Pushing open the door, a strong smell of cigars mixed with pungent perfume hit me. Director Sun was sitting on a leather sofa, swirling a half-empty glass of red wine in his hand, a meaningful smile on his face.
His narrow eyes were slits as he stared at Liu Lu like a venomous snake.
"Mr. Liu, please have a seat." Director Sun gestured to the chair opposite him, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible arrogance.
Liu Lu ignored his feigned sincerity, walked straight to the chair and sat down, staring at him coldly.
"What does Director Sun want with me?"
Director Sun took a sip of red wine, placed the glass on the coffee table, and it clinked together with a crisp sound.
"It's nothing major, I just wanted to talk to Mr. Liu about the group's future development direction."
Liu Lu sneered inwardly. She knew that Director Sun had ill intentions, but she remained outwardly calm.
"I would like to hear the details."
A few days later, the atmosphere at the group's routine meeting was unusually heavy.
Director Sun suddenly stood up, cleared his throat, and said loudly, "Distinguished directors, I have an important proposal to make today regarding the future of President Liu Lu!"
These words caused an uproar. Liu Lu frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
“I’ve noticed that the company’s performance has declined sharply recently, and I believe this is directly related to Mr. Liu’s leadership ability,” Director Sun said righteously, as if he had solid evidence.
Following this, several shareholders who had close ties with Director Sun also stepped forward, echoing Director Sun's remarks and criticizing Liu Lu for mismanagement and poor decision-making.
Liu Lu sat on the platform, her face calm and still, without saying a word.
She had anticipated that Chairman Sun would make a move, but she hadn't expected him to be so blatant.
In the conference room, the shareholders who supported Director Sun became increasingly agitated, as if Liu Lu had become the culprit of the group.
Those shareholders who originally supported Liu Lu are now silent and dare not express their opinions easily.
Liu Lu looked around at her former comrades who had fought alongside her, now all silent and trembling, and a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart.
But she did not back down at all; instead, her eyes shone with a resolute light.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Director Sun revealed a smug smile.
"Therefore, I propose that Liu Lu be removed from her position as president and that I take over!"
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Liu Lu, awaiting her response.
Liu Lu slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. A slight smile played on her lips as she uttered two words: "Is that so?"
Liu Lu did not try to explain, but calmly opened the folder in front of her and took out a blueprint for the group's future development that she had prepared in advance.
This blueprint was completed by her and Sister Zhang overnight. It details the group's development plan for the next five years and the reasons why only she can lead the group to greater heights.
"Distinguished board members," Liu Lu's clear and powerful voice instantly drowned out the noise in the room, "instead of arguing about my future, why not take a good look at this blueprint? I believe that facts speak louder than words."
Liu Lu projected the blueprint onto the large screen and began to explain it in detail.
She presented a clear and logical analysis, thoroughly examining the group's challenges and future development opportunities, and proposed practical solutions.
Director Sun originally thought Liu Lu would panic and try to defend herself, but she was surprised to find herself so calm and composed, and she even produced such compelling evidence.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he began to feel uneasy.
Just then, Liu Lu's phone vibrated.
She glanced at the caller ID; it was her daughter, Liu Bei, calling.
Liu Lu walked to the window and answered the phone.
"Mom, keep going! I believe in you!" Her daughter's clear voice came from the other end of the phone, like a warm current flowing into Liu Lu's heart.
"Baby, thank you." Liu Lu's voice was a little choked up. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
Her daughter's support gave her boundless strength, making her even more determined in her beliefs.
After hanging up the phone, Liu Lu returned to her seat and continued explaining the blueprint.
Her eyes were full of confidence and determination, as if everything was under her control.
Several shareholders who originally supported Director Sun began to waver after listening to Liu Lu's explanation.
They realized that Liu Lu was the one who could truly lead the group into the future.
Director Sun's face turned ashen; he hadn't expected Liu Lu to have this trick up her sleeve.
He tried to interrupt Liu Lu's explanation, but Liu Lu didn't give him the chance at all.
“Director Sun,” Liu Lu stared at him sharply, “do you have anything else to say?”
Director Sun opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
He felt like a clown, being manipulated by Liu Lu.
Just then, a voice broke the silence of the room… “I have something to say!”
Sister Zhang stormed up to the conference table and slammed a thick stack of folders onto it.
"I also have something to say!" She looked around at everyone, her gaze sharp and her voice firm and powerful. "Here is evidence of Director Sun's embezzlement and bribery, as well as his being bought off by our competitor, Hengyuan Group!"
The room erupted in uproar, with everyone discussing the matter and turning their attention to Director Sun.
Director Sun's face was deathly pale, his lips trembled, and his eyes flickered uncertainly, like a trapped beast being watched by a hunter.
Ms. Zhang opened the folder and projected the documents one by one onto the big screen.
The document clearly records Director Sun's acceptance of bribes, as well as photos and recordings of his secret meetings with senior executives of Hengyuan Group.
The evidence is conclusive and undeniable.
"Director Sun, what else do you have to say?" Sister Zhang questioned sharply, her tone filled with anger and disdain.
Director Sun slumped in his chair, sweating profusely, unable to utter a single word.
He never expected that Sister Zhang had so much evidence.
Those shareholders who originally supported Director Sun were now speechless, their faces filled with shame, wishing they could disappear into the ground.
They never imagined that they would be used by Director Sun and become pawns in his conspiracy.
"I propose that Director Sun be immediately removed from his post and handed over to the judicial authorities for processing!" Sister Zhang's voice was firm and resounding, shaking the entire room.
Several directors who had initially remained neutral now expressed their support for Ms. Zhang's proposal.
They realized that continuing to protect Director Sun would only plunge the group into an even greater crisis.
In the meeting room, the voices supporting the removal of Director Sun grew louder and louder, and ultimately, the board of directors unanimously passed a resolution to remove Director Sun from his post.
Director Sun was escorted out of the venue by security guards. His face was ashen, his eyes were vacant, and he looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Those shareholders who had previously joined in criticizing Liu Lu are now apologizing to her, saying they were misled by Director Sun.
Liu Lu ignored their apologies and simply nodded indifferently.
After this incident, Liu Lu regained control of the group.
She dealt with the corruption within the group swiftly and decisively, and purged all the traitors.
The group's operations gradually got back on track, and its performance began to recover.
Liu Lu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in her office, overlooking the bustling city, a faint smile on her lips.
Just then, there was a knock on the office door.
"Come in."
Sister Zhang pushed open the door and entered, her face showing a hint of solemnity.
"Mr. Liu, Mr. Zhao from Hengyuan Group would like to meet with you."
Liu Lu's eyes sharpened, and she thought to herself, "They've finally arrived..."
Liu Lu sat elegantly in the coffee shop, with the bustling traffic outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, but her eyes were only on the man opposite her—General Manager Zhao of Hengyuan Group.
Mr. Zhao was short and stout, with an oily face and small, darting eyes that made him hard to read.
"Ms. Liu is truly a woman who is just as capable as any man. I, Zhao, admire her for what she did this time." Mr. Zhao raised his coffee cup with a forced smile, his tone carrying a hint of probing.
"Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. The business world is like a battlefield; everyone has to rely on their own abilities." Liu Lu took a small sip of coffee, her eyes calm and composed, not at all fooled by Mr. Zhao's insincerity.
"Mr. Liu, let's not beat around the bush. Our Hengyuan Group suffered a setback this time, but we also witnessed Mr. Liu's courage. I wonder if Mr. Liu would be interested in joining Hengyuan? I can guarantee that the terms will absolutely satisfy you." Mr. Zhao extended an olive branch, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes.
Liu Lu put down her coffee cup, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"Mr. Zhao, are you trying to poach our employees?"
Mr. Zhao laughed heartily, making no attempt to conceal his intentions.
"Mr. Liu, a wise person knows when to yield. Although your group has weathered the crisis, it has been severely damaged and there is still a long road ahead. By joining Hengyuan, you will have access to a broader platform and more resources."
“President Zhao, you underestimate me.” A cold glint flashed in Liu Lu’s eyes. “I, Liu Lu, have never been afraid of challenges. Moreover, I have confidence in my company.”
"Mr. Liu, you should think this through carefully. You only have one chance." Mr. Zhao's tone turned gloomy, and a hint of threat flashed in his eyes.
"No need, Mr. Zhao, please go back." Liu Lu refused Mr. Zhao's invitation without hesitation, her tone firm and leaving no room for argument.
Mr. Zhao's expression changed, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"Mr. Liu, you'll regret this!" He said, then got up and left the coffee shop.
Liu Lu watched President Zhao's departing figure, a disdainful smile appearing on her lips.
She knew that the war had only just begun.
Upon returning to the company, Liu Lu received a hero's welcome.
The employees congratulated her and praised her wisdom and courage.
Liu Lu responded with a smile, but her heart was filled with vigilance.
She knew that the business world was like a battlefield, and it would never be peaceful.
A few days later, Liu Lu was processing documents in her office when suddenly her secretary knocked on the door and came in.
"Mr. Liu, Manager Wang from the Finance Department would like to see you."
"Let him in."
Manager Wang walked into the office, his face somewhat flustered. "General Manager Liu, something's happened..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com