Chapter 6

Seeing Kevin Thomas turn pale, Ye Wei couldn't help but laugh, the dark cloud that had been weighing on his heart for so long gradually dissipating. This fraudster had almost ruined his family, and he was facing enormous challenges. Not shooting him on the spot was already very merciful.

"You, what are you talking about..." Kevin Thomas tried to act confused.

"You don't need to put on a show anymore. This is Mr. Greg Salton, a lawyer specializing in the legal aspects of the film and entertainment industry. He will handle our lawsuit in full."

Ye Wei waved his hand and introduced the middle-aged man in a suit on the sofa. They had found this lawyer last night, and the legal fees were not cheap, at $300 per hour.

"Lawyer...?" Kevin Thomas's face changed again, and he swallowed hard. No matter what, once a lawyer got involved, everything was different.

Ye Wei's mood was as refreshing as morning sunlight, and he smiled. "What's wrong? Don't be afraid. With your appearance, even if you go to prison, no one will bother you. Maybe some perverts who molest old ladies will, and you should feel honored."

Mr. Salton, the lawyer, remained expressionless, stood up, and said robotically, "Hello, I need to inform you that your actions constitute fraud, embezzlement, and theft, which seriously infringe upon my client's legal rights."

"You and Mr. Ye are the only two general partners of Weiduo Image Limited Partnership Company. However, due to your actions, according to the partnership agreement, Mr. Ye, who holds 55% of the company's shares, has the right to acquire your shares..."

"You're fired!" Ye Wei shouted loudly, staring directly into the eyes of the man who was showing fear. "You are no longer the CEO of Weiduo Image, nor a general partner. Weiduo Image, *The Wedding Is Near*, everything is no longer related to you! You are nothing, just a pile of shit!"

Kevin Thomas was shocked by this turn of events, his face turning deathly pale. "You... you can't do this, you can't do this..."

He couldn't understand, really couldn't understand, how things had come to this. How did this fool suddenly become so smart?

And he himself had left such obvious fake accounts...

"Ha ha ha!" Ye Wei burst into laughter, walked over to the terrified fraudster, and patted his shoulder. "Relax, we can't just do this. We still need to pursue your legal responsibility!"

His voice was filled with determination. "We will hire a financial audit expert in film production to review all the production records of *The Wedding Is Near*. I believe there are more than just one set of fake accounts, Kevin. See you in court! You can leave now, go and get ready for prison."

"Wait, you can't..." Kevin Thomas was both panicked and bewildered, looking from one person to another, his body trembling, almost collapsing to the ground.

"Still not leaving?" Ye Wei glanced at him. "Oh, by the way, I won't be going to the yacht party tonight. My mom doesn't agree."

At the same time, Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao watched all this, feeling a mix of emotions. Their son was truly a "genius"!

Because they were afraid Ye Haogen would get too excited, the confrontation was led by Ye Wei, who had planned it. They had been worried about how their 15-year-old son would perform, but he was even calmer than Luke Skywalker when he destroyed the Death Star, completely impressive.

Maybe he was a genius at being a troublemaker.

Actually, they didn't really intend to take the case to court. It wasn't that they wanted to let Kevin Thomas off, but it was a matter of money. Hiring a lawyer and a financial expert would cost a lot... Salton said such cases would take at least six months, usually a year, or even longer.

This would consume a large amount of money and time. Even if they sent Kevin Thomas to prison, they would lose more themselves, and the final outcome would not be worth the investment.

Moreover, their family didn't have much money left to spend on expensive legal fees.

So, this was just a facade, not the real goal...

"No, no..." No matter who initiated this, Kevin Thomas knew he was exposed. Pretending further was useless. He had a pained look on his face and pleaded, "You can't do this, please! We can talk, but we don't need to go to court..."

Once in court, it would be over. Regardless of the solid evidence, he had no confidence that the financial expert wouldn't find more fake accounts. He would likely lose.

If this became news, appeared in newspapers, on IMDb, and on the internet... his reputation as a producer would be ruined, meaning he would be blacklisted from the film industry, and even the most foolish big fish wouldn't find him...

"Whatever you say now is useless, even if you beg on your knees. I will send you to prison, I swear, you bastard!"

Ye Wei cursed coldly. The robot-like Salton lawyer added, "I can fulfill my client's wishes, three years, or even longer."

"Three years? That's less than a thousand dollars!" Kevin Thomas was both anxious and angry.

"Are you sure?" Ye Wei laughed. "Our financial friend doesn't see it that way."

Kevin Thomas hung his head, wanting to go to the sofa but was stopped by Ye Wei. He pleaded again, "Haogen, we don't need to do this." He looked at Gu Qiao, "Qiao, you are always rational. You know this is not good for anyone..."

"My son makes the decisions here," Gu Qiao said sternly. "He said you are a bastard, so you are a bastard."

Ye Wei cheered for his mother's anger and continued, "Not going to court is only beneficial for you. Because of you, we lost so much money. Why should we let you off?"

"Going to court will also cost a lot of money..." Kevin Thomas said urgently.

"Fortunately, we still have some in our bank account," Ye Wei said. At this moment, Ye Haogen suddenly spoke up, "I don't understand the film industry, but dentistry is quite profitable."

Kevin Thomas felt like he was about to cry, everything was spinning. "As long as we don't go to court, I'll do whatever you want. I'll leave the company, transfer the 20% shares to you for free, and have nothing to do with *The Wedding Is Near*. I'll agree to all of this..."

"Are you still treating us like fools?" Ye Wei laughed and shook his head. "What a good idea, not being sued and getting rid of a worthless mess. Great idea!"

"Then how do you want to..."

Ye Wei said slowly, "It's simple, cash compensation."

Kevin Thomas's face was full of shock and urgency. "No, that's not according to the investment rules! I don't have the money to pay."

"Ha ha." Ye Wei knew how much Kevin Thomas was worth, thanks to the dream's inspiration. Ignoring what the other party said, he smiled. "I need you to sign an agreement stating that 'due to the poor final quality of the film, you will personally compensate Ye Haogen with $500,000.' Only then will we consider not suing you."

"$500,000!? FUCK..." Kevin Thomas's eyes turned red with anger, gasping for breath. This was a matter of life and death! His total assets didn't even add up to $500,000.

"Then we have nothing to talk about. See you in court." Ye Wei turned to leave.

"Wait..." Kevin Thomas took several deep breaths, unable to hide his inner pain. "I can only come up with $100,000... as compensation."

"Then wait for the court summons."

"$150,000, $200,000? $300,000! I really can't come up with more!" Kevin Thomas was almost breaking down, repeatedly saying, "Please, please!"

Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao were a bit anxious. The plan was to get $300,000 to $500,000. Shouldn't their son consider agreeing? Otherwise, if Thomas insisted on going to court, it would be a lose-lose situation.

"I don't see your sincerity." Ye Wei waved his hand irritably. He understood what kind of person Kevin Thomas was and what he was afraid of. The biggest fear wasn't going to prison, but never being able to cheat again!

He said firmly, "I'll say it again, $500,000. Sign the agreement tonight and transfer the money by tomorrow. Not a single cent less. I can give you a friendly reminder: you still have a decent 2003 Ford. Sell it. You have family and friends, right? Borrow from them."

"You, you..." Kevin Thomas was completely stunned, looking at the Ye couple, but they had stern faces, still saying, "The son makes the decision." How did this little troublemaker become so ruthless... like a gangster who saw through all the scams, leaving him no chance...

His face changed several times, muttering, "This is crazy, this is crazy," but he couldn't fight back... Finally, he gritted his teeth, "500,000, but the agreement must state that you will not pursue the financial issues of *The Wedding Is Near*, defining the fake accounts as recording errors and data confusion, just a lack of professional ability. Also, you cannot expose this matter to the media, it must not be in the news, or the agreement is invalid, and I have the right to pursue your responsibility."

"Ha ha ha ha!" Ye Wei couldn't help but burst into laughter. "It's you who is begging us to settle out of court, not the other way around! You still dare to set conditions? Hey, buddy, wake up!"

"You must agree to these two points..." Kevin Thomas's voice trembled.

This time, Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao were really anxious, even Salton the lawyer thought they should agree quickly. $500,000 was a very high compensation, and the other party's demands were reasonable.

"I can verbally agree not to sue you. Who wants to deal with you for half a year or a year?" Ye Wei shrugged. "As for the news, I have no interest in it, but writing it into the agreement is out of the question. I don't want to taint justice."

Justice? Kevin Thomas moved his lips but couldn't say anything, looking at this teenager like a giant, making him feel small and insignificant...

"According to your terms, I accept... consider it my bad luck..." As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt like he was about to collapse, his face pale.

This... is a complete victory! Ye Wei and Gu Qiao suppressed their joy, exchanging glances, knowing how unbelievable it was!

Salton the lawyer couldn't help but marvel. After so many years as a lawyer, he had never seen such a 15-year-old. It was indescribable, only a miracle...

Everything is under control! Ye Wei smiled, extending his still-growing hand, "So, let's hope our last collaboration is pleasant."

VIY! Kevin Thomas was drenched in cold sweat, suddenly thinking of a name, this kid's nickname, VIY! He's not a troublemaker, he's a demon, he's a demon...

When he shook that hand, Kevin felt a wave of fear, as if he was about to be devoured for dinner.

...

When Kevin Thomas left the office, head hanging low, Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao let out a deep breath, exclaiming, "I can't believe it!" "Wei, you did so well!"

"Are you sure you're letting him off?" Salton the lawyer asked.

"I only know that his bad luck is just beginning." Ye Wei's smile was gentle. "Kevin, I will keep my promise not to release the news, but I can have someone else do it. What will he become? Time will tell."

---

When Kevin Thomas left the office, head hanging low, Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao let out a deep breath, exclaiming, "I can't believe it!" "Wei, you did so well!"

"Are you sure you're letting him off?" Salton the lawyer asked.

"I only know that his bad luck is just beginning." Ye Wei's smile was gentle. "Kevin, I will keep my promise not to release the news, but I can have someone else do it. What will he become? Time will tell."

---

When Kevin Thomas left the office, head hanging low, Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao let out a deep breath, exclaiming, "I can't believe it!" "Wei, you did so well!"

"Are you sure you're letting him off?" Salton the lawyer asked.

"I only know that his bad luck is just beginning." Ye Wei's smile was gentle. "Kevin, I will keep my promise not to release the news, but I can have someone else do it. What will he become? Time will tell."