Chapter 13 — Justice, Six Years Later

And what happens after the report is filed?

My father-in-law leaned back against the seat. Sunlight filtered down, casting a soft glow over his silvering hair.

If someone needs to be saved, you save them.

The bus pulled away from the station at a languid pace. This time, there was no one left to condemn his kindness. There was no one left who could invoke some arbitrary regulation to drag a savior onto a pillar of shame. As for To Dao, I could not forgive her. Neither could my father-in-law. She had once asked if being crippled and bankrupt were not enough to settle the score. Naturally, it was not. The wounds on her limbs were merely the price she paid for trying to run away. The seizure of her assets was the consequence of earning wealth by harming others. The prison cell was the answer the law reserved for her. Those things could not buy forgiveness, nor could they ever restore the six years she had laid to waste.

The traffic ahead parted, flowing like a river around an obstacle. Bus number nine crossed the first intersection just as the light turned green. My father-in-law waved at me through the glass window. At that exact moment, my phone rang. My new assistant was on the line.

Director Luc, I have discovered a controversial issue during the background check of a job candidate. Should I reject the application immediately?

I watched the bus grow smaller as it retreated into the distance.

Investigate the truth first, I replied.

And what if the other party uses regulations to pressure others?

Then flip the book of regulations to the very last page.

What is written on the last page?

I opened my car door and prepared to step out.

Whoever commits an act must bear the responsibility for it.