When the incident hit the hot search, Old Master Huo had no idea.
After all, he had more or less retired from the front - line business and wasn't very fond of surfing the Internet.
But when the situation escalated, Huo Xiao went to see Old Master Huo, sobbing loudly.
"Grandpa, I really know I was wrong. I was deceived at that time. They said it was okay to use our own family's money. I... I realized my mistake later, so I voluntarily quit my job at the charity fund. I never thought this old matter would be dug out after all these years."
Old Master Huo was a bit dazed. Seeing Huo Xiao crying so bitterly, he quickly comforted her, "Xiao Xiao, don't cry. It's okay. Grandpa is here. I'll solve whatever problems there are."
Hearing this, Huo Xiao looked at Old Master Huo with red - rimmed eyes, touched, "Grandpa, you're so good to me. I feel so guilty. How could I have done such a thing?"
Old Master Huo comforted her, "Stop crying first. Tell Grandpa what exactly happened."
Hearing this, Huo Xiao then told the story of her embezzling the company's charity fund in a way that was favorable to her.
For example, she claimed she wasn't willing to do it on her own. She said she was young at that time and was deliberately instigated by someone around her. She said she gave up the power to manage the charity fund later because she felt guilty, but in fact, she just found it troublesome back then.
She also said that she knew she was wrong, but it wasn't as serious as what was said on the Internet. She claimed it was impossible for her to touch other people's life - saving money. It was all lies spread by those people to smear her.
Huo Xiao cried heart - rendingly and apologized sincerely. Although Mrs. Huo was extremely angry at her daughter's stupidity, at this moment, she still had to say a few words in her defense.
"Dad, Xiao Xiao did make a mistake, but you've watched this child grow up. Although she has many little flaws, she doesn't have any malicious intentions. She couldn't have done such a thing."
Old Master Huo deeply agreed. He patted Huo Xiao on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Xiao, don't worry. Grandpa will solve this matter for you."
After comforting Huo Xiao, Old Master Huo went straight to the company in person.
The people in the company had the same idea as Huo Linsheng.
The mistake was made by Huo Xiao. What did it have to do with their company?
The evidence presented on the Internet was overwhelming. They didn't want to struggle. All they had to do was apologize and make compensation.
Just as they finalized the plan, Old Master Huo arrived.
"No!" Old Master Huo flatly refused, "This matter must not involve Xiao Xiao!"
Everyone looked at each other in dismay. Huo Linsheng glanced at Old Master Huo and said, "What? Do you want to ruin your reputation in your old age?"
Old Master Huo choked for a moment, "What kind of talk is that?"
"If you've made a mistake, you've made a mistake. You can't protect her just because she's your granddaughter." Huo Linsheng scoffed, "Dad, times have changed. Netizens are like detectives. Once they find out that the company lied to protect Huo Xiao, the company will be implicated. You'll also ruin your reputation and will surely be labeled as a powerful and heartless capitalist."
Old Master Huo: "..."
"It's not that serious." Old Master Huo said guiltily.
Huo Linsheng didn't respond immediately. His gaze swept across the others present.
Everyone quickly understood and left one by one. Only Huo Linsheng and Old Master Huo were left in the meeting room.
Huo Linsheng directly handed the information he had investigated to Old Master Huo, "Take a look at what your precious granddaughter has done."
Old Master Huo didn't pay much attention at first, "It's true that Xiao Xiao embezzling public funds was wrong, but she was just a child. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as she corrects them, it's okay."
Huo Linsheng didn't comment. He just pointed at the document with his finger, "Read it first and then talk."
Hearing this, Old Master Huo then took the document.
It was okay if he didn't read it, but once he did, his face turned as black as coal.
Ling Nuan had limited access to the company's business, so the things she could find out were naturally limited. But when Huo Linsheng investigated, he found out a lot more.
Huo Xiao didn't just make one mistake.
The revelations on the Internet were true.
Huo Xiao had indeed embezzled the charity funds that the Huo family had specifically allocated for the treatment of incurable and other special diseases. Due to the shortage of charity funds, it had directly or indirectly led to the deaths of several patients.
Moreover, in subsequent charity activities, Huo Xiao had also cut corners. She had replaced the good donated items with uncertified products. Huo Linsheng had specifically investigated and found several cases where people had various physical problems due to the uncertified products donated by the Huo family.
In addition, besides being in charge of the Huo family's charity activities for a period of time, Huo Xiao had also been responsible for some of the Huo family's banquets.
She had even tampered with the banquets.
Normally, food would be provided at banquets, but she had tampered with the ingredients, replacing the originally - planned high - quality ingredients with inferior ones.
Huo Linsheng also added cruelly, "Do you remember the time when you had a bad stomach? You even scolded the aunt who cooked at home severely. I guess you probably ate something bad at the banquet."
Old Master Huo: "..."
The old man had a light and regular diet. When he went out to eat, he always went to the same few restaurants. When he had a bad stomach, he hadn't gone out. Except for attending a family banquet, he had been at home all the time. So he had thought it was the aunt's fault. He never expected it was his granddaughter who had caused the problem.
"Huo Xiao must have gone to you to admit her mistake, right?" Huo Linsheng scoffed, "Take a look. She hasn't been idle recently either."
The incident involving Qing Nuan was a case in point.
Old Master Huo was speechless.
"Your precious granddaughter is not as innocent and clean as you think." Huo Linsheng said.
Old Master Huo's face looked a bit unpleasant, but he still managed to say, "One should pay the price for one's mistakes, but after all, she is your niece. Don't push her too hard."
"I can only promise you that I won't really hold her accountable." Huo Linsheng replied.
Old Master Huo wanted to say more, but Huo Linsheng raised his eyes and said, "This matter must be resolved before the stock market opens tomorrow. If we delay any longer, Dad, our company's stock price will keep falling. Once we miss the golden public - relations period..."
Without waiting for the old man to say more, Huo Linsheng stood up, opened the meeting room door, and looked at the people at the door, "Let's continue the meeting."
As for Old Master Huo, he was completely helpless. He left with a dark face.
However, Huo Linsheng didn't tell Ling Nuan about all these. To him, it was just an easy - going statement, "I still have some say in the Huo family."
Because of Huo Linsheng, Huo Xiao's hopes were dashed.
When the old man got home and Huo Xiao learned about the company's handling plan from him, she completely broke down.
She wept bitterly in front of the old man. This time, it was a genuine outpouring of emotion without any pretense. Although the old man was angry at what Huo Xiao had done, after all, she was his own granddaughter. Seeing her cry like this, he couldn't help but feel heartache.
"Xiao Xiao, it's okay. It will all blow over in a while." The old man comforted her.
Huo Xiao didn't listen at all.
Could it really pass? This would make her a laughingstock forever.
But even if she had to die, she would drag someone down with her.
"Grandpa, I know I made a mistake, but even if Auntie dislikes me, she doesn't have to do something so detrimental to the company, right? Not only has my reputation been damaged, but the company's stock price has also dropped sharply. Is Auntie still suitable to stay in the company?"
Old Master Huo was stunned.
"Are you saying that Ling Nuan did this?"