Rumors spread rapidly through the business world like a virus.
Several large orders that had been finalized were suddenly changed by the clients, who said they wanted to "think about it some more."
The Liu Lu Group experienced a slight decline in business volume. Although this was just a small ripple for such a large business empire, it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that foreshadowed even bigger storms ahead.
This pressure weighed heavily on Liu Lu's shoulders.
She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, the neon-lit cityscape blurring into a patch of light in her eyes.
Liu Lu rubbed her temples, a fleeting look of exhaustion quickly replaced by a more resolute expression.
Unlike what others expected, she did not immediately hold a press conference to publicly deny the rumors.
Experience has taught her that sometimes silence is more powerful than a fierce rebuttal.
"Secretary Chen," Liu Lu turned around, her tone calm, "how's the investigation into the source and spread of the rumors going?"
Secretary Chen immediately walked to her side and handed her a document. "President Liu, it's all here. We've identified the account spreading the rumors, and the transmission path is basically clear."
Liu Lu quickly flipped through the documents, her eyes sharp, reading ten lines at a glance.
The document is covered with dense arrows and lines of connection, outlining a complex network.
Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the document, once, twice, each tap heavier than the last.
“Interesting,” Liu Lu said with a cold smile, “So it was them…”
She didn't specify who "they" were, but simply closed the file, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Instead of wasting energy arguing with those who lurk in the shadows and launch sneak attacks, it's better to strike at the root and eradicate them completely.
"How's it going with Engineer Li?" Liu Lu turned to ask Secretary Chen.
“Engineer Li has cracked the encrypted email and obtained some crucial information,” Secretary Chen replied. “He said…”
Before Secretary Chen could finish speaking, there was a sudden knock on the office door.
"Come in," Liu Lu said.
Li, the technical expert, handed a printed email to Liu Lu. "Ms. Liu, the other party mentioned a code name 'Nightingale' in the email. We suspect that this is a key figure."
Liu Lu took the email and quickly scanned its contents.
The email was encrypted in a complex way, but after being cracked by Li, a technical expert, it revealed hidden information: the flow of funds, project plans, and even the names of several small companies.
These small companies, though small in scale, are unusually active online and are the main force behind spreading rumors.
"Contact a lawyer immediately and send legal letters to these companies, warning them to stop spreading false information." Liu Lu's tone was icy, without the slightest hesitation.
The lawyer's letter was like a bomb dropped into murky water.
The small companies were immediately thrown into a panic; they hadn't expected Liu Lu's counterattack to be so swift and precise.
Under immense pressure, they all stopped spreading rumors and even began deleting previous malicious comments.
In the evening, Liu Lu returned home.
Liu Bei, the daughter, was sitting on the sofa watching cartoons when she saw her mother come home. She immediately ran over and buried her head in Liu Lu's arms.
"Mom!" Liu Bei's soft voice carried a hint of worry, "Today at school I heard someone saying bad things about our company..."
Liu Lu's heart skipped a beat. She gently stroked her daughter's hair and asked softly, "Baby, are you scared?"
Liu Bei shook her head. "I'm not afraid! I believe in Mom!" She raised her head, her clear eyes filled with trust and admiration for her mother. "Mom is the best!"
The daughter's innocence and trust warmed Liu Lu's heart.
She became even more determined to fight back, not only to protect her company, but also to protect her daughter's young mind from these vile words.
It was late at night, but the light was still on in Liu Lu's study.
She sat in front of the computer, watching the code and data constantly flashing on the screen, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
“Secretary Chen,” Liu Lu dialed the internal line, “tomorrow morning, contact a few companies that previously extended cooperation invitations and tell them…” She paused, her tone meaningful, “I have a new cooperation proposal that I’d like to discuss with them.”
The flames of rumors were not extinguished by the lawyer's letter; instead, they burned even brighter.
Those companies that had initially tentatively extended olive branches suddenly changed their attitude completely, not only withdrawing their cooperation invitations but also joining the ranks of those smearing Liu Lu's Group.
The competitors, sensing the danger, acted like sharks that had smelled blood, baring their fangs and attempting to tear Liu Lu's Group apart completely.
The air in Liu Lu's office seemed to freeze, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Secretary Chen's face was pale as he held the latest market report, his hands trembling slightly.
"Mr. Liu, the situation is not optimistic..."
Liu Lu took the report and quickly glanced through it. The shocking numbers on it were like sharp knives, piercing her heart with pain.
The group's stock price plummeted, partners in several important projects terminated their contracts, and the cash flow also ran into problems.
"They're trying to kill us!" Secretary Chen's voice was tinged with despair.
Liu Lu didn't speak, but just gripped the report tightly in her hand until her knuckles turned white.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, the panic in her eyes was gone, replaced by a cold chill.
"Notify all senior management that an emergency meeting will be held at 9:00 AM tomorrow." Liu Lu's voice was calm and firm, like the calm before a storm.
Meanwhile, news also came from Li's technical expert team.
His excited voice was tinged with barely suppressed excitement, "Mr. Liu, I've found their loophole!"
Li, a technical expert, worked overtime through the night and finally discovered a hidden vulnerability in the other party's technical system.
This vulnerability was extremely well-hidden; if he hadn't been so experienced and had such a thorough understanding of the other party's system, he would never have discovered it.
"This vulnerability can be used to prove our group's innocence and also to counter the other side!" said Li, the technical expert, excitedly. "I've already started preparing, and I'll have a complete report and evidence ready by tomorrow!"
A faint smile finally appeared on Liu Lu's face, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by deeper contemplation.
She walked to the window, looked at the brightly lit city outside, and said softly, "It's not enough..."
“Secretary Chen,” Liu Lu turned around, her eyes gleaming with shrewdness, “make an appointment for me before the meeting tomorrow…”
"Who?" Secretary Chen asked in confusion.
A mysterious smile played on Liu Lu's lips. "You'll find out tomorrow..."
The emergency meeting of Liu Lu Group was held on time at nine o'clock the next morning.
The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy, and the senior executives all had somber expressions, as if a dark cloud was hanging over their heads.
Liu Lu walked into the conference room, looked around, and her eyes were sharp as knives.
“I know everyone is worried,” Liu Lu said bluntly, “but I want to tell you that we have not lost!”
She projected the report and evidence prepared by Li, the technical expert, onto the large screen, clearly demonstrating how the other party maliciously spread rumors and their hidden conspiracy.
"This evidence is enough to prove our group's innocence and will make those who spread rumors pay the price!" Liu Lu's voice was firm and powerful, full of confidence and determination.
The news caused a sudden reversal in public opinion.
Those customers who had previously been skeptical regained their trust in Liu Lu Group, and business volume began to recover.
The group's stock price also began to rebound, and the crisis seemed to have been resolved.
However, Liu Lu knew that this was just the calm before the storm.
The other side won't let this go; they're definitely plotting something even more outrageous in the shadows.
After the meeting, Secretary Chen walked up to Liu Lu and whispered, "President Liu, the person you asked me to meet yesterday has arrived."
Liu Lu nodded, got up and walked towards the side door of the office.
Behind the door, a mysterious guest was waiting for her.
"You've arrived." Liu Lu looked at the guest in front of her, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips.
"It's a pleasure to work with you." The mysterious guest extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Liu Lu.
Liu Lu returned to her office, looking at the darkening sky outside the window, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
"The real show is just beginning..." she muttered to herself, picking up the phone and dialing a number. "Activate Plan B..."
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