Wei Yumeng watched Meer with an unhurried gaze. "Since you say someone else is truly plotting against me, then tell me who it is. If what you say is true, I might consider not exposing you."
Meer looked at her doubtfully, "Are you telling the truth? If I tell you, you'll let me go and keep this secret for me?"
Wei Yumeng nodded, "I wouldn't stoop to lying to you for such a trivial matter. The rumors about me have already been clarified, so whether I investigate this or not won't have much impact on me. Tell me who the mastermind is, and I'll let you go. I don't want to make you pay a terrible price for something that hasn't caused me any substantial harm."
She understood the principle of showing mercy when one can. What she wanted was not the outcome, but the truth, so she would know who to guard against in the future.
After hearing her words, Meer relented. After all, she had the other party holding her leverage. It was better to reveal the person who instigated her than to resist stubbornly and end up with nothing. If Wei Yumeng kept her word, she would have won this round.
"I only know her surname is Bai. She told me that this would not only ruin Wang Hua but also ruin you. As long as the two of you are gone, the department manager position will definitely be mine."
Meer had considered it carefully at the time, thinking that what that person said was correct, and so she did as she was told, not only getting Wei Yumeng drunk but also arranging for the reporters.
Surname Bai?
Wei Yumeng could only think of Bai Qing. Moreover, Bai Qing had every motive. It was entirely plausible that she had been harboring resentment from previous incidents and was now seeking revenge.
If it were really Bai Qing, then those past events wouldn't be so easily dismissed.
This woman had harbored improper thoughts towards Zhan Mohan before. She hadn't bothered with her, but the other woman had made a move against her, and with such a despicable method intended to ruin her reputation.
"If what you're saying is true, then do me a favor. If you do a good job, I'll delete the recording I have. It won't threaten you."
Meer had no other choice and could only obey her.
"I can do what you say, but I need to destroy the contents of the USB drive. I hope you won't stop me."
Wei Yumeng handed her the USB drive. "I've already destroyed everything inside. If you're still worried, you can check it again."
With that, she left the office first. After all, she held Meer's leverage. If Meer didn't want to leave the company because of such a scandal, she had no choice but to do as she was told.
That afternoon, the company held a meeting and announced the decision to have Wei Yumeng take over as manager.
Many people were still wary of Wei Yumeng due to the celebration banquet incident, so no one dared to express their dissatisfaction at the meeting. Even the usually arrogant Meer remained silent. Who else would dare to object?
Wei Yumeng thus smoothly became the manager with the shortest tenure but the fastest promotion in the company. However, this time, no one dared to suggest a celebration.
Only Huo Xiao bought a small gift to congratulate Wei Yumeng on her promotion.
Seeing her little disciple spending money on her again, Wei Yumeng offered to treat Huo Xiao to a meal.
"Master is treating you to something good. Besides, you protected me so well at the last dinner. I haven't thanked you yet."
With that reason given, Huo Xiao readily agreed. "In that case, Master, you must take me somewhere good to eat."
After work, Wei Yumeng took Huo Xiao to have Western food. The young man had mentioned it many times before, but because he had just started working and didn't have much money, he had always hesitated.
Wei Yumeng knew this, so she specifically took him today to satisfy his cravings.
Sitting at the dining table, Huo Xiao rubbed his hands excitedly. "Master, you're too thoughtful. I've always wanted to come to this restaurant."
Wei Yumeng waved her hand in a serious manner, telling him not to get so excited. "It's my treat today, order whatever you want. I'll go to the restroom first."
When she got to the restroom, as soon as she closed the door, she heard two women talking outside.
"Why should I trust you? What can you do for me?"
"Because I can give you money. Don't you need money right now? As long as you help me get rid of that woman blocking my path, I can get you as much money as you want."
"Why do you think I can do something you can't solve yourself?"
"Because your sister is married into the Zhan family. You're relatives, after all. As long as your acting is good enough, they won't suspect you."
Only then did Wei Yumeng realize that the other woman was Zhang Xinyi.
Since she had entered the drug rehabilitation center, Mu Linjing had never mentioned her again. Wei Yumeng had thought she had returned to her hometown after recovering, but she didn't expect her to still be lurking around Pengcheng, and what's more, she had gotten involved with Bai Qing.
The person Bai Qing wanted to get rid of must be herself. She had always coveted Zhan Mohan and had previously tried to sow discord between them through public opinion. When one plan failed, she came up with another. Seeing her determined look, Wei Yumeng found it ridiculous.
Jing Yan had warned her earlier not to try to interfere in someone else's marriage. If she didn't listen to advice, the only result would be to suffer the consequences.
Since Wei Yumeng had already overheard these words from the shadows, she was curious to see what brilliant plan Zhang Xinyi's mind could come up with.
After the footsteps of the two women faded away, Wei Yumeng came out of the stall. When she returned to her seat, the two women had already left the restaurant.
She watched as Bai Qing and Zhang Xinyi parted ways and then went to the coffee shop opposite, a smile playing on her lips.
"Master, I've ordered your meal for you. Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your taste?"
Huo Xiao's voice brought her thoughts back. She shook her head. "No, I was just thinking about something else. Eat quickly."
She cut the beef on her plate, estimating the time. Bai Qing should have met with Meer by now.
As she was thinking, Huo Xiao suddenly handed her his phone. She looked at the line of text on the screen with confusion: Master, that table on the left seems to have paparazzi. She just took our picture with her camera.
Wei Yumeng was lost in thought and hadn't noticed the abnormality around her. Fortunately, Huo Xiao was observant.
Seeing his message, Wei Yumeng instinctively looked at the table on the left. The person turned their head abruptly, pulling the brim of their hat down low.
Seeing this, Wei Yumeng smiled and stood up with her glass of red wine.