Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Don’t Mess with Me

“How old is he? Seventeen? Eighteen? He’s just a child!”

“Now now, we need to be understanding toward an old woman’s needs.”

“It’s not that I want to lecture you, Director Ceng, but if you really want to fool around, don’t bring it home. It’s going to reflect badly on the Ceng family’s reputation if word gets out.”

The five elders of the Ceng family took turns ridiculing Ceng Rou and Xia Tian.

“You old folks ought to wash your mouths with soap.” Ceng Rou glared viciously at the three.

“Now which is better — that we clean our mouths or that you be a little more discreet in your conduct?”

“Fine. Being dirty’s all you lot are good for anyway.” Staring at the five elders, Ceng Rou shoved the files on the table into the hands of everyone present. “Take a good look.”

The audience gaped at the five elders with their mouths wide open after flipping through the file. Inside was evidence of the elders’ smuggling acts, along with years of other illegal activity. They had definitely been involved in activities much worse than they had accused Ceng Rou of.

Every offense was listed out one by one.

“Ceng Rou, this is unfounded slander!” The Ceng family’s eldest member slammed the document on the table and blew his fuse at Ceng Rou.

“Is that so? You’ll find out soon enough if I’m falsely accusing you. I believe the court summons should arrive in your hands today and the witnesses should all arrive in court the day after tomorrow. You can explain yourselves to the judge then.” Ceng Rou stared coldly at the five elders.

“I’m hoping you five can give us an explanation.” The shareholders in the room looked towards Ceng family’s five elders with suspicion, along with the Ceng family’s second generation, which held 4% of the company’s shares in total.

“Are you really fooled by such lies?! She forged these documents!” the eldest refuted.

“That’s right, she’s keeping a sugar baby and even brought him to the meeting room. How are we to trust someone like her?!” the second eldest added.

“Who knows, maybe he’s holding our Director Ceng captive and forcing her actions,” the third eldest among the five was the most cunning of them all. The rest of the elders stood on the sidelines, watching the event unfold.

“Hey pretty face, you must have dirt on Director Ceng; perhaps some video evidence of some sort.” the third eldest pushed the mounting attention onto Xia Tian. With everyone holding Ceng Rou in high regard and the slew of evidence putting them at a disadvantage, it was impossible to attack Ceng Rou openly.

Hence, he drew focus on Xia Tian, putting Ceng Rou’s character in question.

“This is the best you’ve got? You’re just clutching at straws!.” Ceng Rou gazed at the elders with disdain.

“Hey, gigolo, why the silence? Are you not going to admit to what you’ve done? You’re threatening Ceng Rou to bring down the Ceng Corporation, aren’t you?” The third eldest continued.

“Wait, this has nothing to do with him, you should be coming at me instead!” Ceng Rou furiously stared at the five.

“Is that so?” the third eldest flashed a devilish smile. “Great. In that case, we’re impeaching you, effective immediately. You’re no longer the CEO of the Ceng Corporation; you will be stripped of your duties, and your shares are to be sold to us at a million for each percent.”

This was what the Ceng family’s five elders were after —her shares.

“A million for each percent!!” The price left everyone flabbergasted. Compared to the Ceng Corporation’s current value, it was an absolute steal.

“Oh, how benevolent. Once you lot are caught, however, your shares won’t go to me. Instead, they will be divided among those in the family who are deemed capable,” Compared to the action of Ceng family’s elders, Ceng Rou had crafted a compelling case for herself.

The Ceng family’s five elders were out to seize Ceng Rou’s earnings for themselves, but Ceng Rou, on the other hand, wanted to split their shares equally among the other members of the Ceng family.

“You…” Ceng Rou’s five elders slammed the table and glared at Ceng Rou bitterly.

“Hey! That’s enough, don’t you think?” Xia Tian, who had been sitting beside Ceng Rou, spoke up.

“And just who do you think you are? This is no place for you to speak!” the eldest shouted at Xia Tian.

“So you’ll be free of trouble if these five old folks are taken care of?” Xia Tian asked Ceng Rou.

“Xia Tian, don’t act on impulse. It’s just two more days before they’re finished.” Ceng Rou knew how capable Xia Tian was but she did not wish to drag him into this mess.

“I can’t wait for two more days. I know Quicksand won’t work their fingers to the bone for a dead client.” Xia Tian stood up and walked towards the five elders.

“Xia Tian, don’t be rash!” Ceng Rou exclaimed in a panic.

“What are you doing, you gigolo?” The Ceng family’s five elders were on alert. They clearly caught Xia Tian mentioning the word Quicksand, and those who knew of Quicksand’s existence were no ordinary men.

“Ceng Rou, I get it now, he must be the killer you hired. You’re planning to kill us to keep our mouths shut!” The cries of the third eldest caught the attention of others in order to maintain vigilance.

Smack!

A crisp slap rang through the room. “You really have a lot to say.”

“How dare you touch me!” The Ceng Family’s third eldest was fuming as he covered his face.

Smack!

“Yes, I’m hitting you, what are you going to do about it?” Xia Tian gave him another slap.

“You…”

Smack!

“You? You what?”

“I…”

Smack!

“I? I what?”

Smack!

A string of slaps echoed throughout the meeting room as others watched on, dumbstruck. Everyone in the room looked down on him, thinking he was some escort, but who would have thought that there was a violent side to him.

The Ceng family’s third eldest was the most treacherous of them all. They would rather offend the hot-tempered eldest elder than provoke the cunning third.

Yet, here Xia Tian was, beating the Ceng family’s third eldest into a pulp.

“Stop hitting, stop… Hitting.” The face of the Ceng family’s third eldest was so swollen, he had difficulty finishing his sentence.

Smack!

“Well, I can’t just stop hitting you because you tell me to, can I?” Xia Tian whipped and slapped, and no one dared to come forward to stop him.

“He’s… Hit… Me…” Ceng family’s third replied.

Smack!

“Your pitiful wish is my command.” Xia Tian awarded him another slap, causing his victim to keel over from the impact.

“And who’s next?” Xia Tian turned his gaze to the other elders.

Feeling chills going down their spines, the remaining few unknowingly retreated a few steps backward. They were backing away from him as though Xia Tian was the god of plagues.

Bam bam bam!

There was a knock on the meeting room’s door.