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Fang Zemin almost fell as his legs weakened, and he quickly held the desk to support himself before he fell, stunned.
He stared at Meng Qiao with disbelief. "Who again?"
Meng Qiao nodded. "It's Mo Yuwei."
A cold sweat broke across Fang Zemin's back.
"How… how did I offend her?" His voice cracked. "I've never even seen her recently."
Zhao Rui, standing quietly by the corner, spoke in a cautious tone. "Perhaps... it's related to Xu Jiaqi, CEO. Remember the GlowVine Cosmetics contract Xu Jiaqi came with a few days ago? She wanted us to sign it, but we refused. And now... all the news being leaked seems to be in her favor... while dragging Starlight through the mud."
Fang Zemin's face drained of all color.
Xu Jiaqi?
A woman blacklisted three years ago?
Could she really be the reason behind Mo Yuwei's wrath?
But it didn't make sense…
Xu Jiaqi wasn't just any blacklisted actress.
She had offended a big shot—someone untouchable in the industry.
Surely, Mo Yuwei knew that?
Yet she still dared?
He raked his fingers through his hair.
Mo Yuwei wasn't just some pampered heiress playing CEO.
She was ruthless in business, backed by not just the powerful Mo family, but also the Chen family—her husband's family.
Everyone in the industry knew she had both influence and a temper. A very bad one.
And what made her even more dangerous… was how much her husband spoiled her.
With that kind of shield, she was practically untouchable.
Fang Zemin's mind was spinning.
Could she really be doing all this... for Xu Jiaqi?
He turned to Meng Qiao sharply. "Are you sure?"
Meng Qiao gave a short nod. "Yes."
Fang Zemin pressed two fingers to his temple, exhaling through his nose.
"You, Li Zhu, bury the story. I don't care how. Spin it, suppress it, drown it in noise—just handle it."
He turned to Zhao Rui. "Reach out to Mo Yuwei. Try to arrange a meeting. We need to understand her intentions—see if we can talk."
His gaze landed on Meng Qiao next. "Call Xu Jiaqi to the company. Now."
The three nodded quickly and left.
—
Fang Zemin leaned back in his chair. His temples throbbed. Why would Mo Yuwei go so far for that girl?
Before he could dwell too long, his phone buzzed loudly on the desk.
His heart froze.
He didn't even need to see the name to know this call wasn't good news.
Still, he glanced at the screen.
His soul nearly left his body.
It was him.
He inhaled and answered quickly, trying to steady his voice. "Hello, Old Su, I—"
The voice on the other end exploded. "WHO are you calling Old Su?!"
Fang Zemin winced. "Mr. Su—"
"What the hell is going on?!" the man on the other end roared. "Who posted that video?!"
"I'm handling it, sir. I'm—"
"I don't give a damn what you're handling! You swore you deleted everything!"
"I deleted it... I don't know how it—"
"I don't care HOW you do it! If my wife divorces me because of this, I'll bury you, Fang Zemin. I swear I will drag you down with me!"
The line went dead.
Fang Zemin stared at the screen, white-faced.
—
Before he could process it, the office door slammed open.
Director Gu Yanchuan stormed in, nearly shaking the room with every stomp.
Behind him, the secretary tried to keep up, her voice trembling. "CEO Fang, I—"
"It's fine. Leave."
The secretary nodded quickly and disappeared.
Director Gu stood in front of the desk, glaring.
Fang Zemin rushed to greet him.
"Brother Gu—please, sit."
"Sit?!" Gu Yanchuan shouted. "Why the hell would I sit?! What is going on, Fang Zemin? That video—it's everywhere! Didn't you say you deleted it?!"
"I don't know how it resurfaced…"
Gu Yanchuan's eyes narrowed. "Who released it?"
"…Mo Yuwei."
The room went dead silent.
"Mo... Yuwei?" Director Gu echoed. "Are you out of your mind? What did you do to her?!"
Fang Zemin quickly explained. "It was Xu Jiaqi. She somehow landed a brand endorsement deal with GlowVine. They sent her with the contract, and we turned it down. Now... I think that's why Mo Yuwei is retaliating."
Silence.
Gu Yanchuan sat slowly on the edge of the desk.
Then, flatly, he said. "Fix it. I don't care what it takes. I want the video GONE. If not—I'm pulling out. I won't direct this movie."
Fang Zemin paled further.
Without Gu Yanchuan, half the country's theaters would refuse to screen the film.
His influence was that deep.
And no one could guarantee success without him.
"No, Brother Gu— No, Director Gu, please—"
"I don't want excuses." His voice cut like ice. "You know exactly how much weight my name carries. If I drop out, you'll be blacklisted next."
The door slammed shut as he walked out.
Fang Zemin collapsed into his chair.
XU. JIAQI!?!?
She did this to him. He'll make her pay.
Regret.
---