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Chapter 85 Han Mei's Difficult Choice

Han Mei locked herself in her office for a full day and night. Cigarette butts littered the remnants of her crystal ashtray. She was like a mother wolf trapped in an iron cage—aggressive, fearful, and resentful.

Several of his most trusted confidants were urgently summoned, only to leave hastily with grave expressions. The news they brought back was increasingly dire:

Mr. Sun, the general manager of Chang'an, has been formally taken into custody. The headquarters' auditing and legal departments have taken full control of the Chang'an branch and have begun a thorough investigation.

Mr. Sun's relative's company was seized, and the initial findings revealed that the problematic funds exceeded three million.

The situation in Muqi was even worse; accounts were frozen, business was suspended, and several senior executives, including Aishan, were restricted from leaving the country to cooperate with the investigation.

The shady dealings with local developers and guarantee companies are almost exposed in the face of the professional team brought by Lu Chaoyang, and a large amount of evidence of violations and even suspected illegal activities is being quickly secured.

"President Han, Lu Chaoyang came prepared this time, and he's gone too far! Our foundation in the Northwest is likely to be uprooted!" a trusted aide said through gritted teeth.

"Is headquarters going to discard us after we've served our purpose? We risked our lives to build this northern territory, and now they want to wipe us out just because of a minor problem?" another indignantly remarked.

"Sister Han, we can't just sit here and wait to die! Go back to Shenzhen? Wouldn't that be like lambs to the slaughter? With Boss Lei's temper, do you think we can hide all the things we've done over the years from him? Would we even get away with it if we went back?" someone started stirring things up.

Han Mei abruptly raised her head, her bloodshot eyes glaring at the speaker: "Then what do you suggest? Rebel? Take this small group from the north and go against headquarters? How many lives do you have?!"

The office fell silent instantly, save for Han Mei's heavy breathing. Hadn't she considered the most extreme course of action?

But she knew better than anyone how terrifying Lei Guoliang was.

That man seemed to delegate authority and turn a blind eye to what happened below him, but once he decided to take action, it was absolutely swift and decisive, leaving no room for compromise.

He probably already knew about what was going on in the Northwest, and this inspection was just a signal to close the net.

Going head-on with Lei Guoliang? Han Mei wasn't that crazy. Anjia Tianxia was an empire built by Lei Guoliang. His prestige, the resources and trump cards he controlled, especially his unfathomable financial strength, were simply beyond the reach of a regional general manager like her.

These people under her follow her because they can eat meat and make money. If she really asked them to rebel against Lei Guoliang and the entire Anjia Tianxia system, she had no doubt that most of them would immediately turn their guns on her with just one word from Lei Guoliang.

But go back like this? Hand over power and let them do as they please? Han Mei fought tooth and nail to build this empire, to achieve her current wealth and status, only to be reduced to nothing overnight, possibly even facing imprisonment? She was not willing! She was not willing to die!

"President Han," the finance manager, who had been silent all along, and her longtime accountant, slowly spoke, their voice dry, "Perhaps—there is another way."

Han Mei suddenly looked at him.

"Go back voluntarily, but not to confess, but to plead guilty." The old accountant pushed up his glasses: "Take all the responsibility."

You can say that you were lax in managing your subordinates, negligent in your administration, and misled by them, which led to these mistakes. But your loyalty to General Manager Lei and the company is as clear as day.

The achievements in the Northwest are solid and undeniable. You should return, apologize sincerely, and relinquish control of the North China region, but try to retain a nominal position, or—take a sum of money and leave with dignity.”

"Relinquish power? Leave?" Han Mei's voice was hoarse. "Then what have I been all these years for?"

"President Han, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn." The old accountant said in a low voice, "President Lei is sentimental and practical. If you lower your stance and take all the problems upon yourself, you can protect those who are actually handling things, especially the key figures in Chang'an and Muqi who know the inside story."

This will give them an explanation to headquarters and also give General Manager Lei a way out. Then, you can offer to relinquish power, or even leave the company, as a sign of remorse.

In this way, Mr. Lei not only cleaned up his own ranks and established his authority, but also preserved old friendships. Given his style of doing things, he might not go to extremes.

Perhaps they'll offer you a generous resettlement allowance, allowing you to leave unscathed.

Han Mei stared intently at the old accountant, her mind racing. This seemed to be the only viable way out at the moment. By adopting a humble enough stance, praising Lei Guoliang highly enough, and bearing all the blame herself, she could secure a relatively smooth landing.

Although it means giving up power and territory, at least most of one's wealth, and—the future—can be preserved.

She recalled Lei Guoliang's last words: "If we explain things clearly, there might still be room for negotiation."

Ambience—perhaps this is the ambiguity he's offering? A way for her to gracefully exit?

After a fierce internal struggle, the madness in Han Mei's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a calmness and resignation bordering on despair.

She waved her hand, dismissing everyone else and leaving only the old accountant.

"Do as you say." Her voice was tired and hollow: "Go and prepare, smooth over what can be smoothed over as much as possible, and for what can't be smoothed over—prepare your excuses. Protect those who should be protected, protect them as much as possible. As for what I should bear, I will bear it."

"Yes, Mr. Han." The old accountant bowed and withdrew.

Han Mei sat alone in her messy office, gazing out the window at the myriad lights of Beijing. Once upon a time, she had believed that a large portion of those lights belonged to her, Han Mei.

Only now do I realize that all of this was built upon the will of that man far away in the deep town. He gives you what you have; he takes it away, and you have nothing left.

She picked up her phone, found Lei Guoliang's number, and typed a long text message. There were no excuses, only apologies and remorse. She admitted to betraying trust and neglecting her management duties, and earnestly requested to return to Shenzhen to apologize in person and accept any punishment.

After sending the text message, she felt as if all her strength had been drained away, slumped into her chair, and closed her eyes.

Just as Han Mei sent a message apologizing, Lu Chaoyang and Ji Fanyin had finished their most intense work in Urumqi, handed over the follow-up matters to the headquarters special task force that had rushed over, and boarded a plane for their return journey.

The atmosphere in first class remained heavy. Ji Fanyin gazed at the rolling sea of ​​clouds outside the window, her emotions a complex mix. This inspection was more in-depth and more brutal than she had anticipated.

She witnessed how a regional kingdom could bred corruption when it spiraled out of control, and she also saw Lei Guoliang's decisive and ruthless purge.

"Director Ji, thank you for your hard work this time." Lu Chaoyang suddenly spoke up. He looked a little tired, but his eyes were still sharp. "Han Mei just sent an apology text message to President Lei."

Ji Fanyin was not surprised: "She's a smart person; she knows that there's no way out by stubbornly resisting."

"Her cleverness backfired." Lu Chaoyang said calmly, "If she had restrained herself earlier, things wouldn't have come to this. The Northwest matter crossed a red line. What President Lei cannot tolerate most is embezzlement of public funds and collusion between insiders and outsiders."

"What will happen to the North China region in the future?" Ji Fanyin asked.

"The North China region has a good performance foundation and the team is still there; it's just that the upper management is rotten." Lu Chaoyang adjusted his chair. "Headquarters will send a new management team over to thoroughly reorganize the region."

The problematic figures in Chang'an and Muqi have been purged or dismissed. Business will not stop; in fact, it may even thrive due to this radical overhaul. It's just that Han Mei's era is over.

He looked at Ji Fanyin: "You saw it this time too. Power needs checks and balances, and ambition needs a bridle. President Lei will probably have new considerations regarding President Su and President Shen."

Ji Fanyin remained silent. She understood, of course, that Han Mei's downfall was not only a punishment, but also a deterrent. It was a show for Su Wanqing and Shen Mo.

No matter how great their achievements or how strong their abilities, this is what will happen once they cross the line.

When the plane landed at Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, the city lights were already on. Lei Guoliang didn't send anyone to pick them up; only company cars took them home separately.

Ji Fanyin knew that the real eye of the storm was at headquarters, with Lei Guoliang. She needed some time to process everything that this inspection had brought.