Chapter 234

Vivian’s POV

OmniFront Labs, President’s Office.

When Quinn knocked and entered, I was staring at the latest experimental data for the Brain-Computer Interface (CGT) project. The moment I looked up, I keenly caught the undisguisable anxiety on her face.

"What’s wrong?" I set down the documents in my hands.

Quinn walked quickly to the desk and handed me her phone. "Vivian, there’s a crisis at Nelson Tech Group. Cutting corners, illegal heavy metal excess—they are under strict investigation. The stock price has hit the limit down, and partners are pulling out in a frenzy."

She paused, her tone even more urgent. "I checked, and we have three core suppliers whose businesses overlap with theirs; the supply chain is heavily intertwined."

I took the phone, my fingertips swiping rapidly across the screen, scanning those shocking headlines.

I tossed the phone back onto the desk, my tone indifferent. "Schedule an audit. Immediately re-test all materials supplied by those three companies. Enforce strict quality control."

Just as Quinn was about to turn around, I called her back. "Tell those suppliers to immediately cut off all dealings with Nelson Tech Group and Skyline Innovations. If any connection is found, terminate the partnership at once. There is no room for negotiation."

Quinn hesitated for a moment, doubting. "Vivian, won't this sour relationships? We’ve worked with them for years, and it's always been stable. To suddenly demand a split, I’m afraid..."

I leaned back in my chair, watching her with a cold gaze. "I want absolutely safe products, not face for the sake of social ties. Product quality concerns human lives. The gold-standard reputation of OmniFront Labs must never be tarnished by someone else’s mess. If they can understand, we continue working together; if they can't, we replace them."

"I understand." Quinn didn't say more, nodding as she exited.

---

Hazel’s POV

In the study of the Nelson Family Mansion, the air was suffocatingly thick.

I saw Bruce frantically making calls, his face turning ashen with every busy signal coming from the receiver. With a sharp crack, he slammed the receiver down, his fist smashing against the solid wood desk.

Helen and Emily hurriedly pushed the door open, Helen leaning on her cane.

"What is it now?" Helen’s voice was filled with an uncontrollable tremor.

Bruce turned around, his entire face flushed a bruised purple, the fire in his eyes seemingly capable of burning the study down. "Three more partners want to terminate their contracts! I had someone check; it’s Vivian who put out the word—anyone who works with OmniFront Labs must completely cut ties with Nelson Tech Group and Skyline Innovations. Those companies are afraid of losing Vivian’s big orders, so they are all avoiding us like the plague!"

His roar was deafening. I leaned against the wall, my body stiff.

Helen’s face turned pale instantly, her figure swaying. "That snake-hearted bitch, is she trying to drive us to extinction!"

Emily was indignant on the side. "She just can’t stand to see us do well! Hazel, hurry and think of a way, go beg Dylan, or else we are really finished!"

I looked up at Emily, didn't respond, and lowered my head silently again.

Bruce walked up to me, a hint of suppressed pleading in his eyes. "Hazel, give Dylan a call. Only he can save us now."

My throat was dry, and I spat out a difficult sentence: "Don't worry, I will try my best."

That night, Bruce’s men finally found the whistleblower—Ben, an old employee who had worked at the factory for nearly ten years.

When Ben was pushed into the living room, he was still wearing his old gloves stained with machine oil. He looked at us, his fear lasting only an instant, replaced entirely by deep-seated hatred.

Bruce sat on the sofa, sneering down at him. "You’re the one who reported it?"

Ben stood straight, staring him down. "Yes, it was me."

Bruce jumped up and roared, "Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve ruined my company!"

Ben suddenly laughed, a shrill and mad sound. "I ruined you? You ruined me first! Half a year without pay last year, my wife had a high fever, I couldn't afford to take her to the hospital... You killed her! It was you!"

Bruce’s lips trembled. "...The company’s capital chain was broken at the time, I had no choice."

My temples were throbbing. I stood up and walked over to Ben. "Ben, listen. Regarding the report, although it is our problem, you were also the one handling it. If a thorough investigation happens, you won't be able to stay out of it."

He glared at me, breathing heavily.

I applied pressure. "I’ll give you a chance. Declare publicly that it was all a frame-up, that the evidence was faked by you because you were dissatisfied with the company and spread malicious rumors. As long as you nod, a million—it’s yours when it’s done."

He shook his head fiercely, and I continued to increase the stakes.

"Two million."

"Five million."

"Ten million."

Ben’s breathing grew heavier, his hands trembling as he stared at those rough, oil-stained hands.

The entire living room was silent, all eyes fixed on him, as if waiting for a deal for a soul.

"...Fine, I agree." Ben’s voice was barely audible.

The corners of my mouth curled up in a faint smile. "Very good. Tomorrow at the press conference, say what’s on the script."

Bodyguards dragged him out. Bruce collapsed onto the sofa, muttering, "That bastard. Ten million... really greedy."

I watched all of this, but deep down, I felt no joy, only endless coldness.

Looking at Bruce, my tone was cold and hard. "Uncle, you must handle the government investigation as soon as possible. Money is not the problem; no matter how much it costs, make sure they slow down the investigation progress."

"Even though Ben provided evidence that it was a frame-up, we can insist that it was faked. You must find a way to clean up the rest of the mess; you absolutely cannot let anyone dig deep."

Bruce nodded repeatedly. "Right, I understand, I’ll go handle it now."

He grabbed his coat and disappeared into the night.

I collapsed onto the sofa, my fingertips cold. I picked up my phone and called Dylan. The moment it connected, I forced a relaxed tone.

"Dylan, I’ve figured it out. It was a false rumor maliciously created by a company employee due to dissatisfaction with their treatment."

"I’ve already found that person, and he will step out to clarify. This will be resolved soon."

There was a long silence on the other end.

Dylan’s voice sounded cold. "Is it really a rumor? Hazel, are you sure?"

My fingers dug into the edge of the phone. "I’m sure. Dylan, how could I possibly use something like this to lie to you?"

Dylan replied, "That’s good. Be careful yourself, I’m hanging up."

The call ended. I threw the phone on the sofa, leaned my head back, and closed my eyes.