Chapter 18: Who’s the Real Winner?

赖音没心情听.他打断了沈明的思路."沈女士,你下一步要去哪里?医院已经为你预约了,但宜都已经安排了上午 10 点在汇丰与你见面.突然的谈话转移让沈明想起了手头的重要事情."让我们暂时推迟医院预约.我很好奇一度有什么借口,"她回答道,在荣兆南的车加速离开时下了车.车内,荣兆南用手指轻轻抚摸着他的拇指,陷入了沉思.在前排座位上,卓航递过来一台平板电脑,上面显示着最新收集的数据."荣总,那天晚上在酒店的监控录像已经找回来了."镜头从尽头展示了走廊,捕捉到了酒会结束后,荣兆南在助手的护送下进入套房的那一刻.十分钟后,一个踉踉跄跄的顾风出现在画面中.她的表情茫然,与平时的自己相比,这是一种不寻常的景象.顾枫徘徊在走廊中间,就在这时,摄像机拍到了沈明和她的助手.助理扶着顾峰走开,视频中,沈明的脸色清晰,甚至还在笑容满面.不到一分钟,她就转身走进了总统套房.从镜头中,她的脸上没有醉酒的迹象.她是不是误闯进来了,喝醉了?坐在副驾驶座上的卓航回头看了一眼一直在默默回放镜头的荣兆南.荣兆南没有说什么,车里充满了紧张的寂静.他反复揉搓着拇指,表情难以捉摸.最后,他暂停了视频,露出她淡淡的,几乎难以察觉的微笑."她微笑时比哭泣时看起来更好看,"他咕哝道."荣总,"卓航打断了他,他的声音紧张,举起了震动的手机."顾风小姐在打电话.我应该回答吗?容兆南的目光依旧恍惚,依旧笼罩着什么未说出口的东西,他回答道:"告诉她,今晚我会为她安排一顿小晚餐.

上午 10 点 at 汇丰银行

沈明赶来会见了宜都的谈判代表.令她惊讶的是,等待她的是江少墨本人.她惊讶地微微睁大了眼睛,一向如此敏锐的江少墨瞬间捕捉到了她的目光.他们坐在大楼的四楼,一个露天阳台上.视野延伸到远处的青山.如果不是江少墨的邀请,沈明绝对不可能进入这样的地方.汇丰金融中心不是她可以自己走进的那种地方.江少墨解散了所有的助手,以极度的绅士风度坐下.在开始做生意之前,他先问她:"你想喝什么?咖啡还是茶?"请拿铁."咖啡上桌后,沈明缓缓啜了一口,享受着浓郁的味道.这是她对他推荐的地方所期望的一切."江先生,"她说,放下杯子."你带我来这里不是为了喝咖啡吧?"一向那么儒雅的江少墨放下卡布奇诺,用餐巾擦了擦手,对她笑了笑.沈明不禁注意到,他的手指上戴着几枚不同品牌的戒指.显然,他是一个戒指爱好者.她回忆起有一次在瑞士的家中看到他的整面墙的戒指.毕竟,他们是老伙伴."Mr. Jiang," Shen Ming remarked with a hint of amusement, "The ring on your right-hand middle finger, I think I saw it at the Bora Auction Gala."Jiang Shaomo was impressed with her sharp eye. He took off the gold K-ring and, with a flourish, wrapped it in a napkin and slid it across the table to her."Impressive memory. This is a signature piece from Cris Su. It was auctioned in London in 2012, and last year it reappeared at the Bora Gala. I bought it at the highest bid that night."Shen Ming took the ring, admiring its design. She smiled. "So this is the famous Cris Su? I believe Ms. Su Ning of Su Group is the one who's known as the top jewelry mogul in the city, correct?"Cris Su's reputation was well-known, especially in Haishi, and it was rare to see someone spot her work so easily."Miss Shen, you continue to surprise me," Jiang Shaomo said with a slight grin."Oh?" Shen Ming's smile faded as she leaned back slightly, her expression turning cool. "What's more surprising, Mr. Jiang, is that you called me here today for something more than just a casual chat. Let's get to the point. What is it you want?""I've looked into your resume," Jiang Shaomo began, his voice smooth. "I've also reviewed the cash flow of your small company. It's barely keeping afloat. With your talent, running such a small company seems beneath you."The sharpness in his tone made Shen Ming immediately realize his intention."Mr. Jiang, you're not planning to offer me a job at your company, are you?"Jiang Shaomo's eyes widened in shock. Before he could even speak, she had already figured out his intentions.Her ability to read him so quickly was rare, and it piqued his interest.Jiang Shaomo was the kind of man who always cultivated beneficial alliances, and pulling in talented individuals was part of his strategy."Mr. Jiang," Shen Ming asked directly, "If you're offering me a position at Yidu, what role are you proposing?"Jiang Shaomo hesitated, choosing not to specify a title. Instead, he replied casually, "Mr. Ning of Ning Group mentioned you."Shen Ming wasn't surprised. If he knew about her company's finances, he must also know that her former investor was Ning Zhiqian."Mr. Jiang, if you had contacted me earlier, things might have turned out differently. But since your company refuses to dismiss Cheng Anyi, showing no sincerity at all, I think we're done here.""Are you saying…?""It's simple," Shen Ming replied, her voice firm. "Either Yidu fires Cheng Anyi and gives me her position as the PR Director, or you can sit back and watch as this game unfolds. You'll see who the real winner is."Jiang Shaomo laughed, clearly intrigued by the challenge ahead.However, he gave a cautionary smile, warning her, "Miss Shen, Cheng Anyi has someone behind her."Shen Ming knew exactly who he was referring to. She stood up from her seat, her lips curling into a cold smile."Mr. Jiang, how do you know I don't have someone behind me?"After the conversation with Jiang Shaomo concluded, Shen Ming headed back to the company.If even Jiang Shaomo was wary of Ning Zhiqian, it was clear that the young Mr. Ning had some real power behind him.Since Cheng Anyi had completely turned on her, she had stood firmly by Cheng Anyi's side. What he didn't know was that Cheng Anyi had siphoned funds from her company.Back at the company, Lai Yin handed her the day's schedule, which included a visit to the factory in the afternoon and a dinner with the product department manager in the evening.The pregnancy check-up, however, would have to be pushed to tomorrow.As they entered the elevator, Lai Yin received a phone call, his face unsure after hanging up."Ms. Shen, Mr. Ning wants to meet with you."Shen Ming frowned, surprised."Ning Zhiqian wants to meet me?"