KNOCK, KNOCK!

An urgent knock sounded at the door.

Qin Luoli instantly sat up straight, adjusted her clothes, and said, "Come in!"

In a flash, she resumed her image as a formidable businesswoman.

This left Lin Mu secretly astonished. If this woman went into acting, she could definitely become a top star overnight.

"President Qin, this is terrible! The vice president from Tianxiang Group is here and insists on seeing you," the secretary, Lu Yao, walked in with a tense expression.

"President Wei? What is he doing here?"

Qin Luoli's heart tightened with a sense of unease. Tianxiang Group, which had also started in cosmetics, had always maintained a close cooperative relationship with the Qin Corporation. A visit from their vice president at a time like this was definitely not a good sign.

"They…"

Before Lu Yao could finish, a group of people walked through the doorway.

The man in the lead was in his forties, dressed in a well-fitted suit with impeccably groomed hair that exuded the authority of a vice president. This was none other than Wei Yan, the vice president of the Tianxiang Group.

"President Qin, you truly are a busy person. It's not easy to get a chance to see you," Wei Yan said as soon as he walked in, his tone accusatory.

"President Wei, please take a seat. Lu Yao, make some coffee for our guests," Qin Luoli said, standing up to shake his hand and show them to their seats.

Wei Yan glanced around Qin Luoli's office. The desk was covered with unfinished paperwork, while another table held the remains of a meal that had yet to be cleared. On the sofa sat a young man.

This young man didn't seem like anyone important, probably just a low-level employee.

Indeed, when Wei Yan noticed the young man quietly clearing the table, his suspicions were confirmed.

He paid Lin Mu no further mind.

"President Wei, the office is a bit messy. I hope you don't mind," Qin Luoli said after everyone was seated. "May I ask the reason for your personal visit today?"

Wei Yan's brow furrowed. "Aren't you feigning ignorance, President Qin?"

Qin Luoli sighed. "I've been quite preoccupied lately and haven't had the time to visit your company. It was discourteous of me. I'll find an opportunity to visit President Huang."

The chairman of Tianxiang Group was named Huang Tianxiang. She was also a powerful woman in the business world and considered one of Qin Luoli's seniors, so the offer was reasonable.

"There's no need," Wei Yan chuckled. He reached out for a document from his assistant and slapped it onto the table. "President Qin, this is our cooperation contract with your company."

Qin Luoli's beautiful eyes narrowed. "President Wei, what is the meaning of this?"

"President Qin, why don't you look at the contract before we talk?" Wei Yan said, a smile on his face.

Qin Luoli casually flipped through the contract, her expression growing darker with every page. It was the cooperation agreement between the Qin Corporation and Tianxiang Group, which clearly outlined the development plans for both companies for the coming years. According to the contract, Tianxiang Group would provide raw materials while Qin Corporation handled research and development. The final profits were to be divided, with Tianxiang Group taking 30% and the Qin Corporation 70%.

Those were the terms that had been previously agreed upon. But now, next to the profit-sharing clause, was a line of handwritten text: *Tianxiang Group takes 50%, Qin Corporation takes 30%, remainder to be determined.*

Besides that clause, numerous other changes had been marked with a pen.

SLAM!

Qin Luoli fiercely shut the contract and glared at Wei Yan. "President Wei, is the Tianxiang Group trying to take advantage of our current crisis?"

Wei Yan chuckled. "No need to be so hasty, President Qin. On my way here, President Huang specifically instructed that everything is negotiable—except for the profit-sharing clause."

"Impossible!" Qin Luoli was so angry her chest heaved as she stared at Wei Yan. "On this point alone, there is no negotiation!"

"Fine, then we won't discuss it," Wei Yan said indifferently. "After all, besides our Tianxiang Group, I can't think of any other company in all of River City that could provide such a large quantity of raw materials. You at the Qin Corporation know your current situation better than I do, so I won't elaborate. But I can guarantee one thing: without the Tianxiang Group, the Qin Corporation won't last much longer."

Wei Yan was telling the truth. Besides cosmetics, the Qin Corporation was also involved in the luxury goods industry, but its investments in that sector were minimal. Qin Luoli, however, had invested a massive sum into cosmetics. If their supply of raw materials was cut off, the Qin Corporation would suffer a devastating blow. And throughout all of River City, only the Tianxiang Group could provide such a vast amount of raw materials, because its chairman, Huang Tianxiang, had her own unique methods for procuring them.

"You're taking advantage of us!" Qin Luoli said furiously. "Our contract clearly states that if one party unilaterally changes the terms, the other has the right to terminate the agreement, and all losses will be borne by the party in breach."

"President Wei, is the Tianxiang Group truly willing to pay a massive penalty just to change the contract?"

Before Wei Yan could speak, a young man beside him spoke up with a smile. "We are."

Qin Luoli's beautiful eyes narrowed.

The young man pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and said, "President Huang's intentions are clear. If the profits cannot be reallocated, the Tianxiang Group will breach the contract, even if it means paying the penalty."

Qin Luoli snorted coldly. "This is too important. I need to speak with President Huang in person. You don't have the authority!"

"President Qin, you might not know this yet," Wei Yan said with a smirk. "This is President Huang's nephew, just over from Southern Sky. President Huang has given him full authority in this matter."

The young man flicked some non-existent dust from his clothes and extended a hand toward Qin Luoli. "Hello. My name is Huang Wei. It's a pleasure."

Huang Wei brazenly sized up Qin Luoli, his gaze extremely invasive.

His aunt had personally told him the president of the Qin Corporation was an ice beauty. If he could win her over, it would be a huge boon for both him and the Tianxiang Group. That's why she had taught him plenty of methods before he came.

Qin Luoli ignored Huang Wei's outstretched hand and stared at Wei Yan with cold eyes.

Wei Yan said lightly, "Of course, President Huang also said that if President Qin is unwilling to agree, there is another option. It would not only guarantee our continued supply of raw materials, but the Tianxiang Group would also unconditionally support the Qin Corporation through its current crisis."

A faint smile played on Huang Wei's face.

Clearly, he knew what the other option was.

"That is... President Qin could try dating Mr. Huang Wei," Wei Yan said, a cold smirk in his eyes as he finally revealed his true colors.

"What?" Qin Luoli shot to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. "Impossible! I'll never agree!"

"Hehe, it doesn't matter if you agree or not," Huang Wei chuckled. "If you don't, then the cooperation between our companies ends here."

Qin Luoli's expression turned grim. If she couldn't reach an agreement this time, the Qin Corporation would be in grave danger. Huang Tianxiang was exploiting her predicament with this outrageous demand.

But to actually agree to Huang Tianxiang's conditions would be tantamount to pushing the Qin Corporation into the abyss.

"President Qin, I'll give you one day to think about it. When you've made up your mind, come find me," Huang Wei said. He took a key card from his bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Qin Luoli.

"You…"

Qin Luoli wished she could tear Huang Wei to pieces. This bastard... he was actually trying to force her...

"There's no need to consider it."

Just as Qin Luoli was about to explode, a chilling voice drifted in from outside.

"No one threatens my wife!"

"So, get lost!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.