Chapter 546: Chapter 546: Secret Gathering
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, Ye Shikai is my friend, I’ve met you before,” Tianjing hurriedly explained when he saw Officer Zhang Ting appeared somewhat shocked.
“So it is, I didn’t expect that dead man to have such good connections,” Officer Zhang muttered with some dissatisfaction.
“This murder case is different; our bureau received an urgent order to intervene in the investigation immediately,” Tianjing said as she took out her credentials, revealing an apologetic smile.
“Well then, best of luck to you,” Officer Zhang hesitated for a moment but finally nodded, even making a gesture of encouragement.
“Shen Wu, let’s take a look at the bodies.”
“Sister Ting, how come the National Security Bureau is taking over this case?” A policeman said discontentedly after the police force had left the cordoned area.
“It’s probably because the case is somewhat special. After all, the National Security Bureau handles things more conveniently than we do,” Officer Zhang let out a sigh. The armed personnel from the National Security Bureau had taken over the crime scene, indicating that this murder case was indeed unusual.
“Truly, even in peaceful times, we are starting to handle these kinds of cases,” Shen Wu complained impatiently, while Tianjing gave a faint smile and flicked her forehead with some force.
“Really stupid,” Tianjing pointed at the bodies on the ground. “Take a careful look; can you find any clues?”
“Ehh… All five victims were killed by throat-slitting, a lethal strike, clean and precise, but… these wounds don’t seem to have been caused by a blade,” Shen Wu said as she put on a pair of white gloves, her eyes betraying confusion upon seeing the victims’ wounds.
“You’re right, the wounds weren’t caused by a sharp edge,” Tianjing said calmly. “It’s more like… something like glass shards.”
“Look at the arrangement of these five bodies, one cut across from left to right, done in one breath, taking five lives in an instant,” Tianjing stood up and continued. “Only a… cultivator could do such a thing.”
“A cultivator,” Shen Wu responded suddenly.
“It seems you’re not too dumb,” Tianjing said with a faint smile, flicking Shen Wu’s forehead again.
“Eh, Officer Zhang, why have you come again?” Tianjing turned her head and saw Zhang Jing entering the cordon.
“The murderer has surrendered; they’re at the police station right now,” Officer Zhang handed her phone over to Tianjing; it was a call from the police station.
“What? Surrendered,” Tianjing’s face showed surprise. If the analysis was correct, the murderer was definitely a cultivator, and now, a cultivator surrendering was beyond both of their expectations.
In a hotel in Yanjing, a group of men was sitting in a private room, discussing something.
“Chairman Zhang, what should we do about this?” a man asked anxiously. If Ye Shikai were here, he would recognize him as “Chairman Yang,” who had been shouting at Su Qingyu in the office. As for “Chairman Zhang,” he was none other than one of Tianya Group’s major shareholders, Zhang Song.
Most of the people present were top-notch executives and shareholders of Tianya Group. They had come here today because of a text message, and its sender was on her way.
“Tianya Group was built by Brother Su Pengzhan and us old friends; I don’t want it to suffer any losses,” Zhang Song said gently, his eyes closed.
“I don’t want it either, but President Su insists on marrying that brat, what… what is this all about?” Chairman Yang said, clapping his hands, his face clearly displeased.
“Chairman Zhang, since the day before yesterday, the company’s market price has already dropped by six points, and it’s all because of President Su’s marriage news,” another person at the table remarked.
“How can the company’s stock price fluctuations be blamed on one person?” Zhang Song’s gaze sharpened as he glanced around at everyone present.
“Ah, Zhang, after all, we’re not against President Su; it’s just about protecting the company,” Chairman Yang continued.
“Alright, let’s see what she has to say,” Zhang Song took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and rested with his eyes closed.
“Speaking of which, why hasn’t Miss Chen arrived yet?”
“Knock, knock, knock.” Suddenly, there was a knock on the door; shortly after, a woman slowly walked in and sat down in the middle seat.
“Miss Chen, it’s an honor to meet you,” Zhang Song stood up to shake hands – the newcomer was none other than Chen Ruoya, and she had sent that text message.
“Thank you all for waiting,” Chen Ruoya said with a graceful smile. “I’m very grateful that everyone could give me this face; you must have seen the relevant information in the text messages, right?”
“Of course, Miss Chen, I …” Before Chairman Yang could finish, he was interrupted by a cold voice from Zhang Song.
“Miss Chen, you’re the PR manager of the Chen Group; you shouldn’t be meddling in our company’s affairs,” Zhang Song said flatly, his words revealing his dissatisfaction with Chen Ruoya.
“Mr. Zhang Song, our Chen Group is currently cooperating with your company on an important and huge project and needs a reliable partner,” Chen Ruoya was not annoyed at all but smiled faintly. “However, given the current situation of your company, we really ought to reconsider the necessity of continuing this cooperation.”
“What, you…” After hearing this, Zhang Song stood up immediately, and the people present also fell silent, sweating coldly – they understood Chen Ruoya’s words very well. The collaboration between the Chen Group and Tianya Group was paramount, and if the collaboration broke off, it would deal a FATAL STRIKE to Tianya Group, possibly even leading to bankruptcy.
“If your company wishes to break the contract, it might damage its reputation,” Chairman Yang tried to remain calm as he spoke to Chen Ruoya.
“Ha, the day your company assured three years of stable development has only gone by a month, and already the market price has plummeted, so much for reputation,” Chen Ruoya calmly rebutted.
The business world is a battlefield; there’s only cooperation, not personal feelings. Everyone seated understood this. However, if they couldn’t persuade Chen Ruoya, Tianya Group was in big trouble.
“I wonder if this matter is your personal opinion, Miss Chen, or the Family Head’s intention,” Zhang Song asked after taking a deep breath, his tone composed.
“I’m just a spokesperson for the Family Head,” Chen Ruoya spoke lightly, and the implication was clear to everyone present.
“Then why didn’t Mr. Chen come?”
“Haha, Mr. Zhang, do you really think that, with your status, you warrant the Family Head’s presence?” Chen Ruoya slowly sipped her red wine, her tone carrying a hint of mockery.
“You…” Zhang Song, upon hearing this, turned red and white, even seeming a bit faint. Although those present were displeased, they could only swallow their pride; indeed, compared to a Giant like the Chen Group, Tianya Group really was insignificant.
“Mr. Zhang, I suggest you take a look at this document and give it some thought,” Chen Ruoya gestured, and a waiter handed a stack of documents to everyone’s hands.