Chapter 381: Chapter 381: Scammer
"You’re talking nonsense!" Ariana Grant propped up her sore waist with her right hand and said to the male student, "This person came up and harassed us, insisting that we make some model card and even tried to forcefully take us away."
"You’re the ones talking nonsense! You just kicked me without any reason, and I’m still in pain down there. Who knows if I can even get it up in the future!"
Ariana’s face instantly turned red.
Ashley Shaw, who had ’married someone,’ had no change in expression and only said to the guy still holding down Daniel Lynch, "The facts are just as my friend said. We can cooperate with the investigation."
The guy was about to ask for more details when he looked up and saw Ashley Shaw’s face.
A moment of awe flashed through his eyes.
But he quickly resumed a natural expression.
After quickly calming himself, the male student caught onto a word Ariana had said and asked, "Did you just mention ’model card’?"
Both of them nodded simultaneously.
The guy acknowledged with a "hmm," saying, "Since last semester, there have been students continually scammed because of model cards, with instances of money being swindled, and worse, sexual exploitation. Some girls even jumped off buildings because of it... Looks like this guy is part of that gang."
"Stop talking nonsense! I’m not a scammer! I’m with a legitimate company!"
Daniel Lynch was protesting while struggling, but in this position, it was nearly impossible to struggle. Any slight movement made his hands feel as if they were being torn apart.
"Stay honest!" With one hand easily controlling Daniel Lynch, the male student then took out his phone: "Hello, police department? I want to report a scammer here making fake model cards... Yes, the address is..."
Upon hearing that the police were being called, Daniel Lynch immediately sensed something was wrong.
"You’re not a cop! Let me go!"
"I’m not one right now, but I will be very soon."
The male student said while holding Daniel Lynch with one hand and beckoning a waiter with the other: "Get a rope and tie him up."
The hotel staff hesitated for a moment.
The male student added, "He’s a scammer and has cheated many people around here. The police will be here soon to take him away. But if you let him run now, your hotel would also be held accountable."
Upon hearing it was a scammer and that they’d be responsible if he got away, the waiters quickly followed the student’s instructions.
Soon, Daniel Lynch was securely tied up, with a cloth stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from hurling insults.
After getting all this done, the male student approached Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant.
This incident had already alarmed the hotel manager, who brought a female staff member also in a hotel uniform, claiming to know some medical skills and offering to check on her injuries.
Going to the hospital was a hassle, so Ariana Grant nodded in agreement.
Just about to follow that person to the staff lounge for examination, she stopped when she saw the "police" student approaching, and said, "Thanks just now, otherwise the two of us might have really been taken away."
"These people are really bold, I’ll report the situation truthfully to the police."
Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant were more certain that he was not a police officer.
Before they could ask about his identity, the young man introduced himself first.
"I’m a student from the nearby police academy, entering my third year at the start of the school year, my name is Jensen Hayes."
Upon hearing this, the two understood.
No wonder those "catching the thief" moves were so smooth; turns out he is indeed professional, albeit a "prospective cop."
"Hi, I’m Ashley Shaw."
"I’m Ariana Grant. We’re freshmen at The Medical University."
Jensen Hayes said, "Oh, you’re at The Medical University. My sister is also studying there, as a freshman too. Maybe you people might end up as classmates."
Ashley Shaw followed up with a question, "What’s your sister’s name? We could keep an eye out for her."
"Jocelyn Hayes, Jocelyn as in ’vividly realizing,’ and Hayes as in ’gathering for a banquet.’
Ashley Shaw nodded, thinking that the name was indeed a bit of a tongue twister.
Ariana said, "Then I’ll go check out my waist first, you two chat."
"Sure."
Once Ariana left, Jensen Hayes brought up the topic of "model card" again.
"Not talking about other schools, even at our police academy, several people were scammed. And the one who jumped from a building was from our school too."
Ashley Shaw glared in disgust toward Daniel Lynch’s direction and said, "No idea if it’s the same gang or not, but it’s despicable! Scamming students is even worse!"
"From a criminal psychology perspective, students and the elderly are indeed the most susceptible groups."
Ashley Shaw didn’t know how to respond to this, but silence felt awkward, so she made small talk, "Does your third year start this early?"
"No, just a day earlier than yours. It’s my sister; she insisted on familiarizing herself with the surroundings earlier, so I came along with her."
Jensen Hayes paused, saying, "But she’s quite lazy and refuses to get up for breakfast. I’ve called three times and she still hasn’t come down."
Ashley Shaw gave a self-deprecating laugh, saying, "If only my friend and I had been lazier, maybe we wouldn’t have run into this mess."
"True... But these guys are difficult to catch. Running into them today is actually like ridding the public of harm."
Ashley Shaw shrugged, "Maybe..."
"Oh." Jensen Hayes said, "If it’s convenient, could we exchange numbers? I’d feel better knowing my sister’s not alone when she goes for registration; she’s a bit too flamboyant... But if she has you guys, it’d be much better."
Ashley Shaw nodded, "Of course, it’s good to have more company."
Saying this, the two of them exchanged WeChat contacts.
Jensen Hayes’ WeChat name was a small policeman icon, followed by his last name.
It showed how much he looked up to the profession of a policeman.
"One day when you’re free, I’ll introduce you to each other and we can have a meal together."
"Sure. I’ll treat you guys then, for helping us today."
"Then I’ll gladly accept."
While they were speaking, the police arrived.
But to Ashley Shaw’s surprise, after questioning Daniel Lynch a few times, they planned to let him go.
"Why are you releasing him?" Ashley Shaw frowned, "He is clearly a scammer."
Daniel Lynch wore a smirk of triumph.
"A scammer? What did I cheat you of? Did I cheat you of money or your person?"
"You—"
Jensen Hayes took a step forward, giving Ashley Shaw a reassuring look, then questioned the two officers, "Why not take him for questioning?"
"We’ve clarified; he really belongs to a nearby cultural company, not the scammer you think."
"Did you hear that?" Daniel Lynch said, "Even the police officer said so, what objection do you have now?"
Ashley Shaw already understood what was going on.
Apparently, Daniel Lynch had someone backing him, which is why they didn’t take him in.
Feeling both angry and powerless, especially since she had no connection in Aethelgard, she heard Jensen Hayes speak up: "I’m asking you one last time, will you take him for questioning or not?"
The two officers said, "He’s not a scammer nor has he broken any laws; why should we take him?"