Chapter 233: Not Convinced? Then I’ll Make You Admit Defeat Wholeheartedly!
「Boheng Pharma.」
「Conference Room.」
Department heads and leaders sat ramrod straight, their faces tense.
Just half an hour ago, the chairman’s secretary had called them, demanding their urgent attendance at a company meeting. The tone was strong and forceful. The message was clear: anyone who made an excuse not to attend could pack their things and leave.
So, whether they were at home with family or out enjoying themselves, they immediately dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to the company.
They couldn’t afford not to go!
The chairman, who rarely made appearances at the company, was a real hard-ass. On his first day, he had taken down quite a few managers and executives who opposed him. Without any consideration for the consequences.
Although they were resentful, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure the new chairman to keep their jobs. Fortunately, he didn’t show up often, leaving everything to General Manager Su Ke’er, which made things much easier for them all. Although the icy General Manager was difficult to get along with, everyone respected her competence.
As they looked around at the assembled crowd, many realized something big was about to happen.
"Is everyone here?"
Lin Mu sat at the head of the table, with Su Ke’er to his left and Lawyer Jin to his right. Ren Xiaofei and the others were also present.
The unease in everyone’s heart intensified.
"President Lin, Manager Hao and Director Qian haven’t arrived yet," Secretary Mi Xiaotao said. "They mentioned they were tied up with some matters and couldn’t get away."
Lin Mu waved his hand. "Tell them they don’t need to come to work tomorrow."
The entire conference room fell silent.
He fired them just like that?
"President Lin, isn’t this a bit too much?" a middle-aged man frowned and spoke up.
His name was Tang Ye, a distant cousin of Tang Feng. He had been disgruntled ever since Tang Feng was fired. But between Lin Mu’s tyrannical authority and the fact that Tang Feng had brought the trouble on himself, he hadn’t dared say much.
However, Manager Hao and Director Qian were his subordinates, loyal ones at that. If Lin Mu fired them, it would be like cutting off his own arms.
"What, you have an opinion?" Lin Mu looked at Tang Ye. "Or was I not clear enough before?"
The crowd was startled. Not attending meant instant dismissal! The chairman was really serious?
Tang Ye’s expression turned unsightly as he spoke in a low, firm voice, "Chairman, emergencies can happen to anyone. Manager Hao and Director Qian are on a business trip for the company. It’s understandable if they can’t make it back in time."
He looked straight into Lin Mu’s eyes and added, "Your actions might cause discontent among the staff."
Lin Mu flipped through some records and spoke indifferently, "Neither Manager Hao nor Director Qian are from the sales or business departments. What project requires their personal attention? And if I’m not mistaken, they’re having fun in a bar right now, aren’t they?"
Tang Ye’s expression changed abruptly. The chairman knows?
Lin Mu’s tone remained indifferent. "Every Wednesday, those two are absent from the company without taking leave, frequently visiting various bars. Are you going to tell me this is for work?"
Tang Ye was at a loss for words. He had never expected the chairman to know their movements in such detail.
The expressions of several others in the room also shifted slightly. It seemed they had no secrets from the chairman.
Lin Mu scanned the room. "I can overlook what you do in your personal time, but if anyone dares to feign compliance while secretly defying my decisions, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
Those with guilty consciences silently lowered their heads, a cold sweat breaking out on their backs.
"But, Chairman..." Tang Ye tried to say more but was cut off by a wave of Lin Mu’s hand.
"Manager Tang, as the new project manager, you should be perfectly aware of the company’s business, correct?" Lin Mu watched him calmly.
"Yes, I am aware of the company’s projects," Tang Ye said honestly.
"Very good." Lin Mu nodded and tossed a file directly in front of Tang Ye.
THWACK!
The file landed with a sharp slap that echoed through the spacious conference room.
"Then take a look. Are you in charge of this project?" Lin Mu’s tone was placid, but everyone could feel the chill in his words.
Tang Ye flipped through the document. In an instant, all the color drained from his face, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
This was a project the company had just developed. The company had never intended to put him in charge, but he had used his position to interfere with it repeatedly. A project manager held a powerful and influential position in the company. Plus, Tang Ye was a company veteran; few people would dare to cross him. Even General Manager Su Ke’er was always polite to him.
But judging by the chairman’s tone, was he deliberately targeting Tang Ye?
"Chairman, I can explain," Tang Ye said, taking a deep breath. "These past few days, Manager Su hasn’t been in the office for personal reasons. But this project is of the utmost importance and can’t be delayed. So, with the intention of helping ease Manager Su’s burden, I just..."
"Just secretly stole company secrets, handed them to Tang Feng, and earned a handsome sum in the process," Lin Mu finished the sentence for him. "Isn’t that right, Manager Tang?"
Stealing company secrets?
An uproar swept through the conference room. No one had expected Tang Ye to steal company secrets.
What audacity!
In the past, everyone might have turned a blind eye. As long as it didn’t harm the company’s core interests, such things were often seen as a form of quid pro quo in the business world and not taken too seriously. But the chairman was Lin Mu now. To dare steal company secrets right under his nose...
Tang Ye must have a death wish.
"Chairman, you shouldn’t make unfounded accusations!" Tang Ye’s face darkened, his expression one of staunch denial. "For so many years, I have given my all to this company, dedicating my heart and soul to it. It was only through the former chairman’s trust that I was given the important position of project manager. I never dared to slack off. And now you suspect me? I refuse to accept it!"
His words were delivered with such conviction that many people nodded in sympathy. They, too, felt that Lin Mu was being far too domineering.
"You refuse to accept it?" Lin Mu laughed. "Then I’ll give you a reason you can’t refuse."
At his nod, Su Ke’er produced a USB drive and inserted it into the computer. A video and an audio file were on it. The video showed Tang Ye sneaking into the chairman’s office, where he remained for a full half-hour before emerging.
The audio was a recording of his conversation with another man.
"This is something I struggled to get my hands on. Tell them if it’s not for ten million, I’m not giving it to him!" That was Tang Ye’s voice.
"Bro, ten million is too much. They’ll never agree." The voice was somewhat familiar. After a moment’s thought, the faces of several people in the room changed drastically.
Tang Feng! Tang Ye really was dealing with Tang Feng.
"Without ten million, I’d rather sell this to someone else. I’m sure they’d be willing to pay," Tang Ye sneered in the recording.
"Alright, I’ll go ask."
After the recording finished, Lin Mu continued, "Lawyer Jin has also confirmed that just two days ago, a sum of ten million was transferred into your account. How do you explain that? I highly doubt a project manager at Boheng Pharma earns more in a month than I, the chairman, do in a year."
Tang Ye’s legs gave out, and he collapsed into his chair.
He knew it was all over.