of the picture, eradicating the family’s other contenders could feasibly leave the Li family’s control to Gu Wanxiu.

“In fact, I’ve already arranged for Li Qiwen to do it.”

Gu Wanxiu had preemptively tasked Li Qiwen, this paragon of filial piety, with poisoning Li Zhong using a slow-acting toxin, inconspicuous in the short term.

“Did you also have Li Qiwen poison Ye Chen?” Chen Luo asked.

Gu Wanxiu nodded. Knowing Ye Chen was Chen Luo’s adversary, she wouldn’t spare him, targeting both Ye Chen and Li Zhong.

Chen Luo’s brows knitted together.

“What’s the problem?” Gu Wanxiu asked, smoothing his brow with her hand.

“The poison might be discovered.”

If the plot were solely against Li Zhong, it might have remained concealed. However, including Ye Chen as a target guaranteed unforeseen complications.

“Really?” Gu Wanxiu’s expression shifted, then settled. “But even if it’s, it doesn’t matter. The blame falls on Li Qiwen after all.”

Li Qiwen wouldn’t dare confess the full story. Even if Li Zhong discovers Li Qiwen’s involvement in the poisoning, he wouldn’t suspect Gu Wanxiu’s orchestration.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if they suspect you and Li Qiwen might not keep a tight lip. Be careful, and if things go south, leave,” Chen Luo cautioned Li Qiwen.

Li Qiwen’s fear of death has its advantages and disadvantages. Chen Luo could leverage his fear for compliance, but Li Zhong might also use it to coerce the truth out of him. It boiled down to whether Li Zhong was ruthless enough.

But considering Li Qiwen was plotting against Li Zhong, wouldn’t Li Zhong be merciless in response?

Naturally, this was contingent on the discovery of the poisoning and Li Qiwen getting caught. For now, nothing had happened, and even if it did, it might still be salvageable.

If it weren’t for Ye Chen being one of the targets, Li Zhong might not have noticed the poisoning. Targeting the protagonist complicated matters.

Chen Luo didn’t fault Gu Wanxiu. She was merely trying to eliminate rivals on his behalf.

“I should be leaving now. I’ve stayed here too long. Even though Ah Wen is under your control, there’s still a risk of exposure.”

Chen Luo got up from the couch.

Hearing Chen Luo’s planed to leave, Gu Wanxiu’s face showed a trace of reluctance.

“Then you should visit me more often.”

Chen Luo agreed verbally. If time allows, he wouldn’t mind making trips here as the proverbial bandit.

“After Li Zhong is gone, we can openly be together,” Gu Wanxiu said, her eyes filled with unwavering determination and a resolve to eliminate Li Zhong.

The motive behind directing Li Qiwen to poison Li Zhong wasn’t merely to gain control over the Li family but primarily to be with Chen Luo openly. Hence, Li Zhong, the obstruction, had to be removed.

If Li Qiwen’s attempt to poison Li Zhong failed this time, she would seek alternative methods to eliminate him. If necessary, she would take matters into her own hands. With her current capabilities, seizing an opportunity to kill Li Zhong would be a breeze.