Chapter 177 - 176: Shocking the Audience, Eradicating the Roots!
Chapter 177: Chapter 176: Shocking the Audience, Eradicating the Roots!
Shi Changying had placed her phone on speaker. A clear female voice rang out, ensuring everyone in the room could hear.
"Understood. I just arrived at the Xu Group headquarters building. I expect to meet with you in three minutes."
Upon hearing this, the entire conference room fell silent for a few seconds, though no one took it to heart. Three days ago, this wager agreement had already become a foregone conclusion.
It was simply impossible to clear all the bureaucratic procedures in time. It wasn’t that they hadn’t contacted the people at the Medical Science Academy, but they were all told that the timeframe was too short. With the sheer layers of approval required, it would take at least a month.
That is, unless this matter somehow caught the attention of the dean of the Medical Science Academy and he personally handled it.
But how could that be possible?
There were hundreds of pharmaceutical companies in Jiuzhou, and the Xu Group’s comprehensive strength floated entirely outside the top five. If even the top-ranked pharmaceutical companies couldn’t persuade that dean, what right or ability did the Xu Group have?
Old Sir Xu was well aware of this and had resigned himself to it. Yet, he never expected that Shi Changying would actually bring out a supplementary agreement to gamble with shares!
"Chairman Xu, you know I’m not intentionally making things difficult for Mr. Chengli," President He shrugged, speaking with feigned regret. "I’m a veteran employee of the company. Having taken over this important position from my father, I have an obligation to protect the company’s interests."
This statement drew immediate agreement from several senior executives.
"Yes, Chairman Xu. We have all seen President He’s contributions. You mustn’t dishearten us."
"Chairman Xu, nepotism is the biggest taboo in the business world. You absolutely must not bring someone who doesn’t understand the group’s operations into the company again."
"Sigh, it’s a pity that among Chairman Xu’s children, only Miss Zhao Yu has the finesse and drive to become the heir..."
CREAK.
The door swung open, interrupting the conversation.
Aside from Ning Liuyu, there were several members of the inspection team from the Jianghuai Medical Science Academy. Among them was Mr. Zeng, who had dined with Old Sir Xu not long ago. At this moment, they were all respectfully following behind Ning Liuyu.
"Mr. Zeng?" Old Sir Xu was greatly startled. "W-Why are you here?"
After Mr. Zeng had shared a meal with him last time, he hadn’t reached out again. Old Sir Xu had assumed the man had gone elsewhere to continue inspecting other pharmaceutical companies.
Mr. Zeng smiled faintly. "Chairman Xu, we meet again."
Ning Liuyu gave him a glance. Mr. Zeng understood instantly. He took out several documents from his briefcase, placed them on the table one by one, and spoke slowly.
"Everyone, on behalf of the Medical Science Academy, I hereby solemnly announce that the project Mr. Chengli is responsible for was fully reviewed and approved an hour ago. Our side has signed off on everything."
The entire conference room fell dead silent. At this moment, even the sounds of breathing and heartbeats seemed to vanish.
"This is the permit from the Medical Science Academy." Mr. Zeng placed the final document on the table. "From project initiation and filing to the review and final approval, everything is completely legal and compliant. Please take a look."
Old Sir Xu’s hands trembled. He shakily opened the documents and saw the bright red official seal along with the signature of the Medical Science Academy’s dean. With quivering hands, he passed the documents to the elderly man beside him.
The old man, who had been dozing off, suddenly widened his eyes. He didn’t even use his cane; he just jumped right up, standing perfectly steady.
The documents circulated through the hands of all the senior executives, followed by a renewed, suffocating silence.
President He pinched the final document, his very gaze trembling. He absolutely refused to believe this was real.
Shi Changying stood up, looking down from her vantage point. "Game over. You can admit defeat now."
President He jerked his head up, his body seemingly frozen in place as he lost all ability to move. According to the supplementary agreement, if he lost, the shares in his hands would be forfeited. He couldn’t let this happen!
"Do you think you can just hire a few actors, forge some documents, and get away with jeopardizing the company’s interests?" President He’s voice was sharp. "We all know how advanced technology is these days!"
"You know in your heart whether it’s real or not. You can always go online and check the procedural records." Shi Changying raised an eyebrow. "If it’s not real, what are you so anxious about?"
"Xiao He, this is Mr. Zeng, the head of the Medical Science Academy’s inspection team this time." Old Sir Xu’s tone grew stern. "Do not be insolent!"
President He opened his mouth wide. "Chairman Xu, but this is truly..."
The word ’impossible’ rested on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t force it out no matter how hard he tried.
"The project approval number is real!" a senior executive exclaimed in absolute delight. "Its status is indeed approved, and it went through exactly an hour ago!"
THUD.
President He slumped heavily against the back of his chair, his face as pale as a sheet.
The scheme had begun the moment Ming Chengli returned to the Xu Family. By the time Ming Chengli stepped foot into the Xu Group for the first time, this net had finally been woven tight. He had taken such great pains and plotted for so long, only to plummet into hell right on the verge of victory!
Mr. Zeng took in the expressions of the Xu Group’s executives. He gave a slight bow to Ning Liuyu. "Miss Ning, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Ning Liuyu nodded.
"Th-That agreement from earlier!" President He finally snapped back to his senses, staring deathly at Shi Changying. "You tricked me! You knew perfectly well that the approval process had gone through an hour ago!"
Shi Changying’s tone was leisurely. "So what? All is fair in war."
"You played dirty! I refuse to acknowledge it!" President He couldn’t accept suffering such a total defeat. "If you want my shares, there’s no way in hell!"
If he actually handed over these shares, it would be equivalent to being kicked out of the Xu Group. All his hard work and contributions would vanish into thin air.
Shi Changying wasn’t angry. "There are surveillance cameras in the conference room that recorded everything. It’s too late for you to back out now."
President He’s expression drastically changed.
"Furthermore—" Shi Changying reached out and tapped the table, speaking in an unhurried manner. "It’s written clearly in black and white. Even if you refuse to honor the contract, I have the right to apply to the court to freeze your assets."
President He gritted his teeth. He could only cast a pleading look at Old Sir Xu. "Chairman Xu, I..."
"Xiao He, you signed the contract, and we watched you write your name with our own eyes," Old Sir Xu said flatly. "According to your previous statement, whoever signs it takes responsibility."
Never in his wildest dreams did President He expect to shoot himself in the foot like this.
"The matter is settled. Meeting adjourned." Shi Changying no longer bothered looking at President He’s expression. She turned around and drawled lazily, "Dad, let’s go. I want to go eat a big meal."
The moment she left, Ning Liuyu also departed without lingering for another second, leaving the room full of senior executives to look at each other in dismay. The reversal over these past few minutes had delivered a massive shock. They were still trapped in their astonishment, struggling to recover their wits.
Old Sir Xu flipped through those documents once again. His breathing was rapid, unable to conceal his inner excitement. After steadying his mind a little, he said, "Changying is right. The matter has been perfectly resolved. Today’s meeting is adjourned."
The executives left with unsteady steps, still somewhat in a daze. Soon, the entire conference room was empty.
President He remained paralyzed in his chair, breaking out in a cold sweat. Only after ten minutes did he shakily rise to his feet. He grabbed his phone, rushed out the door, and gritted his teeth as he dialed Xu Zhao Yu’s number.
Obviously, Xu Zhao Yu had been waiting for President He’s tip-off, as the call connected instantly.
"President He."