Troublesome

"Miss Li, what is the meaning of this?" Master Wu immediately asked, his brows furrowed. His earlier calm demeanor had completely vanished.

"What could it mean?" Miss Li asked. "After the chairman's death, I simply thought that I was not as secure as I thought to be. So, I hired people to help me out."

"..." Ethan was at a loss for words, unable to comprehend this blatant lie.

"Miss Li, what does this mean?" Old Man Lin's face contorted as he glared at the Eldest Young Miss of the Li Family. "Do you think we are fools?"

"Old Man Lin, I think Miss Li has a point. The chairman's death was indeed traumatizing," Joseph Yun smirked. "Isn't that right, Miss Li?"

Miss Li only rolled her eyes in response.

"Did I say something wrong?" Joseph asked, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Miss Li, send your people outside. Do you think your people can just barge into Kai Consortium because you feel like it?" Old Man Lin exclaimed. "Is this how the Li Family raised their heirs? Indeed, what an eye-opening move! I never thought that the Li Family would actually act like this!"

"Settle down," Master Wu immediately intervened. "Young Miss of the Li Family, would you let your guards leave this meeting?"

"No. I do not intend to do that."

Ethan lifted an eyebrow. Who would have thought that the Li Family would show their fangs at this moment?

He could vaguely sense that these people were Essentia users. Was she trying to show them the strength of the Li Family?

He smiled inwardly, aware of everyone's gaze scrutinizing him, waiting to see his response.

Did they expect him to suddenly cry or shake from fear?

But most importantly, this system actually wanted him to resolve all this without using force.

"Very well, since Miss Li does not feel secure, then let her allow her bodyguards inside," Ethan stated. What was the point of arguing with this woman? "Since Miss Li wants herself to be considered for the position, then Master Wu?"

"I will take note of that, young master. Any other nominations?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Naturally, no one even dared to think about it. The blatant threat in front of them was something they could not ignore. The fact that Ethan actually took a step back and allowed the woman to act like this was enough for them to lose the confidence they had left.

"Since no one—"

"I would like to appoint Master Wu as the Interim CEO of Kai Consortium," Ethan interrupted Master Wu.

Again, there was silence.

"I am honored by your trust, young master, but—"

"Since the Kai Family owns more than forty percent of the shares, I believe our words carry some weight. I want Master Wu to become the Interim CEO. As for Miss Li—"

"I disagree...." Miss Li was about to start complaining when a voice suddenly echoed behind her.

"Ah, young master… I am finally here." Jihoon, who took care of the assassins, walked in. "I already took care of the bodies. Do you need me to do something else?" Jihoon smiled, entering the room with a calm expression. Then his gaze landed on Miss Li.

"Bodies?" Naturally, his words caught Joseph Yun's and the other's attention.

"If you do not know this yet, the young master encountered some assassins on his way to the company," Jihoon smiled. "It seems that some people wanted to end the Kai Family."

The room seemed to hold its breath. The tension in the atmosphere had already reached its peak, but now it threatened to shatter like glass. The board members exchanged glances.

Assassins targeting the Kai Family? It was an audacious move, to say the least. However, this was not something that one without a backer would do. Even if the Old Man of the Kai Family already passed, the Kai Family is still the most powerful family in Yeonsin.

Who would dare openly try to assassinate its heir in broad daylight?

For some reason, a few members of the board could not help but steal glances at Miss Li, who now had an ugly look on her face.

"As you can see, we are facing threats both within and outside our organization. In such times, we need a steady hand at the helm, someone we can trust implicitly, someone who knows the ins and outs of the company, someone who worked with both grandfather and the CEO for a long time." Ethan took advantage of the situation, aware that he needed to resolve this issue without resorting to physical altercations.

"Isn't that right, Miss Li?" Ethan looked at the woman across from him. He did not know her background, but he had heard about the Li Family in the past.

In the whole of Yeonsin, the Kai Family were considered the rulers, but this would not have happened without the support of various other clans.

One of the families that supported the Kai Family for generations was the Li's. The engagement between his older brother and Miss Li was enough proof of this close relationship. However, he never expected that the Li Family would one day betray his grandfather.

In the end, business was still business.

"Master Wu owns less than five percent of the shares. How could he—"

"So does my brother, Miss Li," Ethan interrupted her with a smile. "Or perhaps, you have already forgotten that my brother only owns three percent of the company, and my grandfather still owns the majority of the shares."

Odette's face turned red as if she was about to explode from irritation. She glared at Ethan. Clearly, she had so many things to say, but Jihoon's arrival was perfectly timed.

With the mention of the assassins that attacked Ethan, everyone now suspected that the Li Family had something to do with the attack.

After all, her actions of coming here to take over the company already surprised a lot of people. Who would believe that this is nothing but a coincidence? 

'Good! Very good!' Miss Li thought inwardly as she glared at Ethan. She would remember this embarrassment for a lifetime!

"I agree with the young master," Joseph Yun broke the silence that followed. "I believe Master Wu is a very capable man." Joseph smiled at Ethan before he leaned back and waited for the others to speak.

"I, too, agree," Old Man Lin followed.

Soon enough, the others also shared their agreement and opinions about Master Wu's appointment.

"Since everyone is on the same page as I am, then I believe it's settled. Master Wu is going to become the Interim CEO. I trust that Master Wu will take care of everything?" Ethan asked, smiling. Master Wu was already skilled at everything else. Naturally, he could take care of the company now that Sander was not here.

Isn't this very good news?

"Very well, Young Master. I accept the role of Interim CEO until this situation is resolved," Master Wu stated.

Ethan nodded in approval. "Good. And as for Miss Li—"

"I believe this meeting is practically done," Miss Li declared. She got up, then stared into Ethan's eyes for a few seconds before marching her way out of the room.

"..."

[DING]

Mission: The Dance of Diplomacy

Objective: Successfully navigate the intense corporate power struggle without engaging in any physical confrontation and avoid direct conflict.

Description: Amidst the corporate battleground, the board members have gathered to elect a new Interim CEO for Kai Consortium. As a member of the Kai family, you find yourself entangled in a complex web of family dynamics, shareholders, and corporate politics. Your objective is to avoid any form of physical confrontation and resolve the situation through creative and diplomatic means. Winning the seat is not necessary; your primary goal is to maintain harmony and avoid direct conflict.

Rewards for Successful Completion:

Experience Points (EXP): Earn 2 Experience Points (EXP) for displaying exceptional diplomatic skills and peaceful conflict resolution in the corporate arena. This reflects your growth as a combatant and your ability to excel in situations beyond physical battles.

Reputation: Gain 5 Reputation points for your skillful handling of the corporate power struggle in a non-confrontational manner. Your actions have not only improved your standing within the business world but also within the community.

Skill Unlocked: NONE

Key Information: Master Wu has provided you with a folder containing the identity of the rest of the board members and their corresponding shares in the company. This information will be invaluable in your quest to maintain harmony and avoid physical confrontation.

Status: COMPLETED

[Daily Mission COMPLETED]

Conflict Resolution:

Objective: Identify and mitigate potential sources of conflict or danger within your community.

Description: Actively address issues or disputes to prevent them from escalating into more significant problems. Your intervention can help maintain peace and harmony in your community.

Reward: Earn 2 EXP for successfully resolving conflicts. Additionally, gain 1 REPUTATION points for enhancing your reputation within the community, reflecting your role as a peacemaker.

Status: COMPLETED

Ethan smiled.

He truly needed to study the ins and outs of this hypocritical system. Not long after, the meeting concluded, and the board members immediately left the room. Seeing them gone, the smile on Ethan's face vanished. He looked at Jihoon, then at Master Wu.

"Give me all the details about the incident," he said. He knew that the incident was going to be complicated, but he never thought that the enemies would openly challenge them on their own turf!

Ah, how troublesome.