The shareholders stared at the documents in their hands, disbelief written all over their faces.
It was an official transfer agreement—every legal seal intact—stating that Zhi Ju Long had transferred all of his shares to Zhi Lia.
Zhi Ju Long, the Old Master, had been one of the most powerful figures in Zhi Corporation. During his reign, he had amassed 33% of the company's shares—the highest percentage held by any individual.
For years, he had remained silent, even when the company faced internal disputes. His lack of visible action had made some of them forget his existence.
And that had been their biggest mistake.
Never had it crossed their minds that the Old Master would transfer his entire 33% stake to the Eldest Young Miss.
If it had been only a portion, perhaps they could have endured it.
But all of it?
Thirty-three percent was no small matter.
Some of them had struggled for years just to secure a mere 2% or 4%, spending money and exhausting every connection they had.
They all remembered that among the Zhi siblings, the one the Old Master favored most was Zhi Lia. When he moved back to Europe, he had taken her with him.
Now, with all of his shares legally transferred to her, she not only had the right to sit in that seat—she had the power to command it.
Who would dare say she was unqualified?
Only a fool would bark without understanding the situation.
"So," Zhi Lia said calmly, leaning back in the CEO's chair as if she were passing final judgment, "do any of you still question my right to sit here?"
Her eyes were blank, yet oppressive.
Most of the shareholders lowered their heads in reluctant acceptance.
But not all.
"Hmph!" Zhi Fu snorted. "Even if you are the new CEO, you have no experience running the company. Who knows whether you can resolve its current predicament?"
"Uncle Fu," Zhi Lia replied coldly, "whether I have experience or not is none of your concern. I suggest you start worrying about yourself."
She raised her slender fingers slightly.
Two towering bodyguards immediately stepped forward and seized Zhi Fu from his seat.
"Zhi Lia! What is the meaning of this?!" he roared, struggling violently.
"I'm removing you from the board," she said flatly. "And I'll be reclaiming your shares."
"Zhi Lia! You dare?!"
"Of course I dare," she replied without emotion. "What can you do about it?"
"I am your blood family!"
The room grew colder.
"Blood family?" Zhi Lia's gaze sharpened dangerously. "Third Uncle, you should never have mentioned that word to me."
Her voice dropped.
"You colluded with the Yao Family to manipulate the market and deliberately drive down Zhi Corporation's stock value. That alone is enough for dismissal. But you also interfered with my father's treatment and committed numerous illegal acts behind the company's back."
She tilted her head slightly, mockery evident in her eyes.
"So tell me—should I still treat you as blood?"
Silence.
Zhi Fu's face turned from red to pale, then ashen.
Kin or not, anyone who harmed her family would pay the price.
Her ruthlessness in dealing with enemies had earned her a name in certain circles—a devil in human skin. If not for her grandfather's restraint, Zhi Fu would have already faced consequences far worse than dismissal.
Before he could speak again, Zhi Lia began calling out more names—her fourth uncle and several shareholders aligned with them.
Shen Hiro stepped forward, holding a thick red folder. Inside were detailed records: forged contracts, bribery transactions, embezzlement, market manipulation—years of illegal dealings conducted under the company's name.
As the documents were distributed, panic spread like wildfire.
"This isn't true!"
"We've been framed!"
"It was Zhi Fu! He forced us!"
The once-united allies immediately began blaming one another.
The moment they attempted to approach Zhi Lia, the bodyguards blocked their path.
Even the actions they had committed a decade ago had been unearthed.
How could she know all this? She just returned from Europe!
"Zhi Lia! You can't do this! I've dedicated years to this company!" Zhi Fu shouted desperately.
Zhi Lia did not even spare him a glance.
The most dangerous thing in a battlefield was not the enemy—it was the ally who betrayed you.
"Escort them out," she said casually.
The bodyguards dragged them away despite their protests, causing a commotion that echoed throughout the executive floor.
When the doors finally closed, silence returned to the conference hall.
There had originally been eleven shareholders.
Now, only five remained.
None of them dared to speak.
They sat stiffly, still dazed by what had just unfolded.
At the center of the table, Zhi Lia calmly flipped through another document as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
Looking at her, they felt small.
Detached.
She seemed untouchable—cold, decisive, merciless. An embodiment of authority itself.
Kin or not, she would spare no one.
"I know all of you were aware of what they were doing," she said without looking up. "What angers me more is that you chose to remain silent."
A chill ran down their spines.
"If it were up to me, I would replace every shareholder I cannot fully trust. However…" she paused, finally lifting her gaze, "because of your past contributions, your clean records, and your loyalty to my grandfather and father, I am making an exception."
The meaning behind her words was clear.
Absolute loyalty—or elimination.
Their previous relationships would not protect them next time.
The remaining shareholders nodded quickly, cold sweat forming on their backs.
At that moment, the doors opened again.
Four elderly figures and two young men entered the room.
"They are the new shareholders of Zhi Corporation," Shen Hiro announced formally.
The power structure of the company had shifted completely.
After the internal purge, the meeting resumed in a much quieter atmosphere.
Under the leadership of its new CEO, Zhi Corporation was about to enter a new era—one forged by iron will and absolute control.