Black-hearted Company

"Yes," the manager began discussing the serious matter. "Chairman, our construction projects have been exposed for using substandard materials. There are also reports that our company is responsible for deaths."

"Now, the residents are demanding refunds, and the construction sites of our ongoing projects have been stormed by villagers accusing us of seizing their land with minimal compensation."

Lin Qingwan's delicate face was filled with concern as she listened.

If these allegations spread, Starlight Group's real estate division would essentially be finished.

This was one of the few remaining profitable sectors for Starlight Group—and now it was about to be destroyed...

"Is there any way to control the public backlash?" Lin Qingwan asked, pressing her lips together.

The manager shook his head.

Lin Qingwan turned her worried gaze toward Lin Chang.

Lin Chang's face was as pale as paper.

After a long silence...

"Hahahaha!"

Lin Chang suddenly burst into laughter.

"So this is Lin Xuan's strategy."

"A move that truly seals Starlight Group's fate."

"Hahahaha! Well done, absolutely well done!"

Lin Chang had always prided himself on his shrewdness in business. In just over two decades, he had built Starlight Group into a massive corporation—he had his methods.

Yet, he never imagined he would one day be defeated by a son he had once looked down upon.

Hah.

He admitted it—this time, he had lost. Lost completely.

Now, the only profitable sector left was the chain hotels.

He refused to believe Lin Xuan could exploit any weaknesses there.

Lin Xuan wanted to see him destitute.

But he would never give Lin Xuan that satisfaction.

Gritting his teeth, Lin Chang ordered, "Qingwan, contact the managers of all our hotels immediately. Tell them to conduct thorough inspections—Lin Xuan must not find any flaws in our hotel operations!"

"Understood. I'll arrange it right away."

Knowing the urgency, Lin Qingwan hurried out in her high heels.

Lin Chang slumped weakly into his office chair.

His heart ached terribly. With trembling hands, he pulled open a drawer, quickly retrieved his heart medication, and swallowed it with a large gulp of water.

"Chairman, are you alright?" the executives asked anxiously.

After a moment, the pain in his chest eased slightly.

Waving a hand, Lin Chang said, "I'm fine. Don’t worry—I won’t collapse so easily."

If he collapsed now, it would only please Lin Xuan.

So he couldn’t afford to fall.

Even if the company went under, the wealth he had amassed would let him live comfortably for the rest of his life.

Not to mention, his children would still support him.

Lin Xuan dreaming of seeing him in poverty? That was pure delusion!

"You may leave," Lin Chang said weakly. "And... you might as well start packing up. Prepare to leave the company."

The executives protested, unwilling to accept defeat. "Chairman, are we really giving up without a fight?"

They had worked hard to reach their positions. Starting over at another company was unthinkable.

Lin Chang laughed bitterly. "What else can we do? Keep buying PR teams and trending tags to suppress this?"

The executives fell silent.

The moment these scandals broke, they had exploded across every major platform. Countless netizens had already seen them—there was no way to bury the truth now.

Slumping further into his chair, Lin Chang muttered, "Let’s not struggle anymore. The more we fight, the more money we waste."

With Lin Xuan orchestrating things, there was no way to salvage the situation.

Spending money to fix it would only play into Lin Xuan’s hands.

"Go," Lin Chang repeated.

"Yes, Chairman."

Reluctantly, the executives filed out of the office.

Lin Chang locked the door behind them, then sat alone, drinking.

Meanwhile, Jiang Shuqin was out shopping for clothes.

She stood before a dress, nodding in approval.

This one suited her perfectly.

She would look stunning in it.

"Salesperson," Jiang Shuqin called out, "wrap this up for me."

Before the attendant could respond, another woman snatched the dress from the rack.

"This one is mine," Su Haiqing declared.

"Su Haiqing, I saw this dress first. Are you really trying to take it from me?" Jiang Shuqin snapped, her temper flaring.

"But I was the one who picked it up first," Su Haiqing retorted with a smirk.

Jiang Shuqin’s chest heaved with anger.

Su Haiqing used to be her lackey, always fawning over her.

Now, she dared to challenge her over a dress?

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Shuqin forced herself to stay composed.

Crossing her arms, she sneered, "Su Haiqing, you’ve really grown bold, haven’t you? Stealing clothes from me now?"

Su Haiqing merely scoffed.

So what if she took it? What could Jiang Shuqin do about it?

"Su Haiqing, if you kneel and apologize right now, I might forgive you for this," Jiang Shuqin said haughtily.

"Apologize to you? Sorry, Mrs. Jiang, but you’re not worth it," Su Haiqing shot back disdainfully.

"Su Haiqing!" Jiang Shuqin shouted. "How dare you speak to me like this! Don’t forget—your husband’s company relies on Starlight Group purchasing construction materials from them!"

"Aren’t you afraid we’ll cancel our contract?"

"Hahahaha!" Su Haiqing burst into laughter as if she had heard the most ridiculous joke.

"Buying materials from your company? Are you joking?"

For some reason, Su Haiqing’s mocking tone sent a wave of unease through Jiang Shuqin.

Had something happened to the company?

She shook her head immediately.

No, impossible.

Only the gaming division had been affected, and Lin Xuan was behind it.

Lin Xuan’s business had no ties to real estate—how could he possibly target that sector?

Just then, a passerby exclaimed, "Did I hear her mention Starlight Group? Is she the chairman’s wife?"

"I remember now—she was at Lin Li and Feng Yaya’s engagement banquet. You’re right, she’s Jiang Shuqin, wife of Starlight Group’s chairman, Lin Chang."

"So it’s her. Starlight Group is a corrupt company—no surprise its chairman’s wife is just as rotten."

"With all these scandals, Starlight Group probably won’t last much longer. I wonder if this woman’s luxurious lifestyle will hold up."

"Tch. Using shoddy materials, seizing land, causing deaths—did they really think they could hide it forever? You can’t wrap fire in paper."

The bystanders gossiped fervently.

Jiang Shuqin’s mind spun in confusion.

What corrupt company?

What substandard materials?

Land seizures? Deaths?

What were they talking about?