Coming out in the middle of the night for a press conference, even without complaints, wasn't so pleasant. Now that they knew the press conference would start half an hour earlier than scheduled, everyone felt quite relieved. This way, not only could they finish early, but with some peers not having arrived yet, their news might be more effective.

In an instant, the reporters who were busy with their own tasks immediately aligned, all getting ready to take photos, record, and film. Li Yan stood still in the crowd, waiting for Zhou Shiru to appear.

After giving everyone a few minutes to prepare, a solemn-looking Zhou Shiru appeared amidst the flashing lights.

Everyone's eyes and cameras were focused on Zhou Shiru. Li Yan's peripheral vision scanned the surroundings, noticing that there were many different staff members. It was evident that this press conference was well-prepared. Considering Paradise Group only learned of Zhou Shiru's issue just before the end of the day, it showed their excellent confidentiality, thanks to those like Lin Fenni keeping it under wraps. Of course, it could also be due to Zhang Yurong and others rearranging the schedule after finding out, making an earlier press conference.

"Dear media friends, I apologize for having you come over so late. Tonight, I have important news to announce. This not only concerns a publicly traded giant company, involves all shareholders, but also touches on the dignity of the law, and possibly, my personal safety. Therefore, I must face the public at the earliest opportunity…"

Zhou Shiru opened with the demeanor of a fighter bravely confronting evil forces. After a brief introduction, some reporters couldn't resist asking if it was related to his employment at Paradise Group, while others pointed directly to the crux, asking if it was about the lawsuit Paradise Group was facing.

After a solemn sweep around the room to build suspense, Zhou Shiru gravely said, "Indeed, this is related to my employment - but former employment - at Paradise Group!"

His confirmation and mention of "former" revealed a lot of information. Initially, doubts were split, with some thinking this was Paradise Group's arranged press conference. Now it was entirely clear that this wasn't orchestrated by Paradise Group but targeted at them!

"I worked at Paradise Group for many years. It's a powerful company, and I once thought it would be the excellent enterprise I would devote my life to. Unfortunately, over the years, as a lawyer in the Legal Department of Paradise Group, I've seen much darkness! Until recently, I couldn't stomach the pangs of conscience any longer. Even though I had a lucrative position as so-called Chief Lawyer in the company, as a lawyer, I must first be true to the law, true to the people!"

Nothing pleases reporters more than explosive insider revelations. For a small number of parties involved, they care about the progress of the issue, but for the vast majority, watching the news is just watching a spectacle. Thus, the more dramatic, the more severe the exposure, the better it grabs attention.

After starting, Zhou Shiru seemed to have passed the psychological hurdle, becoming more composed and began detailing the "Seven Deadly Sins" of Paradise Group he prepared.

Relatively speaking, Paradise Group isn't a specialized real estate company; the land they acquired or auctioned is only for building hotels and theme parks, so the attention level is far less than that of those building residential properties.

However, whether believed or not, when someone originally from Paradise speaks, the effect is different. Moreover, Zhou Shiru's words, so far, were merely general attacks, but he repeatedly stated that, as an insider, he could provide evidence and was even willing to testify in court!

Besides this case, other content in the "Seven Deadly Sins" is still general attacks, alleging Paradise Group's involvement in unfair competition in many business actions; in personnel management; in shareholders' interests; false reporting of benefits; tax evasion, etc.

These issues, to any big company, aren't real issues. Who doesn't have these problems? If it were just ordinary competitive opponent attacks or ordinary journalistic articles, it wouldn't intrigue readers too much, soon forgotten after reading.

But now it's different; this is internal insider exposure, making people feel the company must be exceedingly outrageous to have even beneficiaries switching sides. Moreover, Zhou Shiru kept reiterating he could be responsible for his words, provide concrete evidence, and wouldn't hesitate to go to court!

Having a big fist doesn't equal being correct, nor does having a loud voice. But in an age where more people only want to squash soft targets, someone willing to be accountable for their words and repeatedly emphasizes court verification indeed greatly enhances credibility.

...

The lawyer's imposing presence, solemn demeanor, good reputation, well-prepared speech; the attacks weren't sharp, slightly void but not easily breached by finding loopholes... all combined made Zhou Shiru's press conference revelation highly successful. In just a few minutes, all the media reporters present were contemplating what kind of headline would be more sensational and eye-catching.

And after his "Seven Deadly Sins," it was time for the media's questions. As announced by the staff, the reporters on-site were required to only ask questions related to this press conference, not to waste precious time going off-topic.

Of course, Zhou Shiru is not a star. The presence is mainly business news reporters, not entertainment reporters for gossip. Everyone wasn't interested in his private gossip; the questions were naturally related to the press conference.

But even so, some questions were hard to separate him personally from the issues.

For example, the first question by a powerful media reporter was a question everyone was concerned about and needed to understand—a question related to him personally, the Paradise Group, and this press conference.

"Mr. Zhou, may I ask what prompted you to leave Paradise Group and come forward to expose these issues? Was it solely for fairness and justice? Have you personally faced any unfair treatment at Paradise Group recently?"

This is what everyone is most concerned about. Indeed, the desire for gossip is in everyone. It's just that directions differ, for instance, entertainment reporters facing stars focus more on who they are dating, who they dined or shopped with, often more than the work itself; financial reporters, if they only wanted one result, would become mere echoers. At least they have to dig out more readable content behind the scenes: you claim it's for fairness, justice, and law, who believes that? Does it fool the sharp-eyed reporters?

Zhou Shiru was clearly prepared for this question. He first looked somewhat gravely at everyone, seemingly reluctant to reach this point, and he appeared forced into an act of righteous betrayal.

At this moment, everyone was waiting for him to speak. Some were waiting for Zhou Shiru to deliver the second blow against Paradise Group!

No one even noticed Li Yan in the crowd on-site.

Li Yan, already prepared, was about to act!

"Ladies and gentlemen... perhaps, you all can guess. Indeed, I feel very uneasy and guilty."

This was a very normal opening line, coupled with Zhou Shiru's slightly trembling demeanor and tone, and his gesture of holding the podium. Many were secretly amazed, thinking this guy had a talent for acting! Just this expression broadcasted would definitely allow many to deconstruct a lot of underlying meanings.

"To say Paradise Group created me might be a bit off, as I am indeed capable; even if I'm not in Paradise Group, I can still shine. But there's no doubt that Paradise Group greatly aided my growth, allowing me to achieve success and fame earlier! Here, I must express my gratitude to Chairman Zhang Tianyi who recruited me back then!"

Zhou Shiru was no longer solemn and severe as before, but rather tearfully sentimental. This stunned everyone; a big-shot lawyer is also adept at emotional routes?

"However, today I have let Chairman Zhang down. This press conference today was arranged with everything prepared by friends from Changhe Group. The reason I stood against Paradise Group, said those words... was entirely due to Changhe Group. Chairman Zhang, it's not that I, Zhou Shiru, repay kindness with revenge, but... they offered terms of three million shares in Changhe—I simply couldn't refuse! I... I am very ashamed, but I am just an ordinary person..."

Zhou Shiru seemed a bit out of control, and all the media reporters on-site were in an uproar, never expecting such a fierce turn of events, making all previous revelations just preludes to climax!

(Frustration, indeed capped at 250 monthly passes….) (To be continued. For the rest of the story, please log in to www.qidian.com, with more chapters and support for the author, supporting legitimate reading!)

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