Song Qiao's ruthless mockery left the shareholders with no room for dignity.
This momentarily left the group in an awkward silence, their expressions fluctuating between surprise and displeasure.
"Mr. Song, aren't you being a bit too aggressive with your words?"
"The contract didn't have the company seal from the start; our suspicion was for the sake of the company's future."
Bao Jing, who had been the most vocal initially, couldn't help but complain as Song Qiao persisted.
"Aggressive? Then why didn't you think you were being aggressive when you questioned President Xia earlier?"
Song Qiao scoffed, retorting without mercy.
"I..."
Bao Jing was instantly choked into silence, her mouth opening but no words coming out.
"Mr. Song, it's not entirely our fault. It was that Xia Haibin who was sowing discord and spreading rumors, misleading us."
Ma Rulong forced an awkward smile, attempting to shift the blame.
"Hmph, you people don't trust your own boss, yet you readily believe the words of an outsider. Is that right?"
Song Qiao's anger at the shareholders' actions had reached its peak. Regardless of Ma Rulong's seniority, he wasn't willing to show any leniency at this moment.
"Song Qiao, please say a few less words. After all, the law doesn't punish the masses. Since we already have the contract, let's just let this matter pass for now."
Xia Yuqing, fearing her husband's continued persistence would incite further public anger, tugged at his sleeve and urged him to stop.
"Hmph, we'll let it slide this time. If such a situation arises again in the future, anyone who wishes to leave is most welcome. I, Song Qiao, will personally usher them out."
Seeing his wife speak, Song Qiao didn't want to engage in further pointless arguments.
With a cold snort, he lost interest in the ceremony and turned to head back to his office.
Xia Yuqing followed him with a helpless sigh.
As soon as they entered, she questioned her husband with displeasure, "Song Qiao, since you had this contract long ago, why didn't you reveal it earlier?"
"If you had produced it beforehand, we wouldn't be in this situation now."
"I originally intended to announce this matter after the ceremony, as a surprise for the shareholders."
"I didn't expect Bao Jing to dare humiliate you in public, which is why I produced the contract to teach her a lesson."
"So that she won't lose sight of her place in the future."
Song Qiao said, patting his wife's shoulder and urging her to relax.
"Alas, after this incident, I'm afraid the senior executives will once again view us as adversaries."
Xia Yuqing sighed, saying no more, but her face was etched with worry.
"Hmph, from the very beginning, they've treated us as outsiders hindering their path to wealth."
"It was acceptable to turn a blind eye before, as harmony brings prosperity."
"But after Xia Haibin's disruption today, I realized these people are not just foolish, but also quite spineless."
Song Qiao snorted, clearly still harboring some lingering anger.
"What can we do? The company cannot function without them right now. Besides, self-preservation is human nature. As long as they don't openly betray us, we can't do anything."
Xia Yuqing sighed, gently rubbing her temples.
She lacked the managerial skills to handle such a situation and felt largely helpless.
"This cannot be rushed. I will investigate this matter, and then those who are opportunistic like Bao Jing and those who are disloyal will be expelled from Tianhong one by one."
Song Qiao's tone was calm, but his words were filled with a murderous intent.
As the leader of the company, the attitude of the shareholders earlier had crossed his bottom line.
Internal stability must precede external expansion. If this continued, the company would inevitably face major issues.
As the most decisive entrepreneur of his past life in China, Song Qiao certainly remembered this principle.
"Are you planning to purge the company?"
Xia Yuqing's brow furrowed upon hearing this.
"Song Qiao, how old are you? Why do you act like a child, so immature?"
"This matter has already passed. If you keep dwelling on it, even when we're in the right, we'll appear wrong."
Xia Yuqing's anger grew, eventually turning into a one-sided scolding of Song Qiao.
Song Qiao, already in a bad mood, felt his emotions on the verge of unraveling after his wife's words.
"Thud."
He lightly tapped the table but ultimately restrained himself. With a stern face, he walked out of the office without a word.
Both of them were currently upset, and any further discussion might lead to a major argument between the couple.
He had intended to clear obstacles for Xia Yuqing and grant her greater authority within the company, but instead, he received such a scolding.
This filled Song Qiao with a sense of indignation.
Since his wife took over the company, the misunderstandings between them had grown. Today, she had even doubted the contract he presented, which was utterly unreasonable.
Every decision he made was considered correct, yet his wife seemed to view him through tinted glasses, as if everything he did was wrong.
Just as he was fuming, the phone suddenly rang.
It was Gao Mengmeng, whom he had met once at the resort.
"President Song, do you remember who I am?"
Gao Mengmeng started with a playful tone, playing coy.
"Of course, I remember Ms. Gao."
Song Qiao chuckled, temporarily putting aside his dejected mood.
"Haha, thank you, President Song, for helping me out twice last time. Do you have time today? I'd like to treat you to a drink to express my gratitude."
Gao Mengmeng laughed heartily and straightforwardly invited Song Qiao.
"That won't do. You're still so young, and if I go drinking with you, your father will say I'm corrupting you."
Song Qiao refused with a smile, making a joke.
In his eyes, Gao Mengmeng was like Xia Xueqing, still a child who hadn't entered society. They surely wouldn't have common topics, and even if they met, it would be an awkward conversation face-to-face.
"Oh, why are you being such a coward, a grown man? My dad knows about this, and he fully supports it."
"Now, as a man, aren't you going to give me some face?"
Gao Mengmeng intentionally feigned displeasure and used a bit of provocation against Song Qiao.
"Alright, alright. I really can't do anything about you, you little rascal. You pick the place, and I'll be right there."
Song Qiao shook his head helplessly and agreed. He was feeling a bit down due to his wife's issues anyway, and a drink outside would be a good way to relax.