As Song Qiao finished speaking, the entire venue fell into silence!
Many people wore expressions of disbelief.
"How could Lan Hai Industries possibly hand over such a massive project to Tian Hong, a company that was only recently established?"
"This is simply unbelievable. When did Lan Hai become so reckless in its dealings?"
Quite a few of the invited guests began to whisper amongst themselves.
Several high-ranking shareholders picked up the contracts from their tables, half-skeptical, and examined them.
The next second, their expressions shifted again.
The contract presented by Mr. Song was indeed from Lan Hai Industries, clearly stating a sum of ten million yuan!
At this point, those who had voiced their objections wisely chose to remain silent.
"So, how is it? This ten-million-yuan project, are you sure you don't want it?" Song Qiao couldn't help but ask sarcastically as the crowd remained quiet.
"Yes, yes, yes! This project is crucial for our company's development, of course, we want it." Several shareholders immediately put on a fawning smile, their faces beaming with deference towards Song Qiao.
If this project could be successfully secured, their year-end dividends would likely double. Faced with such immense profit, they would have to be completely out of their minds to refuse.
"Hmph, can't you guys use your brains a little? I think this kid is going to trick you again." Just as the matter seemed settled, Xia Haibin, the troublemaker, began to sow discord once more.
"Mr. Xia, what do you mean by that?" Ma Ruilong looked at the contract again, still finding no issues, and couldn't help but ask Xia Haibin. The few shareholders felt as if they were living in a dream; such a windfall made them feel an unreality.
"So stupid, and you're all senior executives of the group."
"The contract doesn't even have the company seal. Who knows where Mr. Song forged it." Xia Haibin said with disdain. "A contract without a seal like this, I can print as many as you want with a printer."
His words caused everyone present to change their expressions. Upon closer inspection, they saw only Ye Zhiwei's signature but no official seal from Lan Hai Industries.
"Damn it, I almost fell for this kid's trick." Ma Ruilong cursed inwardly and shot an ominous glance at Song Qiao.
"Director Song, we are all colleagues in the same company. Isn't what you're doing a bit too much?"
"Exactly. As the boss, to fabricate projects and deceive us, are you playing the game of 'fiddling while Rome burns'?" Seeing the project they almost had turn out to be fake, the other shareholders were greatly disappointed and echoed Ma Ruilong's sentiments.
Song Qiao hadn't expected the contract to be without an official seal either. When Ye Zhiwei gave it to him, he had put it away without even looking. To think that such a thing would happen now, he was momentarily stunned. He couldn't help but think to himself:
"This Ye Zhiwei girl is just like in my past life, always so careless in her actions. She's really gotten me into trouble this time."
"Boss, you must give us an explanation for this. Otherwise, we will all resign today." Seeing Song Qiao rendered speechless, Bao Jing's heart filled with joy, and she immediately pressed her advantage. With her leading the charge, several other shareholders also voiced their stance.
Suddenly, the celebratory ceremony transformed into a tribunal. In the eyes of these people, Song Qiao had become a heinous fraudster.
"Song Qiao, why are you making such a scene here? How could you stoop to such self-deception?" Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Xia Yuqing's mood plummeted. She never expected her husband to be so unreliable, daring to forge a contract just to get back at her. She knew that if this matter reached Lan Hai, they would likely pursue legal action immediately.
"Wife, don't worry. This contract was given to me personally by Ye Zhiwei. As for why the seal is missing, she probably just forgot it by accident." Song Qiao whispered an explanation to Xia Yuqing.
"Forgot? A boss of her stature would make such a low-level mistake?"
"She probably just didn't want to give it to you, so she deliberately left the seal off." Xia Yuqing suddenly found her husband endearingly foolish.
"No, no, that can't be right. I know Ye Zhiwei; she would never do something like that." Song Qiao waved his hand, completely dismissing his wife's conjecture. He had never actively asked Ye Zhiwei for a project; this one was practically forced upon him. If she hadn't wanted to give it to him, she wouldn't have gone through so much trouble.
He then frowned, scanned everyone present, and a barely perceptible mischievous smile flickered across his face.
"Fine, since you don't care for it, I'll tear it up right now. I hope you don't regret it later." With that, Song Qiao snatched the contract and tore it to shreds, then casually threw it on the ground.
"Tch, it's just a worthless piece of paper. You actually took it as a treasure?"
"Even if you hadn't torn it, what use would it be to keep it here now?" Xia Haibin sneered dismissively, unable to resist a taunt.
"Exactly. Our boss brags so much, and he even tricks himself. He's probably still living in a dream."
"Who's to say he isn't? It's truly pitiful to be a person like him." The higher-ups had already subconsciously deemed the contract as Song Qiao's forgery and felt no pity.
"Song Qiao, have you had enough of this farce?"
"Aren't you embarrassed enough today?" Xia Yuqing's face turned pale. She rushed forward two steps to her husband and tugged forcefully at his sleeve, signaling him to back down. After all, Song Qiao was in the wrong here. The best course of action now was to quickly de-escalate the conflict. Not to continue showing off and completely disappoint the shareholders. If these people really withdrew their investment en masse, the company would truly be finished, and Tian Hong would likely be an empty shell by the next day.
Just as Song Qiao was about to take out his phone to call Ye Zhiwei, his secretary, Qin Ya, suddenly rushed to the scene.
"Mr. Song, someone from Lan Hai Industries has arrived."
"There are two or three people, and they specifically asked to see you. I've arranged for them to wait in the reception hall." Her voice was not loud, but the surrounding shareholders immediately erupted into discussion upon hearing this.
"It's over. They know Mr. Song was bluffing and have come to confront him."
"Alas, this is bad. Tian Hong has only just started, how can we possibly contend with Lan Hai?"
"The company is probably doomed now."