Chapter 319: Who Said We’re Here to Admit Defeat!
"Lin Mu, why aren’t you sitting down?" Qin Hao couldn’t help but scold when he saw Lin Mu on the phone.
"Hmph. Who are you calling now?" Chen Xinlan snorted disdainfully. "Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter who you call today. It’s useless."
"Exactly!" Qin Hao declared proudly. "But at least you have some self-awareness. You know Qin Luoli couldn’t possibly make up for the company’s losses within a week, so you called everyone here to admit defeat."
Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions changed slightly, though they quickly felt it was to be expected. After all, in just two days, the Qin Corporation’s losses had already climbed to over a billion. That was an entire year’s worth of profit. Such a massive hole was definitely not something that could be filled in just two or three days.
"Lin Mu, I’m also very disappointed, but seeing as you’re admitting defeat willingly, I won’t say any more," Qin Hongshu sighed, appearing to feel sorry for Lin Mu.
"That’s right. Although it was an impossible bet from the start, since Lin Mu has already surrendered, I won’t force the issue," said Qin Hongbo. "Of course, that’s on the condition that Qin Luoli steps down from her position as president."
This was his ultimate goal. As long as Qin Luoli vacated the presidency, it no longer mattered whether Lin Mu was driven out of the Qin Family. After all, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with him in the future.
"No way!" Chen Xinlan immediately interjected. "Who was it that repeatedly claimed he could do it? Right here, Lin Mu himself promised that if Qin Luoli failed, not only would she have to resign in disgrace, but he would also be expelled from the Qin Family and have to kowtow and apologize to my father!"
"Lin Mu, you said that, didn’t you?" Chen Xinlan stared at him, her face full of coldness.
If Lin Mu dares to deny it, I have my ways. Besides, the Old Madam promised to be a witness. He wouldn’t dare go back on his word!
"Indeed, I did say that," Lin Mu nodded.
Qin Yan and the others grew extremely anxious but also felt a sense of helplessness. After all, it was useless even if Lin Mu denied it; everyone had heard those words with their own ears. If Lin Mu dared to retract his statement, the Old Madam would be the first to object.
"It’s good that you admit it!" Qin Hao eagerly stepped forward and bowed to the Old Madam. "Great-grandmother, you heard him. Lin Mu admits he said those things. Three days have passed, and they know they can’t succeed, so it’s acceptable for them to surrender now, right?"
The Old Madam glanced at the nervous Qin Luoli, then at the calm Lin Mu. Sighing to herself, she nodded. "Indeed. However..."
Qin Hao cut her off. "Since the Old Madam has spoken, then please, Qin Luoli, resign from the presidency and hand over all of your shares."
A confident smile spread across Qin Hao’s face. It seems everything is under my control. I haven’t been idle these past few days. I’ve been constantly monitoring the Qin Corporation’s stock. In just two days, it has plummeted, causing irreparable losses. No matter how capable Lin Mu is, he can’t possibly turn this tide. As long as Qin Luoli hands over her shares, my father, Qin Hongbo, will hold 61% of the company. Who in the entire Qin Corporation would hold more shares than us? At that point, I’ll support my father in taking the president’s seat. With over half the company’s stock and my maternal grandfather’s support, I’m confident I can minimize the company’s losses in a short time. I can’t guarantee we’ll recover everything, but as long as the losses are reduced, the Qin Family will have nothing to say. This is a surefire plan. For Lin Mu to make a bet with me in the first place was simply idiotic.
"Qin Luoli, what do you have to say? What’s your move?" Qin Hao looked at her, his words dripping with mockery. All he wanted now was for her to hurry up and hand over her shares.
"I..." Qin Luoli’s delicate hands clenched tightly as she hesitated. The week wasn’t over yet, but she knew deep down that she couldn’t succeed.
"What? Are you trying to back out?" Qin Hao protested. "You and your husband said it yourselves, right here in front of everyone. Now that you admit you can’t do it, just be quick about it. Honor the bet!"
He laughed, a sense of vindictive pleasure filling his heart. "Of course, if you have someone to blame, blame your own poor judgment for choosing a man like him!"
Lin Mu slapped me, stepped on my face in front of the entire Qin Family, and utterly humiliated me, nearly frightening me into a catatonic state. Not only that, but my own parents ended up in the hospital because of him, suffering greatly. I feel like the protagonist of a novel. After enduring such humiliation, I’m rising up for my comeback. It’s time to start viciously slapping the villain’s face. And Lin Mu is the biggest villain of all!
"I, Qin Luoli, would never do something so shameless!" Qin Luoli had been enduring the constant attacks from Qin Hao’s family, but she could not swallow her anger when he attacked Lin Mu. She glared coldly at them and said, "All you want is the president’s position, right? Fine, I’ll give it to you!"
At her words, the others were not only surprised but also let out faint sighs. The Old Madam closed her eyes, a look of helplessness on her face. In contrast, Qin Hao and his parents couldn’t hide the ecstasy in their eyes.
"Excellent!" Qin Hao laughed heartily. "Of course, cousin, don’t feel like we’re forcing you." His tone was still thick with sarcasm.
"Unlike you, I’m not that shameless!" Qin Luoli’s heart ached with hatred, but she saw no other way out.
"And the shares in your hands, you must hand those over too!" Chen Xinlan pointed a finger at Lin Mu. "And you must kneel and apologize to my father! That was part of the bet!"
Qin Luoli closed her eyes in pain. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I can agree to hand over the shares, but I object to the matter of Lin Mu apologizing to the Head of the Chen Family!"
"Your objection is useless!" Chen Xinlan said coldly. "Lin Mu said it himself, and we all heard him. If you two want to go back on your word, just ask the Old Madam if she’ll allow it!"
She immediately invoked the Old Madam’s authority.
Qin Luoli’s expression changed, and she turned to the Old Madam. "Great-grandmother..."
The Old Madam opened her eyes and sighed. Just as she was about to speak, a calm voice suddenly cut in.
"Are you all in such a hurry that you’ve forgotten something?"
The speaker was, of course, Lin Mu.
"Forgotten what?" Qin Hao sneered. "Lin Mu, I advise you not to stall for time. The longer you drag this out, the greater the losses for the Qin Corporation will be! Is that a responsibility you can bear?"
Lin Mu smiled. He looked at Qin Hao and the others. "You want Luo Li to give up the presidency and her shares? And you want me to kneel and apologize to that old codger Chen Ruoping?"
"Lin Mu, watch your words!" Chen Xinlan was furious. This little beast! How dare he speak about my father like that in front of so many people!
"Lin Mu, cut the crap!" Qin Hongbo’s eyes were also filled with cold intent. "What are you trying to say? If you’re going to admit defeat, then get on with it!"
Lin Mu gazed at the crowd, a hint of disdain on his face, and said arrogantly, "Who said we came here to admit defeat?"