Bankruptcy

"Ha ha ha ha..." Lin Chang laughed heartily, his face full of self-mockery. "Who would have thought... Starlight Group is finally bankrupt, just as Lin Xuan wished."

"Dad..." Lin Qingwan bit her lip. "Is there really no way to salvage this?"

"How can we salvage it?" Lin Chang gritted his teeth. "Lin Qingwan, tell me—how can we salvage this now?"

Lin Qingwan clenched her fists.

Indeed, there was no salvaging it.

Lin Chang slumped into his chair, rubbing his throbbing temples in exhaustion. "Next... we need to prepare for the company's bankruptcy proceedings."

He had to hold onto the money in his hands tightly.

Lin Xuan would surely love to see him lose everything—he couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t give Lin Xuan the satisfaction.

Lin Qingwan looked at Lin Chang’s ashen face, wanting to comfort him.

But she didn’t know how.

So she left him alone in the office to calm down, quietly stepping out.

Now, only Lin Chang remained in the office.

The employees had all been sent home by Lin Qingwan to await further notice. The once-bustling Starlight Group was now eerily empty.

Lin Chang stepped out of the office, spreading his arms wide.

This was the company he had built over twenty years—yet in just over a year, Lin Xuan had brought it to ruin.

Lin Xuan’s company was newly established.

His business acumen was far beyond what Lin Chang had imagined.

Regret gnawed at him. He truly regretted it now—he should have treated Lin Xuan better. He never should have driven him out of the Lin family.

If Lin Xuan had stayed, contributing to Starlight Group, the company could have reached unimaginable heights.

But... there was no medicine for regret in this world.

What was done was done. Lin Xuan would never return. Worse, he might continue targeting the Lin family—until every last one of them was left destitute.

That was Lin Xuan’s goal: revenge.

Lin Chang collapsed onto the floor, his face deathly pale.

Now, all he could do was protect what money he had left... and wait for a chance to rise again.

The next day, Starlight Group held a press conference.

Lin Chang stepped out from behind the scenes.

Reporters immediately raised their cameras and microphones toward him.

"Chairman Lin, why did Starlight Group plagiarize Skyveil Games’ products and then falsely accuse them? How did you replicate their game so closely?"

"Chairman Lin, with all of Starlight Group’s operations collapsing, how do you feel?"

"What is the purpose of this press conference? Are you announcing the company’s bankruptcy?"

Lin Chang took a deep breath, listening to the barrage of accusatory questions, then spoke slowly.

"To the media, the public, and Starlight Group’s shareholders... we sincerely apologize. Due to mismanagement, Starlight Group can no longer sustain operations. We will now enter bankruptcy liquidation proceedings."

Lin Xuan had also come to the press conference.

He wore a mask.

Having met the masked Lin Xuan before—and being thoroughly humiliated by him—Lin Chang recognized him instantly.

Lin Chang clenched his fists.

It was Lin Xuan!

Why was he here?

To mock him?

At the thought, Lin Chang’s expression darkened.

Lin Xuan watched Lin Chang on stage with a raised brow.

So, he was declaring bankruptcy already.

How weak.

But was this really the end?

For the Lin family, this was only the beginning. He would repay every injustice he suffered in his past life—one by one.

"Chairman Lin, you’re just giving up like this? No attempt to save the company?" A reporter shoved a microphone toward him.

"No need." Lin Chang smirked coldly. "I know the state of the company. I admit defeat."

He forced an air of indifference.

He couldn’t show any pain in front of Lin Xuan—the more he suffered, the more Lin Xuan would revel in it.

He wouldn’t give him that satisfaction!

Another reporter pressed, "Chairman Lin, how does it feel to lose to Lin Xuan?"

Lin Chang scoffed. "What else is there to feel? I lost. That’s it."

He maintained a strained smile.

But the relentless questions soon became unbearable. Lin Chang left the stage, reporters still shouting after him.

Meanwhile, at the Lin residence—

Jiang Shuqin, Lin Li, and the three Lin sisters sat in the living room, watching the news of Starlight Group’s bankruptcy.

Their faces were pale, the atmosphere suffocating.

Just over a year ago, Starlight Group had been thriving. Bankruptcy was something they’d never dared imagine.

"Big sister..." Lin Qingxiu frowned. "If Xiao Xuan destroyed Starlight Group for revenge... will he come after your company next? Or mine and Second Sister’s careers?"

Lin Qingwan shook her head. "Probably not. My business is in skincare—Starlight Group never touched that sector. How could he target me?"

Besides, her company had no vulnerabilities.

Xiao Xuan wouldn’t find any leverage to use against her.

"Exactly." Jiang Shuqin snorted dismissively. "You’re acting like Lin Xuan is some omnipotent force."

"Right..."

Lin Qingxiu relaxed slightly.

Even if their father’s company was gone, Big Sister still had her business, and Second Sister’s entertainment career was flourishing.

With her own research skills, she could still support Big Sister.

They would manage just fine.

Jiang Shuqin looked at her daughters. "Wan’er, Xiu’er, Yan’er... now that your father’s company is gone, I won’t have dividends anymore. From now on... I’ll have to rely on you."

Lin Qingwan held her mother’s hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll take care of you. You can just enjoy yourself—shopping, spa days, mahjong..."

"Mmm."

Jiang Shuqin nodded in relief.

At least she still had her daughters. And Lin Li—though he hadn’t started working yet, she believed in his talent. He would achieve great things someday.

But...

The thought of Lin Xuan’s Skyveil Group thriving made her sick.

If only some company could bring Skyveil to ruin...

At Jiang Corporation—

"Big sister! Big sister!" Jiang Yutong rushed into the CEO’s office, phone in hand.

(Thanks to littlepanda06 and other sweethearts for the gifts!)