Shi Heng's voice was not loud, but it made the entire conference room quiet down instantly.
"Sorry, there's a traffic jam." His voice was calm, as if he was just discussing today's weather.
Gu Chen's face turned pale, "Shi Heng, you have nothing to do here!"
"As the representative of the acquiring company, I think I have the right to be present."
Shi Heng walked calmly to the conference table and glanced at everyone present.
"In particular, some people tried to use improper means to influence the board's decision."
"What do you mean?" Gu Chen's voice dropped dangerously, his fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of his suit.
Shi Heng pulled out a bank statement from his briefcase and threw it on the conference table.
"Last Saturday, 20 million was transferred out of the Chenxiao Medical account, with the note "equipment purchase." However, the recipient was the Crown Casino's public account."
Then, three more photos were thrown out:
A close-up of Gu Chen signing a bill in the casino's VIP room; a surveillance screenshot of the chip exchange area; and a casino receipt for 20 million.
"Do you need me to invite the casino's financial director to testify?" Shi Heng asked calmly.
Gu Chen's fists were clenched so hard that they made a crackling sound. The temperature in the conference room seemed to drop ten degrees.
The directors held their breath, their eyes shifting back and forth between the two men.
"What do you want?" Gu Chen lowered his voice, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
Shi Heng looked at him calmly, "It's very simple. If you leave now, this information won't appear on the headlines of tomorrow's Financial Times."
A hint of panic flashed across Gu Chen's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger.
"Shi Heng, do you think you can stop me like this?"
"Of course not."
Shi Heng leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice so that only the two of them could hear:
"You used Chenxiao Medical's R&D funds to invest in personal stocks. Now your account has been liquidated. How much is still missing? 80 million? Return it to the company account within 24 hours, otherwise..."
He glanced at the directors whispering in the conference room, "This time tomorrow, the CSRC's inspection team will receive the complete transaction records."
Gu Chen took a step back suddenly, fear flashing in his eyes.
He grabbed his briefcase and nodded stiffly to the directors. "It seems you have made your choice. I hope you won't regret it."
After saying that, he strode towards the door and took one last look at Shi Heng before leaving.
"We'll slowly settle this account."
After Gu Chen slammed the door and left, the conference room was terribly quiet; even the sound of the air conditioner could be heard clearly.
Shi Heng sat down, took out nine contracts from his briefcase, and pushed them across the conference table. "President Zhou, this is the official contract for Kangrui to acquire Pujiang."
"Four billion in cash for a 100% equity acquisition. Please sign with the nine directors."
Dean Zhou's forehead was covered in sweat. He picked up the contract and quickly flipped through a few pages, his fingers trembling slightly.
After a long while, he spoke with difficulty, "Mr. Shi... well... the board of directors just had an emergency meeting, and we all agree... that we can only sell a maximum of 49% of the shares."
Shi Heng's fingers, which had been relaxed, suddenly tightened, and his eyes instantly turned cold. "49%?"
The other directors all lowered their heads and dared not make a sound.
"It seems that everyone hasn't figured out the situation yet."
Shi Heng looked at his watch and said, "My time is precious, worth seven figures per minute, and you have already wasted seventeen minutes of my time."
Just then, the door of the conference room opened again.
Two burly bodyguards in black walked in, each holding a silver-gray metal box.
"Open it." Shi Heng ordered.
The first bodyguard opened the box, and inside were dozens of neatly stacked cash checks, each with a nine-digit amount.
"Six billion."
Shi Heng's voice remained calm. "As long as you sign now, the money will be in your account within two hours."
The directors gasped, and Director Li stood up involuntarily, staring at the checks.
"This... this is much higher than the market valuation..." Director Wang stuttered.
Shi Heng ignored him and signaled the second bodyguard to open another box.
When the box was opened, Dean Zhou took a look and his face turned pale.
On top was a copy of his daughter’s work permit at the M Country laboratory.
"Ms. Zhou has made great contributions to neurological research."
Shi Heng tapped the young girl's smiling face in the photo with his fingertips. "She's going to apply for a medical award next month, right? If...some rumors about her paper data being falsified are made public..."
"You!" Dean Zhou stood up suddenly, trembling all over. "You can't do this! My daughter is innocent!"
Shi Heng didn't respond, but knocked on the metal box. "There are three academic fraud reports and five tax audit records in here."
"Director Li, your son's gambling debts; Director Wang, evidence of your wife's company's tax evasion; Director Zhang..."
Director Li slammed the table and stood up, "Shi Heng! You are threatening us!"
"No, this is a deal."
Shi Heng pushed a pen in front of Dean Zhou and said, "It's simple. Leave with six billion in dignity."
"Or... this evidence will make the headlines in the financial section tomorrow."
The conference room was silent.
Shi Heng took out his phone and pressed the timer. "From now on, every minute that passes, the purchase price will decrease by 100 million."
“Tick, tick…”
The sound of the second hand ticking was particularly harsh in the silence.
Dean Zhou finally picked up the pen with trembling hands, "I... I sign..."
Seeing this, the other directors looked dejected and signed their names on the contract one after another.
The last director signs his name.
Shi Heng patted the metal box filled with black material and said, "Don't worry, these documents will be destroyed after the acquisition is completed."
The directors felt relieved and stood up to leave.
In a blink of an eye, Dean Zhou was the only one left in the conference room, slumped in his chair.
Shi Heng walked up to him and softened his tone, "Dean Zhou, scientific research talents are rare. You can continue to serve as dean and lead the team to continue research."
"As for your daughter... the Puth Lab's neural remodeling project happens to be in need of a principal investigator."
Dean Zhou looked up suddenly, his eyes red, "Thank you... Thank you, President Shi."
Si Wenjie, who was standing aside, watched this scene and his heart finally settled down.
As a person in the medical field, he knew better than anyone the significance of this invitation.
The chief of Pus Laboratory is a height that many scientific researchers will never reach in their lifetime.
This tactic combines kindness and force, and it's used... beautifully.
Shi Heng looked at Dean Zhou and said, "Take us to meet Professor Chen Mingyuan."
Dean Zhou wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly stood up. "Okay, Mr. Shi, the lab is on the third floor."
Ten minutes later.
Dean Zhou pushed open the door of the laboratory and clapped his hands, "Everyone, stop for a moment."
A group of researchers in the laboratory raised their heads and looked towards the door in confusion.
Chen Mingyuan frowned and stood up. "Dean Zhou? What's the urgent matter?"
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