C12 Banning

Everyone knew that Liu Qiang was the chairman behind the Di Hao Hotel!

Yet, few were aware that Liu Qiang was merely a figurehead. The true power behind the Di Hao Hotel was none other than River City's wealthiest man, Lu Zhanfeng.

Upon receiving an urgent call from Lu Zhanfeng, Liu Qiang made a beeline for the hotel, only to find he was too late!

Lu Zhanfeng hadn't disclosed Xia Ming's significance, but he had made it clear that even he would have to kneel in Xia Ming's presence. And now, that fool Wang Ke had the audacity to have Xia Ming beaten and expected him to kneel?

With his hands shaking, Liu Qiang wiped the sweat from his brow and berated the security guards holding Xia Ming, "You idiots, release him at once!"

While speaking, Liu Qiang hurriedly shoved the guards aside and stammered, "Young Master Xia... I..."

Xia Ming, witnessing Liu Qiang's state, realized that Lu Zhanfeng must have let the cat out of the bag.

Given the circumstances, there was no need for Xia Ming to disclose his own identity. Cutting Liu Qiang off mid-sentence, Xia Ming turned to the bewildered Wang Ke and said, "Wang Ke, remember to consider the master before you strike the dog! To dare lay a hand on me in front of Boss Han is to show him disrespect!"

Xia Ming's abrupt statement left Liu Qiang at the scene feeling perplexed.

However, Leng Ningchu instantly grasped Xia Ming's intent. The young master was still keeping his identity under wraps, opting instead to use her as a human shield!

Acknowledging Xia Ming with a nod, Leng Ningchu turned a frosty gaze upon Liu Qiang and said, "CEO Liu, you owe me an explanation for today's events. If I'm not satisfied, well... you're well aware of the potential repercussions."

With that, Leng Ningchu's eyes flicked briefly to Xia Ming.

Her tone was light, but it sent a chill down Liu Qiang's spine.

The boss had made it abundantly clear: under no circumstances should Xia Ming be crossed or displeased. Yet here they were, in the midst of a debacle...

While Liu Qiang couldn't fathom why Xia Ming had positioned Leng Ningchu as a shield, he was no stranger to the ways of River City's elite and quickly surmised that Xia Ming had his reasons.

However, the real issue at hand was figuring out how to please Xia Ming!

Liu Qiang turned and shot Wang Ke a venomous look, feeling a murderous rage bubble up within him. "All security guards, unless you want to be out of a job, go give Wang Ke a beating right now. The one who hits him the hardest gets promoted to captain!"

"Ah?" The surrounding security guards were momentarily frozen in shock at Liu Qiang's command. "But, CEO, Director Wang is the general manager. This..."

Annoyed, Liu Qiang gave the guard a swift kick. "General manager? As of now, I'm officially terminating Wang Ke from Di Hao Hotel. He's no longer the general manager, effective immediately! And I'll make sure he's blacklisted throughout River City..."

Hearing this, Wang Ke's knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed. "CEO, please... no jokes. That jerk ruined your favorite oil painting!"

Wang Ke was still trying to make sense of the situation, scrambling to make excuses.

But Liu Qiang, already on edge, glanced at the oil painting on the floor and snapped back, "Shut up! Since when did I say I liked oil paintings?!"

Had Wang Ke lost his mind? Didn't he realize that Young Master Xia had just mentioned his own interest in writing and painting? How could he dare to upset Young Master Xia?

Seeing the security guards still hesitating, Liu Qiang barked sharply, "Idiots, can't you understand me? Do I need to repeat myself? Get moving!"

"Yes, CEO!"

With the order confirmed, the security guards charged at Wang Ke like a pack of wolves.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Wang Ke was on the receiving end of a brutal beating, his cries of agony echoing through the crowd.

"Take it easy, you traitors! Not the face!"

"Damn! Sun Cheng, you jerk, you kicked me in the groin! Ah!"

"CEO, this isn't fair! It was Qi Jun who egged me on!"

...

By this point, Wang Ke realized he was utterly ruined. Xia Ming had some seriously good luck on his side. First, Elder Pang came to his rescue, and now, it seemed that Ningchu, who was accompanying Xia Ming, had quite the influential background!

However, even if I'm going down, I'm taking someone with me!

Upon hearing Wang Ke's words, Liu Qiang froze momentarily before turning to scan the room. "Who is Qi Jun?"

Qi Jun, witnessing Liu Qiang's arrival, unleashed a furious beating on Wang Ke, a sinking feeling already taking hold. Once Wang Ke named him, Qi Jun tried to slip away quietly with Qin Yao.

But as they attempted to leave, several security guards blocked their path. "Chairman, this is Qi Jun!"

"Beat him!" Liu Qiang's brow furrowed as he gave a slight wave of his hand.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The hall filled with the overlapping screams of Wang Ke and Qi Jun. Liu Qiang wiped the sweat from his brow, stepped forward, and stood respectfully before Xia Ming and Leng Ningchu. "Young Master Xia, CEO Leng, is this to your satisfaction?"

Leng Ningchu glanced at Xia Ming but remained silent.

Xia Ming was the third young master of the Xia family; Leng Ningchu wouldn't presume to make decisions for him.

"Xia Ming, you fool! Don't think you're so impressive just because you know a few people! You dare mess with Brother Jun? Hmph, let me tell you, you're in deep trouble now... Don't you know Brother Jun's family owns a mine? And you, dressed up like a seductress, what are you trying to prove? Release Brother Jun now, or this isn't over..."

"…"

Xia Ming, Leng Ningchu, and Liu Qiang exchanged glances, all at a loss for words.

How could this woman be so clueless?

Even now, she couldn't see the writing on the wall?

Smack!

In a fit of anger, Liu Qiang backhanded Qin Yao across the face. "I don't usually hit women, but today, I'll make an exception for you!"

Xia Ming was someone even the boss would kneel before, and then there was the enigmatic CEO Leng. Was this foolish woman seeking her own demise?

"Take her away!" Liu Qiang commanded the guards after slapping Qin Yao aside.

Meanwhile, Qi Jun lay on the ground, beaten to a swollen mess, his voice barely a whisper, "Qin Yao, quickly... plead with Xia Ming for me, ask him to spare me. I... I'm almost beaten to death here..."

"Brother Jun!" Qin Yao cast a glance at Qi Jun as she struggled against the grip of two security guards.

Qi Jun urged her, "Little Yao, please beg him... He used to pursue you back in college, he'll surely listen to you! Maybe if you agree to go to a room with him, he'll let me off the hook... Ouch, stop hitting me..."

Qin Yao was unaware of the forces behind the Di Hao Hotel, but Qi Jun was all too familiar. His family's wealth might impress Qin Yao, but it paled in comparison to the hotel's backing.

With Liu Qiang backing Xia Ming, Qi Jun stood no chance. A smart man knows to prioritize his own safety when faced with insurmountable odds.