Chapter 5 - One down, Nine left.

On her way to her apartment, Jing Lihua stopped by her mother's tomb. She had brought a fresh boutique of flowers along with her.

"Mother, thanks for granting me a second chance. I know you've always been watching over me. This time, I'll not disappoint you. I'll get back at all of those who treated you badly. I'll not spare a single one of them. I'll make you proud of me, mother." Jing Lihua bent to place the boutique. She was surprised when she noticed fresh rose flowers on her mother's tomb.

Someone had recently visited her.

She picked up a rose and looked around. The cemetery was empty. Was there anyone else in this world who missed her mother?

Jing Lihua arrived at her apartment at six pm. She took a bath and prepared something for dinner. She was halted midway when she received a call. Jing Lihua glanced at the number. With a cold smile, she placed down her phone and resumed to cook. The phone continued to ring relentlessly. At the tenth call, she picked up.

"Jing Lihua, why the f.u.c.k you took so long to pick up? Now that you have married Su Liwei, do you think that you can act so arrogantly in front of me? We both know that Su Liwei cherishes your little sister. If not for your grandfather, he would never have given you a second glance."

Jing Lihua kept silent for a long time. The party on the other side was growing impatient.

"Is there anything He Zhoyan?" Jing Lihua's voice was calm. He Zhoyan felt like Jing Lihua was mocking her by ignoring her.

"How much you hate me, you still have to respect me! I'm your stepmother! Do you want me to tell your father you disrespected me?" He Zhoyan threatened.

'I'm already not hanging up on you. That is far more respect than you deserve." Jing Lihua laughed.

"You..." He Zhoyan calmed her temper. "Listen to me, your father has invited the host of a famous reality show to our home. She agreed to this show only when we said that you would come. I want you to come home this Saturday. Your father has been thinking for your sake. You can use this opportunity to clear your bad reputation by behaving well." He Zhoyan said it as if she wanted to help Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua knew that her stepmother only wanted to embarrass her in front of everyone. She wanted to open a door of opportunity for her daughter Jing Tian by introducing her to everyone. This was how she had done it in her last life.

"Sure I'll come." Jing Lihua gently said. But He Zhoyan failed to get the deeply hidden hint in her tune.

"Alright." He Zhoyan hung up on her. She had expected it would take more effort to make Jing Lihua agree. Ha! Such a stupid woman. She agreed so readily.

The next morning, when Jing Lihua arrived at the twin skyscr.a.p.ers, she found a huge crowd at the foot of the building. There were reporters from different media channels. Half of her employees had gathered around along with all of those who she had fired. They were holding banners. Jing Lihua's eyes filled with amus.e.m.e.nt. She walked out with a calm smile.

"What is this all about?"

Mei Xiu quickly sided Jing Lihua. She looked worried. "President, I was going to inform you"

"President Jing, is it true you fired fifty people just after taking the office without giving them the proper reason?"

"Have you considered that those people might have families and children? After being fired suddenly, how would they fend for themselves?"

"How are you going to deal with this situation. Would you return the jobs back to all the people?"

The reporters fiercely charged hundreds of questions. Jing Lihua didn't pay them any attention and walked straight to the head of the revolt; Wang Yi.

"President Jing, we have loyally served your company for the last ten years. We have worked hard day and night to bring this enterprise to this current status. Without us, the Tang enterprise wouldn't stand where it is right now. How could you treat us so unjustly? We demand justice!"

"If you fired out brothers today, you could fire us tomorrow too! How can we continue to work here if this is how you treat your employees?"

"President Jing, take back your decision or all of us will resign!"

The more people behind him raised their banners. Chaos followed.

Under their accusing and wrathful eyes, Jing Lihua remained calm. Her smile was steady.

"Good. If you have served this enterprise loyally, I think you deserve a second chance. Wang Yi, follow me to my office to discuss the terms of negotiations"

...

Wang Yi was horrified. Jing Lihua had just thrown his dirty past in front of him. There were records of his meetings with Tang enterprise enemies. He was selling information for money. Wang Yi gulped. His heart was hammering with fear. His hands were cold.

"Would you still say that you served the Tang enterprise loyally?" Jing Lihua's eyes were calm.

"President I-I..."

"If I show this evidence to the media that is gathered out, the basis of your revolt would end. Let's forget about that. I can sue you till you are penniless with this evidence. I can make sure that you spend the rest of your life under the bars. But, luckily for you, I'm merciful." Jing Lihua pulled out a paper and threw it in front of him. "Here, sign on it. That's an agreement between you and me. You will stop this revolt right now. You'll tell everyone that it was Heng HuiZhong who was the real head of the revolt. You'll admit to being a spy of some other company and I'll leave you alone."

Wang Yi had no choice. This President was fearsome. With trembling hands, he signed on the papers. When he walked out, everyone was eager to know what had happened outside. Reporters and his fellows surrounded him. His face was white.

He said everything that Jing Lihua had asked him to tell. Meanwhile, Jing Lihua was watching everything from her office on a huge screen. She took a sip of her water and called Mei Xiu.

"Tell everyone that Heng HuiZhong has been removed from his position at the Boards of directors for breaching the contract of employment and conspiring against the company."