Chapter 482: The Missing Ex-wife (2/2)

Mrs. Mu welcomed us into her home, those amorous eyes sweeping over Wang Yuanchao and Song Xingchen. ”I have to say, the police are all such fine specimens. Would you like something to drink?”

”No thank you, we’re on official duty.”

Song Xingchen and I searched the bedroom while Xiaotao and Wang Yuanchao covered the study. Unfortunately, we found nothing even after looking through every nook and cranny. Xiaotao removed the books on the shelf and went through every single one but found no clues to prove their connection.

Standing at the door with a glass of champagne in her hand, Mrs. Mu asked, ”What are you looking for? Did Lao Mu commit a crime?”

”I’m afraid we can’t disclose that,” answered Xiaotao.

”You guys are so boring. What’s there to hide? Isn’t it the same old stuff? I know exactly how the rich are. The old man started from scratch and his hands are definitely dirty,” Mrs. Mu nonchalantly remarked.

”Do you know something?” I asked.

Mrs. Mu shook her head, ”I do, but I won't say it unless...” She flashed Wang Yuanchao a devious smile, ”This officer will accompany me for a drink.”

”You’ve picked the right man. Wang Yuanchao, take it easy,” said Xiaotao.

Mrs. Mu pulled out a bottle of brandy from her husband’s private collection. Glancing at the liquor cabinet, I was suddenly inspired. After a drink with Wang Yuanchao, she began, ”Do you know why Lao Mu and his ex-wife separated?”

”Isn't it because of you?” Xiaotao said.

”No. In fact, his ex-wife went missing...”

We were surprised to hear that when Mr. Mu came to Nanjiang City in the 1980s, he was a poor rural boy who waited at restaurants and washed toilets, before being hired by a real estate company.

His ex-wife was the boss’ daughter, so it took all his efforts to pursue her. Later on, during the real estate business boom, Mr. Mu joined the ranks of the top one percent in Nanjiang City with the help of his shareholders and his father-in-law, from whom he inherited company shares after his death.

Despite the glory outside, he was now under the control of his ex-wife at home. Fearing he might fool around, she even sent detectives to follow him. Every day, she would check his urine samples to see if he was cheating.

Day in, day out of this sort of life frustrated Mr. Mu. He repeatedly filed for divorce but was threatened by his ex-wife. If he wanted a divorce, he could forget about a single penny!

Five years ago, Mr. Mu’s wife suddenly disappeared. After two years of investigation, the police declared her dead. Thus, Mr. Mu inherited everything and walked away a new man. However, he always claimed they were divorced and he married the current Mrs. Mu as a cover.

Upon listening to her story, Xiaotao exclaimed, ”That’s what my dad said as well!”

Mrs. Mu smiled, ”The whole thing is suspicious. His ex-wife just disappeared into thin air.”

“Well aren’t you kind!” mocked Xiaotao.

”Isn’t it the duty of every citizen to report a crime?” she laughed.

When Xiaotao told Mrs. Mu to leave the room, the latter dawdled, taking her sweet time chatting up Wang Yuanchao before walking away.

In connection with the nature of this case, my heart sank, ”Disappeared into thin air... Could his ex-wife have been...”

Xiaotao nodded, ”I think so! But we might not find any evidence.”

I approached Mr. Mu’s private liquor cabinet and picked up the three bottles of liquor that he forbade others to touch. The bottle of Lafite felt a little off, as if there was something inside.

Without the slightest hesitation, I smashed the bottle against the cold, hard floor. A tape sealed in a plastic bag fell out of the bottle. ”It seems he kept a souvenir!”