CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71; UNDERSTOOD

As he approached the frosted glass doors of the boardroom, his personal assistant, Xu Min, hurried alongside him, tablet in hand.

"President Shen," Xu Min spoke quickly, her voice low but steady, "the board is assembled. Today’s agenda includes the finalisation of the Kunda Energy acquisition proposal, quarterly profit strategy realignments, and updates from legal regarding the Jiangxin land litigation."

"Mm," he responded tonelessly without breaking stride.

Xu Min hesitated before continuing carefully, "Director Fan has requested a private meeting regarding the international audit discrepancies. Should I arrange it for this afternoon?"

"After the board meeting. No delays."

"Understood, sir."

They reached the boardroom doors. Two security personnel stationed outside bowed slightly as Xu Min stepped forward, pulling the heavy doors open.

SHEN GROUP BOARDROOM – MORNING

The vast boardroom was bathed in filtered morning light streaming through tall glass windows that overlooked the bustling financial district below. A polished mahogany table stretched across the room, surrounded by dark leather chairs occupied by the company’s directors, regional heads, and senior legal advisors.

At the far end, a sleek digital display flickered with the company’s quarterly graphs and merger reports.

Conversations died instantly as Shen Xiao entered.

"President Shen," they all rose in unison, voices unified in a low greeting.

He nodded curtly, his cold gaze sweeping across the room. Without a word, he strode to the head of the table, unbuttoning his suit jacket with precise movements before sinking into the executive leather chair.

"Sit," he commanded simply.

The directors obeyed, tension coiling silently around the room like a living thing.

Xu Min placed a fresh folder before him before stepping back quietly.

Shen Xiao’s long fingers flipped open the first page. His eyes scanned the acquisition reports rapidly, though his mind drifted in flickers back to the mansion, to her bruised face, swollen eyes, and trembling lips as she sobbed under his touch.

A phantom ache pulsed deep behind his ribs, sharp and cold.

"President Shen," Director Fan’s clipped voice interrupted his thoughts, "regarding the Kunda acquisition, their CEO counter-proposed a revised equity share split last night. If we accept their adjusted ratio, projected quarterly returns will remain net positive by 1.4%, though long-term strategic gains will drop by approximately 8% within the next two fiscal years."

After that notification, silence immediately fell and it was even difficult to breathe...

Shen Xiao’s obsidian gaze lifted slowly, and the eyes pinning at Director Fan with an expression carved from stone.

"No."

Director Fan swallowed nervously. "Sir... if I may... the board consensus suggests a strategic compromise to secure their renewable patents division without risking...."

"No," Shen Xiao repeated, his voice dropping lower, each syllable cold and final. "Their patents will be ours at the originally agreed equity ratio. If they threaten to withdraw, leak that their patents are built upon unfiled third-party research we purchased last quarter. Have legal prepare the necessary terms."

The legal advisor seated three chairs down stiffened immediately hearing that, "Understood, President Shen. We will initiate a discreet legal leverage review immediately."

Director Fan shifted uncomfortably, sweat glistening along his hairline. "Yes... Sir."

Shen Xiao’s gaze moved to the next director, sharp and silent, demanding updates without words.

For the next hour, voices droned on in tense succession, discussing litigation projections, overseas restructuring, and silent strategic threats. But his mind remained half-anchored to the dark, silent mansion miles away..... to the woman lying trapped within ivory sheets under heavy guard.

At the final agenda summary, he closed the folder with a quiet snap.

"That concludes today’s meeting," he said tonelessly. "Xu Min, arrange an executive team briefing at three this afternoon. Director Fan, my office. Ten minutes."