Little Wife's Diary: My Husband is My Boss!
Chapter 247: Provocation ( 2 )

Chapter 247: Provocation ( 2 )

Noticing Xiao Chengqiu’s displeasure, Chairman Lin immediately intervened, and said with a smile, "COO Xiao, how could we blame you? This is clearly a misunderstanding."

"It’s good if it’s just a misunderstanding," Xiao Chengqiu replied with a nod.

"After all, I have never neglected my job. If someone were to blame me for their own shortcomings, it would make the Lin Group look like a joke. Don’t you think so, CEO Lin?" he asked meaningfully.

Sensing the hidden meaning, Lin Hao couldn’t hold back his anger and asked, "Xiao Chengqiu, what are you implying?"

Xiao raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "CEO Lin, it’s exactly as I said."

Lin Hao pointed at him and said, "You—"

"Enough!" Chairman Lin snapped, casting a sharp glare at his son.

The moment he heard his father’s sharp tone, Lin Hao fell silent, cowed by his father’s stern gaze.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengqiu suppressed a sneer and thought, ’With this level of ability and courage, he dares to claim he can do better than my cousin. The Lin family truly excels at nothing except bragging.’

Noticing Xiao Chengqiu’s disdainful expression, Chairman Lin narrowed his eyes and asked, "COO Xiao, do you have any issues with my son?"

"Chairman Lin, how is my opinion of CEO Lin relevant to this meeting? Isn’t today’s agenda about his promise to increase the company’s value?" Xiao Chengqiu asked him back with a smile.

"Yes, but this question pertains to today’s topic," Chairman Lin pressed.

"Oh? Is that so?" Xiao Chengqiu raised his eyebrows.

"COO Xiao, please answer the question," Chairman Lin insisted.

Xiao Chengqiu saw through their attempt to make him a scapegoat. He smirked slightly and replied, "Professionally, I have no issue with CEO Lin. But personally, I am indeed dissatisfied with him."

Lin Hao’s eyes flashed with anger before he regained his composure, remembering his father’s warning to choose his words carefully. He left it to his father to handle the situation.

"COO Xiao, is this why you have refused to assist CEO Lin since he took over?" one of the shareholders asked.

Xiao Chengqiu chuckled, then countered, "Mr. Han, what makes you think I haven’t assisted him?"

"COO Xiao, everyone knows you refused to handle several projects in recent months, leading to Lin Group missing key opportunities," Mr. Han replied.

Smiling, Xiao Chenqiu explained, "Mr. Han, perhaps you don’t fully understand the roles of a COO and a CEO. I have never neglected my responsibilities. When Lin Xiao was CEO, he personally oversaw all projects, coordinating his team and even visiting project sites to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation."

"My job is to support the CEO—not to do his job for him. Surely, you are not expecting me to handle the CEO’s duties and let him take the credit?" Xiao Chengqiu asked casually, raising an eyebrow.

"COO Xiao, under unusual circumstances, isn’t it your duty to step in for CEO Lin?" Chairman Yan inquired.

"Chairman Yan, you may not realize it, but even if I wanted to help, I wouldn’t even know how to help CEO Lin. Given his limited capability, it’s a miracle he hasn’t mismanaged the existing projects, let alone pursued new ones," Xiao Chengqiu replied helplessly.

"Frankly, those former shareholders who sold their stakes to you were wise. They cut their losses early," Xiao added.

Furious by his provocation, Lin Hao slammed the table. Standing up, he pointed at him and asked angrily, "Xiao Chengqiu, are you saying I’m less competent than Lin Xiao?!"

Xiao Chengqiu sighed while shaking his head. He looked at Lin Hao and said, "CEO Lin, I don’t mean to belittle you. I’m simply stating the truth. Since you lack the required skills, why not bring in someone who has them?"

Turning to Chairman Lin, he continued, "Chairman Lin, if you want to save this company, replace the CEO. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before the Feng Group takes over the company."

The shareholders exchanged worried glances, visibly unsettled due to his surprising words.

Noticing the shareholders’ expressions, Chairman Yan interjected, "COO Xiao, as a high-level executive, you shouldn’t spread baseless rumors."

Xiao Chengqiu chuckled, unbothered by his words as he said, "Chairman Yan, I almost pity you. You chose not to buy shares when Lin Xiao was leading the company, but now you have invested heavily in Lin Group stock during its decline."

"Are you hoping Lin Group will make a comeback and bring you profit?" he asked curiously.

Before Yan Liguang could respond, Xiao Chengqiu added, "Regrettably, there won’t be a comeback unless Lin Xiao resumes as CEO. Otherwise, mark my words, in three months, Feng Group will absorb Lin Group. If you don’t believe me, you can wait and see."

"Did you sell company secrets to Feng Zhexuan?" Lin Hao asked as he glared at him.

"CEO Lin, be careful with your accusations," Xiao replied calmly, raising his hand.

"I am Lin Group’s COO. I would never sell company secrets. I have my own wealth and don’t need to resort to such things. Instead of pointing fingers at me, perhaps you should speak to your wife."

"I hear she recently had lunch with one of the Feng Group’s employees. Maybe she let something slip during their passionate encounters?" Xiao added casually.

Lin Hao’s face went pale with shock and anger at the suggestion, and Yan Liguang’s face twisted with fury as he exclaimed, "That’s nonsense! I know my daughter, she would never do that!"

Turning to Xiao Chengqiu, Yan Liguang continued through gritted teeth, "COO Xiao, I know you have never liked my son-in-law and are trying to create conflict between the Lin and Yan families. But unless you have evidence, you will be facing a defamation lawsuit."

Everyone expected Xiao Chengqiu to be intimidated, but he merely smiled and said, "Chairman Yan, if you are certain I’m lying, feel free to sue."

Then, looking at Lin Hao, he added, "CEO Lin, check with the Starlight Hotel staff if you doubt me. You can find the evidence as long as you check their CCTV footage."