Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 683 - Chapter 683 Chapter 683 Taking Complete Ownership of Lu Group

Chapter 683: Chapter 683: Taking Complete Ownership of Lu Group Chapter 683: Chapter 683: Taking Complete Ownership of Lu Group Lu Rui rushed to the Group and arrived at the general manager’s office.

Lu Xian and Lu Jingzhi were both present, discussing how to deal with this matter.

As soon as Lu Rui entered, he asked, “Something suddenly occurred to me. We’ve always taken construction site safety seriously, and every worker wears the best protective equipment. How could an accident still happen?”

Lu Xian’s expression froze, then, coming to his senses, he said, “I’ll have someone carefully investigate this immediately.”

Lu Rui nodded and said, “Check everyone thoroughly, from top to bottom. We must not overlook any possibility.”

With the Lu Group’s business being so vast, it was impossible for them to monitor everything 24/7. They feared that some higher-ups might be giving lip service while pocketing the Lu Group’s money and not doing their job, causing indirect trouble for the Lu Group.

Lu Rui then instructed, “Elder brother, you should go to the hospital and take a look. Now that such an incident has occurred, it would seem more sincere for someone from us to be present.”

“I’m on my way,” Lu Jingzhi said, nodding to his father and uncle before heading out.

Lu Xian looked at his brother, who had arranged everything so methodically, and couldn’t help but wryly smile, “I’m really not as good as you when it comes to handling a crisis. The position of general manager should be yours.”

After Qin Yuan’s incident, if not for Lu Rui’s persuasion, he would have wanted to retire already.

“Brother, you’ve done very well. I heard from Jingzhi that you arranged for the secretary to rush to the hospital the moment you learned of the accident.”

“It’s the least we could do. The victim was a worker, but still a life.”

Lu Rui suddenly remembered something else, “Right, just to be safe, we should also have someone keep an eye on the shareholders.”

“Alright,” Lu Xian chuckled.

If it weren’t for Lu Rui being there today, he doubted he would have thought things through so comprehensively, probably treating it as just a regular construction site accident.

However, Lu Rui was able to think ahead, even including the possibility of sabotage in his considerations.

Lu Xian couldn’t help but think, his brother’s family was no easy foe.

His daughter is Professor Qiao.

As for the thought about Lu Shiran, Lu Xian twitched the corner of his mouth and decided that his son wouldn’t measure up to Qiao Yun’s caliber even in a hundred years.

…

On the other side.

The Qin patriarch was equally astonished as he asked, “Dead? Didn’t I tell you not to cause any fatalities, just to have someone slightly injured to make a big fuss over the arrangement we planned?”

Xiaozhang spoke with trepidation, “Old Master, it truly was an accident. I didn’t expect such a coincidence that a worker would just happen to be hit by a rock. Our original plan was for a crane failure and then a surprise inspection to reveal issues, followed by media exposure.”

The Qin patriarch furrowed his brow and, after a moment, said, “Well, there’s no use talking about it now. It was an accident, and it has nothing to do with us. It should concern the Lu Group.”

“You’re right.”

The Qin patriarch chuckled again, “But it’s good that an accident occurred. That way, the issue can be blown up even bigger. Continue with the original plan as scheduled.”

“Yes.”

“Clean up any loose ends thoroughly, so we’re not caught. Make sure everything is done without anyone being the wiser. And, what about the corporate spy? How is that going?”

“You can rest assured, Old Master. This person will keep tight-lipped, especially after receiving so much money and benefits from us.”

“Good,” the Qin patriarch’s mind inexplicably conjured up Qiao Yun’s face.

He had a feeling that Qiao Yun was the one he should be most vigilant about. Everything that had happened to the Qin Family seemed to have Qiao Yun’s shadow behind it.

His expression sobered as he added, “Also, get in touch with the victim’s family to see if they can be of use, ensuring not to leave any trace connecting them to the Qin Family.”

“Yes.”

A sly glint crossed the eyes of the Qin patriarch.

One couldn’t blame him for being ruthless; everything was done to ensure that Lu Shiran would willingly return to the Qin Family.

If Lu Shiran had immediately wanted to return upon discovering his blood ties to the Qin Family, the patriarch might not have taken such an interest in him.

But since Lu Shiran rejected him time and again, this instilled an obsessive sentiment within the Qin patriarch towards him.

What did the Qin Family lack compared to the Lu Family? Being of his bloodline, how could he refuse his demands?

The Qin Family had suffered too many setbacks because of the Lu Family–first Qin Xuan, then Qin Yuan, even the Qin madam had to spend a night in custody because of the Lu Family.

This time, the Qin patriarch decided to strike at the very foundation of the Lu Group to thoroughly ruin them, while pretentiously offering help to tide them over the crisis.

Wouldn’t Lu Shiran waver? Wouldn’t he be grateful to him?

The Qin patriarch’s goal was clear. He wanted to gradually consume the Lu Group and completely make it his own.

“Grandpa, you seem very happy. Did something good happen?” Qin Yuan asked as he entered the house, seeing the Qin patriarch’s smiling face.

The Qin patriarch laughed, “A great thing, a tremendously good thing. If all goes well, your cousin could come back soon.”

Qin Yuan’s eyes flashed, and he followed with a smile, “Indeed, that’s good news.”

The Qin patriarch looked up at him, hinting, “Even if your cousin comes back, what is yours will remain yours. You just need to continue doing your own duties well.”

He was warning Qin Yuan not to harbor other thoughts because of Lu Shiran’s issue.

With the incidents involving Madam Qin and Qin Xuan in mind, he now regarded Qin Yuan somewhat differently.

Feigning ignorance of his grandfather’s warning, Qin Yuan modestly said, “I still have a lot to learn in many areas.”

The Elder Master Qin agreed, “Indeed, the cooperation with Tianqi Research Institute was unexpectedly snatched away by the Li Family. You do indeed need more practice.”

There was a slight twitch at the corner of Qin Yuan’s mouth, his expression revealing neither happiness nor anger, “Yes, I was careless.”

“Hmm,” Elder Master Qin said, “Don’t say I don’t give you opportunities. It seems that the cooperation with Tianqi Research Institute is out of reach, but I have a list here. While it can’t compare to Tianqi Research Institute, it’s not too bad either. Go make contact and see.”

“Alright,” Qin Yuan nodded in compliance.

Elder Master Qin shook his head internally. His grandson was obedient, but being too obedient wasn’t good either–as it meant he lacked boldness and seemed too ordinary.

Not long after Qin Yuan went upstairs, Madame Qin, who had just been notified by Elder Master Qin that Lu Shiran might soon be recognized by his ancestry and told to restrain her scheming thoughts, stormed into Qin Yuan’s room, furious.

“Ayuan, did you hear what your grandfather said?”

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked, “What?”

Madame Qin said anxiously, “About Lu Shiran’s matter. How can you be so unconcerned?”

“What’s the use of being anxious?”

Madame Qin gritted her teeth and said, “How about, we give him another shot?”

She was referring to the failed drug injection incident.

“If we really do that, it’ll only raise grandfather’s suspicions.”

Last time, Qin Xuan took the blame, but this time, there was no one to take the fall for him.

Seeing his mother’s anxiety, Qin Yuan sneered, “Mother, why the rush? Do you know the saying, ‘When the mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind’?”

“What does that mean?”

Qin Yuan’s mouth curved slightly, a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, “Just the literal meaning.”

Madame Qin grew even more perplexed by her son, and now in front of him, she began to tread cautiously as well.

Because her son was more indifferent to kinship than she had thought.

…

When Lu Jingzhi arrived at the hospital, Lu Xian’s secretary was surrounded by an angry crowd, which was yammering away so chaotically that no one could tell what they were arguing about.

“What’s going on?” Lu Jingzhi, striding over with his long legs and nearly reaching a height of six feet two inches, appeared very imposing as he stood there.

The crowd that had been surrounding the secretary instinctively quieted down and turned their attention to Lu Jingzhi.

The secretary finally got a chance to speak, hurrying to say, “Young Master Lu, these people are the relatives of the workers who had an accident.”

Lu Jingzhi asked, “What were you arguing about just now?”

“Ahai, how tragically you died! You murderers, return my husband’s life to me! Otherwise, I won’t let you off, even if I become a ghost!” One of the women began to wail uncontrollably, pointing at Lu Jingzhi, “That’s right, you’re the person in charge, aren’t you? Compensate me for my husband’s life!”

Hearing that they were the family members of the victim, Lu Jingzhi softened his tone a bit and said, “We wouldn’t want to see such an incident occur either. Please accept our condolences. We will investigate the cause of the accident thoroughly and give the family an explanation.”

“What’s there to investigate? My father had an accident at your construction site. You must take full responsibility! Talking about investigating, are you trying to delay?” The man who spoke carried an air of ruffianism, dressed in a flashy, rogue manner.

As he vented his words, he even brazenly attempted to push Lu Jingzhi.

Lu Jingzhi stepped back to avoid the man’s shove, stating calmly, “Let’s talk this over nicely, no need for hands-on.

Seeing this, the woman shouted out, “He’s hitting someone! Everyone, be the judge here. Lu Group has killed someone, and now they want to beat up the victim’s family members!”

Since it was broad daylight, there was a sizable crowd at the hospital.

With all the commotion, naturally, some people were watching the drama unfold secretly.

The secretary said with displeasure, “What kind of talk is that? Young Master Lu has only said one thing since he got here, how could he want to hit anyone?”

“Is that the way you speak?” the woman shouted at the secretary, “It seems to me like you’re trying to shirk responsibility. If you really had any sincerity, you would offer compensation.”

Lu Jingzhi frowned, realizing what was happening.

In their eyes, it was all about compensation.

Of course, it’s good if money can solve the issue, but a life has been lost, and his relatives only care about the money…

For a moment, Lu Jingzhi didn’t know whether to feel helpless or to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Initially, Lu Jingzhi had some sympathy for them, but now that had completely vanished. He said as matter-of-factly as possible, “All matters of compensation will be addressed by a dedicated person. We will follow the labor contract for the settlement.”

Hearing Lu Jingzhi agree to compensation so readily, the man squinted his triangular eyes and sized up Lu Jingzhi.

Ho-ho.

Head to toe, name brands.

Compared to him, one would look like a roadside beggar.

And with the Lu Group being such a major corporation, they were certainly very wealthy.

The man was in need of money at the moment, and with the Lu Group falling into his lap from the sky, he certainly wasn’t going to let it go.

The man’s eyes shifted craftily as he said furiously, “What contract? We don’t know about any contract. It seems to me like you just don’t want to compensate. All you capitalists want to do is squeeze us, the ordinary citizens.”