One down

The Next Day

Rolf drove Jazmine Harrison to the Tang Enterprise complex.

As they approached, a sea of protesters flooded the entrance—employees, media personnel, and hired agitators waving banners with accusations.

Jazmine lowered the tinted window slightly, glancing out with a scoff.

"The crowd is barely half of what I expected. In my last life, the revolt was three times this size."

She didn't realize that her earlier act of kindness toward a mere receptionist had changed the course of events.

An employee had recorded the incident—Jazmine standing up for a junior staff member, Emily Carrol backing her up, and the firm yet just way she handled the situation.

The video had gone viral within Tang Enterprise's internal network, touching hearts and causing many employees to reconsider their stance.

Many who had initially planned to join the riot had decided against it.

But there were still plenty left.

As she stepped out of the car, dozens of bodyguards immediately surrounded her, anticipating trouble.

A familiar figure strode toward her from a distance—Emily Carrol, her expression sharp as she scanned the mob.

"President, I fear this isn't just Osbert's doing," Emily murmured. "There's another force backing him. Even mainstream media reporters are here. He couldn't have done this alone."

Jazmine's lips curled into an amused smile.

"The bigger the ruckus he causes, the better for us."

Emily hesitated. "Then… what do you need me to do?"

Jazmine's gaze flickered with confidence. "Go and note down every media channel present here today."

Emily clenched her fists, still reluctant to leave Jazmine in this mess alone.

But when she met her President's steady gaze, her shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Understood," she finally said.

Jazmine reformed the professional smile on her lips and walked toward the heart of the chaos, her gait unshakable.

Facing the Media Onslaught

The moment Jazmine appeared, a swarm of reporters pounced.

Cameras flashed. Microphones were shoved toward her.

"President Harrison, is it true that you fired fifty employees without reason?"

"These employees have families! How are they supposed to survive?"

"Do you have evidence of their betrayal, or are you just shifting blame for your failures?"

"Many are saying you're an inexperienced novice who will be the downfall of Tang Enterprise. What do you say to that?"

"Are you going to rehire the fired employees and admit your mistake?"

Jazmine's serene smile never wavered.

A chilling coldness flickered in her eyes.

"Within thirty minutes, you'll have answers to all your questions."

"President Harrison, but—"

She raised a hand, silencing the crowd effortlessly.

"For now, excuse me. I need to negotiate terms with the event's organizer."

Her gaze shifted and pierced straight through Osbert, standing at a distance with his smug grin.

He was enjoying this—watching the media rip into her, believing he had the upper hand.

Her bodyguards parted the crowd as she stepped forward.

As she reached him, Osbert straightened, assuming an air of righteousness.

"President Harrison," he began, "we've served this company for ten years. We've worked day and night to make Tang Enterprise what it is today. How could you treat us so unjustly? We demand justice!"

Behind him, his supporters raised their voices.

"If you fire our colleagues today, you could fire us tomorrow!"

"Take back your decision, or we all resign!"

"Without us, Tang Enterprise won't last a day!"

Banners waved. Fists were raised.

But under their accusing and wrathful glares, Jazmine remained calm.

Her smile was steady.

"Good," she said. "If you have served this company loyally, you deserve a second chance. Osbert, come to my office. We'll negotiate terms."

Osbert blinked, momentarily thrown off.

He had expected resistance—not an invitation.

But thinking it was a chance to force her into submission, he agreed.

Inside Jazmine's office, Osbert's smug confidence crumbled.

His hands trembled as he wiped away the sweat pooling on his forehead.

His heart pounded violently.

On the desk before him lay irrefutable evidence—documents, transaction records, video footage.

"The mall project. The theme park. The boutique. Every one of those projects failed because sensitive information was leaked… to Anderson Enterprise."

Jazmine's voice was calm, but lethal.

"This evidence is enough to charge you with fraud and corruption. Not only would you owe us millions in damages, but if I take this to court—

She leaned in slightly.

"Your life as you know it is over."

Osbert's throat was dry. "P-President, I—"

He was completely at her mercy.

Jazmine leaned back in her chair, fingers interlinked, her smile blossoming.

"Even if I let this slide, the shareholders won't. You'll be buried in lawsuits, debts, and disgrace. Tell me, Osbert—how old are you? Fifty?"

Her voice turned almost mocking.

"You'll die in prison. Your wife might remarry and forget you. Or maybe she won't—maybe she'll end up on the streets, begging for food. Did you ever think about this when you started scheming?"

Osbert's hands shook. He looked like he might faint.

"In just a few minutes, I could walk outside, show this evidence to the media, and your revolt would collapse."

"Then why…" his voice cracked, "…did you invite me in?"

Jazmine's eyes gleamed. "Because my goal was never to destroy you."

She placed a document before him.

With trembling hands, Osbert picked it up.

It was an agreement.

The only way out.

Jazmine's voice was soft.

"You have a wife and children. I'm giving you an opportunity. Use it wisely."

He had no choice.

Osbert signed.

With unsteady steps, he exited the office.

The moment he reappeared, reporters swarmed him.

"Mr. Osbert, have you reached an agreement?"

"Did President Harrison concede to your demands?"

Osbert took a deep breath.

"I am here to confess. The accusations in our termination letters were justified. We did betray Tang Enterprise."

The crowd gasped.

"Earlier, I was confident because I assumed President Harrison had no evidence. But she does."

He exhaled sharply.

"President Harrison has been benevolent. As part of our off-court settlement, I will hand over all my properties—both national and foreign—to Tang Enterprise."

The media went wild.

And then came the final blow.

"As for the true instigator of this revolt… it was Victor Smith."

Victor Smith.

The mastermind.