From all the people who could have possibly turned this tide against, Guiying's thought had never even crossed her mind. She expected it to be Jun, who now knew of her involvement in all the incidents.
'Start your countdown, Zhan Yahui.'
She remembered 'her' challenge when 'she' confronted her a few days ago. But to Zhan Yahui, that was nothing but like a child throwing a tantrum.
Zhan Yahui strangely kept her silence, making 'Guiying' tilt her head. "Are you not happy to see your writer?"
She simply stared at her without a response. She then threw a quick glance at everybody present and sensed the tension with 'Guiying's' arrival.
Tension, not shock nor confusion.
Which made her figure that 'Guiying's' presence was indeed expected today. Nobody was questioning it.
She dug her nails in her palm while trying to maintain her calm smiling, but it was getting harder and harder.
Guiying…no the other one.
'She' has done something behind my back, she clenched her jaw. 'She' has talked to these people against me!
"It is just unexpected to meet you here, Guiying," she took some shallow breaths and tried to compose herself.
Of all people, I cannot let this stupid woman ruin my plans!
"Oh but I was eager to meet you," 'Guiying's' confidence and smile only irked her. "It hurts me, Zhan Yahui. Guess…you didn't think that I would be here at all, right?"
"Guiying, can we talk later? We have an important meeting going on here. If it's about your work then I will call you-"
"Of course it's about work, dear."
Zhan Yahui was beyond furious that 'Guiying' cut her off.
'Guiying' took a step closer to her and smiled. "After all, shouldn't a CEO be a part of such important meetings too? I apologize for the delay."
That struck her hard akin to a lightning bolt hitting her. "Don't joke about important matters, Guiying," she was trembling in impatience.
'Guiying' locked her gaze into hers as if 'she' would tear her soul apart from her. "It's you who have been treating the people around you like a fucking joke, Zhan Yahui. It's you who have been playing us like a fool all this time, and I warned you that I will make you regret it. You would face your due repercussions, so welcome!" 'She' sneered.
'She' held the chair where Zhan Yahui had been sitting and pushed her out of the way using its force. Zhan Yahui stumbled back and fell on the floor, making Shi Zhelan chuckle in delight. Shi Shuren only looked away in silence.
'Guiying' took that seat and looked down at Zhan Yahui's sorry state. "Hm. It would have been a problem for me to raise my head to look up at you. What if I sprain my neck? It's good that you understood your position and kneeled down yourself. Makes it so much easier for me~"
"Cai Guiying!" She exclaimed, unable to bear her nonsense anymore. Her face burned red with humiliation. She tremblingly stood back on her feet and faced Yao Guo, demanding answers.
"What are you sitting there doing nothing!? She just barged in and interfered in our meeting and nobody is having any objections!?"
'Guiying' yawned, bored.
Yao Guo and the other board members looked among themselves, clearing their throats.
Shi Zhelan smiled and said, "I think you have some problems hearing loud, Zhan Yahui. Cai Guiying already explained that it's natural for the CEO to be here."
Zhan Yahui burst into laughter. "And when did she become the CEO?"
"When the board and shareholders voted for her. Just like they did for you, didn't they?"
"That's impossible! Gaining the votes of board members and shareholders is not some walk in the park! Guiying will run the company? A woman who has only written stories her whole life will take charge of an organization? Don't kid with me!" Her glaring gaze accused everybody.
'Guiying' narrowed her eyes. "Then how did you gain your votes, my dear editor? Sure, you were at a good position in Dream High, but that doesn't make you competent in leading a company. Those two worlds are still far apart."
That question raised by 'Guiying' immediately stiffened the posture of many members of the meeting. Yao Guo adjusted himself on his chair, albeit shifting a bit restlessly.
Zhan Yahui gritted her teeth. She felt like she fell in her own trap where 'Guiying' guided the words to come out of her mouth. The actions that she took to get the board's favor was nothing less than suspicious either. She had found out the pain points of the board members who were willing to sell their votes in exchange for her favor.
Yao Guo had been secretly embezzling funds from Shi Publishing in small amounts to not get noticed. Naturally, a small threat from Zhan Yahui was enough to bend him to her will.
One board member was harassing a female employee, who was too afraid to voice out her injustice. He was also involved in intimidating and bullying the staff, which was against the company's policies.
Another one had falsified company records to escape the brunt of the financial loss in that quarter.
Zhan Yahui took advantage of every information she got and threatened and bribed the most influential board members in her favor who could easily convince the rest of the group to vote for her. On top of that, she already made them aware that she was Shi Shuren's daughter and had his shares. Being the daughter of Shi Shuren, even if illegitimate, added weight to her words.
Did 'Guiying' somehow access the same information as me? No wonder the guilty oldies are so tense!
This woman…
Zhan Yahui's thoughts were racing in her mind at lightning speed.
But how could she do this all alone!? She is a mere writer!
'Guiying' leaned in and questioned her with a smile. "So tell us. How did the board agree for you to take charge of this company? It feels suspicious…"
"Guiying!"
She raised her hand to slap her in a fit of anger, but a cold and ominous voice froze her hand mid-air, making the air chilly by several degrees. "Stop before I make you lose your hand."
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