Qiu Lan, what exactly did you do?

In the conference room, all the executives, even the old retainers of Chairman Chen who had abstained from voting by remaining silent, were trembling with fear.

After all, having reached the position of an executive at a trillion-dollar entity like Chenyang Group, which of them hadn't used their position to make money or seek personal gain?

Just a charge of embezzlement of office combined with bribery would be enough to make it hard for them to escape!

Before, they weren't afraid, because evidence of their illegal activities was difficult to obtain.

Investigating a person often takes a long time.

At the same time, whether it was the former Chairman Chen, the current Chairman Zhou, or even Feiyu, none of them had pursued matters as severely as Zhou Cheng!

Because once the Group investigates too deeply, it affects the Group's foundation and will cause immense harm to the Group in the short term!

It causes panic throughout the Group!

Therefore, in the past, even if the Group caught you with evidence and was completely disappointed in you, they would still give you a dignified exit.

For example, letting you resign and leave on your own!

But now, they didn't expect that Zhou Cheng would be able to produce evidence of illegal activities for so many people!

At the same time, Zhou Cheng's current actions were like those of a demon! His reckless, fearless, and consequence-ignoring way of exposing and arresting people filled them with terror!

As the saying goes, one doesn't fear an opponent who reasons; one fears an opponent who is willing to burn it all down.

However, they were also relieved, relieved that they hadn't completely sided with Zhou Mu.

Relieved that they still remembered the kindness of Chairman Chen's past promotion! That was why they had remained silent just now.

But they were also worried, worried that Zhou Cheng would hold them accountable for not standing up to speak for him just now, and then accidentally destroy them in the process!

Upon hearing Zhou Cheng's words, Qiu Lan's eyes gradually widened, and her body trembled slightly.

However, she did not, like those before her, plead her innocence or beg for mercy!

Her expression was resolute, yet she smiled with a touch of desolation!

"That's right, I said it! I just wanted to climb up step by step! I just wanted to stand higher than He Yubing! Even if I failed now, even if I'm about to go to prison, I still hold that thought!"

"Because I have suffered too much injustice!"

Zhou Cheng did not speak upon hearing this, looking at her indifferently.

Everyone in the conference room also looked over at her!

Looking at He Yubing behind Zhou Cheng, Qiu Lan's eyes were filled with sharpness, jealousy, and a hint of hatred!

"He Yubing and I were chosen by Chairman Chen together, trained together, entered Tsinghua University together, and went abroad for advanced studies together. My grades were always above hers!"

"But why, why in the end was it her who entered Chenyang Group, while I had to go to some other small company? I refuse to accept this!"

"Why, after the Eldest Young Master entered the Group, could she, He Yubing, serve as his assistant, follow him to gain experience, and eventually become the chief assistant! I refuse to accept this!"

"Why did Chairman Chen even want her to marry the Eldest Young Master! Yet left me to fend for myself? Why? Why is it so unfair to me!"

Qiu Lan had given up everything at this point.

She no longer cared about her image; she just wanted to pour out all the injustices she felt.

"I am not wrong; the one who was wrong is Chairman Chen!"

Listening to Qiu Lan's words, He Yubing felt full of melancholy!

Zhou Cheng turned to look at He Yubing.

You aren't still keeping quiet, are you? Still thinking of letting her realize it on her own, to understand Chairman Chen's good intentions?

He Yubing did not disappoint Zhou Cheng this time.

She stood up! Looking at Qiu Lan, she began to speak about past events!

"You think Chairman Chen was unfair? You're wrong. On the contrary, Chairman Chen valued you more than anyone else!"

"The small company Chairman Chen sent you to was a new expansion for the Group. Chairman Chen let you start as a director and put you directly in charge of that core project! Do you know how many people couldn't even get that opportunity? But what was the result? You were the one who ruined this foolproof project!"

"Later, when Chairman Chen transferred you back to Chenyang Group, he didn't give up on you either. The projects he gave you were all key to the Group. He always wanted you to grow, always hoping you could stand on your own two feet!"

"Do you know what he once told me? He said that in the future, if you became the General Manager of the Group, and I assisted the Eldest Young Master, he would be at ease with both of us there."

"He always had high hopes for you. It was you who felt it was unfair, it was you who was perfunctory, and it was you who ruined everything, which is why Chairman Chen became disappointed step by step."

"Think about it, how many projects did you ruin? How many times did Chairman Chen give you another chance!"

Qiu Lan envied He Yubing for being the Eldest Young Master's assistant, but how could He Yubing not envy Qiu Lan for being able to lead key Group projects time and time again?

And how could He Yubing not envy Chairman Chen's intention to groom Qiu Lan into the General Manager of the Group!

It was just that He Yubing didn't have much ambition!

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lan wanted to say something but hesitated.

She remembered her childhood, when she couldn't get enough to eat, when she walked barefoot in the fields.

Back then, she had to stick her fingers into cold loach holes to dig for loaches just to sell them for money to eat.

She needed to walk along the streets picking up plastic bottles to earn enough for tuition!

It was already winter there; it was really cold, and she was really hungry.

Qiu Lan's eyes were dazed, tears welling up in them. Through the tears, she seemed to see the scene from back then.

A woman stopped on the side of the road, and she got out of the car. She was so, so beautiful.

She picked her up.

He unbuttoned his coat, not caring at all about the filth on her! He held her tightly in his arms.

In an instant, she immediately felt warmth.

It was as if winter had passed away in an instant.

"Chairman Chen, the one we are going to pick up is He Yubing from the next village. She doesn't seem to be on our list."

"What's the problem with one more person? Look at how pretty she is, and how intelligent her eyes are."

Little Qiu Lan looked up and saw that he was looking at her kindly.

She didn't understand what a list was; she only knew she wasn't cold anymore.

"What is your name?"

"Qiu Lan."

"Where are your mom and dad?"

"They are gone. I only have a grandmother."

"Is that so? Then will you come with me? Study hard in the future, and help me protect Chenyang Group, okay? Can you protect my son and daughter?" He flicked her nose.

"Mm, okay." Little Qiu Lan didn't understand what Chenyang Group was, nor did she know what to protect.

She only knew that she wasn't cold anymore, really not cold anymore!

"Look, she promised, so she will definitely do it." He said with a smile to the assistant beside him.

...

Perhaps only at the very last moment does a person reflect on the most beautiful moments of the past!

Tears could no longer be held back and gushed from her eyes.

Another scene flashed by.

"It's fine, it's just a little bit of money lost. Our Chenyang Group can afford to lose it."

"Xiao Lan, you must always remember that you are one of the children I am most proud of."

At that time, Chairman Chen was already sick.

Qiu Lan could no longer hold on; she collapsed to the ground.

Countless images gushed out at this moment, flooding her mind.

Failure after failure, encouragement after encouragement.

"Qiu Lan, what on earth have you done?" Qiu Lan cried, questioning herself repeatedly.

"You clearly promised Chairman Chen."

"You clearly promised Chairman Chen to protect Chenyang Group, to protect Chairman Chen's son and daughter..."

"How could you join others in bullying Chairman Chen's biological son..."