Chapter 56 

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At the board meeting, Arthur Jenkins surprised everyone. As he reported to the board, he mentioned that the necessary data for the R&D department had been acquired by Tang Yu. Susan Abernathy, who was in her office, suddenly turned pale as she watched the proceedings online. She didn't expect Jenkins to have an ace up his sleeve, revealing it only at this moment to deliberately undermine her in front of the board. The slight smile on Jenkins's face during his report filled her with unprecedented humiliation and rage.

If the data for the cyberware project had been lost, both departments would have been deemed to have failed, but Jenkins had managed to get the cyberware data without anyone's knowledge, and without any losses to his team. The clear display of ability was evident to the board. No matter how Susan Abernathy tried to deflect blame, her image of competence had been completely overshadowed by Jenkins. Yet there was nothing she could do but watch him steal the show at the board meeting.

"Wait, he said the data was obtained by Tang Yu?" Susan Abernathy latched onto this critical point. At such an important meeting, Jenkins chose not to take credit for himself but instead attributed the success to his subordinate. She didn't buy the noble idea of a talented individual found by a discerning leader; one does not climb to a high position within the company without being shrewd. This was out of character for the selfish Jenkins, signaling just one thing to Abernathy: Tang Yu was vitally important to him. It seemed that Jenkins, having no one else to rely on, wanted to use Tang Yu as a ladder to climb higher. Jenkins blatantly used Tang Yu as a sharp knife to cut through his obstacles to promotion, knowing that once the path was clear, the knife would be dulled.

"Good play, Jenkins. I hadn't expected you to have such a strong hand," thought Susan Abernathy, folding her arms and stroking her chin with her cybernetically enhanced right hand. She had taken note of Tang Yu before; in just over a year, he had made significant achievements as Jenkins's capable right-hand man. When she had previously arranged for the Animals gang to assassinate him, she had only sent a single car, underestimating him as an unmodified loyal hound for Jenkins. That same underestimation led Tang Yu to provoke her in the elevator that day to secure Jenkins's trust and favor. To her surprise, Tang Yu had also been able to fish in troubled waters and obtain the cyberware data with such resourcefulness. Clearly, Jenkins was not orchestrating this situation—instead, Tang Yu played a key role.

After identifying the crux, Susan Abernathy contemplated how to deal with Tang Yu, recognizing that he had become a higher priority in her mind. She looked at the electronic display in front of her and pursed her lips, "Coffee."

Her secretary, standing quietly to the side, had heard Abernathy muttering to herself but didn't dare to respond. Knowing that her boss was irritable, she feared making a mistake that would trigger a tirade. When Abernathy asked for water, the secretary was startled and looked up to her superior for confirmation. Seeing no reaction from her secretary, Abernathy picked up an electronic tablet from the desk and threw it at her head, "Are you deaf?"

The secretary, terrified, quickly ducked and picked up the shattered tablet from the floor. Without a moment's delay, she rushed to make Abernathy's coffee.

Back at the board meeting, Michiko, after listening to Jenkins's entire report, didn't immediately end the call. With a notably calm tone, she asked, "The achievements you've just reported, were they all done by your deputy, Tang Yu?"Jenkins reaffirmed his confirmation.

Michiko promptly ordered Jenkins to transmit the data to the head of R&D, Tanaka, for confirmation.

It wasn't long before 

Tanaka joined the board meeting live and, in front of all board members, confirmed that the human operation data came from the military-grade Sandevistan implant user, the cyberpsycho James.

Michiko then nodded with slight satisfaction, "Good, Counter-Intelligence has managed to salvage the mission objective, and put a stop to the spillage."

"I remember Special Operations making a show of taking on the mission for a chance to shine, chest-thumping with guarantees."

"Truly biting off more than one can chew, and then having the audacity to steal intelligence from the department next door. Are you tired of a too comfortable and mundane life in Arasaka?"

Michiko coldly surveyed the nine board members, who chose to look straight ahead, offering no response.

She knew that among these nine, each had their own agenda.

Some board members relying on being part of her grandfather Saburo Arasaka's faction, didn't take her seriously.

Others were moles planted by her uncle Yorinobu Arasaka, constantly stirring up competition and hostility with Militech.

There were rumors that Yorinobu Arasaka was poised to take over Arasaka Corporation, and was planning to establish a new headquarters in Night City.

As for her aunt Hanako Arasaka, far away in the Arasaka residence in Kyoto, her power had yet to reach this place.

However, Hanako Arasaka had always considered herself at the heart of the family's legitimacy, acting under Saburo Arasaka's name – her influence in the Arasaka family was not to be underestimated.

Thus, the purpose of this board meeting was to take the opportunity to remove dissidents and consolidate her own position in Night City.

Even if Yorinobu Arasaka were to take charge one day, she intended to have the power to protect herself.

As the meeting progressed to this point, Michiko no longer hid her intentions, declaring directly, "Supervisor Susan Abernathy is accountable for the mishandling of this operation. She fails to control her subordinates and is therefore suspended from her post as head of Special Operations for three months, with a major demerit, a pay deduction for twenty-four months, and the entire Special Operations department will receive a salary deduction for six months."

After Michiko's verdict, the board members looked at each other to gauge the situation and soon, some voiced their disagreement.

"A three-month suspension is inappropriate; with Militech bearing down on us, we cannot be without a director to take countermeasures."

Another board member added, "Indeed, Abernathy is at fault for the mishandling, but the principal responsibility lies with Caitlin and Carter Smith, who colluded for personal glory and profit and are thus culpable beyond doubt."

"This mission failure cannot be divorced from Militech's involvement. For the Tyger Claws to dare attack an Arasaka elite squad without Militech's instruction is laughable."

Several board members nodded in agreement after hearing this.

As long as the conflict could be shifted onto Militech, even Saburo Arasaka himself would have to carefully consider how to handle the situation.

Michiko did not expect that at this time, these short-sighted fools would still be dissenting, sparking a nameless anger in her.

Thinking of Tang Yu, the mission's 'hero,' Michiko had another idea.

"Since you're concerned about the absence of a head of Special Operations, I believe there's now a vacancy for a deputy head in that department."

"Let's assign the deputy head of Counter-Intelligence, Tang Yu, to also serve as the deputy head of Special Operations. That sounds appropriate."

No sooner had she finished speaking than 

The room fell into total silence.