Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Director Zhou’s Crimes.
The conference room froze. Everyone’s attention was fixed on Yue Ning. Some looked doubtful, others were curious. Director Zhou sat back with a mocking curve tugging at his lips.
Yue Ning opened her laptop and tapped swiftly. Within seconds, the finance report flickered onto the projector screen. She didn’t waste time.
Her voice was calm, but every word was precise. "Page six. Under projected revenues, you’ve listed a fifteen percent growth rate for the next quarter."
The finance director stiffened, his knuckles tightening over his file.
Yue Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly. "But according to the sector’s market trend analysis, the actual growth rate is nine percent. This error alone inflates your projections by nearly forty million yuan."
A collective gasp spread across the table. Heads turned toward the finance director, whose face had already gone pale.
Huo Feng’s expression turned serious as his eyes were fixated on the projector screen.
’Ouch. The first strike landed,’ the system said smugly. ’Go Host, go.’
Yue Ning didn’t even flinch or show any reaction at the commentary. She scrolled further.
"Next is your expense sheet. Here, under operating costs." She circled a figure with her cursor. "This amount is repeated in two categories. Once under logistics, once under distribution. The duplication makes your expenditures appear smaller than they are."
Murmurs erupted. Even the directors who weren’t fond of her exchanged startled glances. Director Zhou sat up straight, sensing danger.
Yue Ning’s tone remained poised, almost light, as though she were stating simple facts. "And finally, your cash flow report for last month lists higher liquid reserves than actually available. Had this continued, the discrepancy would only be discovered at quarter-end."
The finance director’s forehead glistened with sweat. Director Zhou shifted uneasily on his seat, but Yue Ning’s eyes slid past him as if he didn’t exist.
’Triple kill!’ the system celebrated. ’Want me to play victory music in your head?’ She said playfully.
She ignored it, her expression serene as she turned back to the directors. "I’m not here only to point out errors. Here are my recommendations."
In a few simple sentences, she outlined solutions—reallocating budgets to underperforming but high-potential products, syncing finance forecasts with marketing projections, and implementing a software tool for automated cross-checks.
Her voice carried neither arrogance nor hesitation. Only a burning confidence. Huo Feng’s lips curved slowly. That was his wife, he thought to himself.
By the time she closed the file, silence reigned in the conference room. A few directors whispered under their breath, unable to hide their awe.
"She caught what our entire department missed." one murmured, awe and respect in his voice .
Director Zhou’s smirk had vanished. His fists tightened beneath the table, his jaw clamped so hard a vein pulsed in his temple. His forehead also glistened with sweat, his back drenched as well.
Yue Ning finally smiled, her smile poised, unshaken, and victorious.
"I may not carry an official title here yet," she said softly, her eyes sweeping the room, "but numbers don’t lie. If I can spot these flaws in minutes... imagine what else I could do if you gave me time." There was a smirk lingering on her lips after her statement.
The weight of her words lingered. One by one, directors nodded, respect dawning in their eyes.
Huo Feng leaned back, lips curved in the faintest smile. He didn’t need to say a word. His gaze alone told her that everything she said was perfect.
Director Zhou could not accept defeat, and thus, he shot up to his feet, pointing his finger at Yue Ning while continually muttering, "you!"
Yue Ning raised her eyebrows, her hands folding calmly. "Director Zhou, do you still doubt me?" She inquired, a smile tugging on her lips.
"I don’t..."
Huo Feng cut in sharply. "Director Zhou, please have your seat." He instructed.
Director Zhou flicked his sleeves, glaring at Yue Ning before taking his seat.
Huo Feng smiled softly at Yue Ning to which she returned and took a seat.
Huo Feng took a deep breath before he began. "Yue Ning has proved herself. Even if she doesn’t do everything, I’m sure you all must have been awed."
His gaze swept over everyone before it stopped on Director Zhou. His lips slowly curved but there was no hint of smile in his eyes.
"Yue Ning has continually proved herself... but Director Zhou, you still have a strong bias against her." He paused, before throwing a folder to the table.
’Yes! Our Male Lead is about to support you!’ The syen squealed while Yue Ning chuckled internally.
The directors flinched. They could tell from Huo Feng’s voice that he was angry, but they genuinely had no idea why.
Director Zhou, who was Huo Feng’s current target this time still didn’t know that he was about to be in some real trouble.
"President, I am only thinking about this company. She might have some skills, but that doesn’t mean she has a place in this company."
Yue Ning rolled her eyes. Huo Feng’s eyes darkened.
"Secretly selling your shares to our rival company, deflecting company’s contracts to the rival company." Huo Feng said, and leaned forward, his gaze sharp as blade. "Tell me Director Zhou, are you for us or against us?"
Gasps erupted among the directors as they discussed among themselves while directing their accusing gazes towards him.
The smug smile on Director Zhou’s lips vanished. All eyes turned to him. His chest rose and fell rapidly. How did he find out about it? He asked himself.
"Of course, these are just a few of your crimes. If I fire you here, I don’t think it’s wrong." Huo Feng added.
"President, you shouldn’t accuse me just because I don’t like your wife being in the company. If outsiders hear this, then it would be a stain on your reputation." Director Zhou commented.
His expression might seem calm, but his fingers which were clenched on his laps were the biggest giveaway.
Huo Feng chuckled, but there was no humour behind him. His looked like someone who was about to rain chaos over anyone who dared to step in his path.
"I have been investigating you for a while now. If you doubt me... then you can check that folder. It contains details of all your crimes—working with the rival company, selling the company’s information, embezzlement of funds just to mention a few."
The entire conference room was silent as they exchanged glances.
Director Zhou let out a shaky breath. ’It is finished. He knows about it all.’ He thought to himself as he didn’t dare meet Huo Feng’s eyes.
Huo Feng added. "Do you think I’d accuse you without having evidence? You underestimate me." He scoffed.
"And judging from your expression, the results of my investigations were right." He sneered, absolutely furious as well as disappointed in this Director Zhou.
Several directors lowered their heads, as though distancing themselves from Zhou. One or two even leaned slightly toward Yue Ning’s side of the table.
"It’s not true! Someone must have planted those files. I— I’m loyal to this company!" His voice cracked midway, betraying the fear in his chest.