From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

If the opponent is only one company, Arakasaka will naturally attack with an invincible attitude, crush the opponent, and defend his own honor.

Even if the opponent has two companies, they dare to confront them head-on and defend their dignity.

If... well, there are no ifs. If the opponent is an alliance of three companies, or even a trio of giants like Kangtao, Junke, and Biotechnology, then we must change our strategy.

Arakawa isn't the kind of company that acts unreasonably. Can't we just talk things out and discuss things amicably? Why do we have to make things so ugly...?

Ultimately, it was because Arasaka was too focused on the bigger picture. In order to prevent a fifth corporate war from causing widespread bloodshed, they endured too much.

Arakawa is amazing!

This is the correct conclusion Abernathy reached after delivering a lengthy speech.

Because she was so "correct," no one dared to contradict her, whether they believed her or not.

After completing the daily routine of pledging loyalty, Abernathy's sharp, hawk-like gaze swept across the room: "You've all read the intelligence department's report, right? Now tell me, which one or more of you did it!"

Her voice was so shrill that it startled the department heads, including Arakawa.

"Has it been...confirmed?" a thin man asked in a deep voice.

Abernathy looked at him, her suspicion undisguised:

"The moment the Kangtao Power Plant was bombed, our agents set off and obtained first-hand information simultaneously with Kangtao."

Subsequently, the agents entered the eastern suburbs, contacted our informants, and obtained information about the movements of local forces.

Combining this with intelligence stolen from several other companies, and after discussion by the think tank and AI big data simulation, the final conclusion you all have was reached—

The culprit is almost certainly a high-ranking member of Arasaka's organization, and he's right among us!

Squeezing out the last few words slowly and deliberately, Abernathy braced his hands on the conference table, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

That's right, the intelligence department's conclusions were completely consistent with her own.

The motives and methods used in this incident are shrouded in mystery, but the truth can be deduced from the outcome:

Blowing up the power plant is easy, but getting the airborne convoy out of the border is difficult.

Aside from the possibility of a ridiculously foolish self-inflicted injury, there must have been high-level involvement within Arasaka Group to accomplish such a "feat" of simultaneously offending three major companies.

She suspected that there were spies colluding with the enemy or ruthless hawks within the upper echelons who intended to use this method to sow discord between Arasaka and other companies in order to achieve their dirty goal of instigating war.

Otherwise, it's really hard to explain why someone would do such a thing.

Choosing this crucial juncture is truly a matter of whether it's a blessing or a curse...

Upon hearing her words, the eleven people present exchanged glances, their eyes filled with suspicion and distrust.

Which bastard could have done something like this?!

If they left even one hovercar in the eastern suburbs, they could find a way to frame the homeless organization that was causing trouble there.

It just so happened that it was all so perfectly concealed…

This certainly shows the planner's skill, but... but—after all this, who wouldn't know that the real culprit is Arasaka! Who else but Arasaka has this kind of ability!

You bastard, you've cleared yourself of all blame, so you're making others the scapegoat?!

"not me!"

"It wasn't me! I swear!"

"It's even less likely to be me. The R&D department's focus is entirely on the Prosthetic Body project, and as you all know, I'm just a technician. I simply don't have that ability!"

"It's not me anyway!"

The meeting room erupted in chaos, with the heads of various departments in Arasaka arguing back and forth like a group of middle-aged women at a market.

At this point, one can no longer care about image or restraint. This deadly scapegoat has been placed on one's head, and the entire department will be investigated and punished!

Chapter 312 Jenkins: "Abernathy! I..."

峮摇磷衤三^尔O祁咝虾荒坂塔之顶.

Countless people consider standing here overlooking Night City as the ultimate goal in life.

These people are not all street kids or children from ordinary working-class families. Even children from middle-class families who are "rich kids" yearn for this place.

But today, a group of big shots in suits, exuding an air of authority, with titles ranging from director to manager, have turned this place into a blame-shifting session.

"It wasn't me!"—This was a contestant from the conservative faction.

"It really wasn't me, our department has been going on and on lately..." — This is the moderate candidate.

“It’s not that I’m being smeared by Meng Ejiu, but I suspect it’s ***!” — This is a hardliner.

“Because of ***, therefore ***, in short ***, anyway it’s not me!” — This is the manager of the technology research and development department, and the chief technology officer (CTO).

Everyone was emphasizing the same point – it wasn't me!

Abernathy stood alone, glaring at the farce unfolding before him, wishing he could overturn the table.

Those present were all high-ranking executives of Arasaka. Apart from the vice president and senior directors, who were top-level figures, the twelve people in this conference room were the ones who were truly in charge.

Ling Meng (two/) Ling^e eight filthy spirit umbrella (six) any one of them could be a big shot that government officials would greet with their backs to the ground, but now they are like a group of shrewish women.

How dignified!

If outsiders saw it, they would think that Arasaka was a makeshift operation!

"Stop arguing!!"

Bang——Bang——

The sound of the metal prosthetic arm slamming against the table brought a brief truce to the group.

Abernathy's eyebrows shot up: "I'll emphasize again—whoever did it, step forward! Explain the whereabouts of the convoy, give your reasons for doing it, and considering that you've all contributed a lot to Arasaka, I'll give him a dignified death!"

If you insist on hiding it, and I find out—”

She glared at everyone, her eyes practically spitting fire.

"Then your whole family will die! Haven't I made myself clear enough?!"

After the shout subsided, the conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The people present were all prominent figures, and to be so harshly insulted and threatened with death was like a nightmare.

but,

Nobody dared to say a word...

Arasaka's tyranny knows no boundaries between insiders and outsiders; if something really happens, headquarters would dare to kill an entire family.

Now, everyone is praying that the person who did this will be brave enough to come forward.

You should take the blame for the trouble you caused!

What if the Arasaka family takes a liking to your abilities and methods and you end up being given an important position?

The silence continues to spread.

Prayer ineffective…

Abernathy knew that he had to be tough and break the deadlock at this point, otherwise the principle of "the law does not punish the masses" would come into effect.

"Arthur Jenkins!"

She uttered a name as if Death were calling out names.

grass--

Jenkins didn't dare to swear, but you can imagine how he felt.

Ganlin's mother, that filthy bitch is coming after him again!

Abernathy said in a deep voice, "Someone in the company's upper echelons planned this operation, which involved a considerable amount of manpower and resources. Yet, until the incident broke out and the losses were inevitable, you were completely unaware. I ask you, what exactly was the counterintelligence department doing?"

Accusations of negligence!

Jenkins felt a chill run down his spine.

He knew that if he backed down at this point, even if the real culprit was eventually found to be someone else, he would lose his position as the director of the counterintelligence department.

We cannot show weakness; we must fight back!

Jenkins suddenly stood up, slowly raised his right index finger, and then slashed down like a sword, pointing directly at Abernathy:

"What exactly is the Counterintelligence Department doing? Don't you know? We're cleaning up the mess for your Special Operations Department!"

Abernathy looked at him coldly, knowing this would happen.

But this time Jenkins picked the wrong opponent, and he's going to be in big trouble.

"Everyone!"

Jenkins looked at the others, seeking their attention with his eyes.

"You may not know this, but the Special Operations Department, led by Director Abernathy, has recently been in charge of a mysterious, top-secret mission that even I don't know about."

As a result, all the intelligence work that should have been the responsibility of the Special Operations Department fell to the Counterintelligence Department. We ended up doing the work of two departments in one!

I'm not complaining; I'm happy to serve Arasaka!

He withdrew his right hand and pressed it against his heart. Whether it was genuine or not, it certainly looked somewhat tragic.

"What I want to say is that the counterintelligence department is short-staffed and has a heavy workload. In addition, Kang Tao has been making frequent changes and has introduced a stupid middleman, that guy named L, who is causing a mess in the eastern suburbs. We are really overwhelmed!"

"But you, Director Abernathy, what are you and your men doing? You claim the prisoner is in this conference room, so could that person be you?"

Jenkins turned the tables on him, or at least that's how he saw it.

Several department leaders were also persuaded by him and turned their skeptical gazes toward Abernathy, who was chairing the meeting.

In order to cater to the preferences of the Arasaka family, the higher-ups have studied Eastern culture to varying degrees, including Chinese culture, which has had the most profound influence on Japanese culture.

There is a Chinese idiom: "The thief cries 'Stop thief!'"

Thinking about it carefully, it does indeed fit Abernathy's aggressive, preemptive approach...

Abernathy remained silent in the face of the accusations.

Just as Jenkins was overjoyed and was about to take this opportunity to eliminate his biggest rival, a clear, cold female voice interrupted him.

“I can testify for Director Abernathy that she is not the criminal.”

Jenkins looked up blankly and saw the large screen at the front of the conference room suddenly light up, showing an elegant Japanese woman in a gorgeous dress sitting gracefully in a leather office chair.

"Hanako Arakawa... Miss..."

The attendees were startled, realizing that the Arasaka family's daughter had likely been listening to the meeting from the sidelines without showing herself.

Didn't she see all that ugly blaming and pointing fingers at each other just now...?

When it rains, it pours; Jenkins was completely stunned.

Hanako Arasaka bowed slightly to the executives of Night City with an elegant posture: "(Good afternoon), everyone from Night City."

"You are one too, Miss Hua Zi!"

The executives quickly returned the greeting, with some even speaking Japanese while bowing, demonstrating a perfect grasp of Japanese etiquette.

Hanako Arakawa smiled quietly, and after they quieted down, she turned her gaze to Jenkins, who was standing there speechless:

“Director Jenkins, I can testify on behalf of Director Abernathy. She is in contact with Arasaka Headquarters and is in charge of a very important mission. That is why she has put the heavy burden on the Counterintelligence Department. Headquarters is responsible for the many problems that have arisen from this. I sincerely apologize to you for the trouble you have caused.”

Hanako Arakawa is apologizing, but Jenkins feels like he's about to die...

This is a trap. Abernathy deliberately approached him, wanting him to be the scapegoat. That bitch is playing dirty tricks...

Chapter 313 Jenkins: "Valerie, use your unparalleled wisdom to think of a solution..."

“Miss Hua Zi… I… I am utterly loyal to Huang-Liu Leng Er San Shi % Si Ban, and have never—”

Before Jenkins could finish his explanation, he saw the elegant and beautiful Hanako Arasaka raise a hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.

"I believe in you, Director Jenkins. Your performance reviews are excellent every year, and headquarters greatly appreciates you. We have never doubted your loyalty."

For a moment, Jenkins felt like he was about to cry, and even had an urge to be Ms. Hua's dog.

"But the problem now is that the damage has already happened, and the priority now is to find out the truth and minimize the damage. Before we discuss specific remedial measures, please allow me to say something else first."

Hanako Arasaka raised her long, slender neck, her bright eyes slowly sweeping across the conference room, making brief eye contact with everyone, and calmly said:

"The company headquarters also received the intelligence department's summary, and the conclusion was the same as yours—there are probably high-ranking Arasaka officials involved in this matter."

These words cast an equally heavy shadow of death over everyone.