Yuelan Grand Hotel.

Inside an ultra-luxurious suite.

On the sofa in the large living room and in front of the coffee table, five or six middle-aged men were sitting or standing. Some were smoking, and others were drinking. Yuan Tianlong and Yuan Tiance were both present.

If this scene were captured and shared, many would immediately recognize that the men present comprised more than half of the nation's pharmaceutical magnates. Haoyu Group, Meilin Group, Tianqian Medicine… all were titans who had reached the pinnacle of the industry.

"Yuan Tianlong, I hear you've already sent your son abroad?" a short, unusually fat man asked. He was only about 1.6 meters tall, his body plump and round, and he blinked his beady eyes as he spoke in a low, sinister voice.

He was Sun Chen, the chairman of Meilin Group and the man who had green-lit the aggressive acquisition of Huarui Group's shares on the secondary market. Those who knew Sun Chen were aware that while he appeared honest and kind, he was in fact a deeply shrewd man who excelled at conspiracy and intrigue. As a result, few who knew of his reputation were willing to deal with him.

"Haha!" someone nearby laughed heartily. "The way I see it, Yuan Tianlong was so terrified this time that he swapped out the coffin someone sent him without a second thought. He's lost all face."

The others also stared at Yuan Tianlong with undisguised mockery. In their circle, he was considered one of the most daring and reckless individuals, known not only for his bold ambition but also for his ruthlessness. He wasn't just ruthless toward others; he was equally harsh with himself. They never would have imagined that such a man could be so thoroughly cowed by a single glance that he would lose all face and not dare to retaliate. If countless people hadn't witnessed it themselves, they would have found it impossible to believe.

"Hmph!" His face livid, Yuan Tianlong said coldly, "Stop your snide remarks. If it had been any of you, you probably would have been scared into kowtowing and begging for mercy. You have the nerve to talk about me?"

The crowd gave an awkward laugh and said no more. Jests aside, anyone capable of forcing Yuan Tianlong to lose face so completely was no ordinary person. That was why they, who normally kept to their own affairs, had gathered here today.

"Gentlemen, I wonder what your plans are?" The speaker was a man in his fifties dressed in fine clothes, a large, conspicuous black mole at the corner of his mouth. He puffed on a pipe as he asked the question casually.

He was Fan Changtian, the chairman of Tianqian Medicine. As a veteran in the industry, he commanded a certain degree of respect compared to the others.

"If you ask me, we should strike directly in the capital market. We take over the entire Qin Corporation by purchasing its shares. It's both reasonable and legal. No matter how capable that guy is, what can he do to us?"

"Hmph!" No sooner were the words spoken than someone scoffed, "Old Liu, the crucial point is still that piece of trash. Even if you take over Qin Corporation, what can you do if he refuses to hand over the formula?"

"My idea is that we should send in all our best men, find that piece of trash, and kill him once and for all. Only then can we be free of future troubles!"

This proposal immediately earned nods of approval from many, including, of course, Yuan Tianlong. Only by killing Chen Yang could he avenge his son.

Fan Changtian nodded but didn't pursue the topic. Instead, he turned to Sun Chen. "Chairman Sun, how is your acquisition of Huarui Group progressing?"

"Chairman Sun is truly shrewd, blocking them at the source. Without the equipment, they can't start production even if they have the formula!"

"That Fatty Sun is always one step ahead."

"Chairman Sun, please, tell us about it."

There were words of admiration mixed with subtle mockery.

Sun Chen smiled smugly. "Zheng Xiaoman simply wouldn't agree, which left me no choice but to purchase shares of Huarui Group on the secondary market."

"I've already acquired over forty percent. At this rate, I can restructure the board of directors by tomorrow at the latest and kick that woman Zheng Xiaoman out of the chairman's seat.

He leisurely swirled his drink, took a sip, and the corners of his mouth curled upward. "When that time comes, I'll tear up the contract between Huarui Group and Qin Corporation for that batch of equipment whenever I please."

"Without equipment, let's see how he plans to start production! Moreover, I've already spoken with the equipment manufacturers outside the city. Without my permission, they won't accept a single order from Lingjin City."

Sun Chen continued, "If he wants a war of attrition, I'll give him one. If he wants to negotiate, then we'll have a *very* good talk!"

"Brilliant, truly brilliant! Your reputation as Sun the Fox is well-deserved!"

"Indeed. For you, Sun Chen, to have grown from a small processing firm into what you are today is a testament to your ability."

Another round of praise mixed with veiled sarcasm followed.

"You all flatter me!" Sun Chen accepted all their comments with an arrogant expression. "I, for one, dislike direct confrontations. If money can solve a problem, why resort to violence?"

"Crude."

"Haha…"

A wave of laughter erupted in the room.

"Alright!" Fan Changtian made a decision. "In that case, we'll hold off for now and see what results Chairman Sun's approach yields."

Sun Chen nodded slightly. Though he was typically a low-key and reserved person, he couldn't deny the pleasure of being the center of attention, the pillar everyone looked up to.

RING, RING, RING.

Sun Chen's phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was his right-hand man, he answered without a second thought. "What is it?"

"Chairman, something terrible has happened!" the voice on the other end cried, frantic and panicked. "Officials from several government departments have come to our headquarters! They've issued several warrants and say they're going to arrest all the executives!"

Sun Chen, who had been so proud and smug just moments before, instantly turned deathly pale. Beads of sweat rolled down his plump face, and his fingers trembled violently.

"Wh-why?" Sun Chen roared into the phone. "Why the hell is this happening?"

"Apparently, someone reported us and provided evidence of all our illegal activities over the years!" the voice on the phone said, choked with tears. "Our stock price has been slashed in half and is still plummeting. Chairman, you have to think of something, fast! Did… did you offend someone you shouldn't have?"

"Right, and there's someone frantically buying up our stock! Whatever anyone sells, they buy! If this continues, the entire Meilin Group will soon fall into someone else's hands."

At these words, Sun Chen was utterly stunned.

This… wasn't this the very tactic he had used against Huarui Group? How could it have been turned on him?! But his opponent was far shrewder. They sent in the officials first to cripple his market value, then swooped in to take over, usurping the entire Meilin Group for pennies on the dollar.

"Don't—don't arrest me! This has nothing to do with me!"

While Sun Chen was still in a daze, he heard the man's terrified screams, followed by the sharp CLICK of handcuffs coming through the phone.

THUMP.

Sun Chen stumbled back several steps, nearly collapsing onto the floor.

"Chairman Sun, what's wrong?"

Everyone else in the room looked on in confusion.

"It's over. The business empire I worked so hard to build… has crumbled in an instant!" Sun Chen said, his gaze vacant, as he briefly explained what had happened.

Instantly, everyone in the room stood frozen, a chill spreading through them. Meilin Group, with its sheer size and influence, had just collapsed so suddenly?

How was that possible?

"No, no!" Sun Chen shook his head in disbelief. "It must be that woman, Zheng Xiaoman! I have to reconcile with her!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.