Putting down the report, Ian Song’s face flashed with a thoughtful look. If his guess was right, someone had deliberately arranged all this just to curry favor with him.
As for who it was, that should be easy to find out. After all, whoever did this wanted to please him, so they were bound to leave some clues behind.
Thinking of this, Ian directly instructed Jason Zhao, “Here’s what you do: contact the bosses of those ten companies right away and ask them who’s behind this.”
“Got it!”
Jason quickly pulled out his phone and started dialing, putting the calls on speaker.
At first, the other side was hesitant and wouldn’t tell the truth, but under Jason’s repeated questioning, they finally came clean.
It turned out that last night, HuiRong Investment Group’s president personally approached him, telling him to sell his company to Song Corporation for one million yuan. The rest of the money would be made up by them, and at 120% of market value, too.
Then Jason called the other nine cooked‑food factory bosses in turn and got almost the same story. HuiRong Investment Group had contacted each of them, buying their companies at 120% of market value.
“Do you know the background of HuiRong Investment Group?”
Ian asked Jason.
"It’s an asset under the Lee Family!" Jason Zhao said in surprise. The Lee Family and the Zhao Family have always been at odds, so why would the Lees do this? Were they trying to poach Zhao Family territory?
Ian nodded. "Alright, I get it. Get people ready to take over those ten companies and put them into production as soon as possible!"
"Yes, sir!"
Jason hesitated, wanting to say something, but ended up keeping quiet and left the office.
If Ian knew what Jason was thinking, he’d probably burst out laughing: "You’re worrying too much. The Lee Family isn’t trying to poach me—they’re trying to win me over."
After Jason left, Ian dialed Edward Zhao’s number.
Just as Ian expected, the Lees had admitted defeat. Last night, Martin Lee personally brought lavish gifts to the Zhao Family estate to beg Edward Zhao for peace.
Suddenly, Edward Zhao changed the subject and laughed, "By the way, Ian, when the other family heads came visiting last night, they all brought their most beautiful younger relatives. Interested in meeting any of them?"
Hearing this, Ian couldn’t help but think of the more than ten beauties already at home. He quickly replied, "Better not."
"Actually, there’s no harm in meeting them. I’ve seen them myself—great temperament and looks. If you take a fancy to any, just accept them!" Edward Zhao said with a straight face.
Ian’s face darkened, and he quickly ended the call, claiming he had something urgent to do.
After hanging up, Ian opened his computer and searched for news about Cynthia Murong. When they met yesterday, he’d noticed her furrowed brow—even with makeup, she couldn’t hide how tired she looked.
So, he was sure Cynthia Murong must be dealing with something serious.
Sure enough, a quick search turned up a flood of smear pieces about Cynthia Murong.
Ian frowned. With his observation skills, he could tell Cynthia was still completely untouched—there was no way her private life was chaotic or that she’d gone abroad to entertain American tycoons.
Plus, the flight tickets shown in the 'evidence' matched the time they first met on the plane.
Back then, he’d been with Cynthia Murong the entire trip—how could she have met any American tycoons?
Suddenly, a headline about Cynthia Murong’s agent caught his eye. Ian clicked it open, and his gaze turned cold.
He’d never liked Cynthia Murong’s agent—in fact, he’d always found the guy annoying. He only put up with him for Cynthia’s sake, but now that the agent was attacking her, Ian wasn’t going to hold back. Hmph!
He closed the browser.
Ian picked up the phone and dialed Charles Zhao.
Charles knew the entertainment scene well, so it’d be easy for him to get the full story.
He didn’t disappoint—Ian had the whole rundown in just an hour.
"StarSky Entertainment! So it was Eric Han behind all this!"
Ian searched again and found that the first third-rate starlet to slander Cynthia Murong—and the later A-list actress who jumped in—were both StarSky artists.
Seven o’clock that evening, a French restaurant.
Ian parked his car and walked inside.
“Do you have a reservation, sir?” the waiter asked with a polite smile.
“I do!” Ian replied, giving the table number Faye Shangguan had sent him.
Led by the waiter, Ian found the table—Faye Shangguan was already there, waiting.
"Ian!"
Faye Shangguan stood up and waved.
Tonight, Faye was wearing a deep blue gown, showing just a hint of cleavage—elegant and alluring, with subtle makeup that added a touch of mature charm.
Ian smiled at her and took his seat.
"You order."
Faye slid the menu over to him.
Ian didn’t stand on ceremony—he ordered a steak, foie gras, a bottle of red wine, and a dessert. Then he handed the menu back to Faye. "What made you invite me to dinner?"
"Let’s eat first, then I’ll tell you." Faye winked, then told the waiter, "I’ll have the same as him!"
"Certainly!"
............
Dinner lasted a full two hours.
"So, are you going to tell me now?" Ian asked with a smile.
"Do you know what’s happening with Cynthia?" Faye’s eyes flashed with anger.
"I didn’t at first," Ian replied, "but I checked online today and found out."
"She’s being framed."
"I know!"
"Can you help her?"
"Let me take you somewhere."
Half an hour later, Ian drove Faye Shangguan out to a warehouse on the outskirts of town.
"Master!"
Inside the warehouse, two burly men stood guard.
Ian nodded and led Faye Shangguan into the warehouse.
The warehouse was spacious.
In the center were four chairs, each with someone tied to it—two men, two women. Their eyes were blindfolded and their mouths taped shut. Four more burly men in black suits and sunglasses stood nearby.
"Let them go!"
Ian ordered the four bodyguards.
Soon, the blindfolds and tape were removed, and even the ropes were untied.
"Hey, isn’t this jerk Cynthia’s agent?"
Faye pointed at a heavyset man caked in makeup and dressed in flamboyant clothes.
Then, seeing the two women, Faye was even more shocked. "Wait, those two—aren’t they the stars who smeared Cynthia?"
"Who are you people? I’m warning you—let me go, or you’ll be sorry!"
The A-list star snapped.
Smack!
Faye Shangguan stormed over and slapped her hard, shouting, "You bitch! How dare you smear Cynthia? I’ll show you how to behave!"
Faye cursed and then started pummeling her with fists and kicks.