chapter 17: mischief

As the meeting progressed, Chenxiu's piercing gaze swept across the room, settling on each board member who had aligned themselves with Yun's ill-fated coup attempt. His lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Now that we've addressed the elephant in the room," Chenxiu said, his voice deceptively calm, "I believe it's time we discuss some... individual concerns."

He turned to face a portly man seated near the far end of the table. "Mr. Zhang, let's start with you, shall we?"

Zhang visibly paled, his fingers nervously drumming on the polished wood.

"I couldn't help but notice your enthusiastic support for my cousin's proposition," Chenxiu continued. "Curious, given your own precarious position. Tell me, how is that audit of your offshore accounts coming along?"

Zhang's eyes widened in shock. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.

Chenxiu's smile turned predatory. "No? Perhaps I should refresh your memory. Cayman Islands, account number 78294-0283. Ring any bells?"

The color drained from Zhang's face as he slumped in his chair, defeated.

"I thought as much," Chenxiu said smoothly. "Rest assured, your... indiscretions... will remain our little secret, provided you remember where your loyalties should lie."

Moving on, Chenxiu's gaze settled on a severe-looking woman in her late fifties. "Ms. Li, always a pleasure. I trust your daughter is well?"

Li's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "She's fine, thank you," she replied stiffly.

"Wonderful to hear," Chenxiu said, his tone dripping with false sincerity. "I'm sure she's grateful for your... generous contributions to her lifestyle. Those designer handbags and luxury cars don't come cheap, after all."

Li's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "How dare you-"

"How dare I?" Chenxiu cut her off. "How dare you siphon company funds to support your daughter's extravagant tastes? I assure you, the board would be most interested to learn how you've been padding your expense accounts."

Li fell silent, her lips pressed into a thin line of barely contained fury.

Chenxiu continued his methodical dismantling of each dissenting board member. To Mr. Chen, he casually mentioned the man's gambling debts and the loan sharks circling ever closer. For Mrs. Wang, he brought up her husband's infidelities and the hush money she'd been paying to keep it quiet.

With each revelation, the atmosphere in the boardroom grew increasingly tense. Board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, avoiding eye contact and silently praying they wouldn't be next.

Finally, Chenxiu turned his attention to a young man seated near Yun. "Ah, Mr. Zhao. Our rising star. How are you finding your new position? Comfortable, I hope?"

Zhao swallowed hard, his youthful face a mask of barely concealed terror. "It's... it's been a learning experience, sir."

"I'm sure it has," Chenxiu said, his voice dangerously soft. "Tell me, what have you learned about the importance of data security? Particularly when it comes to accessing sensitive company information?"

The young man's face drained of color. "I... I don't..."

"No need to play coy, Mr. Zhao," Chenxiu interrupted. "We both know about your late-night visits to the server room. Your attempts to cover your tracks were admirable, if ultimately futile."