Chapter 595 - 378: Framing an Innocent Man
During this period, Sikinkov’s life was very calm.
No need to go to work, no phone calls urging meetings, no alarm clock to wake him up with a headache. Every day he lay in bed until he naturally woke up, going to sleep and waking whenever he wanted. Time, once a scarce commodity, became something he could squander endlessly.
But this was just the calm before the storm, as fragile as a cicada’s wing, ready to shatter with the slightest nudge.
At Lake Heart Island Manor, Sikinkov’s home was in disarray. The floor was littered with empty wine bottles, and the wool carpet was stained with spilled wine, forming unsightly blemishes.
Fast food boxes, waste paper, and cigarette butts were stacked haphazardly. Various household trash rendered the expensive villa a mess, and the air was filled with the mixed smell of alcohol and stale garbage.
Sikinkov lay slumped on the living room sofa, his hair a tangled mess like an unkempt thicket. Black and white stubble densely covered his chin and cheeks, indicating a long neglect of personal grooming.
On the coffee table beside him was an open bottle of whiskey, with several spent cigarette butts scattered nearby. He grabbed the bottle and aimed it at his mouth, but only a few drops trickled out; it was already emptied.
He carelessly tossed the bottle onto the floor and lay back, staring blankly at the ceiling, with no sparkle in his eyes.
"Ding dong."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Sikinkov scratched his disheveled hair and grumbled as he got up. His clothes were wrinkled from long wear, with no count of how many days had passed since they were last changed, and stained with patches of wine.
As a guest arrived, he didn’t bother to wear slippers or change clothes, walking sloppily to the door and opening it.
The sunshine illuminated the visitor’s fiery red hair, her noble golden eyes reflecting the light brilliantly, gazing at him with a gentle smile.
Luo: "Good afternoon, Director Sikinkov."
Sikinkov’s expression remains unchanged at Luo’s appearance, as if he had already anticipated it.
He walked back inside, saying indifferently, "Not a director, I’ve been suspended. No need to take off your shoes, just step in directly."
Luo merely smiled slightly, leaning against the door frame, lifting a leg slightly.
The assistant following her crouched down and took out a pair of shoe covers from his pocket, putting them onto Luo’s feet.
Everyone put on shoe covers and then entered one after another. Some were clerical staff assisting with various tasks, while others were guards ensuring her safety.
It was almost evening now, so Sikinkov casually asked, "Have you had dinner?"
Luo: "Not yet."
Sikinkov rummaged through the messy cupboard, found a pack of biscuits and a bottle of mineral water, and tossed them onto the table in front of Luo: "I heard you have high standards for meals. Unfortunately, I have nothing here to entertain you. Make do, or leave it be."
"Thank you." Luo opened the biscuits, ate one out of politeness, then resealed the package and put it in her pocket.
Sikinkov sat on the sofa, glancing sideways at her: "No need to beat around the bush. Just tell me, how many years am I getting? Or is it a bullet to the head?"
Luo wiped her lips with a handkerchief, intrigued: "Oh? It seems you’ve come to terms. Do you regret it now?"
Sikinkov: "I regret it."
The accompanying staff squinted slightly, clearly not expecting this answer.
They’d previously heard about the director’s actions during the beast crisis, even daring to use his body to shield refugees from gunfire.
Thought to be a tough character, yet now caving under the special agent’s arrival—seems he wasn’t much after all.
But soon, Sikinkov continued: "I regret not thinking of a solution sooner; otherwise, those over a thousand refugees wouldn’t have perished under machine gun fire."
The atmosphere was instantly silent, as the bystanders’ gazes shifted between Luo and Sikinkov.
Luo picked up the bottle of mineral water from the table, opened the cap, and brought it close to her lips, lifting the bottle so that the water flowed at a perfect rate.
"Gulp."
The nobility handle even drinking water with such elegance.
She sipped the water, lightly shaking the bottle while gazing at the clear liquid, as if enjoying a fine wine, with a meaningful smile on her face.
"Director, saying grand words at a time like this—are you hoping to play on my compassion and get a lighter sentence?"
Sikinkov scoffed: "I was just expressing my true thoughts."
Luo: "You really enjoy this sense of defiance, don’t you? While the entire world is filthy, you alone are pure and clear-minded."
"That feeling of shouldering responsibility for the people, standing up against superiors like a hero—it feels fantastic, doesn’t it?"
She leaned closer to Sikinkov, looking him straight in the eye, and slowly uttered three words: "Hypocrite."
Sikinkov furrowed his brow, staring back coldly.
Luo stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the beautiful lake view, speaking slowly: "I don’t know if you’ve studied ancient texts. I very much enjoy those books, especially the enduring ideas tested by time."
"In ancient texts, there’s a concept called ’virtue.’
"There are many kinds of ’virtue’ in this world, such as the virtue of a teacher—educating and enlightening."
"And the virtue of a doctor—healing the sick and saving lives."
"The ’virtue’ required by different roles and professions varies. As an official, the ’virtue’ you need is singular: obedience to superior orders."
"You think standing against your superiors and stepping up to save the masses is heroic? Wrong, by defying professional ethics, you’re no hero, just a self-righteous hypocrite, seeking fame by deceit and deception."