Inside the grand boardroom.


    The atmosphere of corporate gravity and an arena of polished wood and muted tension hung above everyone''s head.


    Therge mahogany table in an inverted U shape bore witness as it braced itself for a pivotal confrontation.


    The two conflicting aura arose within the room—calmness with the presence of opulent furniture and antiques on several ss shelves as decoration, adjusting the atmosphere to those who were sitting on the one side.


    Ling Qingyu ced many such simr pieces, showcasing the wealth and seriousness she had for herpany.


    On the other side, several nces were exchanged and nobody spoke a word; a depressing feeling brewed until the door swung open.


    Everyone stood up, seeing the identity of a visitor.


    Ling Qingyu, impably dressed in a sharp business suit, walked in briskly and sat at the head of the table.


    Zhao Xiurong and Su Ruomei took seats behind her as assistants.


    Her expression remainedposed but her eyes gleamed with steely determination. In today''s board meeting, as a chairman of Spirit Beauty & Clothing Co. Ltd., she radiated authority.


    Until she took a seat, everybody also sat down consciously, some with heavy faces, fearing the oue of the meeting.


    Before Ling Qingyu would ask them not to stand up to greet her and never allow the members of the board to proceed with etiquettes hard for the younger age to ept.


    No one was surprised at Ling Qingyu''s change in attitude. Her dissatisfaction was obvious to everyone.


    During her momentary absence, due to her unfortunate ident, a power vacuum was created and some directors attempted to seize power, given the opportunity never to see Ling Qingyu again soon.


    The recent notification to have a recent meeting astounded everyone, especially when they saw the initiator was their chairman.


    Her unexpected return from the hospital after a recent ident in good condition without any faults to point at had caught the directors off-guard.


    The coup d''état that had been exploiting Ling Qingyu''s absence was now impossible. Those who participated in the process clicked their tongues in pity, while those who didn''t were relieved and felt fortunate they weren''t involved in the first ce.


    Unlike the four directors, who possessed arger proportion amount of shares and didn''t fear Ling Qingyu''s retaliation, most of them were frightened since they only had a small percentage.


    Especially those who coborated with the four strongest directors. Everyone was clearly aware of Ling Qingyu''s biography.


    Anyone who crossed her would never have a good ending, even though byw, nothing should happen; but this was Ling Qingyu, they were talking about.


    She made her opponents live a life worse than death or than being persecuted byw.


    Everyone exchanged calcting nces and decided to choose their words carefully, to avoid agitating the angry tigress further.


    All of this was captured in Ling Qingyu''s eyes. Every expression and hiddenmunication between the directors was obvious to her.


    Athena''s sses pinpointed every single behavior and calcted a rough judgment of their emotions and thoughts. Ling Qingyu wore a lie detector.


    An absolute cheating device during an interacting banquet. Along with Ling Qingyu''s experience, there was nothing hidden in front of her.


    As she took in the faces of the directors in the board meeting, Ling Qingyu''s icy gaze lingered on the four most prestigious directors—Li Wei, Huang Mei, Zhang Hao, and Gu Qing.


    Seeing them stillcent in their expressions without remorse, Ling Qingyu sneered. She wasn''t going to tolerate these four any longer. She hoped these old hags liked the surprise she left for them.


    Of course, Huang Mei was the exception within the group or more normal in Ling Qingyu''s opinion.


    Ling Qingyu had been reluctantly tolerating andpromising with these four old members as they were also once the support for the birth of Spiritpany.


    In addition, her grandfather introduced these men to her to facilitate her work. Ling Qingyu could only give a wry smile to her dead grandfather who always left her with problems after problems.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," Ling Qingyu began, her voice carrying amanding tone, "I''m back, fullymitted to driving ourpany forward in spite of challenges. I trust you''ve managed the ship well during my absence."


    All the directors sensed an irony in theter part of her speech. But Li Wei, thepany''s CFO, leaned forward, his expression smug.


    "Chairman Ling, we''ve managed quite well in your absence, don''t you think? In fact, some of us now are convinced that collective leadership might be more effective, given what we experience. To be frank, please don''t let your views rely on the news, ourpany situation isn''t as bad as many spected."


    Ling Qingyu''s eyebrow raised at his remarks. How dare he say this out?


    Wasn''t anyone clear whose merit ensured thepany ran smoothly despite obstacles? Apart from soap operas to remove or lessen her authority, what did they do?


    If not for Zhao Xiurong''s contribution and her help behind the scenes virtually, the question of whether thepany''s existence was in dilemma.


    Ling Qingyu''s eyes narrowed slightly, as she replied. "While I appreciate your efforts during my recovery, please do remember the vision and strategy that have created Spirit Beauty & Clothing. Who had designed all of this; my position is not up for discussion." read-on-NovelFire


    Huang Mei cleared her throat and chimed in, attempting to regain some semnce of control. "Chairman Ling, we''ve had to make certain decisions in your absence to ensure thepany''s stability."


    Ling Qingyu''s lips curved into a cold smile, her eyes glinting with calction and mockery. "Stability, you say, Mrs. Huang. Everyone?"


    Ling Qingyu''s eyes traveled across the board members, who also avoided her gaze but their expressions seemingly agreeing with Huang Mei''s words.


    "Stability is not achieved by undermining thepany''s very foundation, especially striving for my abdication now and before." Ling Qingyu''s gaze locked into each director''s face as she spoke.


    Gu Ling interrupted politely after Ling Qingyu finished speaking. "We just want to ensure stability, Chairman Ling. There wasn''t the slightest thought of removing you from the board. In order to guarantee thepany runs normally, we initiate a collective process to unite everyone to tackle the problem arising due to your ident.


    You''ve been through a lot; you might need time to adjust yourself and maybe it''s time to consider delegating more."


    A murmur of agreement rippled through the room causing, Ling Qingyu''s grip, hidden under the table on the wooden armrest carved in dragons and phoenix sculptures, tightened.


    She disallowed her authority to be undermined, not after building everything from nothing herself.


    With the four most prestigious taking the lead, some regained their courage and began their quiet discussion.


    The tension escted and the pressure was on. Ling Qingyu''s anger or disappointment was disyed obscurely in her eyes.


    "Delegation is important," Ling Qingyu recollected her words carefully, to avoid ruining her reputation by cursing out at her board members. "But let''s not confuse delegation with abdication here. I''ve trusted my team and arranged them meticulously if something goes wrong in the chain. What happened?"


    "Even if I''m gone, the system is supposed to work wlessly after a slight obstacle and new challenges, provided everyone does their work. Instead, you use precious time, only thinking of ways and creating ideas for your own selfish agendas and benefits.


    I have to admit, it''s pure luck that there isn''t any embezzlement in mypany with those mindsets…Or is it really?" Ling Qingyu''s voice reverberated across the room.


    The power struggle was no longer veiled and Ling Qingyu epted the direct challenge.


    Zhang Hao spoke next, his voice measured. "Chairman Ling, your worry doesn''t exist; no one doubts your aplishments. Perhaps your system might have some ws when tested in reality. But times change, and adaptability is key. We believe a more coborative approach—"


    "—Will lead to our downfall, with the mindset of yours." Ling Qingyu interrupted, her tone sharper now. "Coboration is essential, but a ship cannot have multiple captains. Thispany thrived under my leadership, and it will continue to do so."


    The room fell silent again, the weight of the confrontation pressing upon them all. Ling QIngyu leaned forward, her arms over the smooth wooden surface, her gaze piercing each director.


    "Let''s be clear," she dered, "thispany''s my life''s work. I''ve poured my heart and soul into it, and I won''t stand by while its direction ispromised. I will continue to lead, and those who are not aligned with our goals are wee to leave."


    The tension was palpable as Ling Qingyu''s words hung in the air. The previously confident directors had uncertain expressions. Ling Qingyu''s resolve and authority were undeniable, her determination unshakable.


    The directors who had bad minds were shaken to the core by her speech, except for Li Wei''s group.