"Spring City Capital Bureau, morning news on August 21. Golden Spoon (2.302, 0.05, 1.33%) (240518.SH) released an announcement on the evening of the 20th. Over the past few days, Golden Spoon Co., Ltd. has decreased its shares by 120 million. Once a dazzling presence, Golden Spoon has fallen, consumed by scandals, its market value now under one billion. Reliable sources say shareholders have already applied for liquidation at Spring City High Court..."
The broadcast was airing the morning news.
In the tea restaurant on the seventeenth floor, two waitresses paused, surprised by the news.
"Golden Spoon is finished, just like that, in less than a week. Unbelievable."
"I heard they offended someone influential and got crushed."
The two murmured quietly, lowering their voices.
While talking, they cautiously glanced at the girl enjoying her breakfast near the floor-to-ceiling window not far away.
This young lady was a major client of the hotel. Despite her age, even the manager treated her with utmost respect.
Though the presidential suite offered meal delivery service, she unwaveringly came here every morning at a regular time to eat.
It wasn’t any romantic wine and foie gras, but simple, homely dishes.
None of the staff here dared to look down on her for it; in fact, they found it rather down-to-earth for someone so wealthy.
Every day, at precisely seven o’clock, she would arrive here. During breakfast, she would also glance through the morning paper, leaving promptly at seven-thirty without exception.
This was surely what they called the rituals of the upper class.
"What are you two doing here?" A stiff reprimand suddenly came from behind them.
The two hurriedly lowered their heads and admitted fault.
Li Zonghong waved dismissively. "If it happens again, you’re both heading to the kitchen to help out."
Once the two left, Manager Li noticed the girl had risen from her seat and was preparing to leave.
Li Zonghong quickly approached respectfully and opened the restaurant’s glass door for her.
After Shen You’an walked outside, Li Zonghong hesitated briefly before stepping forward.
"Miss Shen, please wait."
Shen You’an stopped, turning to glance at Li Zonghong.
Li Zonghong mustered up the courage and stepped closer. "Miss Shen, I must apologize for what happened that day. It was mishandled by me, and nearly wronged Sister Zhou. The company is keeping her position open and offering compensation for the emotional distress caused. We sincerely hope Sister Zhou returns soon."
If she’d known that Zhou Lie’s daughter was friends with Miss Shen, she would never have dealt with it so hastily, leaving herself in this awkward position now.
Shen You’an raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Aunt Zhou won’t be coming back."
Li Zonghong’s chest tightened.
"Just a mere janitor. How could she compare to Manager Li’s future? Manager Li, am I right?"
Li Zonghong’s face turned beet red with shame; she wished she could disappear into the earth.
"Let’s see if that Miss Luuo can manage to bail out a suspect charged with extortion and fraud. After all, the Xie family still holds sway in Spring City, though their former glory has long faded."
With that said, she turned and walked away.
Li Zonghong stared at the girl’s departing figure, her expression unpleasant to the extreme.
If Tian Wei couldn’t be bailed out, then didn’t it prove that all her so-called "connections" had been meaningless?
The Xie family was no longer the powerhouse it had once been.
Just who was this young girl?
That day, she had clearly seen Jin Zhou come here to meet with her, treating her with great respect.
Could Golden Spoon’s downfall be related to her?
Li Zonghong gasped sharply, afraid to think further.
At this moment, she deeply regretted her actions.
Following the Tian Wei matter, upper management was furious. If she couldn’t resolve it perfectly, she was bound to face suspension.
"An’an, the police just called me. The evidence has been collected, and they’re preparing to transfer the case to the prosecutor’s office for formal prosecution."
Shen You’an stood in the elevator, taking a call from Qi Baotan.
"Hmm, that’s efficient."
"An’an, if I truly press charges, it won’t cause trouble for you, will it?"
"No, go ahead and do it."
Qi Baotan laughed happily. "I just consulted Lawyer Gan. This case is simple enough that even a junior lawyer could handle it. Has that Miss Luuo contacted you again lately?"
"An’an, there’s another thing I want to tell you. The actress Ru is auditioning tomorrow for Director Cen’s new movie. There’s a minor role with a few lines, and she recommended me to try out for it too. An’an, do you think I could do it?"
Qi Baotan hesitantly asked the question.
"I’ll go with you tomorrow."
Holding her phone, Qi Baotan’s face softened with warm delight.
"Okay, An’an, you can go back to what you were doing. I won’t bother you anymore."