Xiong Zong's mouth hung open, looking from Chen Fan to Guan Yuanzheng, his heart filled not only with shock but also with a strong sense of unease and apprehension.
Although Chen Fan hadn't directly targeted him, he wasn't entirely innocent in this matter.
It was he who had ordered Fang Qiong to return and accompany Young Master Guan. As a boss like him, profit was everything; he wouldn't care if his artists were willing to entertain guests.
Since Chen Fan was standing up for Fang Qiong, how could he possibly extricate himself from this situation?
Seeing Guan Yuanzheng's pathetic state, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Damn it, was the manager an idiot? Were Hua Xiao and the others who went to the banquet with Fang Qiong also idiots?
Fang Qiong had managed to get involved with a formidable figure, which should have been great news for the company and himself. Yet, the situation had spiraled into this mess?
"However, even if it's not a capital offense, using your power and status to coerce women, without any bottom line, don't you think that's utterly classless?"
Chen Fan continued.
"Yes... Yes, I, I was wrong, and I will, never, dare again..."
Guan Yuanzheng moaned, immediately conceding.
Chen Fan, however, had no intention of letting him off the hook. "Perhaps the lesson isn't enough!"
With that, he delivered a kick.
The sound of a bone snapping rang out.
Guan Yuanzheng's lower leg broke.
The sharp pain was even more intense than before, and Guan Yuanzheng let out a muffled groan, followed by a piercing scream.
"That should be about enough."
Chen Fan said, "Young Master Guan, I believe such pain will leave a lasting impression, ensuring you don't repeat your mistakes."
He squatted down, patting Guan Yuanzheng's face. "With money and power, there are plenty of gold-digging women willing to play with you. Yet you insist on playing this way. If there's a next time, I guarantee you won't be able to play with women anymore!"
Guan Yuanzheng, wracked with pain and sweating profusely, shivered at his words and instinctively tightened his legs.
Chen Fan ignored the pitiful Guan Yuanzheng and turned his gaze to Hua Xiao.
At Chen Fan's glance, Hua Xiao's legs went weak, and she fell to her knees with a thud.
"Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen, Sir, please spare me. I'll do anything."
Her body trembled, her chest heaving, Hua Xiao begged with a tear-streaked face. "I, I actually saw Fang Qiong was very close to you. After leaving the private room with you for so long, I felt unbalanced..."
"I... I was jealous of her, yes, jealous of her. My fame and status are no worse than hers, and yet you, so young and promising, have been taken advantage of by her..."
Hua Xiao stammered.
Chen Fan was taken aback, then felt a pang of speechless amusement.
He did recall something, however, and asked, "Weren't you with Du Fumin?"
"Young Master Du... Young Master Du wasn't interested in me at all..." Hua Xiao felt a strong sense of humiliation surge within her. "It's not that he's incapable, it's just that he doesn't like women..."
Chen Fan felt like laughing.
For someone like Hua Xiao, it was perfectly normal for Du Fumin to not be interested.
And this woman was actually weaving tales about Du Fumin.
However, her words did have some effect, at least Chen Fan no longer felt like slapping Hua Xiao.
He lazily sat back down, too lazy to say more.
Only Guan Yuanzheng's miserable groans continued.
Fang Qiong watched Guan Yuanzheng's agonizing state and the terrified Hua Xiao kneeling on the ground, feeling immense satisfaction.
"Make some tea."
Chen Fan beckoned to her again, calmly instructing.
"Okay, okay, Mr. Chen!"
Fang Qiong quickly complied.
"Mr. Chen?"
Xiong Zong also snapped out of his stupor from Guan Yuanzheng's pitiable condition. While still uneasy, he couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
Guan Yuanzheng was, after all, a scion of a prominent family, yet he dared not show any resentment, let alone utter any threats, after being beaten to this extent.
Just how influential was this Mr. Chen that he could make a prominent young master like Guan Yuanzheng fear him so much?
"Mr. Xiong, please speak."
Chen Fan looked up at Xiong Zong, his tone amiable.
Seeing Chen Fan's gentle demeanor and realizing he wasn't holding him accountable, Xiong Zong breathed a sigh of relief. While feeling fortunate, he also experienced a sense of being a weakling facing a powerful force.
"Mr. Chen, Fang Qiong is a newcomer to our company. We haven't paid enough attention to her before."
As a boss in the entertainment industry, Xiong Zong was naturally intelligent and quick-witted. He immediately said, "However, Fang Qiong is truly outstanding in terms of her image, temperament, and talent.
"Starting today, Mango Entertainment will channel its resources to promote Fang Qiong to stardom. We will first establish her as a popular idol and then do our best to make her a top-tier celebrity.
"What do you say, will this satisfy you?"
Chen Fan chuckled at this. "I don't have any particular feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. It mainly depends on whether Fang Qiong is satisfied."
Xiong Zong was stunned and immediately turned to Fang Qiong. "Fang Qiong, I'll have someone bring over an A-grade contract right away. The company will re-sign a contract with you, and you'll become our leading actress. What do you think?"
Fang Qiong's heart pounded fiercely, the immense joy almost overwhelming her.
Didn't she choose the entertainment industry precisely for her childhood dream of being a star?
Becoming a big star was the dream she had tirelessly pursued.
However, after entering the entertainment industry, she realized how difficult it was to gain fame in this circle.
Without backing or support, it was incredibly hard for a newcomer to make a name for themselves.
Many people toiled their entire lives and remained mere minor actors or obscure singers.
She had been with Mango Entertainment for over a year, yet remained unknown. The company treated her as a mere errand girl, exploited her, made her attend all sorts of banquets, and she had received countless overt and covert hints and temptations, all of which she could only endure silently.
She saw no hope of advancement!
She wasn't so rigid, but even if she were to accept unspoken rules and trade her looks for resources, she would have to choose wisely, wouldn't she?
At least, she didn't want to become someone's plaything.
She thought she would continue to drift along aimlessly, eventually losing her resolve and being swallowed by this industry, becoming complacent.
Who would have thought that her destiny would be changed today!
She knew that an A-grade contract was the company's best offering, clearly stipulating the provided resources and a lower commission.
Even Hua Xiao wasn't qualified to get such a contract.
And Xiong Zong was giving it to her?
She knew that all of this was brought about by the man beside her!
Filled with immense joy, she nodded repeatedly, saying excitedly, "Thank you, thank you, Mr. Xiong, thank you, Mr. Chen."
"I asked if you were satisfied."
Chen Fan said casually.
"Satisfied, I'm more than satisfied!"
Fang Qiong's pretty face flushed with excitement, and she replied quickly.
Chen Fan nodded and smiled. "Mr. Xiong is very thoughtful."
"It's only right, it's only right. Mr. Chen is satisfied... no, Fang Qiong is satisfied, that's what matters. It's also about retaining talent and allowing the company to develop better!"
Xiong Zong spoke smoothly, his words flowing effortlessly.
Chen Fan chuckled, stood up, and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble Mr. Xiong. I'll be leaving now if there's nothing else!"
"Alright, I'll see you out!"
Xiong Zong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
"No need!"
Chen Fan waved his hand, then paused, his gaze sweeping over Sister Xu and Hua Xiao. "Mr. Xiong, your company should pay more attention to how you manage your personnel!"
"Yes, yes!"
Xiong Zong quickly agreed, his face hardening as he barked at Sister Xu, "Xu Jing, you're no longer fit to be a manager. Go to finance, collect your salary, and leave."
"And you, Hua Xiao, behave yourself. All your recent projects are suspended, and you are not to appear in public."
Sister Xu's face turned ashen.
Hua Xiao's delicate body trembled.
She knew she was being blacklisted by the company... this was more painful to her than death.
However, when she met Chen Fan's gaze, she shivered and dared not utter a single word of complaint.
Chen Fan lingered no longer and walked out of the office.
Fang Qiong quickly followed to see Chen Fan out.
Only after Chen Fan's figure disappeared did Xiong Zong heave a sigh of relief and rush to help the sweating, almost collapsing Guan Yuanzheng.