Chapter 673: The Warped Shareholders’ Meeting

Late at night, Chen Shi was awakened by a series of frantic knocks on his door. Opening it, he found Ai Ying knocking on every door in the hallway. When Ai Ying saw him, he exclaimed, “Mr. Chen, I finally found you. I didn’t have your contact information and didn’t know which room you were in.”

Several guests were awakened and grumbling in the hallway. Chen Shi asked, “What’s the emergency?”

“Chang Juan might be in danger!” Ai Ying replied urgently.

Ten minutes later, Chen Shi, Lin Dongxue, and Ai Ying were outside. Ai Ying showed Chen Shi his phone, which displayed the chat log from today’s shareholders’ meeting. A member identified as 39 had suggested using Chang Juan to lure the killer out and had initiated a vote. As before, 11 supported 39 unconditionally. Although the other members opposed it, 39’s opinion prevailed.

Lin Dongxue said, “I think this 11 is very suspicious. He always supports 39 unconditionally. With their combined shares, they can push through any unreasonable decision.”

Ai Ying sighed, “We think the same, but both 39 and 11 are long-time members… This is probably a flaw in the shareholding system.”

Chen Shi thought, “If 39 wants Chang Juan to lure the killer, it means he has a way to contact the killer.” He asked, “Where are we going now?”

Ai Ying said, “Sister 22 is also worried about Chang Juan. She sent me an address where Chang Juan might be.” He showed them his phone, revealing a location near the town.

Fearing for Chang Juan’s safety, Ai Ying didn’t hold back any information. He explained, “Actually, the person who called Chang Juan to their house last time was 39. The one who stopped him was Sister 22. Apparently, 39 is a wealthy older man who definitely has improper intentions towards Chang Juan. I’m really worried that his plan to use Chang Juan as bait tonight has ulterior motives.”

Lin Dongxue said, “If he has ulterior motives, that’s one thing. If she encounters the actual killer, it’s much worse.”

Soon, they arrived at a fenced-off wasteland, overgrown with s and dotted with old villas. Chen Shi noticed a wooden sign on the ground that read “Xianghe Manor” and exclaimed, “This is Xianghe Manor?”

“Yes, it used to be a resort. It was too remote and didn’t get much business, so the owner sold the land. It’s waiting to be developed,” Ai Ying explained.

“Chang Juan’s parents were killed here.”

“Really?”

Lin Dongxue nudged Chen Shi. In the darkness, someone was moving. It was too far to see clearly. Though she wasn’t armed, she called out, “Stop! Police! Don’t move, or I’ll shoot!”

“Don’t shoot, I’m not a bad person.” It was a woman’s voice. As she approached, they saw a slightly plump middle-aged woman wearing a brown coat, holding a handbag, and wearing a gold watch. Her skin was well-maintained.

“Sister 22?” Ai Ying asked tentatively.

“Little 13?” she replied.

“It’s me. I came as soon as I got your message. These two are police officers in charge of the case,” Ai Ying introduced.

“Why didn’t you notify the police sooner? Now we’re in a passive position,” Chen Shi said.

Sister 22 said awkwardly, “We didn’t want the police involved initially. I’ve been trying to convince 39 all evening not to do this, but he insisted. I had no choice but to ask Little 13 to come and find Chang Juan. I’m really worried about her.”

“You know 39 personally?” Chen Shi asked.

“We… we used to be married,” she admitted, lowering her head.

“What?!” Ai Ying was shocked.

“It’s a long story. Let’s talk while we walk. When 39 first became a shareholder of Chang Juan, he was incredibly enthusiastic. To be a good ‘life advisor,’ he read books on nutrition, fashion, and fitness, spending at least eight hours a day online discussing with other shareholders. He was obsessed with this young girl, which made me furious! He even argued that because I didn’t give him a child, he poured all his fatherly love into this girl. I was afraid he’d do something out of line, so I bought some shares to monitor him. You might remember, Little 13, there was a time when I always opposed 39,” she explained.

Ai Ying nodded, “I remember. I wondered why you two were always at odds.”

Sister 22 sighed, “That was before we divorced. It’s a bit exaggerated to say Chang Juan caused our divorce. We had accumulated many issues, and Chang Juan was the last straw. We divorced three years ago, and I’ve calmed down. He can do what he wants; it’s none of my business. But I still care about Chang Juan. Being a shareholder feels like having a daughter, so I always hope for the best for her. I don’t know why 39 suddenly started playing detective. Today, he suggested using Chang Juan as bait. I have to stop him!”

Sister 22 seemed to know a lot about 39. Chen Shi asked, “Do you know 11?”

“I’ve never met him and don’t know what he does. But I suspect 11 was bribed by 39. Shareholders have an agreement that no one can own more than 50% of the shares to prevent anyone from completely controlling Chang Juan. 39 has always wanted total control. He sees Chang Juan as his property. Recently, every outrageous decision he makes gets 11’s unconditional support, leading to the current situation. I suspect he secretly bribed 11,” she explained.

22 looked deeply distressed. Ai Ying said, “We should have noticed this earlier.”

“Is that someone over there?” Lin Dongxue pointed.

A light flickered in an abandoned house. The group approached the door. Chen Shi told Ai Ying and 22 to wait outside while he and Lin Dongxue went in.

The dilapidated villa’s wooden floor was overgrown with s. Chen Shi wondered why this place, where Chang Juan’s parents were killed, and how 39 lured the killer here.

A bloody smell filled the air. Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue tensed. Following the scent into a bedroom, they heard a disturbing “squelching” sound.

In the bedroom, they saw a figure kneeling, repeatedly stabbing another prone figure. The attacker’s eyes glowed with a terrifying light, and the room reeked of blood.

Each stab produced a sickening “squelch.” The attacker had clearly stabbed the victim many times.

Lin Dongxue was stunned but managed to shout, “Drop the knife! Don’t move!”