Zhi Corporation – Conference Hall
The atmosphere inside the conference hall of Zhi Corporation was tense.
All major shareholders were present, engaged in heated discussion about the vacant CEO position and who should assume control of the company.
The heavy double doors suddenly opened.
A young man in a black suit stepped in first, followed by a woman in a navy-blue tailored business outfit. Her posture was straight, her expression cold and unreadable. Without hesitation, she walked toward the main seat—the one reserved for the reigning CEO—and sat down.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Some shareholders looked at her in confusion. Others exchanged knowing smirks, their eyes filled with ridicule.
One elderly shareholder who did not recognize her stood up impatiently.
"Miss, we are currently holding an important meeting. May I ask who you are?"
Zhi Lia slowly lifted her gaze and swept it across the room. Inside, she sneered.
So, Father… these are the people you trusted? While you worked yourself to exhaustion, they were only waiting for you to fall so they could claim what was yours.
"Pardon the interruption," she said calmly. "I am Zhi Lia, the newly appointed CEO of Zhi Corporation."
Her voice was flat and steady.
The room erupted.
"Eldest Young Miss, this is no time for jokes!" A middle-aged man spoke sharply. It was Zhi Fu, the third brother of her father, Zhi He—her third uncle. "This is a serious matter. We are discussing leadership for someone capable of running the company."
"The Zhi market share has already dropped to 18%, and the stock prices are falling," added another man seated three seats to the left—Fa Guang, one of Zhi Fu's close allies. "If this isn't resolved immediately, countless employees will be affected."
Whispers filled the room. Opinions overlapped. Accusations were subtly exchanged.
Zhi Lia watched them with thinly veiled mockery.
On the surface, they pretended concern for the company's welfare. In truth, they were only terrified of losing profits.
Amid the noise, a soft chuckle echoed.
"Uncle Fu," Zhi Lia said, her gaze turning icy, "do I look like I'm joking?"
Her calm tone was enough to silence the room.
"And as for capability," she continued lazily, "who exactly do you think is qualified to sit here? Your son, Zhi Hao?"
Zhi Fu's expression darkened.
Did she see through our plan? No… that's impossible. She just returned from Europe. What could she possibly know?
"Eldest Young Miss, you are misunderstanding. We have not decided on anyone yet," Zhi Fu replied firmly.
Zhi Lia leaned back in her chair, completely at ease.
"But Uncle, Zhi Hao has always been your most promising candidate. You've placed him in key departments, trained him carefully, and waited patiently for this opportunity." She glanced at her neatly manicured nails. "A clever plan."
Her fourth uncle, Zhi Jian, spoke up this time.
"Even if Zhi Hao is young, he has proven capable of handling major company matters. We have been considering him for some time."
Zhi Lia looked at him with faint amusement.
Zhi Jian had no son—only a daughter, Zhi Qiao, notorious for her incompetence. Of course he would side with Zhi Fu. An alliance was his only path to influence.
"Irrespective of whether he is capable or not," Zhi Lia said indifferently, "that has nothing to do with me. By right, I am qualified to sit here."
Her uncles' faces turned red with anger.
"Eldest Young Miss," another shareholder, Chuang Hua—clearly one of Zhi Fu's supporters—interjected, "the CEO position is not inherited simply by bloodline. The one who holds the largest share has the right to lead."
"I'm aware," Zhi Lia replied calmly.
"Then you should know," Zhi Fu slammed his palm on the table, "you cannot be CEO because you hold no shares!"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"And who told you that I don't hold any shares?"
The shareholders stared at her in disbelief.
"How could she possibly own shares?" their expressions clearly asked.
"Your father holds 19%," Zhi Fu continued sharply. "Those shares have not been transferred to you or to the Young Master. Legally, he remains CEO, though his condition prevents him from serving."
"Uncle Zhi Fu," Zhi Lia interrupted smoothly, "you mentioned that the largest shareholder inherits the position. If I recall correctly, you hold 13%—the second-highest percentage."
Her gaze locked onto his.
"Why haven't you taken the position yourself? Why wait until now?"
The room turned to look at Zhi Fu.
He was momentarily speechless.
Of course he had not taken the seat. His plan was simple—secure the CEO position temporarily, then gradually transfer authority to his son, solidifying their branch's control over the main family.
This brat… How does she know about my shares? She just arrived! How could she disrupt everything so quickly?
Before he could respond, Zhi Lia continued.
"As Mr. Shuo Hao said, this meeting is important. So let us settle the matter of my eligibility."
She raised her hand slightly.
Shen Hiro stepped forward, distributing a black folder to each shareholder before returning to her side.
"What is this?" someone muttered.
"Open it," Zhi Lia replied coldly. "You'll understand."
Reluctantly, they opened the folders.
Inside were official transfer documents, acquisition contracts, and notarized agreements.
As they read, their expressions changed dramatically.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Then dread.
The shareholders allied with Zhi Fu looked particularly pale, their earlier confidence crumbling with every page they turned.
No one noticed that several discreetly dressed bodyguards had quietly entered the conference hall, positioning themselves near the exits.
Zhi Lia folded her hands on the table, her gaze calm yet piercing.
Her real show was only just beginning.
And none of them had any idea what was about to unfold.