Chapter 1 The Situation

The next day, at 8:40 AM, before the meeting between the two major conglomerates, Miao Ziwei sat on the sofa in the lounge, interlacing his fingers as he asked his follower, "Is she still at the hotel?"

"Our people haven't seen her come out. She should still be in her room," the follower replied.

"If she doesn't show up before the meeting starts, have her arrested," Miao Ziwei said, still with his fingers interlaced. "I won't give her any more time to stall. Once I fire the first shot, there will be no turning back."

"I understand!"

"After she's arrested, don't give her a chance to catch her breath. I'll have the military take over directly," Miao Ziwei paused before adding, "Also, watch out for the President trying to speak up for her. So... you need to prepare evidence and information in advance, hand it over to the military, and make it an airtight case."

"Okay, I understand."

The two men discussed the matter in the room for a while. Immediately, a clerical staff member walked in and reminded them, "Mr. Miao, the meeting is about to begin. You can enter now."

"Okay." Miao Ziwei stood up with a refreshed look, straightened his clothes, and strode towards the exit.

...

Five minutes later, in the conference room of the Huafu Baolong Group, more than fifty people of prominent status and position were already seated according to their nameplates.

In fact, the senior executives and shareholders of the two major groups numbered far more than this. If a full group meeting were to be held, the number of people eligible to attend from both companies would be at least four or five hundred.

However, today's meeting was a preliminary one, mainly to discuss the issue of No. 7 Island, so the number of attendees was not large, and they were mainly responsible for the island's operations.

Among those present today were not only senior executives and board members of the two major groups, but also senior military officers from the 7th Intelligence Bureau of District One, led by a senior colonel.

In addition, the President of the Baolong Group finally made an appearance. His name was Miao Zijiang, and he was fifty-three years old this year. He was the true head of the Baolong Group.

At the same time, Zhang Zhengchen, President of Huihong Group, was also present, but today was not his home game, so he sat in a secondary seat.

Miao Zijiang and Miao Ziwei were half-brothers, but they didn't look alike at all. The elder brother, Zijiang, had fierce eyes and thick eyebrows, a square face, and wherever he sat, he exuded the aura of a superior. If he wasn't a businessman, people might believe he was a general from some military unit.

After everyone was seated, the meeting officially began at nine o'clock.

Miao Zijiang had a serious expression. After adjusting the microphone, he took the lead and said, "Everyone, please be quiet!"

With just one sentence, the conference room became so silent that a pin could be heard dropping.

Miao Zijiang glanced at everyone and said in standard Mandarin, "Today's meeting is mainly to discuss the issue of No. 7 Island. I believe everyone is aware that it has been attacked, and our losses, as well as those of Huihong Group, have been heavy. Although many confidential details have not yet been released, many unfavorable speculations and rumors about the Group have already begun to gain momentum. This morning, the stocks of our four subsidiaries fell to the limit as soon as the market opened, and Huihong's situation is similar. Therefore, we have gathered everyone here today to brainstorm ideas and help the Group quickly get out of this predicament. I'll take the lead and mention four directions: First, the issue of subsequent negotiations, how should it be resolved? Second, how can we quickly quell the negative public opinion? Third, what should be the future of No. 7 Island? Since the project there can't be done, it will inevitably involve the issue of dividing the profits. Although we and Huihong Pharmaceutical are brother groups, we must also ensure the respective rights of both parties, and everyone needs to discuss a feasible plan. Finally, there is the issue of responsibility. We must also discuss this, hold people accountable, execute some, and deal with others!"

Miao Zijiang's opening remarks were full of aggression and murderous intent. After hearing his words, everyone in the room became even quieter, and their expressions were very serious.

Everyone exchanged glances. Just as a middle-aged man raised his hand to speak, Miao Ziwei suddenly stood up first, smiling, and said, "Director Li, can I say a few words first?"

"Please." The other party made a gesture of invitation.

Everyone's attention was focused on Miao Ziwei. The latter, with a tense face, turned to look at his elder brother and said, "Regarding the issue of the No. 7 Island incident, I think I may know more clearly than others. The first three directions mentioned by President Miao are all fine, but I personally believe that the issue of accountability should be ranked before these three directions. Because if we don't find the problem, we will continue to make mistakes."

"What problem have you found?" Miao Zijiang asked.

"The reason why No. 7 Island has been reduced to such a state is because there is an inside agent who is helping the other side, someone who is using the interests of the Group for personal gain!" Miao Ziwei said forcefully, "And this person's level is not low. She is one of the absolute leaders of our group!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar in the conference room, because many senior executives and shareholders did not know the information that Miao Ziwei personally possessed, including the military, so everyone was very surprised.

The white American colonel from the military took the lead and asked, "Who is it?"

"Zhang Taotao, she is the other side's inside agent." Miao Ziwei said with a frown, "Without her, No. 7 Island would not have been so easily invaded. They might not even have been able to find a way to attack."

Miao Zijiang frowned and glanced at his younger brother, intending to stop him, but considering that this kid had already revealed the most important information, stopping him now would obviously be like burying his head in the sand.

At the same time, the expressions on the faces of all the senior executives and shareholders in the conference room became complicated, especially those from the Baolong Group, who sensed that a major problem was about to occur within the group.

"Evidence, we need evidence!" the colonel urged.

"I'll keep it simple." Miao Ziwei picked up the information in his hand and said concisely, "Two days before the incident on No. 7 Island, Zhang Taotao took an assistant named Tom Su to the island, supposedly to discuss a new project with Dr. Pang on the island. Two days later, an hour before the shooting on No. 7 Island, Zhang Taotao prepared to leave the island with his assistant, and that was in the middle of the night. During Zhang Taotao's departure, four security personnel under Wang Zhen noticed something unusual about them, so they prepared to stop them, but they didn't expect the other side to resist first, and the two sides exchanged fire. In the end, Zhang Taotao escaped, and the security personnel captured her assistant, and this person... is the vice president of the Longcheng Tongji Society (a criminal organization), Su Tiannan, who is a key member of Old Li's team!"

"What? The Tongji Society?!"

"...Are you sure Zhang Taotao took Su Tiannan of the Tongji Society to the island?"

"...This is too unbelievable!"

Most of the people were stunned, because they didn't know any of this information beforehand. Only a few guys who were on Miao Ziwei's side showed knowing smiles on their faces at this moment.

"Is that unbelievable? There are even more outrageous things." Miao Ziwei continued, "When Zhang Taotao and the others were preparing to leave the island, the armed personnel who attacked No. 7 Island, after landing, immediately captured Dr. Pang, and forced Dr. Pang to submit by threatening his life, taking him into the data terminal room, stealing the island's most core secrets, and then Dr. Pang was silenced."

"Damn it, that bitch Zhang Taotao!"

"I have to skin her alive!"

"..."

The people on the Huihong Pharmaceutical side in the conference room instantly became extremely angry, because their losses were even greater, and many people would have to bear responsibility for this, so as soon as they heard Miao Ziwei say this, they immediately expressed their positions.

...

Downstairs.

A business car stopped, Zhang Taotao turned to look at the assistant who had rushed over from Longcheng, and asked softly, "Is everything ready?"

"It's ready, but do you want to reconsider? Once you go in..."

"Either win, or we all die together." Zhang Taotao replied with a firm gaze, and stepped out of the car.

As soon as this woman appeared, more than twenty senior executives from the group instantly came down from the seven or eight cars parked next to the group's headquarters building.