Business intrigue and reunion with old friends

Chapter 1 Workplace Clashes

At seven in the morning, Lu Mingshen's fingers flew across the keyboard, the screen flashing with a newly received whistleblower letter. The whistleblower claimed that a biopharmaceutical company under the Zheng Group had falsified data in clinical trials, and attached several blurry photos of the laboratory. He rubbed his temples, his gaze sweeping over the date in the lower right corner of the photos—the day before the launch of a new product by their competitor, the Su Group.

"Assistant Chen, notify the legal department to prepare materials for the countersuit, focusing on verifying the laboratory's surveillance records when the photos were taken." Lu Mingshen pressed the intercom. "Also, have the R&D department compile the raw data from all clinical trials over the past three years and send it to my office in half an hour."

At 8:00 AM sharp, the conference room was filled with smoke. The marketing director was reporting on the Su Group's recent marketing strategies when Lu Mingshen suddenly interrupted him: "Stop. What was the return on investment for their promotional activities in the Southwest region last week?"

“This…” The marketing director broke out in a cold sweat, “The specific data is still being calculated.”

Lu Mingshen pulled out a document and slammed it on the table: "Last night at 10 p.m., three distributors of the Su Group in Chongqing suddenly cut off supplies. They want to concentrate their inventory for tomorrow's new product launch. Notify the logistics department to activate the 'Cloud Sea Plan' and transport our spare inventory in Chengdu to Chongqing tonight. The unit price will be reduced by 5%, and it will be limited to the first fifty customers."

At noon, the head of the technical department rushed into the office: "President Lu, our official website has been hacked, and all the product detail pages have been replaced with accusations of clinical trial fraud."

Lu Mingshen opened his laptop and quickly typed into the backend: "Check the IP address. Also, contact the public relations department and prepare to hold a press conference at 3 PM. Notify Professor Zhang from the R&D department to bring the raw data and experimental videos." A cold smile appeared on his lips. "Since they want to play a media war, let everyone see what professionalism is."

At 3 PM, at the press conference, Lu Mingshen, dressed in a custom-made suit, stood under the spotlight, with the laboratory's surveillance footage and raw data reports playing on a large screen behind him. "Regarding the false accusations online, we have already reported the matter to the public security authorities," he said in a steady and powerful voice. "Next, Professor Zhang from the R&D department will provide a detailed explanation of our clinical trial process."

As Professor Zhang finished presenting the final data report, Lu Mingshen suddenly looked at the reporters in the audience: "Is a representative from the Su Group here? If you have any professional questions, we can answer them on the spot." The audience fell silent; no one responded.

Chapter Two: Restarting Life

Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoyu was repeatedly adjusting her tie in front of the mirror. This was her first formal interview since her divorce, and the blank space on her resume for "housewife" made her a little nervous. Her phone vibrated, and a text message popped up: "Ms. Lin, your interview appointment is at 2 PM. Please arrive on time at the 18th floor of Xinghe Media Building."

The receptionist at Xinghe Media smiled sweetly: "Ms. Lin, please wait a moment, the interviewer will be here shortly." The television in the waiting area was playing footage of the Zheng Group's press conference. Lin Xiaoyu looked at Lu Mingshen's figure on the screen, a bitter feeling rising in her heart. She had once been a member of the Zheng Group, giving up her thriving career for her family, but now she had to start all over again.

"Xiaoyu, it's been a long time."

The familiar voice made Lin Xiaoyu stiffen. Qin Man, dressed in a Chanel suit and ten-centimeter heels, was looking at her with a half-smile. They had been college roommates and joined the Zheng Group together after graduation, until Lin Xiaoyu got married and resigned.

"Director Qin, hello." Lin Xiaoyu forced a smile.

The interview went exceptionally smoothly. Qin Man hardly asked any professional questions, but instead kept talking about the past: "Do you remember the days when we stayed up all night working on the project proposal? Your creativity always amazed everyone back then. Later, we heard that you married Lu Mingshen, and everyone was very envious."

Lin Xiaoyu's fingers tightened slightly: "That's all in the past."

Qin Man suddenly leaned closer, her gaze intense: "Xiaoyu, do you really think a divorce can end everything? Some secrets can't be forgotten so easily." She pointed to Lu Mingshen on the screen, "The Zheng Group has been facing a lot of trouble lately. What do you think would happen if someone revealed the truth about that medical malpractice incident from back then?"

Lin Xiaoyu felt a wave of dizziness. Three years ago, before a new drug from the Zheng Group was launched, a suspected drug-related accident occurred, and she was the one responsible for following up on it at the time. Later, the matter was suppressed, but she didn't expect Qin Man to know about it.

"What...what do you want?"

Qin Man returned to her seat, her professional smile returning: "Don't be nervous. I just feel we have a lot of room for collaboration. Xinghe Media is currently working on an in-depth report on the medical industry and needs expert advice. Ms. Lin, would you be willing to join us?"

Chapter Three: Undercurrents

At six o'clock in the evening, Lu Mingshen returned to his office and saw the investigation report on his desk. The IP address traced back to a shell company under the Su Group, the medical malpractice data had been tampered with, and key documents had disappeared. He picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Old Zhou, help me investigate someone, Qin Man, who now works at Xinghe Media. Focus on her whereabouts over the past six months."

Outside the window, dusk was falling. Lu Mingshen looked at the family photo on his desk; Lin Xiaoyu was smiling brightly in the picture. After the divorce, he had never told her that the medical malpractice incident years ago was actually a setup by the Su Group, designed to destroy their marriage and weaken the core competitiveness of the Zheng Group.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!