Chapter 178 The Incident

“I always felt something was amiss. You’ve been living in the old house for years and know the people here well. Investigate your father’s diet and the people he came into contact with before he got sick.”

He paused slightly as he spoke, then asked, "And was anything unusual that happened before or after you got sick?"

The butler's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he looked at Si Yanxiao in disbelief: "You mean... the old man's illness wasn't a coincidence, but rather someone maliciously framed him?!"

Then, he suddenly recalled what Jiang Ran had said about feng shui and energy, and he was immediately startled. His conditioned reflex was to tell him this information.

But then he thought that he already had a prejudice against metaphysics, and if he said it out loud, it might backfire and the other person wouldn't believe him anyway, so he pursed his lips and didn't say a word.

"Hmm." Si Yanxiao nodded slightly, not denying it: "Although it's just a guess, it's basically certain."

After saying that, a sinister glint flashed in Si Yanxiao's eyes. Someone actually dared to attack the people around him one after another; it must have been a long-planned scheme...

The butler, not expecting such a perilous situation, frowned and quickly replied, "Alright, leave this to me."

"Once I find out who's behind this, I will not let them off easily!"

“Okay,” Si Yanxiao replied in a deep voice.

Just then, his phone rang abruptly. Si Yanxiao glanced down at the caller ID and then swiped to answer.

Gu Nan's voice could be faintly heard through the receiver. The butler lowered his eyes and looked at the pond, his eyes filled with countless thoughts.

Suddenly, Si Yanxiao's voice rose sharply: "What?"

Looking back, Si Yanxiao's expression changed, his brows furrowed slightly, and he replied coldly, "I'll be there soon."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Seeing this, the butler quickly asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Si Yanxiao's eyes sharpened, and he replied in a deep voice, "Something unexpected happened at the company, and I have to go there immediately. I'll have to trouble you to take care of things here."

"Yes, it's alright, you can go now," the butler quickly replied.

A hint of anxiety flashed across Si Yanxiao's brows. He then turned and left, driving directly to the company.

As soon as he arrived at the Si Group building, his secretary was already waiting there. She quickly said, "Mr. Si, Assistant Gu is already waiting for you in the conference room."

"Hmm." Si Yanxiao replied in a deep voice, and walked straight towards the conference room.

Hearing the arguing coming from inside, his eyes darkened, and he pushed the door open and went in.

When the company's senior management saw him appear, they instinctively felt a chill, and the previously arguing situation instantly fell into silence.

Seeing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Gu Nan's eyes.

Si Yanxiao sat down in the main seat and coldly rebuked, "Speak! Wasn't I listening to you talking so enthusiastically outside the door?! Why did you stop? Continue!"

Seeing his displeasure, everyone lowered their heads slightly, not daring to touch his brow at this moment.

Seeing that they had quieted down, Si Yanxiao slightly bent his fingers and tapped the table lightly, then said in a cold voice, "Since no one is going to say anything, then don't go looking for trouble!"

After saying that, he looked up at Gu Nan, who immediately understood and explained, "Wasn't our plot of land in the suburbs under construction? But suddenly, due to a problem with the building materials, the newly completed building frame collapsed instantly, trapping dozens of workers inside. Nine were seriously injured, and four died despite rescue efforts."

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao's brow furrowed, and a flash of anger appeared on his face: "Who was in charge of selecting the building materials?! How could such a mistake happen!"

The design manager, who had been suppressing his anger, finally found an opportunity and sneered, "What else could it be? Using inferior materials!"

Gu Nan glanced at him, then looked at Si Yanxiao, and explained, "That's indeed the case."

"But the problem now is that the person who selected the material was afraid of being exposed and going to jail, so he jumped off a building and died."

"Even if we push him out now, it won't help. The media will just think we've found a scapegoat."

The dead have no way to testify?

Si Yanxiao's expression turned cold, a hint of annoyance flashing across his face. What he feared most in this kind of situation was encountering someone so reckless. Once the person died, all public opinion would be on his side.

Even if they try to explain, it will seem like they are hiding the truth.

Thinking of this, Si Yanxiao's expression grew even uglier. He looked sharply at the head of the construction department and coldly questioned, "Now that things have come to this, don't you think you owe me an explanation?!"

"The person who committed the offense was one of your subordinates. Everything they buy requires your approval, and you knew absolutely nothing about that?!"

Faced with Si Yanxiao's interrogation, the head of the construction department broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "President Si, I really didn't know anything about this."

Then she turned to Gu Nan, hoping he would say something good about her: "Assistant Gu, as you know, I absolutely do not have the guts to do such things!"

Gu Nan listened, pursed her lips, and nodded to Si Yanxiao.

This person has always been very cautious and conscientious in the company, which is how he got to this position. He is recognized as an honest person in the company. If he were suspected of cutting corners, he would have made a fortune long ago.

Now that even his direct supervisor was shirking responsibility, a look of annoyance flashed across Si Yanxiao's face. He asked for everyone's opinions, "What do you think we should do about this?"

Once approval was given, discussions immediately erupted.

"I think the first thing the public relations department needs to do is issue a statement to ensure that this matter is due to personal gain and has nothing to do with the company."

Upon hearing this, the public relations manager immediately looked displeased: "Issuing a statement at this time? Doesn't it seem like an attempt to cover up the truth?"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" the man asked coldly. "Are we supposed to hold a press conference, have everyone apologize, and try to get their forgiveness?"

Seeing that the two were about to argue because of their differing opinions, Si Yanxiao slammed the document heavily on the table, making a loud "bang".

Upon seeing this, everyone was startled, and the two who had been arguing immediately fell silent.

Si Yanxiao glanced coldly at the two of them and said in a cold voice, "I asked you to come up with ideas, not to argue!"

Then, glancing at the others, he warned again, "This matter concerns the entire company. None of you need to remain indifferent. If this kind of thing is investigated and the company is implicated, no one will benefit!"

Having said that, he ignored everyone's agreement and got up to leave. Seeing this, Gu Nan quickly got up and followed behind him. Seeing Si Yanxiao's resentful face, she gently comforted him, "Don't be too anxious, there's always a way out."

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao pursed his lips slightly, and when facing Gu Nan, he no longer showed the same indifference as he had in the conference room. He replied in a deep voice, "But this matter is clearly not something that can be solved by simply giving some money."

"Just like you said, we don't know who leaked this information to the media, just to prevent us from having a chance to clean up the mess."

"Nowadays, it's much harder for us to downplay major issues and dismiss minor ones."

As Gu Nan listened to Si Yanxiao's analysis of the seriousness of the situation, her heart sank, and she nodded in agreement, "I understand."

"But this is clearly a deliberate attack. We're in the open while the enemy is in the shadows. What should we do?"

Thinking of this, Si Yanxiao's eyes suddenly sharpened. Considering the series of events that had occurred recently, it was clear that the current situation in the company was also the work of the same person.

Just to avoid creating trouble for himself, Si Yanxiao's expression gradually turned ugly, and he said coldly, "Then find out who started this!"

As he spoke, a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes: "The person behind the scenes is too impatient. One problem after another arises. Aren't they afraid of making things worse?"

Gu Nan immediately understood what he meant and quickly replied, "Okay, I understand."

The two then carefully discussed the corresponding coping strategies. Before they knew it, the sky gradually darkened. By the time they came up with a specific solution, it was almost 11 p.m.

Seeing a hint of fatigue on Si Yanxiao's face, Gu Nan sighed softly, "You've worked hard these past few days, go back and rest."

"Hmm." Si Yanxiao gently rubbed his forehead, slowly stood up, and stumbled. Gu Nan quickly reached out to support him, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

Si Yanxiao pursed his lips, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face, and said softly, "Thank you..."

Gu Nan pursed her lips and didn't respond. The two walked to the garage together before parting ways.