"Don't be impulsive! Don't be impulsive!" The security captain quickly interjected, trying his best to calm the man in black.
The executives at the entrance instantly turned even more grim. They clearly realized this group had come with ill intentions, but dared not act rashly. The security captain whispered to those around him, "They're here for the press conference; someone's definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes."
The leader of the men in black seemed to have overheard their whispers. He snorted coldly and raised his voice, "Stop whispering! Today's matter is simple—cancel the press conference, call all your big shots here, and announce its cancellation in front of everyone! Otherwise…" He tightened his grip on the dagger, the blade leaving a shallow red mark on Xia Ling's neck.
"Stop!" Shang Yan couldn't help but shout, her face ashen. "Are you trying to ruin Lingya Group's reputation?"
"Heh, so what if we do?" The man in black sneered. "What do I care about your reputation? But let's be honest, if you're willing to pay some 'compensation for emotional distress,' we might consider releasing her. Fifty million, in cash, deliver it here immediately! Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."
"Are you crazy!" Another executive trembled with rage. "This is a crime!"
"A crime? Do you think your CEO Xia isn't worth that much?" The man in black shrugged, his expression full of... "We've come here today, we don't intend to end this peacefully. If you don't cooperate, don't blame us for making a scene. Oh, right—" he suddenly revealed a sinister smile, "We also took photos of your CEO, Ms. Xia. If we don't see results within ten minutes, I'll post those photos online and let everyone see Ms. Xia's 'style'!"
The man in black beside him chimed in, "Then not only will your press conference be canceled, but Ms. Xia's image will also be ruined… We advise you to be sensible and not try anything funny."
The people at the door, hearing this, turned ashen-faced, yet helpless. They dared not act rashly, fearing they would anger the man in black and harm their mothers, nor dared they directly agree to these unreasonable demands, as that would plunge Lingya Group into even greater trouble.
The situation reached a tense standoff again. A group of stunningly beautiful executives, along with security personnel, blocked the entrance. A captivating, mature woman's fragrance filled the air, but…
Just then, a slightly childish voice broke the silence.
"Director Shang…"
Shang Yan whirled around, only to see a short, youthful-looking high school student behind her—it was Wang Xiong!
Upon seeing Wang Xiong, Shang Yan instinctively frowned, her face revealing undisguised annoyance.
"Why are you here? This isn't a place for you!" Shang Yan said coldly, her gray-stockinged legs swaying slightly, her high heels tapping impatiently on the ground.
Wang Xiong cursed her inwardly as a "slut," but outwardly remained obedient, saying, "The goods have all been moved and arranged next to the venue. Manager An Rou called you but didn't answer, so she asked me to come backstage to tell you."
At this moment, Shang Yan clearly had no time to worry about the goods. She looked anxious, glancing frequently at the dressing room.
Wang Xiong shrank back, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the bustling scene before him.
The corridor was packed with female executives from Lingya Group. Each was tall and elegant, some in fitted business suits, others in fashionable dresses, their legs encased in stockings of various colors, shimmering alluringly under the lights, their feet adorned with various high heels.
"What...what happened?" Wang Xiong stood on tiptoe, trying to see what was going on, but he was too short; he could only see a blur of swaying stockings.
"Kid, don't worry about all this, get lost!" Shang Yan waved her hand impatiently.
However, a senior executive suddenly spoke up: "President Xia has been kidnapped, and the situation is very dangerous..."
"What? Sister Xia has been kidnapped?" Wang Xiong's voice suddenly rose, his expression instantly turning serious.
Before anyone could react, he had already slipped through the ranks of the voluptuous, tall women like an eel, squeezing through the gaps between the executives to reach the front.
"Don't go! It's too dangerous!"
"Stop him!"
"Where did this kid come from? Has he gone mad?"
Everyone tried frantically to stop him, but it was too late.
Wang Xiong had already reached the front and immediately saw the scene inside the dressing room.
Mother was tied to a chair, her black silk cheongsam taut against her proud figure. Her hands were bound behind her back, and her long, beautiful legs were roughly tied together. Her small feet, encased in black stockings, curled up helplessly, her crystal high heels long gone.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, a few strands falling beside her ears, making her face appear even more pitiful.
"Sister Xia!" Wang Xiong shouted.
Hearing that familiar voice, Mother visibly trembled.
She looked up, and the instant she saw Wang Xiong, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes—shame, anger, helplessness, all intertwined in her beautiful gaze. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her inner turmoil, not wanting to show vulnerability in front of the boy who often humiliated her.
However, even more surprisingly, when Wang Xiong saw the faces of the three men in black, his expression suddenly relaxed. The three men in black were startled when they saw Wang Xiong. The leader even involuntarily lowered the dagger he had been holding to Xia Ling's neck.
"Eh...?" He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then suddenly closed it again.
An eerie atmosphere filled the air. The female executives in the corridor exchanged bewildered glances, completely bewildered by the sudden and dramatic turn of events.
They instinctively huddled together, their high-heeled feet shifting nervously, their stockinged toes barely touching the ground. The subtle scents of expensive perfumes mingled in the cramped space, adding to the tense atmosphere.
"What's going on?"
"That young boy... seems to know these thugs?"
"How did someone so young get into our company?"
Beneath their carefully applied makeup, the executives' confusion and worry were palpable.
Shang Yan frowned, her high heels clicking nervously on the floor, a bad premonition rising in her heart.
Could this stocking-obsessed little pervert know these thugs?
Wouldn't that put President Xia in even more danger?