The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, the Oriole Waits Behind

Director Brooks trembled even harder.

A delicate young lady actually dared to meddle in the European underground black market deals.

What does that mean?

It means he got caught off guard!

He had no idea how many shares Sylvia Ran already held, nor how many more she wanted.

Director Brooks had a strange feeling that this was far from over!

Sylvia Ran had run out of patience and handed the document to Director Brooks. "Mr. Drew, sign it, will you?"

At that moment, someone behind Sylvia Ran handed over a pen. As Director Brooks reached out to take it, his gaze instantly fell on the pen.

Director Brooks's pupils shrank instantly!!

This pen... it's... it's Charles Yin's!

Director Brooks suddenly looked up at the person who handed him the pen. When he finally saw the man's face clearly, his fingers trembled, nearly tossing the pen away.

This was... one of Charles Yin's assistants.

Charles Yin had many assistants—some were openly known, like Alex and Ben, a few others as well.

Naturally, there were also those who worked behind the scenes, like the one standing before him now.

As a member of the board, Director Brooks had seen quite a few faces over the years.

This particular assistant was a dangerous figure, with blood on his hands. His presence here—did it mean Charles Yin already knew everything?

Director Brooks now felt like a fish frying in hot oil, tormented over and over.

He experienced a regret he had never felt before.

He always thought his actions were flawless, but he never imagined that his petty schemes had been in Charles Yin's grasp from the very beginning.

The assistant gestured for Director Brooks to look at the document in his hand. As Brooks's gaze fell, and he read the contents, his eyes grew even colder and more calculating.

The transferee on this document... it's not Sylvia Ran. It's Charles Yin!

Director Brooks kept his head down, not daring to look at Sylvia Ran at all.

Now Director Brooks finally understood.

Sylvia Ran had schemed against him, but Charles Yin had made his move at the crucial moment, swapping the stock transfer agreement right under Sylvia Ran's nose.

In plain terms, Sylvia Ran had worked for nothing—and slept with Director Brooks for nothing.

Everyone around Sylvia Ran had already been infiltrated by Charles Yin's people!

Director Brooks knew there was no way he'd get out of this clean today.

He figured Charles Yin must've known about his contacts with rival companies long ago.

Charles just hadn't dealt with him yet.

Now, thanks to Sylvia Ran's little windfall, Charles Yin had easily taken what he wanted most.

Charles Yin, you ruthless bastard!

I'm admitting defeat today.

Without another moment's hesitation, Director Brooks quickly signed his name on the document.

As soon as Director Brooks finished signing, Sylvia Ran broke into a delighted smile.

She took the contract, about to glance at it, when the assistant beside her whispered, "We can't stay here long."

Sylvia Ran nodded—made sense. She immediately said to Director Brooks, "You're so generous, Director Brooks. Of course I'll keep my word. I'll have all the videos sent over! I've got things to do, so I won't keep you. Goodbye!"

Feeling triumphant, Sylvia Ran led her people out of the room.

Just before leaving, the assistant shot Director Brooks a meaningful look, made a gun gesture with his left hand, aimed at Brooks's forehead, and mimed pulling the trigger, mouthing, "Bang—"

Once everyone was gone, Director Brooks collapsed to his knees on the carpet.

He knew it was over for him.

Not only had he lost his seat as a Yin Enterprises shareholder, but he probably couldn't even keep his own life.

And in the end, his death would be blamed on Sylvia Ran.

Director Brooks shivered violently.

He'd never regretted anything more.

He really shouldn't have messed with that devil... He really is a devil...

No one escapes his gaze. No one escapes his... judgment!

Sure enough, after a short while, a masked figure appeared in the room.

Still kneeling, Director Brooks looked up and said only one thing: "I'll do what you ask. I'll die as you want. I have one request—please, ask Mr. Yin to spare my wife and children. I'll give all my remaining assets to Mr. Yin, just to buy them a chance at life!"

The masked figure nodded.

Director Brooks, trembling, grabbed a folder from the table—his complete asset list.

The masked figure took it, glanced over the contents, and said, "The boss says, since you still know how to behave, you get to use Number Three."

Director Brooks seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Number Three reagent—a silent, painless way to die.

"Thank Mr. Yin for me." Director Brooks took the vial handed to him, said those words, and drank it down in one gulp.

The next day, his body was found. The autopsy would report he died from an overdose of aphrodisiac.

And the only woman in the room last night... was Sylvia Ran.

Charles Yin closed the video.

He slowly stood up and drew back the curtains—the moonlight outside was beautiful.

Charles Yin took a deep breath.

Another one, gone.

He never showed mercy to anyone who betrayed him.

Still, Charles Yin was surprised Sylvia Ran was targeting the Yin family's European black market trading rights.

There are plenty of ways to make money—why is she so fixated on the European market?

Could it be that Joe Qi's words had a deeper meaning?

Just then, Alex knocked and entered: "President, the report from Thailand just came in."

Charles Yin turned, taking the report from Alex.

The report was in Thai. Charles read quickly, and when his eyes landed on the final signature, he smiled silently.

So that's how it is.

No wonder Sylvia Ran disappeared for so long. No wonder she's after the Yin family's European black market rights.

No wonder she's so secretive, never willing to reveal where she's really been all these years.

Turns out, she can't say.

Alex stood by, waiting for Charles Yin's next instructions.

Charles tossed the report onto the desk and asked, "Aside from meeting with Director Brooks, who else did Sylvia Ran see these past few days? How did the others react?"

Alex replied immediately, "Everything went pretty much as you expected. Everyone else firmly rejected Sylvia Ran's advances. Only Director Brooks couldn't hold out..."

Charles Yin chuckled, "They're so obedient, I almost feel bad asking for those shares back."

Alex stayed silent.

"No matter. Director Brooks's stock is already in my hands. Even if Sylvia Ran gets every other share, she still won't have thirty percent." Charles Yin laughed, delighted. "I can't wait to see her throw a fit."

Seeing Alex still standing there, ready to report, Charles asked, "Anything else?"

"Yes, President. Just now, President Kerr signed Vice President Muir's resignation. Vice President Muir has officially left Odyssey Corporation. As compensation, President Kerr transferred twenty million to her account, plus a villa and a sports car." Alex continued, "Vice President Muir packed up and left Odyssey for good. She's now at the hotel with the filming crew—looks like she's set on acting."

"Let them play as they like." Charles Yin nodded. "How's the Kerr Family doing?"

"Yes, President. The Kerr patriarch was angry for two days over President Kerr's recent behavior, but seeing him come home and dismiss Vice President Muir, he calmed down. The Kerr matriarch is now busy arranging President Kerr's matchmaking." Alex reported seriously.

"That eager, huh? Fine, let them focus on matchmaking—it's the perfect time to target the Kerr Family." Charles Yin poured himself a glass of red wine, swirling it gently. "Sean Kerr finally showed some backbone; can't let him walk away empty-handed."

"President, do you want to use Yin Enterprises' resources, or our overseas connections?" Alex asked.

"Neither." Charles Yin smiled. "I heard my cousin is back. Let him handle this! Eric Jiang hasn't been seen in public for a long time."

Alex lowered his head and agreed, "Yeah, ever since Nora Yun passed away, Eric Jiang has been in a slump. If it weren't for you, President... who knows how long he'd have stayed down."

Charles Yin's eyes darkened.

Both of them had fallen because of the Yun sisters...

His cousin fell for Nora Yun, and he himself... wasn't he trapped by Cecilia Gu?

Those sisters are nothing but trouble...

Yet, the heart wants what it wants.

"My cousin and I were born the same year, grew up together. When I first took over Yin Enterprises, he was the one who stood by me, weathering the storms." Charles Yin said quietly. "Helen Jiang may be a mess, but for my cousin's sake, I only gave her a slap on the wrist. My cousin's been abroad these past two years, rarely seen at home. Looks like it's time for Eric Jiang to return to high society."

Alex stood respectfully, knowing Charles Yin was about to make new arrangements.

Charles Yin narrowed his eyes. "I invested in Joe Qi's TV drama—shouldn't he throw a grand party to celebrate?"

Alex caught on immediately. "Understood, sir."

"Go." Charles Yin elegantly sipped his wine.

Taking back control feels pretty damn good.

Alex quickly contacted Joe Qi. After so many years of friendship, Joe instantly understood Charles Yin's intentions.

That very night, Joe Qi sent out invitations to Eric Jiang and a whole group of local heirs and heiresses for a fundraising party to support the TV drama.

Cecilia Gu and Rona Muir, as the official producers, were naturally expected to attend.

Eric Jiang usually hated these events.

But when he saw Cecilia Gu's name on the guest list, his mind changed in an instant.

Maybe it really was time for him to return to this circle.