C3 Which Director Lee?

Lin Kexin needed to handle some company handover details, leaving Lin Han with nothing to do, so he decided to leave the group headquarters. Outside, a light rain had begun to fall, seemingly out of nowhere.

Exiting the building, Lin Han unexpectedly collided with a man in sunglasses. Neither of them apologized or even exchanged glances, simply brushing past each other without acknowledgment.

The next moment, Lin Han found himself holding a portfolio bag. After hailing a taxi and examining the contents, he discovered a USB drive and several photos inside. His eyes sparkled with intrigue, and his face twisted into an array of expressive contortions.

"Ah, what an unexpected find!"

"Oh, this is quite the challenging piece of knowledge. I like it!"

"Tsk tsk, that's quite a harsh blow. Does it hurt?"

"Ah, some people just don't know how to be gentle with women. Those candles must burn..."

Upon entering the Watock Hotel, Lin Han immediately spotted Zhang Xuan, the hotel lobby manager with whom he had pretended to be a married couple the previous night.

Zhang Xuan was currently providing a warm welcome to a foreign couple, her smile professionally standard and her English authentically American. She was smartly dressed in a tailored short skirt.

Had Lin Han not experienced the previous night's events, he would have never guessed that Zhang Xuan was a woman as treacherous as she was dangerous.

"Manager Zhang Xuan, you've become quite the celebrity in Orifrough City. Do you still need to work so publicly?" Lin Han deliberately leaned in close as he passed by her, whispering in her ear.

"Director Lee trusts me with this job, and I can't let personal issues interfere with my work. Even if Director Lee were to fire me over last night's incident, I'd still fulfill my duties to the end. Moreover, it's not certain that I'll be dismissed," Zhang Xuan replied, her head held high, exuding none of the coquettishness or panic she had in front of the camera. Instead, she radiated a defiant pride. "But speaking of which, Manager Lin, you're quite daring. After causing such a scene last night, you still have the nerve to speak to me today. Could it be... you've actually taken a liking to me?"

"Tsk tsk, I've always been quite daring, and I must admit, I really like... being with you. I'm just not sure if you'll give me the chance," Lin Han said with a sly grin. He took a step closer, positioning himself perfectly across from the slight rise of Zhang Xuan's form, his arm already snaking around her waist.

Startled, Zhang Xuan scanned the room, only to find the security guards and front desk staff stealing glances at her and Lin Han, their eyes alight with curiosity. Some were even pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Director Lin, this is neither the time nor the place. Please, show some restraint. If you escalate this situation, Director Lee won't let it slide," Zhang Xuan said as she stepped back, conceding defeat in this test of confidence.

"Director Lee... which Director Lee are you referring to?"

Lin Han advanced with a challenging stride. "Are you talking about the Director Lee who offered you a respectable job? Or perhaps the future Director Lee you'll be kneeling before like a loyal pet?"

"What are you insinuating?" Zhang Xuan was visibly anxious, yet she tried to maintain her composure.

"Haha, no need to be nervous."

Lin Han flashed a few photos in his hand at Zhang Xuan and announced loudly, "Manager Lin, step into my office for a moment. I have a multi-million dollar project I'd like to discuss with you!"

"I..." Having been in such situations before, Zhang Xuan could see right through Lin Han's flirtations. She glanced at the receptionists, the security guards, and the odd looks from the guests, her face turning a ghostly white. But the photos in Lin Han's possession left her with no room to argue.

"Never mind that, the office isn't soundproof. Meet me in room 1444, immediately!" Lin Han's voice rose, ensuring that everyone in the lobby overheard.

Once they had both departed, the statuesque young women at the front desk couldn't resist their urge to gossip.

"Wow, did you all catch the news last night?"

"Yes, I saw it. Director Lin and Director Zhang... can you believe it?"

"Director Lin's always been a bit of a flirt with us, but it's usually all talk. Who would've thought he'd actually make a move on Director Zhang? Isn't he worried that his boss of a wife will get mad enough to divorce him?"

"Men, they're never satisfied. Director Lee is gorgeous, and yet he's out there playing the field."

"You just don't get it. For a man, anything new is tempting, even if it's garbage. As long as he hasn't tried it, it's appealing..."

Lin Kexin leveraged every connection she had to quash the negative press. She managed to halt the spread of the story across major radio stations, newspapers, and social media platforms.

Yet, the scandal about the Watock Group's general manager's husband coercing female employees into private meetings persisted in the news. Interestingly, the coverage remained confined to the Orifrough City social circles without escalating further.

...

That evening, at the Lee family estate in the eastern suburbs.

It was Lin Han's second encounter with Old Mrs. Lee; the first had been at his wedding to Lin Kexin.

A year had passed, and Old Mrs. Lee appeared significantly more frail and less vibrant. He and Lin Kexin had been waiting by her side for thirty minutes.

Finally, Yu Shu approached and whispered something in her ear, prompting Old Mrs. Lee to sit up straight on the couch, her breaths quivering weakly.

"Bring Lee Feng in," she eventually said, breaking the silence.

Lee Feng soon entered, crouching obsequiously by his grandmother's knee. "Grandma, I've kept all the news within Orifrough. Just give me one more day, and I'll have it completely suppressed. Rest assured, I'll make sure the negative impact Kexin and her brother-in-law have caused our company is minimized."

"Well done," she said, her nod conveying approval. Then she turned to Lin Kexin with a stern expression. "What is it? Speak up."

Her voice was soft, yet her tone carried an unmistakable gravity, lacking the warmth she had shown Lee Feng.

"Grandma, I have proof that Lee Feng manipulated her to set up Lin Han. If we give this evidence to the official media, the public outcry will surely subside."

Lin Kexin played a recording from her phone.

"Just resign, and I'll immediately pull strings to suppress this negative publicity and then sue Zhang Xuan for defamation. She'll be behind bars for a decade..."

"Betraying someone after they've served their purpose? Disposing of a tool once it's no longer needed? To think you'd throw a woman in jail after using her... You really are despicable."

"You can be careless with food, but you must be careful with your words. I don't know her. That kind of woman who would share a bed with a lowly bumpkin disgusts me just to think about..."

As the recording played clearly, Lee Feng erupted in anger, "Kexin, you're too devious and sneaky. I was trying to help you gracefully exit the situation, and you recorded everything."

Lin Kexin produced another USB drive and placed it on the table in front of Old Mrs. Lee. "This contains Zhang Xuan's recorded testimony, evidence of the one million yuan Lee Feng transferred to Zhang Xuan, and proof of his embezzlement over the years."

"Kexin, I know you're not happy with me, but is framing me really necessary? I've been up all night, working tirelessly to help you and your brother-in-law sort out this mess. How can you do this to your own cousin?" Lee Feng feigned a look of sorrow and concern for his sister and brother-in-law.

"To do things right, you must first be a good person. Kexin, even though Lee Feng isn't your blood brother, he's still your cousin. You should respect and help him, understand?"

"Grandma, the situation with Lin Han was truly a set-up. I thought it affected the Lee family's reputation, so I wanted to consult with you before going public. If you disagree, I won't bother explaining to the media."

"Some things can't be fixed with explanations."

Old Mrs. Lee spoke calmly, "I've seen all the hard work you've put in these past years. It's not easy for a woman to hold up a family, especially with a man who's dragging her down. Hmph."

With a cold stare at Lin Han, she continued, "In the past, if you dared tarnish the Lee family's reputation, I would have broken your legs. But now, I'm old and don't wish to interfere anymore."

"Grandma, about my dismissal from the board of directors..."

"The decision has been made. Don't bring it up again. You need to rest." Old Mrs. Lee dismissed Lin Kexin's concerns. "If you're willing, go manage the Watock Hotel with that good-for-nothing. Consider it your dowry."

Lin Kexin's face suddenly twisted into a self-deprecating smile. "Just because Lee Feng is the Lee family's only son, Old Mrs. Lee's sole grandson, and the only male of this generation in the Lee family, I get it."

She repeated 'only' three times, her expression growing increasingly grim. It had been ages since she broached this subject. Despite years of effort to secure her position as general manager, the true control of Watock eluded her.

In the wake of her grandfather's death, her grandmother became the largest shareholder of the family enterprise. Even during her father's lifetime, he was subject to Old Mrs. Lee's influence.

Following her father's demise, her less capable uncles, Teng Ji included, were nonetheless charged with significant duties by her grandmother. To her traditionalist grandmother, it was men who were destined to assume leadership.

Regardless of how Lee Feng slandered her, or the extent of company funds he misappropriated, he was destined to inherit the Lee family's wealth. Her grandmother's partiality was ingrained.

And she... she was nothing more than a clown, desperately floundering in the mire.

"Once you've grasped the situation, please leave; I'm weary," her grandmother said, before closing her eyes for a brief respite.

"Grandma, there are things Kexin would rather you didn't see, but I think it's essential that you do," Lin Han interjected.

Unlike Lin Kexin's dejection, Lin Han appeared unfazed. Disregarding the attempts by Kexin and Yu Shu to stop him, he confidently approached his grandmother and Lee Feng, pulled out his phone, and began to play a video.