Erick's phone camera was pointed at Henry. When Henry turned to look at him, he wanted to turn off the video but didn't dare move. He could only plead again, "Brother, please take the call?"
Ruby, seeing Henry's eyes, gasped, thinking: Why is this kid's hostility growing?
"Henry, right?" Ruby said, "I just heard from Erick about your situation. He admits he was wrong. It all started with a minor car incident, nothing major.
Can you spare him for my sake?
If you need compensation, name your price."
Henry didn't respond, but he found it strange. Erick was 30; his aunt must be in her forties or fifties, right?
Why did she sound like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl?
Could it be like in the countryside, where some nephews are older than their uncles?
Could his aunt be younger than him?
Impossible.
If she were a teenager, how could she have a federal deputy leader for a husband and work in the organization department with significant influence?
Henry knew Erick wouldn't lie. He could run such a large bar in Harbor Springs, having connections on both sides of the law.
Especially in this situation, lying would be suicidal.
Moreover, Ruby's words were polite and without threats, only hoping Henry wouldn't harm Erick.
If compensation was needed, they were willing to negotiate. She was clearly trying to resolve the issue.
Seeing Henry not responding, Ruby told Erick, "Give him the phone."
"Okay."
Erick was about to get up, but Henry's glare scared him into staying put.
Henry's gaze made Ruby feel a chill down her spine.
"Young man," Ruby said, "Erick has the video on. I can see you. Don't you want to see me?"
Henry didn't want to take the call, but Ruby's sweet voice and her high status piqued his curiosity.
Moreover, Ruby had offered compensation, only asking not to harm Erick.
After hesitating, Henry walked towards Erick.
Ruby then told Erick, "Turn off the speaker and give him the earphones."
"Okay!"
Ruby wanted to speak to Henry alone.
Henry took the phone from Erick, who handed him the earphones. Henry hesitated but took them.
When he turned the phone and saw Ruby on the screen, he was slightly stunned: Ruby was a stunning beauty!
Though her voice was young, her appearance was older than Emily and Avery but still youthful.
Seeing Henry pick up the phone, Ruby deliberately moved the phone farther from herself. Henry then noticed that despite wearing only a bathrobe, her innate nobility and elegance were unmistakable.
Henry realized she wasn't at home but in a luxurious hotel.
Behind her was a large double bed with a landscape painting above it. If it were her home, wouldn't there be a wedding photo?
Henry looked closely. Ruby didn't seem to have any beauty filters on, nor did she have a thick, frighteningly white layer of makeup like other middle-aged women.
Her skin was smooth and delicate, just like her voice.
Although the crow's feet at her eyes revealed her true age, her smile was still bright and charming.
And her figure was excellent. Though she was sitting, her height was hard to determine, but standing in high heels, she would be tall and elegant.
Henry frowned, feeling he had seen her somewhere.
Ruby smiled, "Do I look familiar?"
He remembered.
Henry recalled a few days ago when a senior leader visited the prison. While working in the workshop, he saw a tall, elegant woman pass by with a group.
Henry had only glanced up before returning to work.
That woman had stood by his lathe for a while before leaving without a word.
It matched. The woman who visited the prison was Ruby!
Henry turned to the window, expressionless, "Are you implying that if I don't listen to you, you have the power to send me back to prison?"
Ruby laughed, "I just want to remind you. You had three months left on your sentence. Why were you released three days after my visit?"
Henry had asked the prison staff, but they only asked if he was used to prison and didn't want to leave.
Henry asked calmly, "We have no relationship, not even an acquaintance. Why did you do that?"
Ruby said, "Let's set that aside. I wanted you to take the call to calm down.
I won't judge your issue with Erick or ask you to spare him for my sake. Just don't harm him physically. If you need compensation, name your price."
Henry smirked, "If I don't owe you anything, why should I agree to your request?"
Ruby laughed, "That's why I had you use the earphones. I know young people care about their image and don't want others to hear they were threatened into agreeing."
"Oh, so you're going to threaten me next?"
Ruby nodded, "My threat isn't sending you back to prison. That's another matter we'll discuss later.
Now, it's about your brother and sister-in-law.
Jason is their boss, and his wife is the deputy director of the development zone office. They reached their positions with a call from me.
I can decide someone's career path, and I can decide their fate.
Your brother and sister-in-law are lecturers at Harbor Springs University. I can get them fired with a call from my secretary.
If you hurt Erick too badly, a call from me will have the police chief personally arresting you.
I heard from the prison staff that you're fierce and have subdued scum from various states, but you're studious, having self-studied university courses and law.
Do you think that by avoiding legal risks today, you can win in court?
Whether it's self-defense or not, you've hurt many people and used a gun. With a call from me, do you think you can walk away unscathed?"