678 The Higher Someone Soars, the Deeper the Fall (2/2)

After signing autographs and taking pictures with her two fans, she followed Long Jian who led her to his office so that they could begin devising their strategy to use her status as a celebrity brand ambassador to recover the company's image and stock prices. But before that, they talked about Long Hui.

”I'm very disappointed that Long Hui wasn't fired or forced to resign or even punished,” Long Jian said.

Iris sat on the couch opposite him and sipped the hot tea his assistant served them a few moments ago. ”Father said that his punishment is only delayed. He'll be punished in due time.”

”I know but still, I was expecting him to suffer more from today's meeting. Instead, he got off scot-free. Father is being too lenient on him.”

”Of course Father will be lenient on him. What do you expect? That's his first son and the one he had been grooming to become his successor since his birth. It's only now when Father has aged and married Aunt Jiahui that he has given all of us siblings a fair chance to prove ourselves as potential successors. In the end, it's only the three of us who are competing because Big Sister Jinjing is perfectly happy working at my own company, Orchidia Beauty.”

Long Jian clicked his tongue. ”Jinjing is a very sensible girl. How about you? Why are you even joining in the battle of succession, anyway? I can sense that you're not as hungry for Long Industries as I am or Long Hui. You should be like our sister Jinjing instead and be satisfied with your own company. It's doing well, anyway. Extremely well. Why don't you leave us alone?”

Iris shrugged, choosing not to reply and sipped her tea instead. She had her own reasons that he didn't need to know. Long Jian didn't mind that she refused to answer. Each of them had their own secrets, their own personal plans. They were only allies for now, after all. There was no need to act like the best of friends all of a sudden and spill everything to each other. Once they achieved their goal of kicking out their biggest competitor in the battle of succession, Long Hui, then their alliance would naturally dissolve. By then, they would revert back to being opponents going head to head against each other.

”I'm feeling a little tired. I've been so busy lately. Do you have chocolates or something? I need a quick boost of energy,” she said all of a sudden.

”Chocolates? Are you still a kid or what?” Long Jian said in a mocking tone but still rummaged through a drawer and tossed her a few coin-shaped chocolates.

”Thanks!” She quickly opened one and popped it inside her mouth, chewing in bliss. ”You know, don't be so disappointed that Long Hui got away 'scot-free' today as you put it. As they say, the higher someone soars, the deeper the fall. This is only the beginning. His image and reputation will only worsen. Remember that he has a pending defamation lawsuit filed against him by my fiancé's sworn brother.”

”Ah, right. The agricultural tycoon, Lin Yehan. He doesn't look all that impressive.”

She narrowed her eyes at him while popping another chocolate into her mouth. ”Don't underestimate any of my fiancé's brothers.”