But then, a meaningful smile appeared on Wang Datao's lips.
"However… the sales department is quite good too."
He stroked his chin, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes: "Xia Ling, a single woman with a son, do you know why she was able to build Lingya Group into such a large and famous company?"
Wang Xiong shook his head.
"Because they have a complete sales system." Wang Datao stood up and paced back and forth in the living room. "From production and warehousing to the sales network, every link is meticulously designed, and the sales department is the most crucial part."
He stopped, looking at Wang Xiong meaningfully: "There, you can access their company's most important customer resources and understand the core business processes."
Wang Xiong seemed to understand something, looking up at Wang Datao: "Dad, you mean…"
"Take it slow."
Wang Datao sat down again, a sly smile appearing on his face. "Learn how to do things first, build good relationships with your colleagues. Once you've established yourself, climb the ladder step by step. You have the fatal evidence against Xia Ling, so the climb won't be slow."
He patted Wang Xiong's shoulder and continued, "Remember, a woman like Xia Ling can't be conquered by brute force. You need wisdom, you need patience… When the time is right, we, father and son, will join forces and make her obediently hand the company over to us."
His voice gradually lowered: "We don't even need to go that far. If you can completely win her over and get her pregnant with your child, then the future of Lingya Group will be in our hands, won't it? I've investigated your classmate Xiao Wei; he's not the kind of person who can take over Xia Ling's job."
The night outside the window was deep, but Wang Xiong's eyes gleamed with a strange light.
…
Returning home from Xia Ling's company, I sat alone on the large leather sofa. Outside the French windows, the sky was already dark. The villa was quiet, save for the ticking of the wall clock. The suffocating image of Xia Ling's office kept replaying in my mind—Xia Ling forced to kneel before Wang Xiong, licking his penis; Xia Ling sitting on the desk, her stockinged feet rubbing against Wang Xiong's shaft, her long, shapely legs trembling weakly…
"Young Master, dinner is ready."
The nanny's voice interrupted my thoughts. She brought in a lavish dinner, but I had absolutely no appetite; the aroma of the food tasted bland.
"Young Master, please eat while it's hot. Madam specifically instructed us to take good care of your diet."
I glanced at the nanny's concerned eyes, nodded, and then took out my phone to call Xia Ling. It rang several times before being answered, and I heard a faint rustling sound on the other end.
"Xiaowei, what's wrong?" Mom's voice was as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened that afternoon. "I have some things to take care of. Eat first; I asked the housekeeper to make your favorite braised pork ribs."
"Mmm..."
I responded, wanting to ask where Mom was, why she had disappeared from her office, and what she was doing, but the words caught in my throat.
"I'll be back soon," Mom added, her voice still completely calm.
After hanging up, I ate mechanically, but the image of Mom's office kept replaying in my mind. The housekeeper, seeing my distracted eating, hesitated to speak. Only after I finished did she relax, tidy up, and leave.
To maintain privacy, our family's servants don't usually live at home; Mom arranges for them to live in a nearby apartment. The housekeeper, housekeeper, gardener, and even the driver who picks me up—all have been with Mom for many years, are tactful in their words and actions, and understand boundaries.
After the nanny left, the villa's living room fell silent again. Around eight o'clock, a sound finally came from the front door, and my heart skipped a beat.
Mom was back.
The sound of high heels approached from the yard. Mom walked in; she had changed out of the cream-colored shirt and pencil skirt she wore that afternoon. Now she wore a sharply tailored black suit, over which she wore a white silk shirt, with a silk scarf tied at the collar. Her long legs were encased in straight black trousers, and glimpses of black pantyhose were visible at the cuffs.
Mom had returned to her usual pantyhose attire. But after everything that had happened, could things ever go back to the way they were before?
"You're back."
Mom's small feet, clad in black stockings, were in slippers. Her makeup was still impeccable, her red lips bright and captivating, and her face showed no signs of distress.
As Mom sat down on the sofa, a captivating fragrance wafted towards me. I noticed her long, dark hair was still slightly damp, clearly she had just showered.
After sitting down, Mom crossed her long legs, her toes, encased in black stockings, dangling casually in her slippers. Even at home, Mom maintained the elegant demeanor of a female CEO, exuding the charm of a mature woman.
I opened my mouth, a thousand words I wanted to ask, but my inner timidity prevented me from uttering a single sound.
Just then, Mom's phone rang. It was a call from the company.
"Okay, I understand." Mom answered the phone, her voice regaining the authoritative tone typical of a female CEO. "The venue is confirmed not to raise the price? Excellent. The fire inspection passed too, right? Then proceed as planned. The new product launch this weekend must be flawless."
While on the phone, she unconsciously swung her legs, her black-stockinged ankles gleaming alluringly under the crystal chandelier, her toes bobbing up and down, her slippers almost falling off.
"Okay, that's settled then. Report any problems to me immediately."
Mom hung up, took a sip of her tea, and just as she put it down, another call came in.
"Officer Li?" Mom frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation in her voice, but quickly regained her composure. "Let him in."