The ancient war between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in a wealthy family

"Investigator Lin," I said in a low voice, "Do you feel...that the atmosphere here is a little off?"

Before I could finish my words, I heard a cold voice behind me: "What do you think?"

I turned around suddenly and saw a woman in a professional suit and exquisite makeup standing behind us with a barely perceptible sneer on her lips.

The name tag on her chest read "Secretary Zhang."

"Hello, Secretary Zhang," I responded politely, trying to remain calm. "I just think your company's employees seem... very busy."

Secretary Zhang chuckled: "Miss Bai, you're joking. Of course we are all very busy. Zhan Group wants to acquire our company. Who would dare to neglect such a big thing?" There was a lot of sarcasm in her tone, which made me feel a little uncomfortable.

Investigator Lin calmly stepped in front of me and said, "Secretary Zhang, we are here to conduct a normal due diligence investigation. We hope your company will cooperate."

Secretary Zhang's gaze lingered on Investigator Lin for a second, then turned to me with a hint of disdain in her eyes. "Ms. Bai, I heard you used to be a well-to-do young lady, yet now you're actually managing business matters? I'm really impressed."

I ignored her provocation and continued, "Secretary Zhang, we want to take a look at the company's financial statements first."

"Financial statements?" Secretary Zhang raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid we'll have to wait for President Wei to return before making a decision. Miss Bai, you know that such important documents are not something that anyone can view."

I took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger in my heart. This was clearly a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for me.

Over the next few days, we encountered obstacles at every turn. The target company's staff were perfunctory, making excuses and delaying requests, and refused to cooperate with our investigation.

After a preliminary investigation, Investigator Lin said to me gravely, "Ms. Bai, the situation is more complicated than we imagined. The target company's hidden debt is beyond imagination, the complex equity relationships are a tangled mess, and..." He paused, as if hesitant, "I suspect there's a corporate spy within the company."

My heart sank. Corporate espionage? This was no small matter.

At this time, Zhan Yu was tied up in family matters and couldn't be with me. I felt like I was groping in the dark alone, under tremendous pressure.

In the evening, Zhan Yu called me, his voice full of fatigue: "Xiao Rou, I'm sorry, I haven't finished dealing with things here yet, so I can't go back to accompany you for the time being."

I suppressed the grievance in my heart and comforted him, "It's okay, just focus on dealing with the family affairs, I can handle it here."

After hanging up the phone, I sat alone in the hotel room, looking at the flashing neon lights outside the window, feeling powerless.

Suddenly, my eyes fell on a document on the table.

That was part of the financial statements that the target company provided to us.

I opened the document as if possessed by a ghost, and rows of numbers came into view.

Wait...something seems wrong with the data here...

I stared at the numbers on the report, and a strange feeling came over me.

The target company's turnover has increased year by year, but its profits have not grown proportionally and are showing a downward trend.

This is very unusual.

I carefully checked the various cost expenditures and found that the management expenses were abnormally high, almost accounting for half of the profits.

I immediately contacted Mr. Chen, the Zhan family's financial advisor, and shared my findings with him. "Advisor Chen, don't you think these management fees are a bit too high?"

Consultant Chen pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, carefully studied the report I faxed to him, and his brows gradually furrowed.

"Miss Bai, you've observed very carefully! This management fee is indeed worth investigating. Under normal circumstances, management fees wouldn't account for such a high proportion, unless..." He paused, "unless someone is cooking the books and mixing other expenses into the management fee."

My heartbeat suddenly quickened.

If this is true, then the target company’s hidden debts may be much greater than we imagined!

This discovery gave us a clear direction for our subsequent investigation.

We began to focus on the target company's management expense details, hoping to find more clues.

A few days later, negotiations with representatives of the target company officially began.

Wei, the negotiation expert, a man with neatly combed hair and eyes as sharp as an eagle, attended the meeting on behalf of the target company.

As soon as he appeared, he brought with him a powerful aura that made people feel breathless.

"Miss Bai, I've long heard of you." Negotiation expert Wei extended his hand with a forced smile, but his tone carried a subtle hint of arrogance.

I also extended my hand and shook his gently, "Mr. Wei, nice to meet you."

At the beginning of the negotiations, Expert Wei threw out many difficult clauses, each of which was like a precise attack, directly targeting the weaknesses of the Zhan family's enterprises.

He asked the Zhan family to increase the acquisition price, reduce their controlling stake in the target company, and even asked the Zhan family to assume all the debts of the target company.

I felt like I was in a thorny bush, and every step I took was extremely difficult.

The team members he brought with him were all arrogant, as if they were sure of victory.

Members of our team also began to look worried.

"Ms. Bai, it seems that the Zhan family does not have enough sincerity for this merger and acquisition." Expert Wei's tone was full of sarcasm and his eyes were full of contempt.

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

"Mr. Wei, our Zhan family has always been based on integrity, but sincerity doesn't mean we will accept unreasonable terms." I took out the prepared materials and laid out the evidence of the target company's hidden debt on the negotiation table. "We have grasped the true situation of your company's financial situation. Your hidden debt far exceeds our previous estimates. Under these circumstances, we request a reassessment of the acquisition price."

Negotiator Wei's expression changed slightly. He obviously didn't expect me to hold such a trump card. Secretary Zhang behind him also showed a surprised expression.

"These are all fabricated lies!" Expert Wei pretended to be calm and tried to deny it.

I smiled and continued, "Mr. Wei, facts speak louder than words. We have more detailed evidence..." I paused deliberately, scanning the audience, "including testimony from people within your company."

Expert Wei's expression changed completely. He stared at me intently, with a hint of panic in his eyes.

He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

I picked up the water cup in front of me, took a sip, and then slowly said: "Mr. Wei, now let's talk about the purchase price..." Before I finished speaking, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and a figure hurriedly walked in and whispered a few words in Expert Wei's ear.

After hearing this, Expert Wei's face suddenly turned pale. He stood up abruptly and looked at me with horror...

Expert Wei's face was pale and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Secretary Zhang behind him was even paler, his hands tightly gripping the folder, his knuckles turning white.

I noticed that the other team members brought by Expert Wei also lowered their heads and did not dare to look me in the eye.

The arrogance and conceit just now disappeared without a trace, replaced by an unconcealable panic.

I put down the water cup, my tone still calm, but with unquestionable majesty: "Mr. Wei, now, can we continue our conversation?"

Expert Wei took a deep breath and tried to control his trembling voice: "Miss Bai, I...we need a little time..."

"Ten minutes." I interrupted him mercilessly. "Ten minutes later, we'll continue."

Expert Wei felt as if he had been pardoned and quickly left the meeting room with his team.

I looked at their backs as they fled in panic and couldn't help but sneer in my heart.

We have already gained the upper hand in this negotiation.

Ten minutes later, Expert Wei returned to the conference room. His face was still pale, but there was a hint of helplessness and compromise in his eyes.

The subsequent negotiations went exceptionally smoothly, and Expert Wei accepted almost all of our conditions.

Ultimately, we completed the acquisition of the target company at a very favorable price.

After the negotiation, I walked out of the meeting room and took a deep breath.

We won this business war!

But I know this is just the beginning.

The business world is changing rapidly, and a single mistake can lead to total loss.

I must always be vigilant to remain invincible in the volatile business world.

During a break in the negotiations, I noticed a furtive figure lingering outside our lounge.

The man was wearing a baseball cap and a mask, which covered most of his face. His eyes were flickering and he looked suspicious at first glance.

I immediately thought of Zhao the commercial spy, and alarm bells started ringing in my heart.

I walked to the window calmly, pretending to appreciate the scenery outside, but actually keeping a close eye on the suspicious figure out of the corner of my eye.

I noticed that he took out his cell phone from time to time, as if he was filming something.

I sneered in my heart, it seemed that he wanted to steal our negotiation materials.

I quietly sent a text message to Investigator Lin, asking him to be prepared.

Then I deliberately placed a fake negotiation document on the table and asked the assistant to leave the lounge.

Sure enough, not long after, the suspicious figure slipped into the lounge, quickly took a photo of the fake document, and then hurried away.

The corners of my mouth rose slightly, everything was under my control.

Investigator Lin had already apprehended the man after he left the building and found the fake documents he had photographed on his phone.

This time, we not only successfully protected the business secrets, but also caught the business spy Zhao and made him receive the punishment he deserved.

I returned to the office and leaned back in my chair, exhausted. This business battle had consumed so much of my energy. I closed my eyes, hoping to rest.

At this moment, my cell phone suddenly rang. I picked up the phone and saw it was Investigator Lin calling.

"Ms. Bai," Investigator Lin's voice was a little solemn, "We just received news..." He paused, as if hesitating whether to continue.

"What news?" I felt an ominous premonition in my heart.

"Secretary Zhang...she went to see Zhan Yu..."

My heart sank. Secretary Zhang, that beautiful, scheming woman...why did she go to see Zhan Yu?

I gripped the phone tightly and forced myself to calm down: "I know."

Investigator Lin’s next words almost took my breath away.

"They...had dinner together in a high-end restaurant and behaved intimately..." My fingertips were cold, and the scene of Zhan Yu and Secretary Zhang having a good chat emerged in my mind. My chest felt like it was being pressed down by a huge rock, and I couldn't breathe.

I tried to stay calm, but my tone was trembling unconsciously: "What else?"

"After that... they left the restaurant together and went to... a hotel." Investigator Lin's voice became lower and lower, as if he couldn't bear to continue.

hotel?

I felt my blood freeze.

Although I know this may be a tactic of the other party to sow discord, the flame of jealousy still burns uncontrollably in my heart.

Did Zhan Yu really betray me?

I bit my lips hard until I tasted a hint of blood, which made me a little more sober.

No, I can't panic.

I took a deep breath and told myself to stay calm and trust Zhan Yu.

We have been through so many ups and downs together over the years, and I know his feelings for me better than anyone else.

There must be some misunderstanding.

"I understand. Thank you, Investigator Lin." I tried to control my emotions and hung up the phone.

I sat in my office chair, unable to calm down for a long time.

Reason tells me that I should trust Zhan Yu, but the uneasiness in my heart lingers.

I repeatedly recalled every little detail of my time with Zhan Yu; every look and every word he said kept appearing in my mind.

I stood up and walked to the window, looking at the bustling city night scene outside, but I felt extremely lonely.

I suddenly felt very tired and weak.

This business war not only exhausted me physically and mentally, but also made me doubt my own feelings.

I took out my phone and wanted to call Zhan Yu, but I hesitated. How should I ask him? What should I do if he really did something wrong to me?

Just as I was hesitating, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Zhan Yu walked in with a hint of fatigue on his face, but his eyes were as gentle as ever.

"Why haven't you gone home yet so late?" He walked to my side and gently put his arm around my shoulders.

I looked up at his familiar face, and the grievance and uneasiness in my heart suddenly surged up. I could no longer control my emotions and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Zhan Yu..." I choked and couldn't speak.

Zhan Yu gently wiped my tears and asked with concern: "What's wrong? What happened?"

I took a deep breath, tried to calm myself, and then told Investigator Lin everything he had told me.

After hearing what I said, Zhan Yu's face became serious.

He was silent for a moment, then held my hand tightly and said firmly, "Believe me, I haven't done anything to let you down."

He looked into my eyes with sincerity and determination.

At that moment, all the doubts and anxieties in my heart finally disappeared.

I know I should believe him.

"I...I believe you." I looked at him and said with tears in my eyes.

Zhan Yu gently held me in his arms and stroked my hair softly.

"That Secretary Zhang approached me deliberately," he said slowly. "She wanted to use me to disrupt our cooperation."

"I know." I nodded. "I saw through her tricks a long time ago."

"However," Zhan Yu paused, a sly smile on his face, "I'll play along with her and make her think I've taken the bait."

I looked up at him puzzledly: "What do you mean?"

Zhan Yu smiled mysteriously: "You will know tomorrow."