C18 Everyone Forced Me!

Since the call was on speakerphone, Liu Tianxiong's words were heard loud and clear by everyone in the room.

This was Liu Tianxiong we're talking about!

The man second only to the wealthiest in River City, and he was actually extending an olive branch to the Lin family?

It was common knowledge that this was all thanks to Xia Ming.

Grandma, Lin Feng, Lin Zhong, and the others exchanged glances, weighing their next move. They had previously plotted to wrest control of Lin's Group from Lin Shuyu today.

But now, seeing the special relationship between Xia Ming and Liu Tianxiong, they were having second thoughts.

"I'll make sure to convey your message!" Gu Zhanshan responded to Liu Tianxiong, ended the call, and turned to Xia Ming with a half-smile, "Xia, your grandfather certainly wasn't wrong about you."

Without waiting for Xia Ming to respond, Gu Zhanshan stepped forward, placed the earrings on the table, and addressed Grandma with a smile, "Big sister, the situation is clear now. The chicken blood stone earrings were a birthday gift from Patriarch Liu to Xia Ming. You should take good care of them."

The table was laden with gifts, including jadeite mountains, bracelets, and a coral piece over a foot tall.

Initially, the colorful jadeite mountains and coral stood out on the table. But now that everyone knew the value of the chicken blood stone earrings was thirty million, the other items suddenly seemed to pale in comparison.

Grandma, a bit embarrassed, acknowledged the situation and placed the earrings beside her, then turned to Xia Ming with a serious tone, "Xia Ming, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Patriarch Liu?"

The nature of the relationship between Xia Ming and Liu Tianxiong needed to be clear. If they were to take action against Lin Shuyu without understanding the full picture and Liu Tianxiong were to intervene, it would complicate matters significantly.

Who was Xia Ming? A core disciple of the Xia family, no stranger to rigorous training. How could he be unaware of Grandma's thoughts?

Xia Ming hadn't intended to reveal much, but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to set the record straight. Otherwise, Lin Feng and Grandma might be too frightened to act, and then where would the drama be?

"Oh, it was nothing special! I just happened to find the Liu family's handbag. Inside were some very important contracts... Patriarch Liu mentioned they were worth over a hundred million. He wanted to write me a check on the spot, but I declined. Then, just yesterday, he gave me those earrings as a gift!"

Xia Ming's explanation was nonchalant yet plausible.

Lin Feng, Grandma, Lin Zhong, Zhang Lan, and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing this.

So that's all it was?

He simply found the handbag!

This time, Xia Ming had accepted earrings from Liu Tianxiong valued at 30 million. It seemed that the favor had been adequately repaid. And as for the Lin family's overtures, they were probably nothing more than polite gestures.

After all, two contracts worth over a hundred million would likely only net a profit of tens of millions. The thirty million for the chicken blood stone earrings likely surpassed their actual value.

With that in mind, the subsequent plans could proceed as normal!

Grandma's mouth moved subtly as she said, "I see."

She paused, glanced at everyone present, and pulled out a folder from beside her. "Since we're all here today, let's discuss the future direction of Lin's Group. Shuyu, please sign this resignation letter and relinquish control of the company."

While speaking, Grandma handed the folder to Lin Shuyu, her expression unreadable.

Standing next to Lin Shuyu, Xia Ming let out a cold, mocking snort. The facade had finally been dropped.

These were the relatives of Lin's Group. They had all but ignored the company during its struggles, yet they were unequivocal in their power grab.

Lin Shuyu's eyes widened in shock, anger, and disappointment as she stared at the bold resignation letter in the transparent folder. A whirlwind of emotions played across her face.

Despite anticipating this, the reality of Grandma demanding her resignation at the birthday banquet struck Lin Shuyu with a sudden, inexplicable pang in her heart. "Grandma... what are you doing?"

"What am I doing? Hmph! Shuyu, this isn't about me forcing you. Just look at the state of the company under your management. We can't recover the debts, and we're short thirty million in capital, aren't we? Have you secured any investments? Without new investment, the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. This is your grandfather's legacy. Should I just stand by and watch you ruin it?"

Grandma spoke with such conviction that it seemed as if she had the company's best interests at heart.

Yet, Lin Shuyu and Xia Ming were all too aware of the underlying intentions.

"Just sign the papers, Cousin," Lin Feng said with a smug look. "Don't worry, once I'm in charge, I'll secure investments in no time. I'll make sure the company thrives, won't I, Uncle, Auntie?" He confidently addressed his Uncle Lin Cheng and Aunt Zhang Lan.

Uncle and Auntie were quick to concur, "Absolutely, we believe Feng taking the helm is far better. He certainly won't let the company fall into disarray like this!"

"Shuyu, just resign! Rest assured, the family won't shortchange you. We'll set you up with a subsidiary, and you'll still be the top executive!"

...

One after another, the relatives tried to convince Lin Shuyu.

Hearing their words, Lin Shuyu felt her heart plummet. Were these her kin, bound by blood? Their indifference was chilling!

The company's financial shortfall had already been addressed by Xia Ming. The accounts now boasted over thirty million in cash, ensuring the company's operations were stable.

Seeing Lin Shuyu's distressed expression, Xia Ming felt a twinge of pain in his heart. He cleared his throat and surveyed the room. "Let's do this: since everyone is urging Shuyu to step down, and we're all here, why not have a show of hands? If you're in favor of Shuyu resigning, please raise your hand."

At Xia Ming's suggestion, Grandma, Lin Feng, Lin Zhong, and the others were taken aback.

Was Xia Ming sealing his own fate?

The birthday banquet had been orchestrated by Grandma, Lin Feng, Lin Zhong, Lin Cheng, and Zhang Lan. Surely they wouldn't go against Grandma's wishes?

"Fine, I'm in favor!" Lin Feng was the first to raise his hand.

Lin Zhong followed suit.

Then the third, the fourth...

In under thirty seconds, every key member of Lin's Group, including Grandma, had their hands raised. The only ones not raising their hands in the entire hall were Gu Zhenshan, Lin Shuyu, and Xia Ming.

Gu Zhenshan looked at Lin Feng and Grandma with resignation and shook his head, "Alas, what a group of myopic fools!"

Are these fools oblivious to the fact that Xia Ming has already begun his strategic planning?

"Xia Ming, Lin Shuyu, look at this! The vote is unanimous. What can you possibly say now? The people's vision is clear, and you've already lost their support!" Lin Feng, watching everyone raise their right hands, could barely contain his glee.

Lin Shuyu staggered in place, her internal injuries worsening.

Xia Ming swiftly wrapped an arm around Lin Shuyu's slender waist and calmly said to Grandma, "Well, if that's the case, I have nothing more to add. But I do have one final question! With Cousin Ziyuan and Cousin Zihan both studying abroad, if Shuyu were to resign, it seems Lin Feng would be the only candidate for Lin's Group presidency, correct?"

Grandma, momentarily confused by Xia Ming's implication, gave a nonchalant nod, "Indeed, that's the consensus. Do you object?"

With a sly grin, Xia Ming replied, "No objections! I'm simply curious, if Lin Feng were to voluntarily step down from the role of president, would that leave Shuyu as the sole person in charge of the company?"