"Hahaha..."

Many people nearby were jeering, laughing at Ye Fan's overestimation of his abilities.

Although the Han Group is powerful, it hasn't extended its reach to all coastal cities, especially not to a city like Ninghai where local powers dominate, making it difficult for even large corporations to set foot.

Sun Ronghe wore a smug smile and said, "Young man, talking big is not good. Did you say the Han Group wants to invest in Ninghai? Why haven't I or anyone from the Ninghai city government heard about it? And who are you to show up at this gala? Security, escort this man out!"

As he spoke, more than a dozen security guards approached. They weren't ordinary security guards but rather henchmen raised by Sun Ronghe.

Sun Ronghe gave them a look, implying they should drag Ye Fan out for a beating and then keep the woman beside Ye Fan.

With a gentle smile on his face, Ye Fan remained calm. If he wanted to act, he could make those dozen security guards disappear from the face of the earth in an instant.

"Wait!" A delicate shout came from afar as a very professional-looking woman walked out—it was Han Qing'er's personal assistant, Sun Ning.

Accompanied by Sun Ning were dozens of security company employees, and also Han Qing'er, who was wearing the same evening gown.

"Who are you?" Sun Ronghe grew nervous. He had prepared many things for tonight's banquet, including deploying over a hundred henchmen inside and outside the hotel. But now these henchmen seemed to have failed, allowing this group to bring security company people into the ballroom.

The people Han Qing'er and Sun Ning brought were not ordinary security company employees but professional soldiers.

Sun Ning approached and said, "This is our Chairwoman Han of the Han Group. Don't you recognize her?"

"Han Qing'er? Impossible, Han Qing'er couldn't possibly appear in Ninghai City!" Sun Ronghe grew tense, already sensing things weren't looking good.

The people from Ninghai's political circles quickly came over to greet her, flattering, "Chairwoman Han, what wind blew you to grace us with your presence?"

Han Qing'er coldly replied, "Our Han Group plans to invest in a project worth about thirty billion in Ninghai City, including a plaza, hotel, entertainment, and dining. As the group's leader, I naturally have to come over and take a look, is that a problem?"

Upon hearing Han Qing'er's words, Ninghai's political and business circles were thrown into an uproar.

The Han Group is immensely wealthy. Though it is a joint-stock company, Han Qing'er owns over ninety percent of the shares, so her words represent the entire Han Group.

"I heard Miss Han just acquired the Tang Corporation. I wonder if she still has that much capital..."

Some who initially sided with Sun Ronghe were now turning to support Han Qing'er. They weren't worried about the Han Group's credibility but feared it might not be able to swiftly amass such a large sum.

Han Qing'er sneered, "For our Han Group to invest in a project worth thirty billion, we don't even need bank loans. Our debt ratio has always been very low. You don't doubt that, do you?"

"Of course not, Miss Han. As young as you are, you will surely make a mark in Ninghai City in the future."

The people from Ninghai's political and business circles continued to discuss. Although Sun Ronghe's earlier proposal could bring them a lot of income, as it involved real estate and chemical projects, there was a certain level of policy risk, making locals regard them as enemies. So while making money, they were also worried.

But the Han Group's investment in hotel entertainment was different. It could transform Ninghai City into a tourist vacation city, with an initial investment of thirty billion. Other companies would see the opportunity and invest too. Within a few years, the total investment might reach nearly a hundred billion.

"What are you doing, betraying me?" Seeing the situation turning against him, Sun Ronghe angrily shouted, "No matter how powerful the Han Group is, in Ninghai City, no one gets to walk all over me, Sun!"

Sun Ronghe was not a pushover. His rise to power over the years wasn't through legitimate business.

"You don't get to decide that," Han Qing'er said. "Currently, personnel from several departments including financial taxation, national security, and the police are already in your company investigating your tax evasion and other crimes. Your subordinates have become informers for the police, so it looks like you'll be spending your future in prison... maybe not long enough, because your crimes warrant multiple executions!"

Sun Ronghe glared at the elite of the political and business world around him and said, "Miss Han, you don't scare me. I'm in legitimate business; even if they're investigating, they won't find anything."

"You think it's people from Ninghai City investigating you? Just you wait and see."

After finishing, Han Qing'er walked over to stand respectfully behind Ye Fan. Others also noticed the peculiar "accessory" around Han Qing'er's neck, exclaiming, "Miss Han's taste is unique, isn't it? Why does she have something like a collar around her neck?"

Ye Fan then laughed and said, "Mr. Sun, do you believe now that I'm not just making empty claims?"

"You're... you're not getting out of here!" Sun Ronghe was completely enraged, intending to use his henchmen to detain Ye Fan and others, "This is my territory, you won't get to behave like this!"

As he spoke, police sirens blared outside. A large force of police and armed police arrived at the Hengji Hotel. These police were armed, and Sun Ronghe's henchmen dared not resist. When the armed officers reached Sun Ronghe, they produced an arrest warrant, saying, "Sun Ronghe, you are suspected of leading an organized crime group, manipulating markets for profit, and hiring assassins... Now, we lawfully arrest you."

Sun Ronghe's complexion turned ashen, wanting to say something, but Ye Fan approached him, patting his shoulder and said, "To deal with someone, I don't necessarily have to use force; legal means are just as effective."

"Who... who exactly are you?" Sun Ronghe's face twitched involuntarily.

"Who I am doesn't matter; what's important is you've offended my woman, and this is the consequence!"

Ye Fan's voice wasn't loud, but Hu Jing, standing nearby, heard it clearly.

Upon hearing Ye Fan say "offended my woman," Hu Jing was taken aback, realizing he meant her. Her body trembled, yet she was momentarily at a loss for words.

The police stepped forward, handcuffed Sun Ronghe, and some figures from the political and business circles present, also involved in crimes, were arrested. Once they were taken away, the whole ballroom was left in silence.

"Ye Fan, why did you do this?" Hu Jing asked with a complex expression, "Do you think this will erode his power in Ninghai City? He has people backing him, and my family is still in his hands."

Ye Fan shook his head, "I'm not helping you, nor do I need to. But your family will be absolutely safe. There's a car below to take you back, and you will see your family when you return!"

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