After hanging up on Edward, Zhao Sifang's hand trembled slightly around his phone.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying himself.
Qin Siyang's sudden brush with death had set off a chain of events, including upheaval within the United Merchants' Association.
Today was the first time he, as president of the United Merchants' Association, had faced all these crises and risks alone.
When he stepped out of his office, the atmosphere in the United Merchants' Association's spacious hall was oppressive.
More than a dozen association representatives and two vice presidents sat on the sofas, ostensibly drinking tea and chatting. In reality, their eyes kept wandering. They were all waiting for Zhao Sifang.
Zhao Sifang took the seat at the head and swept a cold gaze over these partners who had sworn an oath alongside him not long ago. He cut straight to the point. "So, you've already colluded behind my back? Either force my hand for more shares, or sell off your holdings, cash out, and go running to Zoff and Kyle?"
"We're not trying to force your hand. We don't want more shares. We just want to cash out."
"You really have no principles whatsoever."
A vice president with slick, gleaming hair set down his teacup and gave an awkward smile. "President Zhao, there's no need to put it so harshly. This is a merchants' association. People come and go for profit. We're all just trying to make a living."
"Besides, although Presidents Kyle and Zoff have set up on their own, neither has explicitly sided with Zone 1. At a turbulent time like this, we just want to find a way for our employees and subordinates to survive. That's not unreasonable, is it?"
Zhao Sifang sneered. "A way to survive? Zoff and Kyle hid like