John • Rockfeller failed to obtain permission to visit the private island of that tycoon.
Even with his status as the general manager of a global tech giant.
The legendary and most mysterious head of the world's top financial oligarchy didn't even spare him a glance.
"Sorry, Mr. Rockfeller. The master is not in the mood to see you," said the butler.
John • Rockfeller replied, "Sir, could you please convey my message again? I have an urgent matter to discuss with Miss Zhu..."
The butler's gentle voice carried an unyielding firmness. "Sorry, Mr. Rockfeller. The master is not at home."
From the start of the conversation, they had been speaking Chinese.
It was a form of linguistic hegemony.
The stronger party dictated the language.
It was not only a sign of respect and goodwill but also a gesture of submission.
Within just a dozen seconds, John's face changed several times. After a while, he said, "Okay. If the master returns, please tell her that little John of the Rockfeller family requests an audience with her."
The butler agreed gently, "Sure. I'll convey your message to the master."
After hanging up the phone, John was in a foul mood.
His request for a meeting had been rejected, and the lead he wanted to verify had been cut off.
He had no choice but to start investigating through other channels...
In Shanghai, Zhu Ning continued her offensive. Calls from various financial groups came in, with veiled accusations in their words.
"Miss Zhu, when do you plan to end this battle? We've already invested in national infrastructure projects."
"If the war continues, won't it affect the progress of infrastructure?"
Zhu Ning leaned back in her leather chair, which supported her weight steadily. She was in a lazy posture, and her swivel chair turned half a circle slightly.
"Why would it affect? Haven't you already contributed the money you were supposed to?"
The person on the other end seemed to take a deep breath and reminded her, "Yes, Miss Zhu. We've already contributed the money."
Zhu Ning raised her eyebrows. "So?"
The other person suspected she was feigning ignorance.
His tone turned harsh for a moment. "Miss Zhu, didn't we agree to end the battle after the donation?"
Zhu Ning said, "Who told you that?"
The other person fell silent, and the atmosphere became oppressive. "Miss Zhu, are you going back on your word?"
Zhu Ning sneered. "What word do I need to keep?"
She continued, "I asked you to make a donation, but I never said I'd let you off the hook because of it."
Zhu Ning added, "Have I ever made such a promise?"
"Zhu Ning!"
The person on the other end was furious and seemed ready to devour her through the phone line.
Normally, after they ceded territory and paid compensation and then extended an olive branch, Zhu Ning should have accepted it.
Then they could continue doing business with each other while maintaining a false harmony to maximize their interests.
But she refused.
She was going to take on the entire country alone and keep throwing money at these financial groups until both sides were exhausted.
She was relentless and determined to leave them with no way out!
"Miss Zhu, are you sure you want to do this? Isn't it better to make money in harmony?"
"What are you threatening me with?" Zhu Ning asked. "Or, let me rephrase the question."
"—What right do you have to negotiate terms with me?"
"Are you, a defeated general, even worthy?"
The breathing on the other end paused for a moment.
Zhu Ning said, "If you knew this would happen, why did you start it in the first place?"
"It's easier to climb a mountain than to come down."
Zhu Ning's business strikes continued.
After seizing enough market share, she targeted resources. Whatever other financial groups needed, Zhu Ning would block their access to it.
The tables had turned. The situation where hundreds of groups had besieged Jude Wang no longer existed. Now, it was Zhu Ning chasing them down!
Didn't they like to besiege others?
Come on, keep doing it.
Who's afraid of a head - on confrontation!
Hands would be cut off and feet would be chopped.
The financial groups were being sliced up quickly in every aspect, and everyone in the groups was in a panic.
Inside the Jiuzhang Group, dozens of meetings had been held, but they still couldn't shake off the shadow cast by Zhu Ning.
The group was starting to show signs of internal division, and some people wanted to defect.
A complaint was submitted to Li Qingli. A member reported that Wang Zeshan, one of Li Qingli's early confidants, was about to rebel.
"Mr. Li, you have to stand up for me. We're all from the same financial group, but Wang Zeshan dared to poach my resources!"
"He stole several of my project resources and poached many core executives from our company!"
Li Qingli said angrily, "How outrageous! At such a critical moment, he dares to do this."
He was about to call to question Wang Zeshan when he learned that the messenger was about to flee. He became even angrier and quickly blocked the person and brought him back.
Wang Zeshan was brought back to the Cloud - Top Villa. Li Qingli threw a purple sand teapot at him.
"Since the establishment of the financial group, I've never treated you badly. I provided you with resources and connections to help you rise to power. What have I done wrong to you? Why do you want to ruin my plan at this critical moment!"
Now that the truth had come out, there was no way to avoid it. The man lowered his head and said, "If you really didn't treat me badly, my name should be on the list of strategic funding allocations in the future."
Li Qingli's eyes suddenly changed, and his face turned extremely gloomy and terrifying. "Where did you hear that?"
The list of strategic funding allocations was drawn up only two days ago. He had never told anyone except a few confidants.
How did he know!
Wang Zeshan didn't answer. "Mr. Li, I've dedicated most of my life to the financial group."
Li Qingli said, "I don't want to hear this. You just need to answer me. Where did you get this information?"
Wang Zeshan continued on his own, "Yes, how would you care about whether I've suffered? I'm no longer valuable to you. There are so many people in the group poaching from each other, but you choose to target me... It was my younger brother who helped you take the blame back then..."
"Wang Zeshan!"
Meeting Li Qingli's warning and terrifying gaze, he gave a bitter smile. "Someone told me. I've destroyed the information."
Wang Zeshan said, "The other internal strife in the financial group is also because of the release of this list."
"Mr. Li, people gather for profit and will disperse for profit. You can deal with me, but how are you going to deal with the others?"
He stared at Li Qingli with a cruel and malicious look, like a curse.
"How much longer can our financial group survive?"
Li Qingli hunted for the mole within the financial group, starting by investigating his closest confidants.
Wang Zeshan refused to provide any clues until his death. Li Qingli's suspicion reached its peak, and he suspected everyone of being the mole.
After secretly hunting for the thief and investigating the actions of each person, he locked in two suspicious people who had interacted with his confidants multiple times.
Qi Yuwu and Ding Haoye.
Li Qingli's temples throbbed violently.
"It's these two again!"
Li Qingli originally planned to deal with both of them based on the principle of "better to kill by mistake than to let go."
But before he could act, Ding Haoye rushed to him in a hurry.
"Dong Li, Dong Li, I've caught the mole!"
Li Qingli looked at him coolly. "Oh? How did you know I was hunting for the mole?"
Ding Haoye instinctively shrank his neck.
Why did he feel something was off...
Ding Haoye said, "I've been helping the financial group find the mole. I want to repay Dong Li..."
Li Qingli asked, "So, who is the mole?"
Ding Haoye's expression turned solemn. "Qi Yuwu!"
"Ha!"
Li Qingli was so angry that he laughed.