Li Wei was living entirely in an isolated paradise of indulgence.
He even flaunted his spoils on his social media accounts, completely oblivious to how far the situation had escalated.
While he was indulging in unbridled pleasure, Li Quan was so consumed with anxiety that he felt like tearing his hair out.
For during this period, the stock price of the Li Group had begun a relentless downward plunge.
Shareholders called Li Quan one after another to demand explanations.
Internal panic gripped the company, and quite a few employees even began considering jumping ship.
This finally made Li Quan realize the severity of the situation.
He flew into a rage, violently slamming the documents on his desk onto the floor and roaring, "That good-for-nothing prodigal son! He's always messing things up and never accomplishing a damn thing!"
He immediately contacted the PR team, attempting to suppress the negative news by deleting posts and controlling public opinion.
However, this was no more than trying to put out a blazing cart of firewood with a single cup of water.
Public opinion on the internet had spiraled out of control; any attempt to cover up the truth would only provoke an even greater backlash.
"President Li, the current situation is extremely critical."
"Public opinion online has completely turned toward Zhang Qiang's side. We must find a way to turn the tide," the PR manager said cautiously, terrified of angering the furious boss before him.
Rubbing his temples in irritation, Li Quan felt as if his head was about to explode.
He knew that this incident was far trickier than he had imagined.
"Contact a few major influencers and have them post some positive comments to steer the direction of public opinion," Li Quan exhaled softly before speaking again in a deep, stern voice.
"I've already contacted them, but none of them dare to take the job."
"Young Master Li's previous actions were simply too atrocious, and the matter has blown up far too much now."
"Right now, no one dares to speak up for him for fear of bringing disaster upon themselves."
Hearing this, the PR manager turned pale, but still replied with trembling fear.
Having just calmed his anger slightly, Li Quan turned ashen with rage once more upon hearing these words.
He slammed his palm down hard on the desk and let out a furious roar.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"
Li Quan's roar echoed through the office.
He paced back and forth, his face ashen and veins bulging on his forehead.
After a long while, he heavily panted and slumped into his executive chair, rubbing his temples in agitation.
He knew that things had blown out of proportion.
He forced himself to calm down, lit a cigar, and took a deep drag.
The taste of nicotine relaxed his tense nerves slightly and gave him a new idea.
The situation was urgent; he could no longer count on that bunch of good-for-nothing fools—he had to take matters into his own hands.
He picked up his phone and dialed several media executives with whom he was acquainted, trying to use their influence to control public opinion.
Yet, without exception, he was given the cold shoulder by every single one of them.
The very fellows who used to bow and scrape before him, practically dying to lick the dust off his shoes, were now passing the buck with endless excuses, their words even carrying a hint of schadenfreude.
"Old Li, it's not that I won't help you, but this matter has simply blown up too big."
"The higher-ups are already paying attention, so we don't dare to act rashly either..."
"President Li, you know how it is. The wind is blowing hard right now, and we have to mind our reputation..."
Listening to those hypocritical polite platitudes over the phone, the fire of rage in Li Quan's heart burned fiercely once more.
He hung up viciously and slammed the phone onto the desk with a muffled thud.
He knew that relying solely on PR tactics could no longer solve the problem.
He had to strike at the root and tackle the source.
"Go bring Zhang Qiang and his daughter to me!" he growled at his secretary, his tone carrying undisguised ruthlessness.
Today, he simply refused to believe it!
With all the foundation and influence he had cultivated in City A for so many years, he was not going to be brought down by an ordinary man!
Once the order was given, backed by the full weight of the Li Group's influence, Zhang Qiang and his daughter were quickly brought to Li Quan's office.
Li Quan cast a sideways glance at them, his eyes filled with chilling malice.
It was this man, whose entire outfit combined was worth less than five hundred yuan, who had driven him to this point!
Steadying his nerves, he smiled contemptuously, crossed his legs, and leisurely blew out a ring of smoke.
"Zhang Qiang, was it? I am deeply saddened by the passing of your wife, and I certainly never wished for it to happen."
"But the past is the past, and we living folks still need to live our lives properly, right?"
"So how about this, I'll give you a chance," Li Quan said in a tone of charitable condescension.
"Two million yuan, plus the best educational resources for your daughter."
"And whatever kind of woman you want, I can satisfy you as well."
With that, Li Quan patted the backside of his female secretary standing beside him, signaling her to step forward two paces.
"Mr. Zhang, you probably haven't touched a woman like this in your entire life, have you?"
"Now, as long as you just nod, this person is yours."
"Whether you just want to play around with her or whatever else, it's entirely up to you—you can even go get a marriage license."
"The condition is that you voluntarily drop the lawsuit and issue a public statement declaring that your wife committed suicide."
He paused for a moment after saying this, his tone abruptly turning freezing cold.
"Of course, you can also refuse."
"However, an 'accident' might just happen here today."
"A desperate single father jumps off a building with his daughter to join his late wife in death."
"A news story like that should be quite captivating, shouldn't it?"
Li Quan's threat was naked and unmasked.
He believed that in the face of absolute power and money, no one could resist the temptation.
Even if one could, what about in the face of life and death?
In today's game, he had won after all!
Yet, contrary to his expectations, Zhang Qiang did not show the fear he had anticipated.
Instead, he actually smiled, his expression carrying an eerie, unsettling calmness.
"President Li, your offer is very tempting," Zhang Qiang slowly began, his voice calm to the point of being terrifying.
"However, I refuse."
Just as Li Quan was stunned, Zhang Qiang pulled his phone out of his breast pocket and turned the screen toward Li Quan.
With that movement, Li Quan's pupils violently contracted.
For on the phone screen was clearly an ongoing video call!
And on the other end of the video was a face covered in stubble!
A face that Li Quan had become completely familiar with through all the events of these past few days—the lawyer, Cheng Xin, who was Zhang Qiang's backing in this matter and another crucial figure in the case!
While Li Quan stood frozen in shock, Cheng Xin's calm voice came through the phone.
"Mr. Li, if you think you can actually carry out what you just said, go ahead and do it."
"I have already recorded a video of everything you just looked like and said, and I have already dialed the Administration. Right now, they should be on their way to your location. So, make your choice."
"Will you go in under charges of intimidation, murder, and utilizing criminal forces to harm minors?"
"Or will you let them leave right now, while I delete the recording and simultaneously inform the Administration that I made a false report?"
Upon hearing this, Li Quan's face instantly turned ashen white.