The country's business world was thrown into disarray when Jin Corporation suddenly announced the termination of all its existing business partnerships with the Fan family. The news came out of nowhere. It became the headlines.
"Jin Corporation Violates Several Active Contracts With the Fans!"
"Jin Corporation Forms a Team of Star Lawyers and Sues the Fans for Breach of Contract!"
"Who's Really Guilty of Breach of Contract: Jin Corporation or the Fans?"
"Jin Corporation Bullying the Fans? An Unjustified Show of Power!"
Business insiders already speculated that there were problems between the Jins and the Fans ever since Jin Corporation rejected the Fans' business proposals this year. However, they didn't expect that Jin Corporation would take such a drastic measure and terminate their existing business partnerships with the Fans.
This was severe violation of their valid contracts. Jin Corporation was clearly in the wrong! Just because they were number one in the country, they could do whatever they wanted? Did they think that they could use their power and influence to emerge from this ordeal unscathed? This was pure bullying!
Many criticized Jin Corporation, feeling sorry for the Fans. They felt that this was a classic case of the strong bullying the weak.
At Jin Liwei's office.
"President, are you sure that you want to go ahead with your plans?" Xu Tian asked in an anxious tone. "I know that you won't change your mind about the Fans but does it have to be this extreme? Our company's stock prices are currently plummeting. Some are even demanding for you to resign from your position as President-CEO. Many are blaming you, President, because when Sir Lu Jianhong temporarily stepped in as company head, the stock prices soared but when you returned, you caused such a serious problem like this."
"Understood, President," was all Xu Tian could say.
Xu Tian was hoping that Sir Lu Jianhong would intervene. Unfortunately, the business legend had no intention of doing so. He personally heard the President and Sir Lu Jianhong speaking about this issue during a phone call on speaker.
"You're now the head of the company, Liwei my boy! Whatever you decide to do will be your sole responsibility!" Grandpa Lu's voice boomed. "If the company prospers, the credit goes to you! But if it collapses, then it'll be your fault! Whatever happens, I'm not going to intervene! I only stepped in temporarily because of my precious granddaughter Xiulan, not for you! Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Grandpa Lu. I know," Jin Liwei replied.
"Do what you need to do, my boy! My time with Jin Corporation is now done. I'm going to spend my remaining years enjoying the fruits of my labour that I earned during my youth! Ahaha!"
"Don't worry, Grandpa Lu. I'll take care of the company."
"Hmph! Who's worrying about you? By the way, why is my Haohao living with you? I want to know!"
This change of topic showed that Grandpa Lu didn't think of this whole matter with the Fans as something serious.
When the call ended, Jin Liwei continued working as usual, as if unbothered by all the condemnation being thrown at him and his company. His mother already started calling him nonstop, pleading for the Fans. He almost wavered hearing her distress, but he hardened his heart towards her just this once.
Why was he targeting the Fan family first instead of Fan Luo? The answer was simple: to reduce the likelihood of Fan Luo recovering.
Fan Luo was the main culprit but if he only dealt with her, the Fan family would surely do everything to protect her. After all, the Fans were now considered one of the most prominent business families in the country thanks to their connection to his Jin family. They had built their own connections using the Jins. Even without the Jins, the Fans now were already a formidable family by themselves.
Crushing the Fan family first was equal to cutting off Fan Luo's wings. She would be nobody without her family backing her up. Dealing with her then would be easier.
Jin Liwei was now only waiting for enough incriminating evidence to be gathered against the Fans. He hired several private investigators and hackers to gather information, but they were still too slow for his liking.
If this was his baby girl, it would only take her a few hours at most to gather a frighteningly detailed and comprehensive report that would send the Fans straight to hell. Even so, he didn't ask her for help.
She offered, of course. When she heard about the news, she immediately offered to help but he declined. She respected his decision to solve it by himself.
"Let me know if you need help," she told him. "Lover's privilege, remember?"
His heart filled with even more love hearing her. "Thanks, baby."
This was his own battle and his own road to redemption. He needed to do this in order to prove to himself that he was at least worthy of her.
Then a new shocking development occurred.
Evidence of many serious misdeeds by the Fans surfaced. They were leaked to the public first via mass media before they were handed to the police. The Chief of Police even personally handled the case.
The evidence showed that the Fans were involved in many forms of corruption over the years. Some of them included bribery, falsifying financial statements, fraudulent spending, money laundering, selling clients' data to third parties and tax evasion. There were even inconclusive accusations from anonymous sources that the Fans hired hitmen to silence enemies and competitors.
When all of these came out, there was massive uproar. Now everyone knew why Jin Corporation wanted to cut ties with the Fans.
The Fans were a corrupt family!
Jin Corporation's team of star lawyers revved up. They were formed not only to protect the company's interests but also to drive the Fans to the point of no return. The case became even more serious when the government joined in on the investigation because of the tax evasion.
With the government's involvement, the Fans' reputation as criminals was cemented in the eyes of the public. Even if a miracle somehow happened and they were found innocent, they would still be guilty in the eyes of most of the people.
Back in his office, Jin Liwei watched the news. The first step was completed. Now for the next step…
He dialled someone on the phone.
"Break up with Fan Luo now. Make it public."