C85 Ann's Group Was Suppressed

After Lin Chen ended the call, his face was clouded with uncertainty.

Beneath Ann's Group lay a mysterious coffin, a magnet for countless factions both now and in the future.

If things carried on this way, setting aside the coffin for a moment, Ann Lan's emotional state alone would suffer significant turmoil.

"Huang, I'll give you the formulas for the other two products later," he said.

"Find a team to focus on crafting these three items."

"Handle the weight-reducing pill as you see fit, but provide the other two to Ann's Group."

Lin Chen mulled over his decision before giving his instructions to Old Man Huang.

The situation with Ann's Group was spiraling out of control, holding onto it would only invite a never-ending stream of headaches.

It was better to cut ties now.

As long as the beauty cream and Spring Medicine were in steady supply, the fate of Ann's Group, even if reduced to just the building, was inconsequential.

"Rest assured, I've got this," Old Man Huang replied, his expression grave.

Age hadn't dulled his knack for business.

With Lin Chen's status as an Earth Grade Alchemist, his products were bound to be extraordinary.

The production facility for the initial batch had to be flawless.

"Also, I'll reach out to Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian from the Zhang family about the weight-reducing pill, in my name," Lin Chen added.

"Their involvement could make handling future crises much smoother."

"If they're not interested, then so be it."

"And Chung will stay with Huang to ensure the company's security."

Lin Chen paused briefly before continuing.

Inviting Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian to participate in the weight-reducing pill venture was not only about adding layers of security for the company but also about repaying the Sun family for their support during his time with them.

"I'll leave the company matters in your hands," Lin Chen said, nodding.

With no time for small talk, he got into his car and headed for Ann's Group.

Half an hour later, in the president's office at Ann's Group.

"The doctor just checked; Lanlan is fine," Sun Qing'er assured Lin Chen, noticing his rushed demeanor.

Lin Chen activated his Magical Third Eye and scrutinized the situation carefully. Once he was sure that Ann Lan and her mother were unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Secretary Sun, give me a detailed rundown," he said.

After settling Ann Lan in the office's lounge, Lin Chen turned to Sun Lili with a serious tone.

"This morning, right after Lanlan arrived at the company, she signed a share acquisition contract with several chairmen."

"Less than thirty minutes later, branches of Ann's Group were vandalized beyond recognition, and the factories were completely demolished."

"We immediately alerted the police upon hearing the news, but the Police Division was evasive and unhelpful."

"Then, Lanlan passed out from sheer rage," Sun Lili recounted to Lin Chen.

"Qing'er, what's your take on this?" Lin Chen inquired, looking intently at Sun Qing'er.

"Whoever has the Police Division wary enough to avoid involvement isn't likely to be any of the chairmen of Ann's Group."

"That leaves us with Elder Mo, the Alchemist, and Sun Xiangguo from the Sun family."

"Yet, between the two, my suspicion leans more towards Sun Xiangguo."

"With the Sun family in turmoil, and as the eldest son of the second generation, not to mention his role as the deputy general on the border, he's not someone who would just stand by."

Sun Qing'er offered her analysis to Lin Chen with a level head.

Both the Sun family and Elder Mo's situations stemmed from her actions, and she couldn't help but feel a measure of guilt.

"Why have you dismissed Elder Mo as a suspect?"

"He's an Alchemist, and after the injuries I inflicted, wouldn't he naturally seek revenge?"

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed, a flicker of astonishment in their depths.

His question to Sun Qing'er was meant to be a test of her judgment.

And her conclusion matched his own perfectly.

"A distinguished Alchemist, wounded so grievously..."

"If I were in his shoes, I'd focus on healing first. Once fully recovered, I'd want to witness my enemy's destruction firsthand."

"But Sun Xiangguo is different. To achieve the rank of deputy general and to have been favored by Old Master Sun..."

"It's clear he's a man of intelligence."

"For someone like that, they'd definitely send someone to feel you out before making a move against you."

I have to admit, Sun Qing'er's well-reasoned analysis was quite impressive to Lin Chen.

He wasn't very familiar with the Sun family or Sun Xiangguo, initially harboring only a few suspicions.

But now, after hearing Sun Qing'er out, he was convinced!

"If I'm not mistaken, the man Sun Xiangguo has enlisted is none other than the Underground Emperor, Old Dog Wang!"

"With his myriad of underlings, he could easily raze Ann's Group's factory, wreck their other branches, and coerce the executives into resigning en masse."

"It's said that his mentor is the Southern Barbarian King's most trusted disciple."

"And that's the true reason the Police Division is shirking responsibility."

Lin Chen looked at Sun Qing'er's composed and pretty face and burst into laughter.

He playfully smacked her on the behind and even mischievously gave it a squeeze.

"You're truly my little maidservant."

"Quick-witted as ever!"

Lin Chen withdrew his hand, offering Sun Qing'er his compliments.

Sun Qing'er's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

After all her hard work analyzing the situation for him, Lin Chen had the nerve to both hit and grab her?

"Secretary Sun, please stay here and look after my wife."

"I'm going to take Qing'er to handle the Old Dog Wang situation."

With that, Lin Chen and Sun Qing'er departed from Ann's Group.

"Qing'er, you look sharp in that black stocking and short skirt ensemble today."

"But the top should be a V-neck – that would really give me something to appreciate."

While in the car, Lin Chen, sitting in the passenger seat, freely critiqued Sun Qing'er's attire.

"Why don't you just drop dead!"

Sun Qing'er, at her limit, snapped back at Lin Chen.

"Oh please, it's not like I haven't seen those two little moles on your chest before."

Lin Chen scoffed, his tone laced with contempt.

He only suggested the V-neck because he didn't feel like using his Magical Third Eye.

"How... How did you know about the moles on my chest?"

Sun Qing'er's eyes went wide as she asked Lin Chen, incredulous.

Sun Qing'er was typically very modest in her choice of clothing.

She would never have donned that black silk and short skirt if Lin Chen hadn't insisted over and over again!

Yet, somehow, Lin Chen was acutely aware of the two tiny moles on her chest—a fact that seemed rather inexplicable.

"I'm aware of not just the moles, but also the red birthmark on your behind," Lin Chen said, his gaze turning serious as he addressed Sun Qing'er. "I'm sharing this with you to make one thing clear."

"You have absolutely no secrets from me."

No secrets whatsoever?

She scoffed at the audacity—how he could make his lecherous self seem so noble and pure was beyond her.

It was an unprecedented experience for Sun Qing'er.

"So, where to now?"

Sun Qing'er bit her lip, her tone laced with venom as she questioned Lin Chen.

"We're off to Emperor Bath City to track down Old Dog Wang!"

As the conversation shifted to pressing issues, a glint of steely resolve flickered in Lin Chen's eyes.

Regardless of whether Sun Xiangguo was behind Ann's Group's current predicament, Lin Chen was not about to let it slide.