Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Board Meeting
Song Kai’s lips tilted into a smile as he leaned back on his chair.
"It is personal."
Huo Mingjie’s brows creased,but he didn’t utter a word.
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The headquarters of the Huo corporation was shrouded with tension, and it was thick enough to choke on.
Phones rang incessantly, reporters gathered at the entrance of the company, whispers spread like wildfire through every corridor.
When the private elevator chimed open, every sound seemed to die.
Huo Feng stepped out in a grey tailored suit, his expression blank and unreadable. Each step was filled with immense authority, echoing throughout the corridor. Following behind him was Ah Si who had a tablet in his hand with a practiced smile.
"Boss," Ah Si started in a low voice. "Just as you have planned, the rumors have spread widely to the media. Several board members are requesting an emergency meeting. Huo Mingjie would be present as well. Should I postpone it?"
Huo Feng’s lips curved faintly — everything was going according to plan. He shook his head softly. "No, let’s have the meeting. I want to see who’s desperate to act first."
Ah Si nodded. "I have already prepared the data you requested. Do you want it presented publicly or reserved for your signal?"
"Reserve it." Huo Feng said coldly. "We only play that card when the rats start squealing."
They continued walking, ignoring the employees who lowered their heads as they passed. Whispers followed them, the same question murmured again and again.
"Could it be true? Did the CEO really divert funds?"
If Huo Feng heard them, he gave no sign that he did.
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Conference Room>
The board room was already full when he walked in. Twelve board members and a few directors were already seated including Huo Mingjie, and the tension was thick in the air.
When Huo Feng entered, they all scrambled to their feet apart from Huo Mingjie who lazily stood up. They murmured obligatory greetings, although they were eager for his response to the rumours.
All of a sudden, Huo Feng stopped and met Huo Mingjie’s gaze.
There was a smile tugging at the corner of Huo Mingjie’s lips, but his eyes didn’t betray his thoughts.
Huo Feng calmly retracted his gaze and took his seat. "You may all sit." He instructed simply.
A heavy silence settled after his words. The faint hum of the air conditioner filled the space, but even that seemed loud in this silence-filled room.
One of the older directors cleared his throat, his fingers fidgeting nervously with his pen.
"President Huo, we’ve called for this emergency meeting because the company’s reputation is in jeopardy. The allegations of fund diversion have spread to the media, and our shareholders are... concerned."
Another younger director spoke up too quickly, his voice laced with feigned indignation. "Yes, and we must address this immediately! Transparency is key, otherwise the company will crumble under suspicion."
Huo Feng’s gaze flicked briefly to the man, then back to his clasped hands on the table. The faintest curve appeared on his lips — almost imperceptible, but Ah Si caught it, and his eyes brightened.
Across the table, Huo Mingjie’s brow furrowed. Though his expression was still composed, there was a heaviness in his eyes. It was filled with a quiet awareness that something was off.
"Transparency," Huo Feng repeated softly, drawing the word the word. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. "A noble concept indeed."
His voice was calm, but the undertone was sharp as a blade. "That’s precisely why I agreed to this meeting. To clear the fog."
He lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Huo Mingjie. His gaze was steady, unreadable, and filled with challenge.
Ah Si stepped forward and, at his signal, projected a holographic report onto the large display screen at the front of the room. Lines of data and financial statements appeared, perfectly organized and traceable.
"These are the financial movements of Huo Corporation over the past six months," Huo Feng began evenly. "Every transfer, every approval, every transaction are accounted for."
A few directors exchanged nervous glances. The documents were flawless — too flawless for a man accused of fraud.
Still, the younger board member who had spoken with a voice full of indignation, Director Lin, shifted uncomfortably. "President Huo, with due respect, these records could have been... adjusted."
"Adjusted?" Huo Feng repeated, his tone light, as though amused. "Then perhaps you’d prefer a forensic audit?"
The color drained from Director Lin’s face.
Huo Feng stood slowly, his presence commanding instant silence. "But before we move to that," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room, "I’d like to know who found it appropriate to leak internal financial documents to the media before consulting this board."
Murmurs filled the room instantly.
Director Lin’s fingers twitched and he gulped fearfully.
Ah Si, ever efficient, stepped forward again. "President, we traced the source of the data breach. The files were sent from Director Lin’s account at 2:14 a.m. yesterday."
The room erupted with shocked whispers.
Huo Feng didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t need to. His calm was more suffocating than anger. "Director Lin, do you have anything to say?"
"I—I was only acting in the company’s best interest," Director Lin stammered.
"By leaking internal data?" Huo Feng pressed.
There was no response. Huo Mingjie suppressed the fear in his heart as he remained silent.
Huo Feng’s eyes turned cold. "Effective immediately, Director Lin is suspended pending investigation. The legal team will handle the rest."
He adjusted his cufflinks and turned toward the other board members. "If anyone else wishes to express their concern for the company in such a patriotic way, do so now."
No one spoke.
Huo Mingjie’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening. For a brief moment, their eyes met again — and this time, Mingjie’s gaze held something else: understanding.
He realized then, this was no crisis for Huo Feng. This was a trap.
Huo Feng gave a small, knowing smile. "Meeting adjourned."
He walked out with Ah Si close behind, leaving behind a room full of pale faces and one fuming Huo Mingjie.