Chapter 72: Robbing Is Wrong
"Chen Yao, are you insane? The Young Master is your own brother! What do you mean by giving your shares to an outsider?" Ah Lian was the first to lash out, pointing a finger at Chen Yao. "If the Young Master hadn't told you, you'd still be in the dark, completely oblivious to the truth!"
"Who I give them to is my business. It's not your place to tell me what to do!" Chen Yao shot Ah Lian a scornful glance, then grabbed Zhou Fan's clothes with both hands. "Please? I'll give you all forty-five percent of the shares. I don't want a single cent. All I ask is that you guarantee my safety for life!"
'Guarantee my safety for life!'
Zhou Fan paused, turning to look at Chen Yao. 'A woman groomed to be a president, capable of managing an entire company, is certainly no simple person!'
However, considering his own plans, Zhou Fan realized he did need a management expert like Chen Yao by his side. He nodded. "Remember what you've said today."
With that, Zhou Fan picked up the share transfer agreement and slowly rose to his feet. He looked at Chen Feng. "President Chen, what's your move now? Do you plan on strong-arming me for the shares I now hold?"
Chen Feng hadn't expected this turn of events and was at a loss for what to do. 'Should he really make a move on Zhou Fan?'
His hesitation wasn't due to anything else; seeing how utterly calm Zhou Fan was, he suspected he might not be his match.
"We'll buy the shares you're holding for thirty percent of their market price. If you know what's good for you, you'd better agree!" Seeing Chen Feng hesitate, Ah Lian stepped forward and stared directly at Zhou Fan. "I've investigated you. I know you're a decent fighter and have had dealings with Fan from Wolf Fang. But here and now, you have only two choices: agree to sell your shares, or die!"
In that instant, Ah Lian's entire demeanor seemed to transform. She was no longer the docile, obedient subordinate from before, but someone who held a high position and was accustomed to giving orders.
"My apologies, but I'll choose the third option: I'm leaving with the shares and Chen Yao."
Zhou Fan smiled faintly. With his power restored, it wasn't just his formidable combat prowess that had returned, but also his boundless confidence.
"So you've chosen the hard way. Get him!" Ah Lian snorted, and with a wave of her hand, all the bodyguards in the conference room—except for those Chen Shilei had brought, who were already subdued—charged at Zhou Fan.
'Slow. Their movements are far too slow.'
Zhou Fan watched them and shook his head. Grabbing Chen Yao with one hand, he struck out with the other, felling one man with a single palm strike. At the same time, his leg shot out in three consecutive kicks, sending three or four men flying.
In the blink of an eye, half of the bodyguards—men who would seem formidable to any ordinary person—had been taken down by Zhou Fan. The rest were frozen in place, not daring to make a move.
"Insolent!"
Seeing this, Ah Lian knew these men couldn't stop Zhou Fan. She vaulted into the air and, like a swallow in flight, nimbly cleared the conference table to land before him. Her hand shot out, clawing for his neck.
"Well, well. Didn't realize you were a practitioner!" Zhou Fan exclaimed with mock surprise. Though he moved second, his hand shot out faster, catching her wrist. He yanked her forcefully toward him. Alarmed, Ah Lian found her body hurtling uncontrollably toward Zhou Fan.
In the next instant, Zhou Fan stepped forward, raised his shoulder slightly, and rammed it into Ah Lian's shoulder blade.
CRACK!
With the sound of a sickening snap, Ah Lian felt a bone break. The moment Zhou Fan released her, her body was sent flying backward.
THUD!
She flew four or five meters before her body slammed into the wall, bringing her to an abrupt halt. Her right arm hung uselessly at her side. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but failed. Instead, a mouthful of blood sprayed out.
*Splurt!*
The crimson blood, dazzling as a firework, splattered across the floorboards, staining them a vivid, brilliant red.
"I'll spare you this time. Next time, have your elders come. You're not even in my league," Zhou Fan said with a confident smile, turning to Chen Feng. "President Chen, may I leave now? Or perhaps you'd like to acquire my shares... for ten times the market price?"
"Ten times? Are you insane? Why don't you just go rob a bank?" Hearing the price, Liu Xueyue, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but sneer. The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She shrank back in fear and retreated to the side.
"The lady is mistaken," Zhou Fan said, glancing at Liu Xueyue, who was so frightened she nearly fell over. "This is business, after all. I'm allowed to name my price, and you're allowed to make a counteroffer. Robbery, on the other hand, is wrong. It's illegal."
"How much are the shares I'm holding worth?" Zhou Fan asked, turning to Chen Yao.
"Based on the current valuation of the Chen Conglomerate, that forty-five percent is worth around 6.7 billion," Chen Yao answered quietly. Having already decided to trade the shares for her safety, she had no reason to hide anything. As for who ultimately ended up with them, that was now for Zhou Fan to decide.
With that, Zhou Fan and Chen Yao both turned to look at Chen Feng.