Zhao looked on the verge of fainting. "Please, Mr. Liang, I can explain-"
Chenxiu held up a hand, silencing him. "Save your explanations. I'm more interested in who put you up to it. Was it my dear cousin's idea, perhaps?"
All eyes turned to Yun, who sat rigid in his chair, his face a mask of barely contained fury.
"This is outrageous," Yun sputtered. "You can't just come in here and start throwing around baseless accusations!"
Chenxiu's laugh was cold and mirthless. "Baseless? I assure you, cousin, every word I've spoken is backed by irrefutable evidence. Would you like me to start sharing the contents of your private email server? I found your correspondence with certain... unsavory characters particularly enlightening."
Yun's face went ashen. "You're bluffing," he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"Am I?" Chenxiu countered. "Shall we put it to the test? I'm sure the board would be fascinated to learn about your dealings with the Triad. Or perhaps your attempts to manipulate our stock prices?"
A heavy silence fell over the room as the implications of Chenxiu's words sank in. Board members exchanged worried glances, the full extent of Yun's machinations becoming clear.
Chenxiu leaned back in his chair, surveying the room with a look of grim satisfaction. "I want to make one thing abundantly clear to all of you. My recent... indisposition... was not a sign of weakness. It was a calculated risk that has paid off tenfold in terms of new contracts and strategic alliances."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "While you were all busy plotting my downfall, I was securing our company's future. The connections I've made, the deals I've brokered - they will propel us to heights you can scarcely imagine."
Chenxiu's eyes narrowed as he delivered his final warning. "But make no mistake. My generosity and forgiveness have limits. This little attempted coup? Consider it your one and only warning. Cross me again, and I will not hesitate to burn everything you hold dear to the ground."
The silence that followed was deafening. Board members sat frozen in their seats, the weight of Chenxiu's words hanging heavy in the air.
Finally, Chenxiu's severe expression melted into a pleasant smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Now then, shall we move on to more productive matters? We have a company to run, after all."
As the meeting progressed to discuss actual business, the atmosphere remained tense. Chenxiu had masterfully reasserted his dominance, leaving no doubt as to who truly held the reins of power. His opponents were thoroughly cowed, their ambitions crushed under the weight of their own misdeeds.
And through it all, Yun seethed silently, his dreams of usurping his cousin's position lying in tatters around him. But deep in his eyes, a spark of defiance still burned. This battle may have been lost, but the war was far from over.