Milady's Fine Gentleman 242 LIFELINE

Meanwhile, at the Shi Corporation…
Shi Fan Hai sat restlessly on his leather chair behind his humungous desk. It was turned around, and he was facing the window behind his desk.
He had seen the quarterly report. For two consecutive quarters, all he could see were bright red figures! It meant loss of money and opportunity. They were losing big time, and fast.
At first their margins were only thinning out, until it dipped onto the negative region. It would be fine if their financing partners would not be affected as well.
What more of a devastating news could they receive than a notice from the banks?
Yes, the banks that were their partners in their sourcing strategy of their petroleum products had seen the losses on the previous quarter as well the current, since they were required to submit their financial statement.
The banks, which gave them credit advantages and financing benefits had been made aware of their dire situation, and had been getting dubious of their ability to pay. Hence, the banks sent the notice.
One by one, the banks, which were Shi Corporation's partners over the years, had been pulling out their support unilaterally.
Shi Fan Hai, the current CEO, had discussed the situation with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Unless there was a miracle, the end of Shi Corporation was extremely near.
This very reason was enough to tie Shi Fan Hai's hands down solely to business. He temporarily put on hold all his side projects and evil plans against the people he held grudge with. First on the list was Xue Jinxu merely for being his fiancé before, which was why Teng Man Rui ended up things between them the first time. Second came Chen Linyun's name, simply because he retaliated in Xue Jinxu's behalf, and messed up the whole plan with Xue Guangxi's riddance. Third was Zhu Li Qiang who tried to steal what wasn't his – the only woman that Shi Fan Hai claimed as his.
Just a few week ago, he learned another reason for a heavier grudge with Chen Linyun and Zhu Li Qiang. Roaring in unsurmountable fury, he cursed the existence of the two men who worked with each other as accomplices against them – the Shi Corporation – in the form of Shuilong Trading.
"So it's him! He's the owner of Shuilong Trading? He's behind our current dilemma? I bet he intentionally singled out Shi Corporation!"
"And that Zhu bastard had the guts to side with him and lend a hand on his vicious plans, huh?" As realization dawned on him, he crumpled his face more as his rage shoot up to infinity.
"He's truly capable, and cunning too! No wonder Father had his eyes on him!"
"But why him??!!"
"Of all the people in the world!!"
In his wrath he threw things onto the floor and onto the wall. Nothing was spared.
The only consolation was that when the news of Shuilong Trading's ownership came about, the Chairman was in an overseas trip. Shi Fan Hai was only scolded over the phone. Or else, it would be another gory episode.

"Look at what you've done! You turned an asset into an enemy! You've turned us, his potential major business partner, into his target!"
"Didn't I tell you…" and blah, blah, blah. Shi Fan Hai shut his mind from all the hurtful insulting and gibberish words of his dear father, intended specifically for his ears. He was on selective-hearing mode.
While being grilled over the phone, in his mind, he's sorting every vicious way of retaliation to the two men. "They will have to pay. They have to pay for this. I'll make their lives living hell just like how they managed to inflict such with mine. Those bastards."
That was weeks ago.
Shi Fan Hai was weary and agitated because of all the days, today, a random day in July, almost at the same time, the banks sent out the notice, a warning and perhaps a threat of much more undesirable consequence if the dipping market trend and company performance continue. Aside from that, this very day, Chairman Shi would be returning from his overseas trip.
True enough, he went straight from the airport to the Shi Corporation office.
"Still on your thinking chair? Actions are more important. Tell me, what are the action items?" Chairman Shi started attacking as soon as he entered his son's office.
Shi Fan Hia turned his chair around and faced his father.
"I'll come up with something, Father."
Chairman Shi clicked his tongue. "Tsk. No plans yet? Still NO plans? How long will you come up with one sound plan? When I'm already dead from humiliation? When the Shi Corporation is no more?"
Shi Fan Hai kept his silence but ruffled his head in annoyance. He couldn't refute his father this time.
"How about you listen to what I have arranged for you." Shi Fan Hai's overbearing father gave emphasis to the word 'I'. He exhibited such imposing aura.
"I am currently having talks of marriage with the Tengs. Isnt that what you want? To take home their girl? Bed her, and own her like a pet?" Chairman Shi's eyelids drooped and smiled sheepishly. "I am making it a reality, on the condition that you will give me what I am after. Their wealth, a lifeline for our Shi Corporation. Of course, without them knowing anything about it. Make it subtle."
"Doesn't matter how I do it, as long as I do it. That should be the same for you. I don't give a damn as to how you would do it, as long as you do it! Damn it! The problem is, you don't do anything! That's the problem!"
"This time, you are not expected to do anything on your own accord, just follow my instructions. We need a lifeline."
Although still silent, Shi Fan Hai's chest heaved up and down from extreme rage. He clenched his fists so firmly that his knuckles were trembling from the force. He sent daggers of stares to his old man.
Chairman Shi continued his never-ending rants.
"Not grateful? Isn't that what you want all this time? Your end goal? To be with the Teng daughter?"
"Isn't that what made you come to me and beg me to clothe you and give you the title of a Shi?"
"Now, it's within your grasp. Am I not such a supportive father?" He sighed theatrically, as if he did such a good job in raising his son.
"We already ended things up, Father. We're done, Man Rui and I. She won't even agree with that marriage. She knows I had been betrothed to her best friend. And as I know it she's getting betrothed to the Xue young master…"
"And where's the Xue young master?" The Shi patriarch barked.
"Overseas."
The old man only snorted.
"Just do what I tell you to do. You cannot fail this time. You have to marry into the Teng's no matter what. You already have the lady's heart on your palms. Make the most out of it. She's the perfect candidate."
"Bear in mind that you were nothing. You're just my bastard son with no rights as a Shi. Don't ever forget what your mother did to my rightful descendant, MY legitimate son. You're just a replacement."
"I took you in, and placed you to that position. People bowed at your feet. I gave that to you. Now you have to repay my kindness and generosity. Do your job well as a Shi son." It was apparent that Chairman Shi was not giving Shi Fan Hai any option but to agree with him.
Shi Fan Hai gritted his teeth, and through his suppressed rage, he affirmed, "Yes Father."
At this point, Shi Fan Hai was wavering onto what his father wanted and what he preferred. Certainly, he was against the idea of using the Teng's as lifeline, and through Teng Man Rui, too, his queen, and the only woman he wanted by his side to rule the world. How the hell would he able to do that if he and his family will have to suck up his queen's source of wealth for their own? But, how would he even rule the world with Man Rui by his side, without the wealth? At least if he obeyed his father, he would be with Teng Man Rui, AND still have some wealth to squander. However, is isn't anyone's wealth. It was the Teng's. That's what made it complicated.
Not to mention, he still needed to fulfill his vow of retribution to the people responsible for their current situation.
"I'm sorry Man Rui, my queen."

Chapter end

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