CHAPTER 343: CHAPTER 343 COUNTDOWN

"President Xu, are we really doing the right thing?" asked the assistant, a bit concerned as they recalled the look in Sheng Hong’s eyes when he left.

"What’s the problem? With two major projects like these holding him back, what do you think he can do to me?" Xu Ke said, gracefully straightening his silver-gray suit, a smile on his lips as charming as a spring breeze.

"Let’s just wait and see, he’s got plenty on his plate when he gets back." Xu Ke’s eyes were filled with depth and determination.

Though he hadn’t found the connection between that woman and Sheng Hong, he had a gut feeling that their relationship was not simple. However, no matter how complex it was, nothing could deter his determination to overthrow the Sheng Family. From now on, he’ll face any obstacle head-on!

A momentary flash of ruthlessness passed through Xu Ke’s eyes.

The assistant, standing behind Xu Ke, didn’t see this change in him. Instead, he felt reassured by Xu Ke’s words, and his admiration for Xu Ke deepened.

Sheng Hong had obtained ownership of the two plots of land but was filled with anger. By the time he finished dealing with the land issues, it was already dark.

As soon as Sheng Hong turned around, he slapped the assistant behind him, leaving the assistant bewildered.

"President Sheng, why did you hit me?" the assistant asked dumbfoundedly, covering their burning left cheek.

"Why did I bring you along? You knew very well that our budget was insufficient when I was bidding, so why didn’t you remind me? Why didn’t you stop me? You’ve cost our company billions, and a slap is letting you off easy." Sheng Hong yelled at the assistant, his eyes bloodshot.

The assistant’s eyes were filled with disbelief and disappointment as she trembled, "President Sheng, those words are too harsh. I did remind you during the auction, but you said you knew what you were doing, that you wanted to raise the price to trick President Xu, but it didn’t work. How can you put all the blame on me?"

"I’m just your assistant, you’re the president. I spoke up, but you didn’t listen. What could I possibly do? Knock you out?" The assistant raised her voice, unable to hold back her sense of injustice.

"How dare you talk back to me? Don’t forget, you’re just an assistant, and I’m your employer. Whatever I say goes. If I say you’re at fault, you have to admit it, not push it back onto me," Sheng Hong said angrily, pointing at his assistant.

"I’m just telling the truth. I’m your assistant, not your slave. I’m not going to admit to something I didn’t do, not even if you were the emperor." The assistant stubbornly lifted her chin.

"Fine, fine, since you’re so capable, then get out! Our Sheng Corporation is too small to accommodate a big Buddha like you. Get out!" Sheng Hong shouted at his assistant.

"Fine, but remember, today, it wasn’t you who fired me, it was I who fired you. And since I’m no longer a Sheng Corporation employee, there’s no need for me to hold back. With someone like you in charge, it’s only a matter of time before Sheng Corporation falls." The assistant took off her badge, threw it down hard, and flipped her middle finger to Sheng Hong.

"I’m done playing with you, make your own way back." The assistant said, feeling relieved at finally getting it off her chest, grabbing her small handbag, and turning to leave.

Leaving Sheng Hong standing there in utter disbelief.

Before even facing the board’s storm, he’d already faced a storm from his own assistant, leaving Sheng Hong’s face not just red but ashen.

The night Xu Ke left Sheng Hong in a bind, he slept soundly, but Sheng Hong tossed and turned, growing angrier the more he thought about it, staying awake till dawn with dark circles under his eyes.

Despite wracking his brain for ways to escape, he couldn’t avoid facing the board. Looking at the meeting room door, for the first time, it seemed like the maw of a beast to Sheng Hong.

As expected, the board members wore dissatisfied expressions, glaring at Sheng Hong with blatant disapproval.

"President Sheng, shouldn’t you explain to us? Spending 17.3 billion on two pieces of land, did you think you were spending $173? We need an explanation for this," said one of the board members, looking at Sheng Hong without the respect they used to have, now filled with dissatisfaction.

They used to respect him because Sheng Hong brought them profits, but now, not only has Sheng Hong failed to bring them profits, he’s harming their interests. How could they possibly respect him anymore? It’s remarkable they haven’t torn him to pieces.

"Our Sheng Corporation’s total available funds are just over 17 billion, and now it’s nearly all spent on these two plots. What do you expect us to do next?" another board member chimed in.

"Over the years, your contributions to Sheng Corporation have been undeniable, but this decision is a grave mistake, pushing our Sheng Corporation toward disaster. If you can’t provide a solution, don’t blame us for not considering past favors."

The board members nodded in agreement with the speaker.

Seated at the head of the table, Sheng Hong felt his head buzzing, like needles piercing. If not for a shred of rationality left, he would’ve lashed out and told them to shut up. But now, he could only swallow his pride and apologize to these blood-sucking parasites, which was humiliating to the extreme.

"Xu Ke, I won’t let you get away with this!" Sheng Hong muttered quietly, gritting his teeth and staring at the floor with bloodshot eyes.

Meanwhile, at the Xu Corporation, Xu Ke also faced questioning from the board. But unlike Sheng Hong, Xu Ke was much more composed.

"Didn’t President Xu say he would lead Xu Corporation to glory? How come not even one plot of land was secured? You also know that apart from that gaming project, we haven’t had any other projects in half a year. If you can’t secure this land, then step down, we’ll handle it ourselves, and you won’t have to worry; everything will be as it was before." One of the board members, avoiding Xu Ke’s gaze, tentatively said.

Because they were testing the waters, their voice wasn’t loud, but Xu Ke heard every word.

"I said I would acquire the land, and I will. I, Xu Ke, never lie. Yesterday, Sheng Hong of the Sheng Corporation secured the two plots for 8.3 billion and 9 billion, respectively. I estimate that Sheng Corporation’s liquid capital is about that amount. They used all their funds to purchase these two plots. What will they use for construction?" Xu Ke raised his eyebrow slightly, glancing at the board members.