{Chapter: 250 Who is the insider? Depth charge!}
Soon after Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan issued the order, eight individuals arrived on the seventh floor of the Lin Group's headquarters—each one a key figure within the company's senior management team.
Among them were five men and three women, all of whom were in their forties or early fifties, dressed in formal business attire. Their composed demeanors and sharp eyes reflected their years of experience handling crucial matters within the company.
Given the prestige and influence of the Lin Group, it was rare for younger employees to hold such high-ranking positions. These eight individuals had all proven their loyalty and competence through years—if not decades—of service, and were naturally trusted by both Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan.
As they entered the meeting room, they greeted the two elders with polite nods and respectful tones. Some offered warm smiles, while others appeared slightly puzzled at the sudden summons. A few of them, likely interrupted during important tasks, couldn't completely mask their irritation. Their subtle expressions of annoyance were fleeting but not lost on Lin Yuan, whose keen eye picked up every twitch and glance with practiced precision.
Though they didn't voice their discomfort, Lin Yuan noted that several of them glanced at him curiously—some even warily. His presence clearly gave them pause, suggesting they already suspected the meeting had something to do with him.
Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan had only told them vaguely that there were some matters requiring discussion regarding the company's clothing brand project. Had the group known that they were being gathered under suspicion of betrayal, their reactions would have been much more intense.
Nevertheless, one of the men, slightly balding with glasses and a sharp tone, spoke up with a hint of urgency, "Director Lin, Director Meng, I still have a high-priority proposal waiting for approval downstairs. If we could get straight to the point, that would help me manage my time more efficiently. I do hope you understand."
His words were not disrespectful, but they did carry the confidence of someone who knew his value within the company.
Indeed, as senior executives, these individuals were used to speaking frankly—especially in front of the gentle-natured Lin Jianjun and the approachable but capable Meng Yuelan, both of whom were known for their balanced leadership style.
With a soft, composed smile, Meng Yuelan responded, "There's no need to worry. We didn't call you up here for anything too heavy. This is just about some irregularities concerning the mid-to-high-end clothing line project we're developing. Nothing alarming—just some details we'd like to clarify with your help."
Lin Jianjun echoed her tone and gave a casual nod. "Yes, just a small issue. Routine discussion, really. Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Hearing that it wasn't something catastrophic, the eight executives exhaled subtly in relief. It was common for top management to be summoned unexpectedly, but uncertainty always bred anxiety.
However, just as the atmosphere seemed to relax, Lin Yuan, who had been sitting quietly on the leather sofa nearby, rose to his feet with a calm but commanding presence. He slowly walked toward the center of the room and spoke in a clear, steady voice that cut through the tension like a blade.
"Actually, this is not a small matter," Lin Yuan declared, his expression unreadable but his tone unmistakably firm. "This is a serious incident that threatens the future and integrity of the Lin Group. You were called here because the project in question has been compromised. There is an imposter among you—someone leaking confidential information to our competitors. And this traitor is working for the Chen family."
His words dropped like thunder in the boardroom.
The relaxed expressions instantly vanished. Eyes widened. Mouths opened slightly in shock. The air turned still as if time had frozen for a second.
Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan were both caught off guard. They had assumed Lin Yuan would subtly test and probe each individual, gradually exposing the mole. Instead, he had delivered the accusation head-on, without mincing words.
"Yuan'er…" Meng Yuelan muttered, her voice tight with concern. She looked at her son, clearly torn between admiration for his boldness and fear that such a direct approach could cause unnecessary panic or alienate loyal staff.
Lin Jianjun furrowed his brow slightly but didn't interrupt. Deep down, he was wondering—just as his wife was—whether Lin Yuan had already figured something out. But how? He hadn't even met these people in person before today. Could he truly see through them with a glance?
Even Yan Ruyue, who had remained silent at the back of the room, was stunned by Lin Yuan's sudden transformation. The elegant young man she had seen playing the piano and captivating an entire banquet hall with his talent was now radiating the cool, poised authority of a seasoned business leader.
Her eyes, wide with wonder, followed him as if she were seeing him for the first time.
There was a stark contrast between the grace of an artist and the determination of a corporate strategist—but in Lin Yuan, both identities merged seamlessly, each amplifying the other.
Looking at Lin Yuan's poised and strikingly handsome face, Yan Ruyue couldn't help but become slightly entranced. His calm composure, sharp gaze, and the subtle confidence radiating from his demeanor gave him a kind of quiet authority that made it hard to look away.
However, it was the eight senior executives of the Lin Group who reacted the most strongly to his earlier declaration.
Lin Yuan's words, like a depth charge dropped into still water, sent invisible shockwaves rippling across the room. Those eight individuals—five men and three women—were like fish swimming in that disrupted pond, suddenly caught in a blast of suspicion and scrutiny.
Their reactions varied: some were stunned into stillness, some exchanged uncertain glances, a few frowned deeply, and one or two noticeably turned pale. Though no one shouted or protested immediately, the tension in the room rose steadily, becoming almost tangible.
Lin Yuan, observing them closely, didn't miss a single subtle shift in expression. He studied their eyes one by one, watching for flickers of emotion, measuring their responses silently in his mind.
As he expected, the mole had clearly been hiding in plain sight for quite some time. Whoever it was had done an excellent job blending in—there were no obvious signs of guilt or panic, nothing that a casual observer would notice.
But Lin Yuan wasn't relying on superficial impressions.
Thanks to his unique perspective and intelligence, he was confident—utterly certain—that he would unmask the traitor in due time. No matter how composed they appeared now, eventually, the facade would crack. The pretender would reveal themselves not as a loyal manager, but as nothing more than a cheap clown putting on a show.
Despite the gravity of his accusation, none of the eight officials spoke immediately. For nearly half a minute, the conference room was deathly silent, the air thick with uncertainty and calculation.
These were seasoned individuals, not impulsive teenagers. None of them would leap to protest loudly or act out emotionally. They were the backbone of the Lin Group's management, people who knew how to handle pressure and politics. And right now, each one of them was weighing their next move with great care.
Lin Yuan, however, remained unbothered. He simply sat back down on the leather sofa and took a leisurely sip of tea, as if the tension in the room had nothing to do with him. His relaxed attitude only added to the pressure weighing down on the others.
Finally, after a few long minutes, someone broke the silence.
A middle-aged woman stepped forward slightly. Compared to the others, she appeared a little older and carried herself with poise and dignity. Her tailored outfit, tasteful accessories, and neatly done hair all spoke of someone with experience and authority. The nameplate pinned to her chest read: Lu Junlan.
She was the first to speak, her tone calm but with a faint edge of steel beneath the surface.
"Young Master Lin," Lu Junlan said, addressing him with a formality that carried both respect and a subtle rebuke, "all eight of us have known you since you were very young. You are the child of Director Lin and Director Meng. We've watched you grow up over the years."
Her voice grew firmer as she continued.
"You're saying there's an imposter among us? That one of us is betraying the Lin Group? We have all poured years—decades—of our lives into this company. Our loyalty and contributions are not minor. Some of us were working tirelessly for the Lin Group even before you were born."
She paused, giving everyone time to absorb her words before adding, "With all due respect, Young Master Lin, isn't your accusation a bit... excessive?"
Her statement was like hot oil splashed into a cold pan—suddenly, other voices began to rise.
"Yes! You can't just accuse us without evidence!"
"That's right, we earned our positions through hard work and achievements—not through connections or favoritism."
"We've all played a vital role in building the company into what it is today!"
Having found a common cause, the rest of the executives echoed her words, speaking up in unison to defend themselves and their reputations. In that moment, their interests were perfectly aligned, and none of them wanted to be suspected. United under pressure, they formed a wall of professional indignation.
What they said wasn't completely wrong. These eight individuals had indeed played pivotal roles in the Lin Group's development. Their hard work and experience had earned them their current status, and there was no denying that.
That was why neither Lin Jianjun nor Meng Yuelan had ever doubted them. These were their trusted subordinates, key pillars of the company. Their words carried weight.
Lin Jianjun, hearing the mounting resistance, finally spoke up with a light frown. "Xiao Yuan," he said, using his son's childhood nickname, "you must have misunderstood something."
He exchanged a glance with Meng Yuelan, who remained silent but visibly concerned.
If Lin Yuan had presented solid evidence or revealed specific suspicions after a thorough investigation, they might have supported him immediately. But without warning, and without naming the traitor, he had declared that a spy was among them. It was too abrupt, too bold—and it left even his parents confused and uncertain.
They couldn't understand what Lin Yuan was trying to do.
But Lin Yuan's eyes remained calm, his posture unchanged. He was not flustered by the backlash. On the contrary, he looked as though everything was unfolding exactly as he expected.
And that calmness—more than anything else—was what made the others feel a faint chill creep down their spines.
*****
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