Scandal

Christian didn't know Chairman Wang, nor was he familiar with the cruise ship, but he could read the expressions of the surrounding directors and see the pale, humiliated look on Saira's face.

He wanted desperately to ask what had happened, but the words wouldn't come out.

Dalia glared angrily. "Zuri, shut your mouth! What nonsense are you spouting? If you don't want to help the Lin family through this crisis, there's no need to resort to such despicable means."

Zuri didn't argue. Instead, she took out her phone, dialed a number, and put it on speaker. The call was quickly answered.

Chairman Wang's obsequious voice came through the speaker, "Miss Zuri, what a surprise to receive your call."

As a former director of the Lin Group, Chairman Wang was well known to everyone present. He was the type who looked down on others, yet here he was, speaking to Zuri with such flattery, making the surrounding directors increasingly wary of underestimating her.

"That day on the cruise, did Aaron bring his daughter along?" Zuri asked.

Dalia sensed that things were going awry. She jumped up and rushed forward, trying to grab the phone.

Two bodyguards immediately stepped in front of her, preventing her from getting any closer.

Chairman Wang, understanding the situation, chuckled and said, "Director Lin is as sharp as ever, with father and daughter both on the job."

"May your business continue to thrive, Chairman Wang."

"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Zuri."

The call ended, leaving Dalia and Saira ashen-faced.

Christian looked at the woman beside him in disbelief.

Seeing the disgust in Christian's eyes, Saira reached out, trying to touch him, but he pushed her away.

"Brother, it's not what you think. I'll explain everything when we get back."

"I don't want to hear it."

Christian stood up and left.

He couldn't stay here another moment.

"Wait."

Christian ignored her. Two bodyguards stepped forward, blocking his way.

"Move."

The bodyguards stared at him impassively.

Christian turned to Zuri. "Tell your men to step aside."

Zuri turned her chair and looked at him with a smile. "No rush. Once the shareholders' meeting is over, you can go wherever you want. Since you're in such a hurry to leave, let's speed things up."

Zuri stood up, leaned slightly forward with her hands on the table, and swept her gaze across the shareholders present. "Gentlemen, given that Director Lin is old, muddled, and has caused the company to suffer repeated losses, and more importantly, due to personal reasons, has led to a sharp decline in the company's stock price, I propose a vote to remove Director Lin from all his positions. Let's vote."

"Our Lin family holds 35% of the shares," Christian said in a low voice.

Zuri smacked her forehead in mock regret and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, I talked for so long and forgot to mention, I hold 38% of the company's shares, just a little more than you."

More than 10%, or more, would have been infuriating.

But just 3% more, just that little bit more, was enough to thoroughly disgust someone.

At least, it disgusted Christian.

Zuri paid him no mind. "Directors, if you support my proposal, please raise your hands."

Those who had remained neutral raised their hands one after another. As for those close to the Lin family, their expressions varied; some frowned, others were deep in thought.

Suddenly, Director Zhao, who had the closest ties to the Lin family, raised his hand.

The other shareholders, who had been hesitating and observing, followed suit.

Director Zhao, who had been the Lin family's confidant, had betrayed them, leaving the others with no reason to hesitate.

Christian shouted, "Uncle Zhao, you were my father's best friend!"

Director Zhao, with a look of distress and sorrow, said, "Christian, my family relies on this money to live. It's true that your father is my friend, but he really is at the age where he should be resting. As his son, you should understand."

What shamelessness!

Christian finally witnessed it firsthand, feeling so angry that he wanted to rush up and punch him.

"Unanimously passed," Zuri said with a smile. "Director Lin is no longer a director. This company cannot go a day without a leader. I, as a junior, will take the liberty of recommending myself for the position. I wonder if the shareholders present support or oppose this? If you support it, please raise your hand."

Christian was the first to speak. "I oppose."

Zuri completely ignored him, and the other shareholders also directly dismissed his presence.

To them, the Lin family no longer existed.

If Aaron were standing here today, he might still command some fear and respect, but Christian, the prodigal son, was looked down upon by everyone.

Director Ma spoke up, "If I still held shares, I'd be the first to support it."

The other shareholders who had sold their shares nodded in agreement.

Just as everyone was watching, Director Zhao raised his hand again. "I cast my vote."

Before Zuri became a shareholder, Director Zhao, with his 8% stake, was the second-largest shareholder in the group.

His 8%, combined with Zuri's shares, was more than enough.

With Director Zhao leading the way, other shareholders began to raise their hands. Except for Christian's vote, it was a unanimous decision.

Director Ma led the applause. "Congratulations to Miss Zuri for becoming the group's director."

Everyone followed suit with applause.

Someone started to flatter her, "Miss Zuri must be the youngest director in the city. Truly remarkable for someone so young."

Christian's face turned ugly, and he glared venomously at these traitors.

He looked at the bodyguards blocking his way and said angrily, "Move."

Now that the group had changed hands, the Lin family had completely lost face. Staying here any longer would only bring more humiliation.

The bodyguards remained unmoved. Without Zuri's order, the Lin family couldn't leave the conference room.

Zuri had waited long enough and planned carefully.

There was no way she would let the Lin family miss out on being the audience to this spectacle.

Christian, fuming, lashed out, swinging a fist at one of the bodyguards.

The bodyguard caught his fist with precision, twisted his arm, and threw him over his shoulder. With a heavy thud, Christian was slammed onto the floor, curling up in pain like a cooked shrimp.

The bodyguard's swift and decisive moves caught the attention of the shareholders, revealing their true nature.

At first glance, these bodyguards looked like regular security personnel, but once they took action, the difference was clear.

These bodyguards had been specially trained, not just decorative security from some agency.

Leo had insisted she bring them when he learned she was attending the shareholders' meeting, using a reason she couldn't refuse.

She still remembered what Leo had said.

"Bring them along; they'll be useful. If those shareholders don't behave, these guys will make them behave. With them around, no one will dare bully you."

And so, Leo had insisted on assigning this group of bodyguards to Zuri.

As for the top lawyer Brayden by her side, it was purely a coincidence that he happened to be on a business trip in Oceanic City. When he heard she was heading to Lin's, he tagged along to join the fun.

Zuri's formidable team had come together purely by chance.