"Everyone," Ning Nanxue's voice broke the silence. She stood up, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the conference table. "According to my investigation, Mr. Howard of Fengtou Company is actually just a subordinate of Mr. Martin. And this Mr. Martin is well-known in the international financial circle as a 'merger hunter.'"
She picked up her tablet and transferred a few photos to the projector in the center of the conference room.
"These are three companies acquired by Fengtou in Southeast Asia. They were all so glorious when the contracts were signed, promising long-term strategic cooperation." She clicked to the next photo. "But this is the dismal state of those three companies two years later—over half their employees were laid off, their assets were stripped away, and they were ultimately reduced to empty shells."
Mr. Wen took off his glasses and wiped the lenses. "Mr. Ning, is this information reliable?"
"Completely reliable. It's been verified by the Huayun Group's legal department." Ning Nanxue turned to Fu Chen. "Mr. Fu, there's a hidden clause in Fengtou Company's agreement that stipulates that if the company's debt-to-asset ratio exceeds 70 percent, they have the right to take over the company's management. Have you noticed it?"
Fu Chen's face was gloomy and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Nonsense!" Xu Zhiru suddenly screamed, "You guys are ganging up on Ah Chen! Who the hell is Huayun? What makes you say Fengtou Company is incompetent?"
She pointed at Ning Nanxue, her voice shrill and piercing: "Why are you pretending to be a gentleman? Don't you just hate that Ah Chen chose me instead of you? I tell you, Ah Chen will never come back to you! You poor thing, clinging to the past -"
"Ms. Xu," Ning Nanxue interrupted her coldly, "You said I'm holding on to the past? Then I want to ask, have all the wrongdoings your brother Xu Zhao committed back then been resolved?"
Xu Zhiru's face turned pale instantly.
"If I remember correctly, your brother seemed to have fled abroad not long ago. How come he's suddenly back? It seems that there hasn't been any result for those things he did yet?" Ning Nanxue turned to the directors who were in complete silence in the conference room. "Why is it that the first thing he did after returning this time was to interfere with the Fu Group? Are you and your brother planning something shameful?"
"Shut up!" Fu Chen stood up suddenly, and the chair fell backwards, hitting the ground with a dull sound.
"Why, was I wrong?" Ning Nanxue refused to give in. "Xu Zhao fled abroad to 'hide from the limelight,' and Miss Xu suffered from the so-called 'depression,' and you, Fu Chen, out of guilt or something else, began to care for her again."
Xu Zhiru slumped in the chair, her shoulders trembling, her lipstick smudged on her teeth, looking disheveled.
"Nanxue, you've gone too far!" Fu Chen gritted his teeth.
"Excessive?" Ning Nanxue chuckled. "Compared to you and the Xu siblings teaming up to scheme for the Fu Group's shares, how can I be considered excessive?"
There was an uproar in the board room.
"I have evidence." Ning Nanxue pulled out a stack of documents. "Xu Zhao recently returned to China quietly. Just last week, he came to the company to speak with President Fu. After that, President Fu started to oppose me and try to regain the equity."
"Mr. Ning, may I ask about this information--" a young director asked.
"From my investigation," Ning Nanxue answered crisply. "The Xu siblings colluded with Fu Chen, suppressing me as the CEO while secretly acquiring shares. And now, they've attracted the shark of Fengtou Company, intending to devour the entire Fu Group."
Mr. Wen slowly stood up, leaning on his cane, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice: "Mr. Fu, if what Mr. Ning said is true, this is no longer a simple company decision-making issue."
Another senior director echoed this, saying, "The agreement must be reviewed. Until then, all financial transactions are suspended. Regarding the CEO's removal, we will not discuss it for now."
"Why?" Fu Chen roared, "I am the eldest son of the Fu family! This company should be under my control!"
"Mr. Fu," Mr. Wen said sternly, "Fu Corporation is not your private property. As a listed company, we are responsible to all shareholders. Your behavior of introducing Fengtou Company has seriously exceeded your personal authority."
Several directors nodded in agreement. For a moment, the voices supporting Ning Nanxue prevailed within the board of directors.
Fu Chen stood there, his face livid, his fists clenched. He had thought that with Fengtou Company's financial advantage, he could easily defeat Ning Nanxue, but he didn't expect her to outmaneuver him.
"The board of directors is temporarily adjourning," Mr. Wen announced. "At the same time next week, we will conduct a comprehensive review of Fengtou Company's investment agreement. Until then, President Ning will continue to perform his duties as CEO. President Fu, please prepare the relevant instructions."
Xu Zhiru tugged at Fu Chen's sleeve and sobbed softly, but he roughly pushed her away.
"This matter is not over yet." Fu Chen stared at Ning Nanxue coldly, turned around and strode out of the meeting room.
Xu Zhiru stumbled after him, her high heels clattering on the floor, her shoulders shaking with sobs, the diamond necklace around her neck gleaming brightly under the light, making her face look even paler.
The directors left the meeting room in twos and threes, talking in low voices, occasionally casting approving or complicated glances at Ning Nanxue.
Ning Nanxue stood there, organizing the documents into her briefcase.
She had won that round, but the battle was far from over. The news about Xu Zhao's return was a risky move—she had some clues, but no definitive evidence.
However, judging from Xu Zhiru's reaction, this hidden arrow hit the bull's eye.
"Mr. Ning," Secretary Chen reminded softly, "Mr. Jiang is waiting for you downstairs."
Ning Nanxue nodded slightly and walked out of the meeting room. From behind, Mr. Wen's voice rang out, "Nanxue, don't push too hard on some things."
She paused, without looking back, but nodded slightly and continued walking forward.
At the same time, on the top floor of Fu Building, in Fu Chen's office, a loud noise broke the silence.
"Damn it!" Fu Chen punched the solid wooden desk, shattering the crystal ornaments on the desk.
The shards fell to the floor, just like his face in the board meeting today. The shards of glass reflected a glare on the carpet, stinging his pride.
"Ah Chen, don't be angry." Xu Zhiru's eyes were red as she approached cautiously. "We still have a chance..."
"Shut up!" Fu Chen turned around abruptly, waving his arms. "If you hadn't lost control of your emotions, I could at least calm down those wavering directors!"
Xu Zhiru staggered back a few steps, her necklace swaying in the light, and tears blurring her carefully applied makeup.
"How dare you mention Xu Zhao? The whole company is saying your brother has returned to China! How did Ning Nanxue know about this?"
"I...I don't know," Xu Zhiru's voice trembled. "Azhao said he would keep it a secret..."
"Keep it a secret?" Fu Chen sneered, "It seems you two siblings are even more incompetent than I thought."
Xu Zhiru bit her lower lip, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She had never seen Fu Chen so angry, even in the worst days of the past, he had never treated her like this.
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