Goal Achieved

But he immediately blamed it on Zhang Qingxue's instigation and manipulation.

Yes, it had to be this woman. She had exploited Xiao Chen's concern for his situation and his lack of business knowledge, egging him on behind the scenes to seize the Zhao Family's shares while she had the chance! What a vicious woman!

"Zhang Qingxue!" Zhao Jianguo's gaze turned savage as he glared at her through the glass.

"Don't go too far! I, Zhao Jianguo, may have fallen on hard times, but I'm not dead yet! Henglong was founded by me alone! What I did has nothing to do with the company's operations!

"Once the investigation is complete and the truth comes out, the stock price will naturally recover! When that happens, I'll pursue every last one of those unequal agreements you're forcing me to sign today!"

"Is that so?" Zhang Qingxue suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, but it carried a chilling coldness, as though she saw through everything.

She picked up the tablet again, tapped it a few times, then turned the screen toward the glass so Zhao Jianguo could clearly see its title.

<Preliminary Analysis Report on Henglong Group's Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities Structure and Potential Risk Exposure>

Beneath the title were densely packed charts, data, project names, and estimated amounts.

Though he could not make out the specific details, the report's rigorous format, those alarming project abbreviations—Rong City XX, Wuhan XX, supply chain nesting...

And the final total figure highlighted in bold—estimated total:

No less than 3 Billion Hong Kong Dollars—struck Zhao Jianguo's heart like a sledgehammer!

The color drained from his face in an instant. His pupils contracted sharply, and his lips began trembling uncontrollably.

This report... this secret he had buried in the deepest place, one that absolutely could not see the light of day... How... how had it ended up in Zhang Qingxue's hands?! And in such detail?!

"Mr. Zhao," Zhang Qingxue's voice was like an ice pick, each word stabbing into his ears.

"If this report—especially the key sections concerning 'equity-like debt,' 'leaseback guarantee,' and 'fund flow into the land market'—

"Were to land tomorrow on the desks of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and several major Financial Media outlets, would Henglong's stock price 'naturally recover,' or would it plunge straight into... the dust?

"By then, forget the shares you pledged as collateral. Whether anything at all will remain of the company is another question."

She drew the tablet back slightly. Her tone returned to calmness, yet somehow became even crueler.

"Right now, we can still sit down and sign a relatively respectable agreement under the banner of 'internal family arrangements' and 'crisis response.' Let Zhao Chen try to clean up the mess, and perhaps some things can still be preserved. Otherwise..."

She did not finish, but the meaning was obvious.

Zhao Jianguo felt cold all over, as if every ounce of strength had been drained from him. He slumped back against the chair back.

He stared fixedly at Zhang Qingxue, then looked at Zhao Chen beside her, who had his head lowered. Overwhelming fear, fury, disbelief, and the helplessness of being completely controlled tangled together, nearly devouring him.

His final trump card had been exposed.

No—it had long since been thoroughly uncovered, just waiting for this moment to deal him a fatal blow.

He struggled for a long time, so long that even the prison guard beside them began casting urging looks his way.

At last, Zhao Jianguo nodded, extraordinarily slowly and with extraordinary difficulty.

Every tiny movement seemed to drain what little dignity and strength he had left.

"...I... agree." His voice was so hoarse it was nearly inaudible.

At that moment, only one phrase echoed in Zhao Jianguo's ears: "Where there's life, there's hope."

He had no choice.

Zhang Qingxue seemed to have anticipated this outcome. She showed no surprise at all.

Even without that 15% stake, he was still the Major Shareholder.

Together with his wife, who acted in concert with him, he still held 45% of the Voting Rights.

That was also why Zhao Chen had dared to ask for such an exorbitant price.

Zhang Qingxue took two detailed agreements, prepared well in advance, from her Briefcase. After they were inspected by the prison guard, she handed them to Zhao Jianguo.

"Please read them carefully. These are the Equity Transfer and Voting Rights Proxy Agreement, as well as the Related Funds Repayment Undertaking Letter. All terms comply with current law and protect both parties' interests.

"Once they are signed, Zhao Chen will begin the relevant work immediately."

Zhao Jianguo picked up the pen, his hand trembling badly.

At that moment, he thought of Lin Wanqing. If she found out, she would probably go mad.

But he had no room to think about it now.

He glanced at the report summary that had plunged him into the abyss, then at his "quiet and obedient" son beyond the glass.

In the end, he signed his name on the agreement that ceded a massive piece of his empire's foundation.

The scratch of pen against paper in the silent Visiting Room sounded like the mournful crack of Pillars breaking as an empire collapsed.

Zhao Chen signed his name as well.

His handwriting was steady, every stroke forceful enough to pierce the paper.

The agreements were exchanged. The matter was settled.

When they walked out of the Detention Center, a faint sliver of light seemed to break through Shan City's gloomy sky.

Zhang Qingxue put away the documents and said softly to Zhao Chen:

"I'll complete the legal procedures as quickly as possible. Once the transfer of the 15% stake and the Voting Rights proxy take effect, added to your original 10%, your shareholding will be 25%.

"Your father is still the Major Shareholder, with 40% of the shares.

"But you'll be the largest Voting Rights shareholder. With Su Wantang's shares included, more than half of the Board of Directors is already in your hands."