"What do you want?"
Though momentarily shaken, Liu Qiyue quickly regained her composure. If this man was revealing such an incriminating recording to her, he clearly intended to use it as leverage.
"Let's meet in person, Mrs. Lin."
His voice was calm, almost playful.
"Eight o'clock tonight. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Presidential Suite 999."
"Come alone. No bodyguards. Otherwise, I can't guarantee this audio won't end up in Lin Tiannan's hands."
Before she could respond, the call ended.
Liu Qiyue's expression darkened, fury simmering beneath the surface. Her fingers clenched tightly around the phone.
She had no idea how this recording had leaked, but there was one thing she was certain of—she could not let it reach Lin Tiannan. If he found out the truth, all her years of meticulous planning would be ruined.
The Lin family was almost within her grasp. Now was not the time for mistakes.
Could Xiao Lin have betrayed me?
The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. If Xiao Lin had wanted to turn against her, he wouldn't have helped with the layoffs—he would have gone straight to Lin Tiannan.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Liu Qiyue grabbed her purse and left the office. She would meet this man. If money was what he wanted, she would pay. Whatever it took to keep that recording from ever surfacing.
Crowne Plaza Hotel – Presidential Suite 999
Jiang Che set his phone down, a smirk curling on his lips.
Lin Fan was returning to China soon. The pieces were falling into place.
Jiang Che didn't just want to crush Lin Fan—he wanted to make him watch as the Lin family fell under his control.
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
Jiang Che stood up and opened the door.
Liu Qiyue stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She wore a fitted skirt that accentuated her slender waist, paired with an elegant off-white blouse. Black stockings ran smoothly down her legs, disappearing into high heels. Her almond-shaped eyes were sharp, her delicate features framed by a composed yet icy expression.
She exuded an aura of authority and distance—untouchable, unshakable.
Jiang Che chuckled. "Mrs. Lin, right on time."
He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter.
Liu Qiyue hesitated for a fraction of a second before walking in. She wasn't afraid—this man wouldn't dare lay a hand on her.
Once inside, Jiang Che closed the door.
Liu Qiyue turned to face him, arms crossed. "Who are you? How much do you want?"
There was something oddly familiar about him, though she couldn't immediately place it.
Jiang Che poured two cups of tea, his movements unhurried. "My name is Jiang Che. Chairman of the Jiang Group."
At that, recognition flickered across Liu Qiyue's face.
Jiang Che…
No wonder he looked familiar. He was the same man who had recently been recognized as an Outstanding Entrepreneur of Jiangbei City.
Now that she knew his identity, she felt even more confident that he wouldn't act recklessly. The chairman of a major corporation like Jiang Group wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge the Lin family outright.
"You have a lot of nerve, threatening me like this." Liu Qiyue sneered, her sharp gaze locked onto his. "A normal person wouldn't dare even if they had that recording. My retaliation wouldn't be something they could handle."
Jiang Che met her gaze evenly, unfazed. "I'm not afraid. Because you won't retaliate, Mrs. Lin."
Liu Qiyue narrowed her eyes.
"If you were willing to let this audio get out, you wouldn't be here alone," Jiang Che continued. "You're still consolidating your power in the Lin Group. If this leaks, all your years of effort will be wasted."
Liu Qiyue exhaled slowly. He wasn't wrong.
"Enough games. What do you want?" she demanded.
Jiang Che sipped his tea, his expression unreadable. "Simple. I'll give you the recording, but I have three conditions."
He raised one finger. "First, I want 5% of Lin Group's shares."
A second finger. "Second, Lin Group and Jiang Group will enter a deep partnership. You will open the national luxury cosmetics market for us."
Then, with a smirk, he raised a third finger.
His gaze flickered over her, lingering in a way that made his intentions clear.
Liu Qiyue's expression turned ice-cold.
"Are you dreaming?"