"I understand," Yu Mengzhi nodded at the production manager and said, "We'll have to trouble you to do some legwork in the coming period, trace the affected medicines, and then find the real cause."
The production manager, understanding the gravity of the situation, accepted the order and left the office.
Yu Mengzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief, speaking as if to herself, "Since the same batch of painkillers showed no signs of cyanide, it means someone might have swapped out some of the medicines sold on the market. This is great news for me."
Chen Jinzhao mused for a moment and said, "I need to tell Tao Qiyue about this detail."
"Mm," Yu Mengzhi did not object.
Upon learning this detail, Tao Qiyue immediately came to the office. Her eyes landed on Yu Mengzhi's slightly reddened eyes, and then she cast a meaningful glance at the composed Chen Jinzhao.
"The report is here. Your department should also have the test results soon," Chen Jinzhao said.
The batch of drugs had been sent for testing by multiple departments simultaneously.
As Gou Chen Group had its own laboratory, the testing was slightly faster. Other departments would receive their results soon.
Tao Qiyue said gravely, "If this is the case, then this incident could involve criminal offenses. Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and will not let the perpetrators off lightly."
"This is the first thing we wanted to tell you. There's another matter: we wish to hold a press conference at the group's entrance to disclose the relevant information we've uncovered so far, in order to quell public opinion," Chen Jinzhao stated.
In his estimation, Tao Qiyue might refuse.
After all, some details were directly related to the case, and revealing them now could affect the investigation.
Further contemplation suggested that a failure in the investigation would be extremely detrimental to Tao Qiyue, possibly even incurring blame from her superiors.
To Chen Jinzhao's surprise, Tao Qiyue agreed without a second thought, nodding and saying, "That is your right. If it can help calm the public's outrage, then it is not unthinkable."
Yu Mengzhi said earnestly, "Qiyue, thank you."
"You don't need to thank me; it's my duty," Tao Qiyue replied casually, though in reality, she was not feeling relaxed at all.
In the afternoon.
The press conference proceeded smoothly.
Many media reporters arrived early. To their surprise, Yu Mengzhi did not drive away the protesting crowd. Instead, she sent people to offer them tea and water and then began discussing compensation with each individual.
This approach gradually calmed the previously indignant crowd.
This attitude was far superior to that of some arrogant companies.
There is no harm without comparison.
At the same time.
In an office building across the road from Gou Chen Group, Yu Huaixuan stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the events unfolding at Gou Chen's entrance, a smug curve on his lips.
Su Jian indeed had his ways, managing to push Yu Mengzhi to this extent.
"What do you think is the purpose of her holding a press conference?" Yu Huaixuan sneered.
Su Jian, also admiring his handiwork, chuckled and replied, "I reckon she wants to announce her resignation at the press conference? After such a major accident, she probably can't bear the responsibility."
A major accident is defined as one involving ten to twenty-nine deaths.
The number of patients who died from the painkillers was precisely ten, no more, no less, a situation Yu Mengzhi could no longer suppress.
"As expected of the Third Young Master, your methods are indeed ruthless," Yu Huaixuan remarked.
Su Jian added proudly, "Furthermore, I've had people hire a large number of online trolls specifically to smear Yu Mengzhi and Gou Chen Pharmaceuticals. Can a company whose CEO is rumored to be involved with a security guard be considered a good enterprise?"
Yu Huaixuan burst into laughter.
In addition, Su Jian had also leveraged his family connections to continuously pressure Gou Chen Group, implicitly and explicitly demanding they admit guilt.
Under this triple pressure, Yu Mengzhi would find it difficult to cope.
Yu Huaixuan sat in his office and instructed Su Jian to turn on his computer so he could watch Yu Mengzhi's performance at the press conference.
At the press conference, Yu Mengzhi assured everyone that she would hold daily conferences to release all information obtained by Gou Chen Group. She then announced a recall of the affected painkillers, offered double the purchase price as compensation to customers who had bought them, and finally promised to open the factory production lines for public inspection!
After watching this, Yu Huaixuan suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see the extreme confidence in Yu Mengzhi's demeanor, her calm and assured bearing! This gave people a sense of trust and stability. Especially when Yu Mengzhi became emotional and shed tears while speaking of the patients who died from taking the painkillers, pledging a substantial compensation and promising to cover the living expenses of their underage children until they reached adulthood, regardless of the final outcome.
This series of moves instantly reduced online skepticism by more than half.
The atmosphere in the office became oppressive.
Yu Huaixuan glanced at Su Jian, who shivered inexplicably. He hadn't expected Yu Mengzhi to be so bold!
In a moment of desperation, he quickly said, "Young Master Yu, please wait. I've already arranged for reporters to ambush Yu Mengzhi. I guarantee her newly earned reputation will be shattered in an instant."
"Then I will give you another chance," Yu Huaixuan said, his face grim.
Su Jian immediately took out his phone and fiddled with it for a while. "It's done. I've also had my family use their influence to prohibit Yu Mengzhi from continuing her daily press conferences, citing the need to prevent further escalation of the issue. Tomorrow, when the public doesn't get their expected news conference from Yu Mengzhi, they will feel deceived."
At that point, Yu Mengzhi would be in a predicament with no way to explain.
At the press conference.
During the question-and-answer session, the initial reporters posed extremely difficult questions, all of which Yu Mengzhi deftly deflected.
Then, a reporter from Jiangning raised their hand, attracting Yu Mengzhi's attention.
Yu Mengzhi nodded and said, "Please, media reporter, ask your question."
Many cameras turned towards the reporter, whose eyes revealed a hint of cunning. Standing up, they said, "Ms. Yu has just clearly and thoroughly outlined the company's measures to deal with this crisis. Therefore, I would like to ask a question regarding Ms. Yu's personal life. It is rumored that Ms. Yu has been seen frequently with a security guard, with many instances of intimate behavior. May I ask what this security guard's relationship is to Ms. Yu?"
*Swish!*
The venue fell instantly silent.
No one had expected this reporter to ask such an embarrassing question.
Meeting the gazes of shock, surprise, and confusion from everyone, the reporter continued, "As everyone knows, Ms. Yu is young and accomplished, so it is difficult for us to believe Ms. Yu would be involved with a security guard. So, who exactly is this security guard?"
The reporter's question ignited a stir.
How could a beautiful young female CEO be involved with a security guard from the lower strata of society?
This was a question on countless people's minds.
The more unusual something is, the more it tends to spark wild imaginations and convoluted, outrageous speculations. Some even guessed that Chen Jinzhao was a hired assassin by Yu Mengzhi, tasked with physically eliminating her rivals.
In an instant.
All attention shifted to Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinzhao. The issue of the medicine was no longer on anyone's mind.
Yu Mengzhi frowned and looked deeply at the reporter.
Had the mask finally come off?