Glancing again at Wang Ze, this ruthless man who would stop at nothing was frowning, seemingly realizing that things had gone wrong.
What follows is a battle of public opinion.
"Starlight executives embroiled in a drug scandal!"
"Newly crowned Best Actress was taken away by police at a party, suspected of drug use!"
These past two days, almost all the headlines have been filled with news like this, which has become so overwhelming that Lingyan is extremely annoyed.
Just when things were starting to escalate, another wave of trouble arose. Ge Tan and Shen Yue both jumped out, one confirming his own infidelity and the other confirming that he had been cheated on. It's unclear whether they were trying to ride the wave of attention or eagerly kicking someone when they're down.
Watching Ge Tan recount his unforgettable affair on his personal account, filled with regret, and then watching Shen Yue's tearful and emotional performance.
Ling Yan said that she truly deserves to be called a talented actress; her performance was so realistic.
Ge Tan and Gu Zhong are already sworn enemies. Stomping on him might not necessarily make him any worse off, but it will definitely not make Gu Zhong any better off.
What's incomprehensible is why Shen Yue would get involved, since it doesn't benefit her at all.
Lingyan immediately contacted Shenyue's company, hoping to get an answer, only to hear that Shenyue was having a contract dispute with her former employer, with Chenxi standing behind her.
When Lingyan thought of Xia Xiange, she understood.
Whether it was due to the hostility between dawn and starlight, or her inexplicable targeting of Gu Zhong, it would be strange if she didn't take action.
Following the drug scandal, Starlight's stock price plummeted, with large-scale abnormal capital flows. It's almost certain that someone was deliberately shorting Starlight, and it's almost unnecessary to guess who that person is.
Just then, several of Starlight's key projects encountered obstacles and were stuck at crucial junctures.
Moreover, as a major project, filming has already begun, and money is being burned every minute.
At this time, the young master of the joint investors was embroiled in a drug scandal, making the financial security unstable.
If it gets delayed by something else, I'm afraid Starlight's entire cash flow will completely collapse.
Even if Lingyan uses Yaoyang's funds to make up the shortfall, it still won't be enough.
The truth of the news is of course unimportant; as long as it drags down Starlight before it is clarified, that's enough.
As for Gu Zhong's scandals, it would be good if they could ruin her, but even if they couldn't, they could still annoy Ling Yan and make her feel upset for a while.
Xia Xiange seems to be naturally good at everything, and Lingyan always feels immense pressure when facing her—after all, she was once a Xuanhu who was on par with the young lord.
Now, all Lingyan can do is break the deadlock as soon as possible.
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Author's Note:
Daily updates QAQ
Chapter 44 Agent and Movie Queen (Sixteen)
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"elder sister."
Pushing open the door, which was still bathed in warm yellow light late at night, Gu Zhong called out softly.
"Gu Xiaozhong? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Lingyan looked up from the messy documents on the table, her face, now without makeup, revealing deep fatigue.
"I can't sleep without my sister."
Walking behind Lingyan, Gu Zhong placed his fingertips on her temples and gently massaged them.
Setting aside her work for the moment, Lingyan leaned back, and with her lover's comfort, her long-suppressed emotions were relieved considerably.
"This matter must be very difficult."
"The problem isn't too big; everything has been settled. Once the police release their statement, many things will be resolved."
"Regarding Wanxiang's withdrawal of investment..."
Gu Zhong hesitated for a moment before asking another question. The boss of Wanxiang Real Estate was the father of that young master Lin who had been reported by Gu Zhong for drug use and imprisoned. Because of his son's situation, he tore up the cooperation agreement in a fit of anger, making Xingguang's situation even worse.
"It's alright. Yaoyang's new product development was completed ahead of schedule, so Wanxiang is no longer important."
"If I hadn't called the whistleblower..."
Gu Zhong still looked somewhat annoyed.
"Gu Xiaozhong, let me ask you, why did you think of reporting it back then? Don't you usually just pretend you didn't see it?"
Lingyan grabbed her hand that was dangling on her shoulder and asked with a curious look.
"Because something was off about that private room, I was tricked into going in. Lin Yuan also seemed unaware of the situation. It was a proper business reception, and he represented Wanxiang's reputation. He shouldn't have acted so recklessly."
Gu Zhong then recounted the events of that day in detail.
"It was definitely planned. If you hadn't made that call, the situation would have only gotten worse. So, what do you have to blame yourself for?"
Standing up, Ling Yan rubbed Gu Zhong's head and revealed a faint smile, "Speaking of which, I have to thank you."
"I feel useless for making you work so hard."
However, Gu Zhong still looked sullen. She hugged Ling Yan tightly and said dejectedly, "From the very beginning, you have always paved the way for me and protected me, but I can't do anything about it."
"How is it portrayed in TV dramas? Shouldn't a domineering CEO be a willing and devoted husband who spoils his wife? What's there to fuss about?"
Lingyan found the question that was troubling her somewhat both amusing and exasperating.
"But I'm already a Best Actress winner!"
Gu Zhong puffed up his cheeks in anger.
"Just a minor film festival Best Actress award winner, look at you, thinking you're so great..."
Lingyan flicked her finger and gave the little guy another tap on the head, suppressing his arrogant arrogance.
“I know I still have a long way to go. But sister, one day I will stand at the top of the world and protect you with dignity.”
Clutching his aching forehead, Gu Zhong abandoned his usual frivolous demeanor and solemnly declared.
"Then remember what you said and work hard for it."
Lingyan could only offer gentle encouragement in response.
To stand at the pinnacle of the world and leave a lasting mark on film history—this is a statement that sounds firm, but putting it into practice is far from easy.
The clashes and differences between Chinese and Western cultures cannot be accepted by the world out of thin air.
Just look at the few Chinese film stars who have made their mark on international film history; it's only a handful. You'll know just how difficult it is to go international.
——————
A battle has officially begun. For the first time since Ling Yan removed him from the center of power, Wang Ze appeared in the conference room dressed in a suit and tie, looking triumphant.
"I don't recall inviting Mr. Wang to today's meeting?"
Upon entering the conference room, Ling Yan saw Wang Ze sitting openly in the front row. She turned around and casually asked her secretary, who had been following her.
"Now we should call him Chairman Wang."
Wang Ze sneered, his face full of smug satisfaction.
"Chairman Wang? It seems you hold at least five percent of Starlight's shares?"
After scanning the conference room again, Lingyan noticed that a few people were indeed missing.
It seems these people are convinced that Starlight's future is bleak and are running away in advance. However, the targets of their sell-off are not exactly pleasant.
"So, am I qualified to attend this meeting?" Wang
Ze continued his provocation.
"Of course you're qualified."
With a light chuckle, Ling Yan wore a formulaic smile, making it impossible to discern her true feelings.
Just when Wang Ze was full of confidence, thinking he could finally outmaneuver Ling Yan, Ling Yan didn't take him seriously at all.
Especially when Ling Yan walked straight to the chairman's seat at the top of the table after the meeting started, Wang Ze's face changed from red to white, and then from white to green, performing a dramatic face-changing act on the spot.
He never imagined that the new boss who orchestrated the acquisition of Starlight was Ling Yan, whom he had always considered a stumbling block.
"It seems Chairman Wang's research wasn't thorough enough..."
A director from the Lingyan faction, watching the fascinating expression on the newly joined director's face, couldn't help but chuckle under his breath.
Wang Ze's plan to enter the board of directors and take advantage of Xingguang's major setback to reduce Lingyan's power was doomed to failure from the very beginning.
The chairman personally removed him from his post? Don't be ridiculous.
In particular, the chairman, who holds the largest share, cannot be replaced by the board of directors.
What about his previous actions of betraying the company's interests and the seats he obtained at great cost?
It was all for naught, like trying to draw water with a bamboo basket.
"Today, the police released a statement regarding the drug-related rumors from the day before yesterday, which puts the most troublesome issue to a close. As for the minor incidents that Starlight Entertainment has encountered recently, they have also been dealt with."
However, during this period, the internal investigation department discovered that some people within the company seemed to be involved in corrupt practices, and they also gathered some evidence. What everyone finds most intolerable is having their interests harmed, so I think it's necessary to make this public now.
The few thin sheets of paper in Ling Yan's hand, like a thousand-pound hammer, instantly weighed down on Wang Ze. He hadn't expected Ling Yan to be so fast.
In order to cause losses and turmoil to Starlight, he agreed to Chenxi's cooperation request and revealed all the Starlight project plans he knew, causing the Starlight project to be stalled on multiple fronts. Then, he set up a scheme at the party to get Starlight involved in a drug scandal, and took the opportunity to help Chenxi suppress Wanxiang Group.
He successfully obtained the huge sum of money and a board seat. If Ling Yan were just an ordinary, newly appointed CEO, she would undoubtedly be ousted. Then, he could turn the tide, and the CEO position would be his for the taking.
The premise is that Lingyan is not the boss of Xingguang.
Moreover, he hadn't expected Ling Yan to handle those crises so quickly, nor did he know what irresistible benefits she had offered to those partners.
With Yaoyang Technology entering the market at this time, its newly developed technology and products have greatly reduced the cost of special effects production. The impact of Wanxiang's withdrawal of investment is negligible, and Xingguang will have no chance of collapsing.
"Chairman Wang, you have abused your power and leaked company secrets. I hereby announce that you are being completely relieved of all your authority within the company. Furthermore, Starlight will be suing you. I doubt your stock holdings will be enough to cover the losses."
Without any mercy, Ling Yan announced the result, as expected, ruthlessly and mercilessly.
"Chairman Ling, please leave some room for maneuver, so that we can meet again in the future."
Upon hearing that a lawsuit had been filed, Wang Ze panicked completely and couldn't help but threaten him sharply.