Eliza walked up to Fyren and looked him straight in the eye, her face expressionless:
"Fyren, I think you make a valid point. I don't trust anyone but you. I'll convene an emergency executive meeting tonight to finalize the details of investing in the shantytown renovation."
Fyren was no fool. Looking at Eliza's expression and her eyes, he knew she was gambling with him.
[So you want me to invest in shantytowns? Fine, I'll vote for shantytowns.
Are you really trying to trap me? Or will you back down and soften your stance? Your move.]
Elton Leng, unaware of Eliza's thoughts, stood back with a grim expression. Otto was equally confused.
Shantytown renovation? Would any sensible person touch that?
The government had lobbied everywhere, yet none of Crystalpeak City's four major families had agreed to participate.
The project required massive long-term investment, involved numerous stakeholders, and presented extremely complicated circumstances where the slightest misstep could lead to disaster.
Every single aspect was potentially deadly. Any corporation considering such a project needed to carefully weigh whether they had the capital and capability to handle it.
The first project manager had been a southerner who couldn't endure the pressure and fled midway through.
Three people had already jumped to their deaths over this project alone.
The shantytown renovation wasn't just a hot potato - it was a red-hot iron brand. Forget holding it, even touching it would burn you badly!
Otto said, "Eliza, I strongly advise against getting involved in the shantytown renovation. The project's situation is highly complex, and you lack sufficient experience in infrastructure..."
Eliza coldly looked at Otto. "Do I need to know all that? All I need is Fyren's support. Right, Fyren?"
Fyren: "Uh..."
Otto continued, "The Amusement City project has a shorter cycle and clearer prospects. If we secure that land quickly, we'll be unstoppable. The shantytown is too uncertain and labor-intensive."
"Then what's there to fear? With Fyren supporting me, I'm not afraid of hard work. Right, Fyren?"
Fyren: "Uh..."
Otto grew anxious: "Eliza, why can't you understand? I'm doing all this for you! I don't want you jumping into a fire pit or seeing Qingfeng Group collapse. I know revitalizing Qingfeng is your dream - that's why I'm here."
Eliza replied, "What revitalization? I'm a woman, and a woman's greatest dream is to marry well. Fyren and I are getting engaged next month, married by year's end, and having a baby next year... Right, Fyren?"
Fyren: "Uh... hiss..."
Otto thought to himself: [What kind of person are you? Can't you see such an obvious business opportunity? You'd rather follow Fyren into some shantytown renovation project? What's wrong with Eliza? What's gotten into her?]
Eliza stared firmly at Fyren. "Fyren, I believe in you. Look at me and tell me honestly - which project do you want me to pursue?"
The intensity of Eliza's gaze made Fyren extremely uncomfortable. He didn't know how to respond.
[This silly girl can't actually believe me and want to do some shantytown renovation project, can she? Big sister, you're just calling my bluff and challenging me, right?]
[Damn it! I refuse to believe I can't handle a little girl like you!]
"Oh, of course," Fyren made up his mind. "I'm optimistic about this project, but the final decision rests with Qingfeng Group. I'm merely offering a suggestion."
"Good!" Eliza was decisive. "Since you suggested it, I'll follow your advice."
Elton Leng couldn't remain seated. "Eliza, there's no need to rush. Let's discuss this first—"
"No discussion needed." Eliza, now furious, pushed the door open to leave. "I'll immediately convene my team for an emergency meeting to draft the investment and shareholding plan for the shantytown renovation. We'll negotiate with the relevant officials tomorrow."
"You're being reckless!" Elton Leng shouted angrily. "How can you be so impulsive about such an important matter? I'm still chairman of Qingfeng Group, and I don't approve of this!"
Eliza turned to face Elton Leng. "Father, you were the one who arranged my marriage to the Zhang family. You gave me full authority over Qingfeng Group. You personally told me my personal happiness means nothing compared to Qianfeng's long-term interests. As Eliza Leng, I follow the principle of 'marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.' Since I'm engaged to Fyren, he will be my husband. My husband's word is law - his orders are my command. If Fyren says invest in the shantytown project, I'll trust him."
Otto interjected urgently, "Eliza, think carefully. Fyren doesn't deserve this level of trust from you."
Eliza looked at Otto. "Really? Then tell me, who should I trust?"
Her eyes grew red and moist:
"My entire life, I've never found someone I could truly trust."
"As a child, I idolized my father and tried to emulate everything about him - his iron-fisted decisiveness, his domineering boldness, his meritocratic principles, his calm wisdom... But I discovered my father was stronger and colder than I could have ever imagined."
"Every time I faced difficulties and felt sad, he never hugged or comforted me like other fathers would. He would only scold me, humiliate me, and look at me with that relentless disappointment, telling me I was worthless!"
"When I grew up, for the sake of the group's interests, his own daughter had to enter an arranged marriage. In his eyes, Qianfeng is his real child - I'm just a useless daughter."
"My only friend was caught secretly drugging my drink. When I cried and asked her why, she said she hated me. Hated that I was smarter, born into wealth, more beautiful with a better figure, and naturally gifted at learning! She hated that everything I was born with were luxuries she could never achieve in her lifetime. So she wanted to destroy me!"
"My one relationship in college - I gave it my all! He was sunny, athletic, the light in my life. Not wealthy, but I thought I'd finally found someone trustworthy!"
"Then on my birthday, I discovered he'd installed three cameras in our reserved hotel."
Eliza laughed through her tears, an unbearably sorrowful laugh.
"Three!"
Her voice trembled: "While I was preparing to give myself to him completely, all he wanted was to record everything from every angle - to control me and seize the Leng family fortune."
Wiping her tears, Eliza continued: "Family, friends, lovers - all so cruel. Tell me, who should I trust?"
She roared angrily: "Speak! Who can I trust? Is there anyone in this world who would love, cherish and protect me sincerely - not for my looks, not for money, not for my family? Does such a person exist? Must I always be alone? Is the world truly this cold, or does the trust I seek simply not exist at all? Answer me!"
Fyren felt a pang of sorrow, his heart filled with remorse.
[I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd suffered so much.]
[It seems no matter how wealthy one becomes, what we ultimately seek is inner happiness. Though many dismiss such words as nonsense, money truly isn't everything.]
[Damn it, what should I do? My heart aches for her! If not for my mission, I'd rush over and embrace her right now.]
[I can't! I must restrain myself. She must never know. From now on, I'll be kinder to her - in business and life. When she faces difficulties, I'll secretly help. This poor girl... her misery makes my heart ache so.]
Eliza's tear-blurred eyes darted around before locking onto Fyren.
Fyren, meanwhile, lowered his head sheepishly without speaking.
Otto felt this was his moment to step in. "Eliza, I believe I'm that person! Yes, I came here because I like you, cherish you, want to protect you! From now on, you can trust me with anything. I'm willing to be the light that brightens your life! My light will shine for you alone from this day forward."
Fyren mentally hurled a turd in his direction.
[Disgusting! So arrogant and nauseating! How shameless can you be, spouting such sweet lies!
[You don't care about Eliza's happiness - you're after the Leng family's wealth! And not just the Lengs, but the Xus and Chens too. Eventually, even the Zhangs.
[Sigh...it can't be helped. This is fate. Maybe staying together is the best outcome for Eliza after all.]]
Eliza glanced at Otto: "I've decided to trust Fyren for life. If he wants to trap me, I'll let him. If he wants to harm me, I'll allow it. If he wants to sell me, I'll set my own price! Tomorrow marks Qingfeng Group's official investment in the shantytown renovation. You'll all witness it!"
Fyren was utterly exasperated.
[Big sister, what kind of attitude is this!
[Isn't this obvious? I...I misjudged again! Completely misread the situation!]
Fyren didn't realize Eliza had completely taken his bait and thought she had blundered.
What he believed was happening:
Otto had presented the right path for Eliza, while he had intentionally suggested the wrong one at the perfect moment. Normally, this contrast would make Eliza choose Otto's correct investment plan, becoming grateful to Otto and putting the plot back on track. The heroine would then progress the romantic storyline with the hero, allowing Fyren to exit gracefully and handle other heroines' storylines.
But now, through some bizarre twist, Eliza's long-suppressed psychological issues had erupted! Her reverse psychology had surfaced! The always calm, rational Eliza who never made mistakes was committing a colossal error!
Shockingly, she had broken down and stubbornly chosen the wrong investment path!
Elton Leng shouted angrily: "Eliza! You're Qingfeng Group's executive president! Is this how I taught you to make decisions - emotionally? I don't care how disappointed you are with me or the world! I demand your competence - the ability to restore Qingfeng to greatness! You will not touch that shantytown project. Tomorrow you'll secure that land for me! Fail at this, and there will be no place for you in Qingfeng Group!"
Eliza turned her head and looked at her father indifferently.
A mocking sneer appeared on her lips.
"You gave me this authority, now you must accept the consequences. To revoke my executive powers and decision-making authority, you'll need to convene a shareholders' meeting and formally announce my removal. According to company regulations, this meeting requires one week's preparation. One week is all I need to do what I intend to do."
"You—"
Without waiting for his response, Eliza turned and walked out of the room without looking back.
Fyren broke out in a cold sweat.
Holy shit! This has completely spiraled out of control!
Fyren felt the world spinning around him.
Eliza had gambled everything and resolutely taken the plunge!
Elton Leng was now glaring at him, furious because of his terrible suggestion!
Worst of all was Otto, whose face had darkened completely, looking ready to explode at any moment!
This is bad...I'm done for!