How to survive as a villain in a novel！66.67%

Chapter6:Are you out of you mind?

Several high-level executives were arguing fiercely.

One group insisted that the medicine should not be destroyed.

The batch was too expensive, and destroying such a large quantity would alert the pharmaceutical regulatory authorities. The losses wouldn't just be limited to the cost of the raw materials, fine ingredients, and processing—it could even shake the foundation of the company and damage the brand's market reputation.

The losses would be incalculable.

The other group was adamant: if the medicine wasn't up to standard, it couldn't be labeled, shipped, or sold. No way!

The two sides were at each other's throats.

Ryan sat with his head in his hands, his mind racing.

Why is everything so messed up?

When it rains, it pours. All the bad luck seems to come at once.

This isn't even part of the original plot! What's going on? Can the system just change the story whenever it wants?

Is Leo even involved in this part?

And what's up with Sophia? Why is she suddenly trying to ruin me?

Just then, the door burst open, and everyone immediately stood up.

"Good afternoon, Miss Wilson!"

The room erupted in greetings as Sophia walked in.

Ryan was stunned. What's she doing here?

Sophia sat down across the circular table, smiling sweetly at Ryan. "Ryan, I've heard about the situation. How do you plan to handle it?"

"Uh…"

Ryan's mind raced.

[This batch of medicine absolutely cannot be shipped. It has to be destroyed!]

Sophia's eyes widened in shock. She stared at Ryan as if seeing him for the first time.

Destroy it?

That's his real intention!?

[Got it! I'll say we should ship it as is, and she'll definitely oppose me. There's no way she'll let this batch go out.]

[If she's annoyed enough, she'll probably leave me alone after this. I'll use this chance to argue with her, then withdraw my shares. That's the plan!]

[I'm such a genius!]

Ryan grinned and walked over to Sophia. "Sophia, here's the thing. The cost of this batch is too high. Cutting back on the fine ingredients was my idea. Sure, the effectiveness might be slightly reduced, but it's herbal medicine—it's not like it's going to kill anyone!"

"But if we destroy it, the regulatory authorities will get involved. We'll have to hold a press conference, and the whole company will be ruined! The reputation of our ninth pharmaceutical plant will be destroyed! The stock price will crash, right? Sales will plummet, and we'll lose a ton of money!"

"We'll silence everyone who knows about this. We need to stand firm and make the tough call. Right?"

Ryan smiled at Sophia, anxiously thinking:

[Yell at me, yell at me! Oppose me, oppose me!]

[I'll withdraw my shares, and you can take over as the majority shareholder. From now on, we'll go our separate ways and never bother each other again.]

[You can go ahead and date Leo, join his harem, and we'll each live our own lives without getting in each other's way.]

Sophia wasn't fooled.

She knew Ryan had already decided to destroy the medicine.

But why was he trying to make her do it?

Since when did he develop a conscience?

And why is he avoiding me like the plague?

Does he really think I'm so desperate that I'd join Leo's harem?

Sophia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ryan, I completely agree with you! The company really needs you to steer the ship in times like these."

Ryan's smile froze.

He stared at Sophia as if she were a stranger.

"Sophia, did you mishear me? I said we should label and ship the medicine, sell it…"

"Exactly!" Sophia said cheerfully. "That's what I think too!"

Ryan shook his head, feeling like his world was falling apart.

[What the hell is going on!?]

[Sophia, the compassionate healer, how can you agree to this? This is the kind of thing that curses your descendants! Have you lost your mind?]

Ryan forced a smile. "Sophia, think carefully. This is medicine! What's medicine for? Saving lives! If the medicine isn't up to standard, it could harm patients. Think about it—thousands of people could be affected by our medicine… you get it, right?"

"I get it, I totally get it." Sophia had made up her mind.

This was a game of chicken.

Both of them had secretly decided that the medicine couldn't be shipped, but neither wanted to be the one to say it.

The difference was, Sophia already knew Ryan's true intentions, while Ryan was still in the dark.

Sophia had already won.

The little devil smiled innocently. "It's just a batch of medicine. What's the big deal? If it delays someone's treatment, that's their own fault for getting sick in the first place. Right, Ryan?"

"But we've spent a fortune on this. If we don't recoup the costs, the company will suffer huge losses. Ryan, I support you! Here, I'll sign the documents. Let's ship this batch today and get it all out within three days!"

The contract was brought forward, and Sophia picked up a pen, ready to sign.

Seeing Sophia about to sign, Ryan panicked. He slammed his hand down on the document, glaring at her.

Sophia blinked innocently. "Ryan, what's wrong?"

Ryan was trembling with anger. He was deeply disappointed in Sophia.

[Don't call me 'brother' anymore. You're my dad!]

"Sophia, are you… really sure about this?"

"Of course!" Sophia said sweetly. "I trust you, Ryan. Whatever you say, I'll follow."

Ryan hung his head, feeling like he was about to explode.

He snatched the document and tore it to pieces.

Leaning on the table, he said in a low voice, "Report to the regulatory authorities. We're destroying this batch immediately. Ask them to send someone to supervise."

"At the same time, launch an internal investigation. Review the workflow of all relevant departments."

"Investigate the personnel responsible for procuring the fine ingredients. Revoke their professional qualifications and hand them over to the judicial authorities."

Sophia smiled. She had won.

Jack was on the verge of a breakdown. "Ryan, this batch is worth over six hundred million! Six hundred million! Think about it! You and Miss Wilson already agreed…"

"Shut up!" Ryan vented all his anger and frustration on Jack, deliberately scolding him for everyone else to hear:

"Since when does a security captain get to meddle in company affairs? Do I not have any authority here?"

"This is medicine! Medicine! It's meant to save lives!"

"Listen up, all of you. If even one box, one bottle, or one pill of this batch leaves the factory, I'll rip your head off and use it as a soccer ball!"

"Not just today. From now on, if anyone dares to cut corners with the ingredients, I'll send them to prison and throw away the key!"

"Even if it's six billion, sixty billion, or six hundred billion… I'll let it rot in this factory. Not a single grain of it will leave here!"

Ryan turned to Sophia. "What do you think, Miss Wilson?"

Sophia smiled.

This time, it was a genuine smile of relief.

She suddenly felt like she didn't know Ryan as well as she thought she did.

This guy was nothing like the person she remembered from childhood.

Were all those rumors about him bullying others and doing whatever he wanted even true? Could they have been wrong?

And that outburst just now… it was kind of hot.

"Ryan, I told you. You're in charge. Whatever you say, I'll follow."

Ryan stared at Sophia's triumphant expression and finally realized.

[This little devil knew from the start that I wouldn't let this batch be shipped!?]

[Hasn't she heard anything about my reputation? I'm supposed to be the villain who bullies others, does whatever he wants, and cares only about profit! How dare she play me like this?]

[Something's wrong. Something's definitely wrong!]

Sophia stood up, smiling. "Ryan, my birthday is next week. I'm inviting you to my party. As for this mess, I'll leave it to you."

Sophia walked out, completely at ease.

She had Ryan figured out. There was no way he'd let anything shady happen at the pharmaceutical plant.

He didn't have it in him.

Sitting in her car, Sophia felt a mix of emotions.

When she'd agreed to ship the medicine, the look of disappointment in Ryan's eyes… it was as if he were the good guy, and she were the villain of Snow City.

But today, he'd actually impressed her.

The way he'd been flustered, trying so hard to outwit her, only to be pushed to the brink of collapse… it had been so much fun!

Thinking about it, Sophia couldn't help but laugh.

Her secretary team exchanged confused glances. The head secretary cautiously asked, "Miss Wilson, what's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing."

Sophia tried to keep a straight face, but the memory of Ryan's frustrated expression made her burst out laughing again.

-------------------------

That evening, as the city lights came on, Emily was restless.

Ryan's behavior was too strange.

Why could she suddenly hear his thoughts?

And how did he know exactly what Leo would do?

He seemed terrified of Leo, but they'd never even met before!

Of everyone present today, only she knew how skilled Leo was. So how did Ryan sense the danger Leo posed?

There were too many mysteries.

This guy… for over three years, he'd claimed to love me, pursued me… was it all a lie?

Now that Leo's shown up, he's backing off? He doesn't even dare to compete?

Her secretary knocked on the door and peeked in. "Miss Bennett, are you heading out?"

"Huh? Oh." Emily collected her thoughts. "Yes, let's go."

Something felt off, like something was missing…

That's right. Someone was missing.

For three years, at this exact time, a certain clingy, lovesick fool would always be waiting at the entrance, dressed in a flashy suit, holding flowers, and spouting cringy pickup lines.

Every day, she'd had to endure his harassment and insincere flattery, embarrassing herself in front of the entire company.

But today, he wasn't there. The empty entrance felt… lonely.

Walking down the hallway, the sound of her high heels echoed coldly.

One secretary whispered, "Huh? Why does it feel so quiet today?"

Another blurted out, "Ryan didn't come!"

"Oh, that's it! Yeah, he's usually here by now, talking nonstop."

Emily shot them a glare. "Do you have nothing better to do?"

The secretaries quickly fell silent as the group reached the elevator.

Emily felt uneasy.

What's wrong with me?

Didn't I always wish Ryan would stay away from me?

Didn't I pray for him to disappear from this world?

Now that he's gone, why do I feel like this?

Emily was irritated.

At the entrance, a girl whose job was to collect the flowers Ryan brought every day was waiting. Seeing Emily and the others empty-handed, she looked confused.

She glanced behind Emily, but Ryan was nowhere to be seen.

Emily said flatly, "He didn't come today."

Sitting in her car, Emily grew even more agitated.

It was as if, without Ryan, her life had suddenly changed…

The frustration gnawed at her for a while before she finally picked up her phone. "Ryan? I need to see you."

The line was noisy. "Huh? What? Speak up, I can't hear you!"

A woman's voice came through the phone. "Ryan, come drink with me!"

"Hold on, I'm on the phone. Miss Bennett, I'm a bit busy right now. Let's talk another time!"

Click. The call ended.

Emily was furious. She turned to her driver. "Find out where Ryan is. We're going to see him."