"What exactly is going on?"
The man holding his phone was furious, unable to comprehend how something that had been smooth sailing for years had suddenly gone wrong.
Not only had the people he had planted been caught red-handed, but even the old issues from his time in office had been traced back.
Now, not only did he have to square the previous accounts, but he also had to disgorge everything he had taken!
How could he be willing to accept this?
"Director Lian, we don't know what happened either. We suddenly received anonymous emails, and we can't even find anyone to investigate!" the person on the other end of the phone said, their voice clearly more anxious. "We also discovered that our work computers were infected with a virus. If the money isn't returned in time, the virus will be triggered, and all this evidence will be sent to President Xia."
"We've managed to return the money, but what about the previous project breach of contract..."
The person's tone grew more conflicted.
That incident had been orchestrated by Director Lian. The others had merely followed orders and reaped some benefits.
Now that the matter was being dug up earlier than they expected, it had caught them completely off guard!
They couldn't even think of running away, because their personal information was blocked until the money was repaid. They couldn't even buy a ticket, let alone book a hotel with a lover.
They had no idea where this divine being came from, to strike so ruthlessly!
"The primary task is to find out who is targeting us. It doesn't seem like Xia Honglang's people," Director Lian knew Xia Honglang best.
Xia Honglang valued openness and honesty and would never use such underhanded tactics for intimidation.
"Then... what about the project?" The other party was clearly more worried about this. "I heard that someone from the Gu Corporation came to inquire about the project. Director Lian, what do you think about this..."
After all, the project had been a huge mess, with breach of contract penalties reaching tens of millions, and the victim's family constantly causing trouble.
They had even used illegal means to silence them.
"Gu Corporation?" Director Lian knew what these people were thinking. He frowned and said, "No one has approached me yet. You..."
Before Director Lian could finish speaking, he heard a knock on the door. His wife poked her head in and said, "Lao Lian, we have a guest."
"Hmm?" Director Lian was a bit surprised. He casually ended the call after a few perfunctory words to the person on the other end, then walked out of the study and into the living room to see the visitor.
"Qingtian, why do you have time to visit me today?" Director Lian said with a chuckle as he walked downstairs. "Don't tell me you're having another tiff with your stepmother and sister?"
Director Lian and Xia Honglang had known each other for decades, and their families were very familiar. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had watched Xia Qingtian grow up.
"Uncle Lian," Xia Qingtian looked at Director Lian, a smile on her lips.
In her previous life, she would never have believed that Director Lian would be the one colluding with Song Junhan to harm her father.
But after witnessing Song Junhan's ruthlessness and Mo Jianing's treachery, Xia Qingtian wasn't so surprised anymore.
People, when their interests are touched, would do anything to bare their fangs and claws, turning into monsters and swallowing others whole, not even wanting to leave behind any bone residue.
"I've come to discuss the Xia Corporation shares you hold, Uncle Lian," Xia Qingtian said directly.
Hearing Xia Qingtian mention the Xia Corporation shares, Director Lian's eyelids twitched. His mind couldn't quite catch up: "What?"
"Uncle Lian, you're getting old. I heard your health hasn't been good these past few years. Why not take the money and travel around, or find a new city to live out your retirement?" Xia Qingtian's tone was calm.
"What do you mean by that?" Director Lian's kind tone disappeared.
Xia Qingtian took out a stack of documents from her bag: "Uncle Lian, I believe someone from the company has already contacted you, right?"
Seeing the stack of documents, Director Lian's heart sank. He looked at Xia Qingtian in disbelief: "Could it be... you!"
Xia Qingtian neither admitted nor denied it. She placed another check on the table: "Here's 10 million. I'll buy your 15% equity."
"Are you kidding me? Even 1% of Xia Corporation's equity is worth more than 10 million!" Director Lian exclaimed in shock.
"Then let me put it another way." Xia Qingtian took out a copy of the Criminal Law from her bag and placed it on the table: "In exchange for your 15% equity in Xia Corporation, you can either take this 10 million check, or a prison sentence of 10 years or more, or life imprisonment."
Director Lian's breath hitched. He looked at Xia Qingtian, feeling for the first time that this girl, whom he had watched grow up, was now so unfamiliar.
Xia Qingtian didn't rush him, just waited patiently.
Finally, Director Lian spoke first: "Xia Honglang really raised a good daughter! Good!"
"Thank you for the compliment," Xia Qingtian smiled slightly.
"To uncover the people I planted in Xia Corporation and to find out so much... it seems you've put in a lot of effort," Director Lian's gaze fell on the thick file, then he sneered and looked up at Xia Qingtian again, saying, "But, you're a step too late to save Xia Corporation. I'm not the only one eyeing this juicy piece of meat."
"That won't be necessary for Uncle Lian to worry about," Xia Qingtian's smile remained unchanged.
"Heh heh, then I'll see how far you and your father can go!" Director Lian slapped the 10 million check: "I'll trade with you!"
"Please trouble Uncle Lian to come to the Xia family tomorrow and put on a good show in front of my father," Xia Qingtian said as she stood up. "You've acted brotherly for so many years, please put some effort into this final scene."
After saying this, Xia Qingtian turned and left.
"Hahaha." Director Lian laughed heartily as he watched Xia Qingtian's retreating back.
Xia Honglang was an easily deceived fool, but this Xia Qingtian had the demeanor of Yue Qiyan's eldest daughter.
"Yue Qiyan, you've raised a good daughter!"
But Xia Qingtian alone trying to save Xia Corporation was still too naive!
With that thought, Director Lian went back to his study and dialed a number from his contact list: "Xia Qingtian took back my shares. I'm withdrawing from Xia Corporation."
"Xia Qingtian?" Hearing the name, the person on the other end of the phone seemed somewhat disbelieving: "Are you sure it's her? Is there no one behind her?"
"As far as I can see, probably not," Director Lian said after a moment of silence. "Right now, yours are the only clean hands in the entire Xia Corporation."
"Don't worry, I know what to do," the person on the other end replied. He raised his hand and brushed over a golden lapel pin on his collar: "After this Xia Corporation anniversary celebration, I will also leave safely. Xia Corporation... I'll abandon it for now."
The golden lapel pin gleamed elegantly in the sunlight.