Official Career Storm

Chapter 1667

"Oh?" Song Guanchao slightly raised an eyebrow.

President Xie smiled apologetically, "It seems Chairman Qiao hasn’t mentioned it to you. I’m really sorry."

Jiang Yiren, standing by, frowned, clearly wanting to say something, but seeing Song Guanchao remain silent, she held back.

"You’re saying Chairman Qiao wants to move the company to Feng City?" Song Guanchao asked for confirmation.

President Xie nodded, indicating he hadn’t misspoken and that Song hadn’t misheard.

Song Guanchao held the teacup, tapping lightly with his fingers. He pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Chairman Qiao has already signed an investment agreement with Jiangzhou. Are you aware of that, President Xie?"

President Xie nodded and then shook his head, "I’ve heard Chairman Qiao mention it; actually, there’s a misunderstanding regarding this matter."

"A misunderstanding? How so?"

"It’s like this: before Chairman Qiao signed the investment agreement with you, Director Song, several of our company’s shareholders and executives had already confirmed with Feng City’s investment office to move the company there. Chairman Qiao was initially unaware of this."

President Xie chuckled bitterly, saying, "I can assure Director Song that Chairman Qiao did not mean to breach the contract; it was an issue within our company’s communication."

"I see." Song Guanchao smiled and said, "Since it’s a communication issue, it can be resolved by discussing it clearly. However..."

He turned the conversation, "However, for such a big matter, shouldn’t Chairman Qiao personally give me a call to explain? Regardless, the investment agreement is signed. I’m not unreasonable; as long as things are explained clearly and confirmed to be a misunderstanding, we can resolve it amicably."

"But Chairman Qiao not taking my calls—isn’t that a bit disrespectful?"

President Xie quickly said, "Chairman Qiao has been quite busy and might not have seen the phone. I apologize on behalf of her. Director Song, do you have time this evening? Allow me to take you out for dinner as an apology from our company. As for the breach of contract penalty, I will make sure you are satisfied this evening."

The last sentence was full of implications, clearly intending to compensate him privately to avoid further disputes.

Song Guanchao thought for a moment and said, "All right, let’s talk over dinner. But before that, have Chairman Qiao return my call. After all, it was signed between her and me. Even if it’s a termination, it should be discussed between Chairman Qiao and me."

After saying this, he looked at President Xie.

A hint of awkwardness flashed across President Xie’s face as he said, "With Chairman Qiao... I’ll try to get in touch with her, but I’m not sure if I can. She’s been extremely busy recently and really didn’t mean to ignore your calls."

"How busy can one be? So busy not to even have time to make a call to apologize?"

Song Guanchao stood up, "Have Chairman Qiao contact me before dinner."

With that, he turned and left, with Jiang Yiren quickly following.

Once in the elevator, Jiang Yiren finally vented, "This company is too much. How can they just break the agreement like that, especially after signing a contract?"

Song Guanchao smiled without responding, and it wasn’t until they exited the elevator and left the office building that he said, "Something’s off about this."

"What’s off?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, not explaining, "It’s hard to say now. Let’s wait till the evening."

Before meeting President Xie, he thought Chairman Qiao might actually be too busy to take the call.

But after talking with President Xie, he sensed something amiss.

He had interacted with and had in-depth conversations with Chairman Qiao.

A woman like Chairman Qiao, who built a company from scratch to its current size, undoubtedly had personal capabilities and wouldn’t lack integrity.

Having agreed to move to Jiangzhou, she wouldn’t break her word without an overwhelming reason.

Even if what President Xie said was true, she would clarify things to him over the phone.

Most importantly, Chairman Qiao once confided in him that the company’s executives and shareholders had private dealings with Pinghai City’s officials and were plotting to sideline her and take control of the company.

The reason she agreed so readily to move to Jiangzhou was due to Song Guanchao’s promise to help her deal with and remove those particular executives and shareholders from the company.

All these indicated that Chairman Qiao had conflicts with the company’s upper management and shareholders.

Under these conditions, even if the management had arranged a deal with Feng City, Chairman Qiao wouldn’t have agreed.

But the current situation showed that Chairman Qiao hadn’t contacted him, and he couldn’t reach her either.

From what he had gathered, Chairman Qiao was away on a business trip.

However, Song Guanchao suspected that Chairman Qiao might have met with an accident!

That’s why he demanded from President Xie to have Chairman Qiao contact him before dinner.

If she still didn’t reach out before then, he could confirm that something indeed had happened to her!

There’s a strong chance that the company executives had control over her.

However, he didn’t share this with Jiang Yiren, as there were still a few hours to dinner.

They found a nearby coffee shop to sit, sip coffee, and munch on pastries.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened.

Chairman Qiao’s call never came through.

Song Guanchao was convinced that something had happened to her!

"Buzz..."

The phone on the table buzzed with an incoming call from President Xie.

He picked up the phone and heard President Xie say, "Director Song, I’ve booked a place, and the address has been sent to you."

"Got it."

Song Guanchao glanced at the message for the address, stood up, and said, "Let’s go."

The hotel was nearby, not too far away.

On the way, Song Guanchao shared his analysis with Jiang Yiren.

Jiang Yiren listened with wide eyes, "But she’s the chairman of the company. Are these executives out of their minds?"

"Greed makes people bold," Song Guanchao sneered, "With enough incentive, these people dare do anything."

Jiang Yiren asked, "What do you plan to do next?"

"Let’s eat first. We’ll talk after dinner. Just act normal so they can’t tell anything is off."

"Mm-hmm, I got it."

Jiang Yiren discreetly clenched her fist to stay calm.

She had never been involved in such matters; corporate power struggles were things she only read about in the news.

But the dry text of news articles never conveyed the heart-pounding reality of such situations.

Encountering it firsthand revealed how truly nerve-wracking it was.

They reached the hotel, gave the room number, and were led by a waiter into a private dining room.

Only President Xie was inside, which surprised Song Guanchao a little.

He had expected President Xie to at least bring along one or two upper management members or shareholders.

However, though President Xie was alone, he had brought a briefcase.

As suspected, it likely contained cash.

"Please, have a seat," President Xie warmly welcomed and instructed the waiter to serve the dishes.

After the cold dishes were on the table, he opened a bottle of liquor, pouring into his own small decanter, around two-and-a-half ounces.

Just as he was about to pour for Song Guanchao, Song turned the decanter upside down on the table, saying flatly, "Your Chairman Qiao seems quite haughty. I’ve waited the entire afternoon and still no call from her. Looks like I’ve been too easygoing. In that case, let’s proceed according to the contract."

With that, he stood up, saying, "Have your Chairman Qiao prepare the penalty for breach of contract."