Chapter 1 A Premature End to the Meeting

Inside the Baolong Group's main conference room, the mood of CEO Miao Zijiang was akin to having swallowed shit. Such a public squabble was embarrassing for the Baolong Group, regardless of who won or lost. More importantly, Zhang Zhengchen's team from Huihong, and Price, the leader sent from above, were all present. He couldn't bring himself to forcefully stop the proceedings.

A simmering rage brewed within Miao Ziwei. His brow furrowed, and he turned to his secretary.

"Director Zhang! I think the witness you found is of dubious character and lacks credibility." A senior executive under Miao Ziwei rose to the offensive. "In this matter...!"

"That's bullshit! You think our witness lacks credibility? Then a few doctored photos and a vague video are enough to confirm an act of treason?" A senior executive behind Zhang Tao Tao naturally wouldn't let his boss engage in a brawl with such a character, so he immediately countered.

"Bring in the people from Island Six first," Zhang Tao Tao urged again.

As her voice faded, He Zong, who had been sitting in the front row among the Baolong Group's executives, slowly put down his water glass, stood up, and said, "Director Zhang, hold on a moment."

Zhang Tao Tao looked at him, her heart calm, as she had sent someone to meet with He Zong the night before.

"A few photos and a vague surveillance video are indeed not enough to prove an act of treason," He Zong said slowly, looking at everyone. "Director Zhang has been interning at the group since before she graduated from university, and her father and I, along with Director Miao, have been friends for many years. To put it bluntly, since her parents passed away, we've all watched this child grow up. With this kind of relationship and her position within the group, I really can't understand what reason she would have to commit treason. Just to exchange some mining interests with the other side? That's too petty."

The crowd was silent, all eyes on He Zong.

"Director He, this matter..." Miao Ziwei began to speak.

"Either you speak, and I'll sit down; or you listen while I speak," He Zong said to him expressionlessly.

Miao Ziwei endured for a long time, but ultimately chose not to argue.

He Zong supported himself on the table with both hands. "As for Miao Ziwei wanting to kill Director Zhang, I don't think that's reliable either. The testimonies of a few armed personnel on the island aren't credible. They work for money, so naturally they might say things for money."

Brother Bao, hearing this, frowned and wanted to argue, but was stopped by Zhang Tao Tao's gaze.

"Of course, such a big thing happened on Island Seven, so it's definitely not okay to not hold anyone accountable. We won't feel at ease until things are cleared up," He Zong scanned everyone again. "But arguing back and forth here is pointless. You can't argue your way to any results."

"Director He is right!"

"Yes, arguing back and forth here just gives you a headache. You don't even know who's telling the truth anymore."

"...!"

Miao Zijiang's direct line of executives began to set the tone, following He Zong's words.

He Zong paused for a moment, then looked at Miao Zijiang. "Why don't we adjourn the meeting for now?"

"How can we adjourn the meeting? This involves the leakage of secrets on Island Seven...!" Price couldn't understand why the people who had been at each other's throats just a second ago had suddenly calmed down because of He Zong's words.

Miao Zijiang turned to look at Price, saying curtly, "Colonel, I will definitely give you an explanation, but not now... Can you give me some face?"

"Miao, you know the importance of Island Seven. We will absolutely not agree unless this matter is thoroughly investigated."

"I said, I will give you an explanation!" Miao Zijiang said, looking at him.

Price, a typical Westerner, arrogantly and bluntly pointed at Zhang Tao Tao and Miao Ziwei. "Before things are cleared up, none of you can leave Washington D.C., you can't leave this district, or I'll have you arrested immediately!"

Neither of them replied. Miao Zijiang immediately stood up and shouted, "Adjourn the meeting for now!"

...

Five minutes later.

Downstairs.

Zhang Zhengchen, with his team, reached out to Miao Zijiang and said, "Then let's leave it at that for now. We'll meet again in a few days."

"I'm sorry for the display, Director Zhang!"

"It's inevitable when the company is so big." Zhang Zhengchen didn't say much, only replied politely, then left with his team.

Miao Zijiang watched them leave, his face extremely gloomy as he walked towards the elevator.

Inside the low-key, luxurious business car, the secretary in the passenger seat asked tentatively, "Director Zhang, I don't quite understand. Wasn't Miao Ziwei's attack authorized by old Miao?"

"Definitely not," Zhang Zhengchen shook his head and replied, "If old Miao had made a move, how could he have gotten into this situation?"

"So Miao Ziwei acted on his own?" The secretary blinked. "Then who is telling the truth, him or Zhang Tao Tao?"

Zhang Zhengchen was silent for a long time. "It seems like they both are."

...

Inside the group building.

He Zong, with a dozen members of the board of directors, was sitting in the lounge, talking.

"Director He, the CEO is calling for you," a secretary came to announce.

"Okay." He Zong supported himself on the sofa seat, stood up with his big belly, and walked towards the door.

Two minutes later.

In another lounge, He Zong closed the door, walked to the sofa, and sat down.

Miao Zijiang looked at him. "Old He, you saved the day in time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to speak, and our Baolong would definitely have been humiliated today."

"Little Zhang is doing a good job, and she's always thinking of the group and the board of directors. So... why would the second son want to kill her? Just for his own little benefit? That's too much." He Zong made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction. "Most importantly, he shouldn't have launched an attack in such an occasion without being sure. Before the meeting, who would bear the responsibility for the incident on Island Seven was still up for debate, but now that he's done this, there's no need for debate. The blame definitely falls on Baolong. Sigh, I bet Zhang Zhengchen is laughing his head off!"

Miao Zijiang was taken aback by Old He's bluntness, but asked with a calm expression, "Do you think the second son really did something like trying to kill someone?"

"Do you believe that if I hadn't stopped him, Zhang Tao Tao's counterattack would have directly crushed the second son?" Old He frowned and replied. "It's not hard to guess. The second son said that Wang Zhen's people found something abnormal about Zhang Tao Tao, and that's why he decided to take action. But if they found something abnormal, how could the island have no defenses at all? Have you seen the security department's report? Two of the most direct points: first, the security department never received any warnings or reports from any soldiers on the island from beginning to end. You're arresting people, wouldn't you take the time to make a phone call to notify the higher-ups? The armed forces on the other side reached Building 2 on the south side of the island in less than three minutes, which shows that the island was completely unprepared. Second, as soon as that guy named Bao entered the room, the second son panicked and lost all rhythm. That's clearly a sign of guilt."

Miao Zijiang nodded slowly and asked softly, "Then how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Old He looked directly at Miao Zijiang and replied concisely, "If someone blocks the second son's path, he'll kill them, then one day, if I disagree with him, will I have to watch out for bullets flying from behind?! To reiterate, internal strife has gone too far, Old Miao!"

Old He's words directly represented the attitude of the dozen or so shareholders in the lounge.

...

Inside the main conference room.

Zhang Tao Tao's heart was pounding. After a long silence, she lowered her head and sent a short message: "Come up through the back door."