Zhan Mohan arrived at the company the next day and immediately had Fang Xun bring Ning Tao over.
Ning Tao was unaware of the true relationship between Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan. She simply believed that Wei Yumeng had used all her cunning to latch onto Zhan Mohan, a powerful figure. She couldn't understand why Zhan Mohan wasn't interested in her, despite her attractive figure and top-notch looks.
Pushing the door open, she sauntered in, her eyes alluring and her voice sweet. "Mr. Zhan, what do you need me for?"
Zhan Mohan sat in his executive chair, idly spinning a pen with his long fingers. Upon hearing her, he raised an eyebrow. "You took Wei Yumeng to see Li Huan last night?"
Ning Tao was still unaware of what had transpired last night. Her eyes darted nervously. "Yes, I just thought since Wei Yumeng was personally recruited by you, I'd take her for some experience. Who knew she'd dismiss me as soon as we entered the private room? I thought she had a plan, but I didn't expect her to try and get Mr. Li to sign using *that* method."
Zhan Mohan didn't expose her immediately but continued to question her, following her lead. "So, did Mr. Li sign?"
"I don't know, she said she had a way. I certainly want to give new people a chance." Ning Tao painted herself as magnanimous, absolving herself of any responsibility.
Zhan Mohan's cold gaze fixed on her, staring intently. "So, I should reward you then?"
Ning Tao smiled humbly. "That's not necessary. However, I do have a request, which I hope Mr. Zhan can grant me."
A mocking smirk played on Zhan Mohan's lips as he wondered what scheme she was concocting. "Tell me about it first."
Ning Tao's face lit up, thinking she had an opportunity. Her eyes were seductive as she walked to Zhan Mohan's side, placing her delicate hands on his shoulders and slowly bending down, her ample cleavage now fully exposed. However, Zhan Mohan felt no interest. She leaned close to his ear, her breath warm against his skin. "If I can serve you just once, Mr. Zhan, I'll be content. I'll certainly dedicate myself to the company from now on."
As soon as Wei Yumeng entered the company, she headed straight for Ning Tao's office, only to find it empty after a forceful push of the door. Mu Linjing wasn't aware of why Wei Yumeng was so furious, but she simply didn't want Wei Yumeng to offend Ning Tao. "Calm down. Ning Tao is a director. You're new here; if you directly offend her, it'll be hard to establish yourself in the company."
That woman had nearly ruined her purity; why should she care about establishing herself? Ning Tao was part of the company, so she must be in league with Zhan Mohan. "I can't worry about that now!" She was determined to confront Ning Tao today and get an explanation. If she wasn't in her office, she must be with Zhan Mohan. She turned and headed for Zhan Mohan's office, skipping the knock and directly intending to barge in, only to see Ning Tao with her clothes partially undone, leaning against Zhan Mohan.
"You... what are you doing?" Wei Yumeng froze, and wasn't Zhan Mohan unable to do such things?
Zhan Mohan was highly displeased by Wei Yumeng's forceful entry, his expression instantly darkening. "Who let you in? Get out!"
Wei Yumeng shook her head, then remembered her purpose. "I'm not leaving. I need to speak with Director Ning and ask her why she left me alone in the private room yesterday."
Ning Tao gritted her teeth. This Wei Yumeng had ruined her good time and dared to question her! If she didn't deal with her properly, she wouldn't be called Ning Tao. She straightened her clothes, walked up to Wei Yumeng, and bent down, staring intently at her. "Miss Wei, don't try to frame me. Last night, you were the one who asked to be alone with Mr. Li. I was just giving you an opportunity."
Wei Yumeng then realized Ning Tao intended to frame her. She didn't dare to provoke Zhan Mohan, so why should she be afraid of Ning Tao? It was Ning Tao's fault in the first place. "Then do you dare let Mr. Li come here to confront me? You left me inside right after entering, intending for me to be a scapegoat for the project, and then you'd take the credit with Mr. Zhan?"
Ning Tao stubbornly denied it. "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't think Mr. Zhan will believe your one-sided story. If you have the guts, show me proof!"
"I said, confront Mr. Li."
Ning Tao gave a contemptuous laugh. "Do you really think that highly of yourself, daring to trouble Mr. Li to come and confront me? Do you think that's possible?"
"Then let me ask you, since you say I wanted to stay alone, and this project is under your responsibility, why didn't you appear afterward?" Wei Yumeng had figured it out. If she couldn't bring Ning Tao down, she at least wouldn't let her benefit.
Zhan Mohan sat to the side, arms crossed, watching as if it were a play. A glint flashed in his eyes. He hadn't realized this woman was quite clever, not easily dismissed by Ning Tao's words. If that were the case, she wouldn't be worthy of entering the Zhan family's gates.
Ning Tao became flustered by Wei Yumeng's barrage of questions and, fearing Zhan Mohan might notice something, her words tumbled out uncontrollably. "I... When I returned to the private room, you were already gone."
"If the project is signed, who should it be credited to?" Quietly, she was already digging a pit for Ning Tao, who remained completely oblivious. Ning Tao nervously glanced at Zhan Mohan beside her.
"Of... of course, it should be yours." After saying it, she realized she might have misspoke and quickly corrected herself. "But, do you have the capability for that?" Wei Yumeng was waiting for Ning Tao's response. Zhan Mohan didn't need the credit anyway; the benefits behind the project already belonged to him. She looked at Zhan Mohan with bright eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Then, Mr. Zhan, should this project be credited to me?"
Zhan Mohan raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
Ning Tao was stunned. "Credited... credited to what? The project wasn't signed, was it?" Wei Yumeng, a newcomer, not to mention her abilities, and Li Huan, that lecherous scoundrel—she knew him well. Wei Yumeng was beautiful and had an exceptional demeanor; a man like Li Huan wouldn't let her go easily. "It was signed. Since Director Ning said the credit for this time should go to Wei Yumeng, then the project will be her responsibility."
"But Mr. Zhan, she..."
"You can leave first." Zhan Mohan waved his hand. Ning Tao dared not disobey Zhan Mohan's command. If she continued, she feared she would be exposed. She could only swallow her anger for now and vowed to deal with this Wei Yumeng properly another day for daring to set a trap for her! With a resentful glare at Wei Yumeng, she turned and left. Wei Yumeng felt quite smug, watching Ning Tao leave with her chin held high, finally having vented her anger. Zhan Mohan lowered his head, flipping through documents, and casually said, "Who allowed you to enter without knocking? You've ruined my good time, how do you plan to compensate me?"