Yun City.

Chen Group headquarters meeting room.

The large meeting room was packed, not only with the senior executives of Chen Group but also the bosses of companies that cooperated with Chen Group.

One by one, their faces were grim, like they were on a crusade.

Chen Ziran sat in the president's seat, face dark and stern.

Originally, Chen Ziran went to Snake Head Mountain with Ye Guichen, but an accident occurred midway that forced her to return. She thought Chen Group had stabilized by now, but who would have expected another significant incident to plunge Chen Group into a bottomless abyss on the third day after her return.

Since Star Group planned to expand in Yun City, they needed to build a commercial building, and the contractor was none other than Chen Group.

For this project, Chen Ziran specially named it Yunxing Building, wishing for Star Group's smooth development in Yun City.

However, just a few days after the project started, a major accident occurred, resulting in the death of several workers and the complete collapse of the already completed foundation.

Once this news broke, it would undoubtedly be devastating to Chen Group.

Even if Star Group decided not to hold them accountable, the preliminary investments would be completely wasted.

Not only would banks come to collect their debts, but those companies collaborating with Chen Group would also come knocking. By then, the debts of the entire Chen Group would likely reach an unbearable figure.

Even if they went bankrupt, they couldn't cover the debts.

To minimize the later risks as much as possible, Chen Ziran initially tried hard to suppress this information and manage the aftermath effectively. But to her dismay, the companies that initially valued the collaboration between Star Group and Chen Group somehow got wind of it and came forward one after another.

"Mr. Chen, Star Group taking a liking to your Chen Group isn't just your Chen Group's business but a big deal for the entire Yun City business community. But you've messed it up. Do you know how bad the impact is?"

"No kidding. If it wasn't for the news, we would have still been in the dark. Mr. Chen, how are you putting us in such a difficult position?"

"We're all in this together. For our collaborative project, we've invested seventy million, which is more than half of our company's funds. Now that something has gone wrong, are you trying to drag our company down?"

"Mr. Chen, it's not that we're not considerate, but we need to survive too. We're not here to make things difficult for you today; just return the money we invested and whatever profits you might make in the future, we won't be envious of."

The bosses of other companies also spoke up:

"Exactly, return the thirty million we invested, and we won't care how much you earn in the future."

"Mr. Chen, say something. If we don't get our money today, we're not leaving."

"We've got over a thousand people in our factory waiting for their meals, are you going to let them all go hungry?"

It was as if a fuse was lit, and the bosses of those companies started shouting in unison.

In short, they were asking for money, not giving Chen Group any room to maneuver.

Chen Ziran furrowed her brows, her hands shaking slightly from the immense pressure.

In the past few days, she was at her wit's end, trying every possible way to solve the problem, but things only worsened.

Today's situation had clearly become unmanageable.

"Everyone, I understand your feelings, but you have to at least give us some time?" Chen Ziran stood up. "Everyone is willing to work with Chen Group because you trust us. Now that such a big incident has occurred, I, Chen Ziran, must take responsibility. I apologize to all of you first."

With that, Chen Ziran bowed deeply to the other company bosses.

The bosses didn't expect Chen Ziran to admit her fault so quickly and sincerely, rendering them momentarily speechless.

At that moment, a middle-aged man stood up.

His name was He Chenglong, the manager of the business department of Chen Group, responsible for liaising with other companies.

"Everyone, please calm down. Your worries are completely unnecessary," He Chenglong said while looking around calmly before focusing on Chen Ziran, "Mr. Chen, I've been with Chen Group for a long time. Now there's an opportunity to get Chen Group out of this crisis. Since everyone is here, I'll explain it publicly."

"He Chenglong, what do you mean?" Chen Ziran stared at the sudden standing He Chenglong, unsure what he intended to do.

Chen Ziran was very familiar with He Chenglong; not only was he greedy, but he also seemed to have a good relationship with Long Zhengkun of Longteng Group.

But over the years, He Chenglong hadn't done anything excessive, and with the numerous responsibilities on her shoulders after taking office, Chen Ziran hadn't really addressed He Chenglong issues.

Yet today, in a meeting filled with Chen Group's partners, any decision could change the future development of Chen Group.

In any case, as a manager of Chen Group, he should communicate any issues with her first. But He Chenglong hadn't mentioned anything to her, which made Chen Ziran increasingly anxious.

Everyone perked up at the mention of a solution.

He Chenglong cleared his throat and smiled, "Everyone, you all understand Chen Group's capabilities. We really don't have the strength to cooperate with Star Group. But maybe we were lucky; ultimately, this huge piece of cake fell into Chen Group's lap."

At this, the company bosses nodded in agreement.

Even if they had objections, what's done was done, and they could only look forward.

But He Chenglong's words reignited the jealousy in the bosses' hearts.

He Chenglong briefly paused before continuing, "As you all might know, initially, Star Group leaned towards Longteng Group when they considered expanding in Yun City."

"Yes, I heard that too."

"Longteng Group is the leading company in Yun City, strong enough to work with Star Group."

"Manager He, are you suggesting that Longteng Group is the key to solving this crisis?"

Someone in the crowd hinted aloud.

Everyone appeared enlightened.

"Yes, Mr. Chen, Chen Group is already mired in trouble. If you hand over all the business to Longteng Group, getting through this crisis should be no problem."

"Why didn't I think of that? This is an excellent idea."

"Manager He, is this what you meant?"

He Chenglong responded, "It looks like you're all smart. Yes, after the accident occurred, Mr. Long from Longteng Group contacted me, sincerely expressing a desire to help Chen Group through this crisis. I mentioned it to Mr. Chen, but he wouldn't listen."

While speaking, He Chenglong cast a glance at Chen Ziran, implying that the president wanted to keep all the power to herself, ignoring others' fates.

Chen Ziran was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

After the accident, He Chenglong did mention it to her, but she quickly understood that Longteng Group wanted to exploit the situation.

If Longteng Group got involved, there would no longer be a Chen Group, which might not even qualify as a subsidiary of Longteng Group.

Chen Ziran decisively refused then, but she didn't expect He Chenglong to bring it up publicly now.

This put her in a dilemma.

"He Chenglong, were you colluding with Long Zhengkun all along?"

In an instant, Chen Ziran figured it out.

Long Zhengkun must be pulling the strings behind this.

He Chenglong laughed, "Mr. Chen, I don't like hearing that. I'm just considering the best interest of Chen Group, and you're accusing me of colluding? Ask your conscience, isn't this the best solution?"

Many cooperative bosses glanced at each other and then nodded meaningfully.

"Yes, Manager He's suggestion is the best solution right now."

"Once Chen Group hands over all business to Longteng Group, it would be a fresh start, the previous crisis would disappear, and we wouldn't worry about our investments."

"With Longteng Group's capabilities, it could lead us into a new era in Yun City."

Chen Ziran suddenly realized.

Long Zhengkun must be orchestrating this behind the scenes.

"You, you've already become Long Zhengkun's lackeys?"

She collapsed into her chair, drained.

"Mr. Chen, as they say, an aware man will submit to circumstances. I don't like hearing that," said a short, chubby boss, smiling without denial.

Another boss added gently, "Mr. Chen, for a woman like you to boss us around is unseemly. Mr. Long has more experience and connections. I think you should stop struggling."

"Right, you won't push Chen Group into the fire just for the president's seat, will you?"

Now that the truth was out, many people advised Chen Ziran, not fearing to rip off their masks.

Moreover, in the face of enormous interests, there's no room for facades.

Chen Ziran suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, longing for a shoulder to lean on.

"Am I really not cut out to be president?" Remembering Ye Guichen's carefree attitude, brimming with nonchalance, Chen Ziran fought back tears and murmured, "If only he were here, maybe he'd know what to do."

"Achoo!" Suddenly, Ye Guichen, just back from Snake Head Mountain, sneezed.

He rubbed his nose and muttered, "Strange, could my wife be missing me?"

He'd been away from Yun City for about seven or eight days.

On the way back, he didn't rush, delving into the peculiar box he acquired, concluding that it could only be opened with seven Seven-colored Lotus Jade pieces.

So, opening the box wasn't urgent yet.

For Ye Guichen, the trip to Snake Head Mountain was quite fruitful, not only acquiring vast wealth from Luo Family but also gaining a clear direction.

Without notifying Chen Ziran, Ye Guichen wanted to surprise her and had Wu Caijun drop him directly at Chen Group upon his return.

"Honey, I'm back." Entering Chen Ziran's office without hesitation, Ye Guichen spread his arms, intending to give her a big hug, but the office was empty and eerily quiet.

"Eh? Why isn't she in the office at this hour?" Ye Guichen wondered.

"Manager Ye?" A startled voice came from behind.

Ye Guichen turned around to see Secretary Annie.

Annie was as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof.

Although she was Chen Ziran's secretary, she had been barred from the meeting room, which made her instinctively sense an ominous plot.

Worrying that Chen Ziran might crack under the pressure, Annie thought to call Elder Chen, hoping that the partners might reconsider out of respect for her.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into Ye Guichen upon his return.

Though she wasn't sure how much help he could be, Ye Guichen was Chen Ziran's husband in name.

In any case, at least he could share some of the pressure.

"Where's my wife?" Ye Guichen immediately noticed something was off about Annie and asked urgently.

Grabbing him, Annie replied, "Manager Ye, go to the meeting room quickly. Those partners don't seem to have good intentions!"

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