"Are you telling the truth?"
Feng Yanli's expression turned stern.
"Of course I am. I'm absolutely certain—last night, Jiang Hao and Chen Fan had dinner together at Wangjiang Pavilion."
"I got this information from Zheng Xingde's personal driver, whom I bribed."
His confidant nodded with certainty.
"Damn it!"
Feng Yanli slammed the table furiously, seething with anger.
"Good thing I held onto my trump card. Otherwise, I would've been completely blindsided today."
He sneered coldly. Despite his rage, not a hint of frustration showed.
Feng had anticipated unexpected developments and made specific preparations the day before. Fortunately, those very moves were now his strongest leverage!
"That bastard Jiang Hao actually went behind my back to meet with Chen Fan."
Feng Yanli laughed darkly.
Meeting in secret, at such a crucial moment—what else could they be doing other than conspiring against him?
"But it's useless. No matter what kind of agreement you and Chen Fan have reached, it'll all end in vain. In the end—I will still be the victor!"
He declared with unshakable confidence.
"Those two are nothing more than clowns."
"Come, let's go finish the setup..."
With that, Feng Yanli left with his confidant, heading off to complete his final arrangements against Jiang Hao and Chen Fan's alliance.
Time ticked by. At 9:30 AM, Tengfei Group's main conference room was nearly full with shareholders and senior executives.
Jiang Hao arrived first. Not long after, Feng Yanli walked in with his entourage.
When he saw Jiang Hao, a sly grin flickered across Feng Yanli's face, though he made no immediate move.
"So, Mr. Jiang, is everyone here?"
He asked casually.
"Most of them are. Only a few shareholders and executives couldn't make it due to prior commitments."
Jiang Hao responded.
Feng swept his gaze across the room and nodded in satisfaction.
"A few missing won't matter."
Meanwhile, murmurs filled the room. Everyone was wondering why another high-level meeting had been called so soon after the last one. Something big must be happening.
Feng Yanli stepped forward and raised his voice:
"Everyone, quiet down. I know you're all curious why this emergency board meeting was called. I'll get straight to the point!"
The room instantly fell silent. All eyes turned toward him.
"Today, the purpose of this meeting is to..."
Before he could finish—
Chen Fan arrived.
"This must be Mr. Chen, the company's third-largest shareholder, correct?"
Feng Yanli sneered, then turned to Jiang Hao with mock innocence:
"What do you say, Mr. Jiang? You two must be well-acquainted, right?"
"Huh?"
Jiang Hao's voice faltered, clearly caught off guard.
"What are you implying?"
"Oh, don't play dumb. You were just having dinner with Mr. Chen last night at Wangjiang Pavilion. Surely you know what I mean."
Feng Yanli pressed with a mocking smile.
At that, Jiang Hao and Zheng Xingde both went pale.
How did Feng Yanli know? Only a few people had been present at last night's meeting—yet Feng had found out.
Amid the tension, Chen Fan remained perfectly calm, unfazed even now that Feng knew. His decision to set up a backup plan last night had proven absolutely correct.
"Jiang Hao, don't think that just because you've teamed up with Chen Fan you can take me down. The two of you don't have what it takes!"
Feng Yanli declared arrogantly.
"Today, I've called everyone here for one reason—to remove Chen Fan from the company's executive board!"
The room exploded with noise.
Removing the company's third-largest shareholder from the board? That was no small matter.
If it weren't coming from Feng Yanli, the second-largest shareholder, no one would have believed it was even possible.
"You want to kick me out? I think the one who'll be kicked out today... is you, Feng Yanli."
Chen Fan stepped forward, unafraid to go head-to-head.
Feng wanted to remove him? Fine—Chen Fan had every intention of taking him down, especially since the system had made it a mission.
The room fell into hushed whispers again, then all eyes turned toward Jiang Hao.
Now that the second and third-largest shareholders were at odds, how Jiang Hao, the largest shareholder, would align was critical.
"I agree with Mr. Chen. Feng Yanli should be removed from the executive board and cut off from all company affairs!"
Jiang Hao spoke decisively, not caring that his secret had been exposed.
His open support of Chen Fan surprised no one—his rivalry with Feng Yanli was well-known.
But just as many thought Feng was finished, the man burst into maniacal laughter:
"You think you can kick me out with just the two of you? Do you really think you have the power?"
"Jiang Hao, you hold 22.5% of the company. Chen Fan only has 12%. Together, that's a measly 34.5%. Not even 50%. And you expect to win?"
"34.5% isn't a majority, true—but you only have 20.3%, Feng. What gives you the right to act so high and mighty?"
Jiang Hao shot back.
"What gives me the right? Let me show you."
Feng Yanli turned sharply to address the rest of the shareholders:
"I propose that Chen Fan be removed from the executive board and expelled from the company. Who supports this motion?!"
"I do.""I support it.""Count me in."
Instantly, three or four minor shareholders stood up in support.
Jiang Hao just smirked.
Those few were Feng's known loyalists. Combined, they barely held 2.7% of the company—hardly enough to sway the vote.
But then something unexpected happened.
The fourth-largest shareholder, Fang Lei, long known as a neutral party, suddenly stood.
"I support Mr. Feng's proposal. Chen Fan should be removed."
Fang Lei held 10% of the company's shares. His stance was no small matter.
Jiang Hao was stunned. When had Feng won over the neutral Fang Lei?
Still, even counting Fang Lei, Feng's total was only around 33%—less than Jiang Hao and Chen Fan combined.
Just as Jiang Hao began to relax, an even bigger shock followed:
"I also support Mr. Feng.""Me too."
Two more major shareholders, Meng Dong and Dong Ziyun, stood up one after the other.
The two of them held a combined 12.1% of the company's shares.
With their support, Feng Yanli's camp surged to 45.1%—overtaking Jiang Hao and Chen Fan's 34.5% by a wide margin.
In that instant, the tide turned.
Chen Fan and Jiang Hao had suddenly found themselves at a severe disadvantage, and the situation had entered a full-blown crisis!