Chapter 839: Pete, The Traitor

“Can we leave now?”

Xu Shaochen looked at the young man and asked calmly.

The young man pressed his lips together, deeply regretting his actions. He turned around and walked out of the office, devastated.

He didn’t plead for forgiveness because he knew it was useless.

If he had known Xu Shaochen’s true identity earlier, he wouldn’t have dared to do such a thing in the first place.

All he could do now was wait for the dust to settle and then ask his uncle if he could re-enter the company.

“Aunt, that kid wanted to make a move on you. It’s like a toad lusting after a swan.”

Xu Shaochen smiled and said, “Some dreams are better left untouched.”

“There are plenty who want to pursue me,” Jenny replied proudly before asking, “Why are you here?”

“To learn from you. I wanted to see how you spend your day,”

Xu Shaochen said as he glanced at the towering stack of documents on her desk.

Jenny sighed helplessly and pointed at the files, “When will you officially replace me? Look at this, all these need to be handled today, and there’s more waiting for me outside.”

As a woman, she felt it was just too much. If this went on, she’d suffer from hormonal imbalance.

Xu Corporation was massive, with branches all over the world. Every day, important documents requiring her approval came in.

Even with eight secretaries, it wasn’t enough. Some documents required her personal attention. Who would take the blame if something went wrong?

Xu Shaochen shuddered at the thought of being buried under paperwork with no time for food, drinks, fun, or women. The idea terrified him.

“Isn’t that the same as the end of the world? Aunt, you’re capable. You can handle more work. I’m still young. I have a lot to learn, so for now, I’ll leave it to you.”

Xu Shaochen smiled at Jenny with genuine ease. Free labor shouldn’t be wasted.

“At this rate, I’ll age quickly. Damn it, I’ll be thirty in two years. Will I ever get married?”

Jenny glared at him, thinking he’d come to relieve her, but now she’d been duped.

Everyone saw her glamorous life, but no one knew she worked like a dog behind the scenes.

“No worries, I’ll take care of you. After all, you sacrificed your youth for me.”

Xu Shaochen said lightheartedly as he massaged her shoulders with a flattering smile.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

Suddenly, someone knocked on the office door.

“Come in,”

Jenny said.

The door opened, and Chen Qian walked in, greeting both of them respectfully, “President, Xu Shao.”

“What is it?” Jenny asked.

Chen Qian looked briefly at Xu Shaochen before speaking to Jenny, “President, I heard that Young Master Xu is here, so I came to report to him. I have something important to share.”

He had his own agenda.

Technically, he could have reported directly to Xu Shaochen in private.

But he chose to come to Jenny’s office to make sure she was aware of his contributions.

After all, for now, Jenny still held the reins at the company.

Xu Shaochen quickly saw through Chen Qian’s little scheme but paid it no mind, “Speak. What have you found out?”

Jenny was puzzled. What had Xu Shaochen asked Chen Qian to investigate?

“Young Master Xu, Pete has been colluding with the Johnson Family. On the same day our company’s new drug launches, they plan to leak the formula.”

Chen Qian spoke cautiously, his forehead beading with sweat. He had been shocked when he first learned about this.

If the drug formula spread worldwide, Xu Corporation’s new product would be dead on arrival.

Countless investments would be wasted, and others would simply take advantage of their efforts.

If a few or even several companies plagiarized the formula, Xu Corporation could still sue them for patent infringement.

But if the whole world knew the formula and copied it, how could they hold anyone accountable?

Xu Shaochen and Jenny’s faces turned grim, as though they could drip water from their expressions.

Xu Corporation’s top three profit streams were Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate, and Arms.

Other sectors like hospitality, entertainment, and manufacturing took a back seat.

Especially pharmaceuticals, which had been Xu Corporation’s foundation ever since Xu Shaochen’s grandfather founded his first company.

It was the development of several drugs effective against cancer that had vaulted Xu Corporation to the top, expanding into various industries, achieving a business miracle.

Every year, Xu Corporation invested astronomical sums into its pharmaceutical division. They’d spent five years and billions to develop this particular new drug.

If the formula leaked, even a giant like Xu Corporation would suffer enormous losses.

“Is this true?”

Xu Shaochen asked coldly, his gaze chilling.

If Pete was only vying for power, he could forgive it to some extent. After all, internal struggles were a family affair.

But to collaborate with outsiders and betray the company… that was unforgivable.

To Xu Shaochen, Pete’s actions were no different from stealing his money. How could he tolerate that?

Chen Qian, startled by Xu Shaochen’s icy glare, nodded quickly like a pecking chicken, “Young Master Xu, I swear it’s true! My useless son is good friends with old Pete’s grandson. He told him everything.”

Xu Shaochen now understood why Chen Qian had been so confident that night about unveiling the whole conspiracy. There was a deeper connection here.

“Keep investigating. Use any means necessary. I want to know if Pete already has the formula, and who at the research center is working with him!”

“If you get results, there’s a chance of becoming Vice President, or even General Manager.”

Jenny’s expression turned frosty. The research center was an independent entity, separated from the company’s investments and outside interference.

Yet now, someone was daring to collude with Pete. It was suicidal.

The reason she had been able to procure the high-tech equipment for Xu Shaochen’s island lab so quickly was that the research center was already fully equipped with such tools.

“Understood, President! I will complete the task!”

Chen Qian was beyond excited. It was as though he had been injected with adrenaline as he hurried off to instruct his son to continue gathering information.

His rise to power was now dependent on his son.

General Manager of Xu Corporation’s headquarters… that was true authority, second only to the President.

Even the Vice President’s position would be perfectly satisfying for him.

“That’s enough, you can leave now,”

Jenny waved her hand, dismissing him.

Chen Qian bowed to Xu Shaochen before hurrying out of the office.

As soon as he was gone, Jenny picked up her phone and made a call.