"Zuri, we can help," Farida said, but Zuri had already disappeared around the corner.
Azura patted Farida's shoulder. "Let's go."
Farida looked in the direction Zuri had gone. "Shouldn't we do something?"
Azura shook her head. "Don't worry. She'll be fine."
Azura was well aware of Zuri's fighting capabilities.
Zuri crossed the street and entered an alley, following their tracks deeper and deeper.
After about ten minutes, she reached a dead end. Around the corner, she heard the voices of a man and a woman.
As Zuri approached quietly, their conversation became clear.
"Third Brother, what do you want from me?" Dalia asked, trying to control her anger.
This question infuriated Jonah.
"What do I want? How can you even ask that? Why didn't you save my son back then? Have you forgotten how I helped you deceive everyone and secure your position in the Lin family?" Jonah's voice was filled with resentment.
"And now, when I need help to save my son, you avoid me."
"If the Lin family had stepped in, my son wouldn't be in prison, facing the death penalty. It's all your fault. How dare you ask what I want?"
Dalia, though frightened by Jonah's fury, kept her composure and spoke gently, "Third Brother, please calm down. I'm truly sorry about Xiao Yu, but there's nothing I can do. Aaron wants to divorce me because of this. If I get divorced, the Qin family will be finished."
Would Jonah believe this? No, he wouldn't.
This incident had made Jonah see the true faces of the Lin and Qin families. These so-called relatives were cold-hearted and merciless.
"Third Brother, if you need anything, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I will," Dalia said sincerely.
Dalia knew Jonah had come for money. Giving him money would solve the problem.
Jonah sneered. "Do you think I came here today for money?"
Isn't that the case? Dalia thought coldly.
"No, of course not. Even if you didn't ask, I would give you money. You are my brother, after all," she said softly.
Jonah's look of disdain made her feel like a stranger. "I don't want money. I want you to find a way to get my son out of prison."
"That's impossible. Third Brother, you're making things difficult for me."
Even the powerful Lin family couldn't interfere with the judiciary.
Dalia's face showed distress. "How about this? I'll give you some money to grease the right palms. This way, Damian can have a better life in prison."
"No need," Jonah coldly refused. "Just find a way to get my son out, or I will expose everything, including Zuri's secret."
"If Aaron finds out what you've done, do you think you can still be Mrs. Lin?"
Zuri, hiding around the corner, felt a chill.
Dalia's face turned ashen. "Brother, you're my brother. How can you do this to me?"
"Brother?" Jonah sneered. "When my son was in trouble, did you treat me like your brother? Did you consider me family as you watched him die?"
Jonah's voice grew louder, his face red and twisted with anger, his eyes filled with hatred as he stared at Dalia.
Dalia, terrified, tried to soothe him. "Brother, calm down. Don't be angry. I promise I'll find a way to get Damian out."
Jonah's anger subsided a little, but he still wasn't satisfied. "Remember your promise. If I find out you're lying, you know the consequences." He pointed a threatening finger at her.
"I'll do what I said."
Having achieved his goal, Jonah demanded more. "My wife and I are living miserably. I don't even have a job. As my sister, don't you think you should help?"
In the past, he wouldn't have dared to demand so much, still hoping for Dalia's support. But now he had nothing left to lose.
Dalia cursed inwardly but quickly opened her purse and took out all the cash. "This is all I have with me. If it's not enough, ask me for more later," she said sweetly.
Jonah handed her a note. "This is my bank account number. Transfer two million by tonight. If I don't see the money, you know what will happen."
Dalia was about to refuse but swallowed her words at his threat.
Zuri turned and left her hiding place.
As Jonah walked away, Dalia clenched the note in her hand. This was too much!
She had always paid him well when she needed his help. If not for her support, he would have been kicked out of the Qin family years ago.
She had covered up his embezzlement too. She had long since repaid any debt to him. She never imagined he would threaten her one day.
Furious and helpless, Dalia worried that Jonah might really have evidence of their past deeds. If Aaron found out, she was done for.
And if the family in the capital knew...
Dalia shivered with fear.
Meanwhile, Zuri followed Jonah to a run-down neighborhood. As he reached the entrance, Jonah stopped and looked back to see Zuri standing behind him, smiling.
Jonah's eyes flashed with surprise, quickly replaced by anger. "Why are you following me?"
"I heard everything," Zuri said directly.
Jonah laughed. "You want to know our secrets?"
"Yes," Zuri replied bluntly.
"Hahaha," Jonah laughed. "You ruined my son's life, and you think I'll tell you? Dream on." He turned to leave.
Zuri called after him. "She can't save your son, but I can."
Jonah paused but didn't turn back.
Zuri watched him go, her eyes deep with thought.
What had they done back then, and what role had she played?
She felt that the answers to the secrets haunting her for two lifetimes would come from him.