Chapter 2028: Let’s Dissolve Our Partnership

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“We lost all the butter and the butter factory was unable to provide us with more supplies in time. We had to halt production, causing many of our shops to have to close, leading to heavy losses. We’ll be lucky if we don’t make a loss this year!” Qian’e lamented.

Qiao Mei looked at Ding Xiang silently and did not say anything. She was thinking about what Qian’e had just said and trying to estimate how much money she had lost. She could not let such a large sum of money be unaccounted for and was considering how to make Ding Xiang and the others pay for the loss.

“We really didn’t do it. We’re the victims too! What good will it do us if my brothers snatch our business? There’s no need for us to do this!” Ding Xiang said.

“Of course it’s so that your Ding family can take over the popcorn business! Fine! Even if we put this issue aside, why didn’t you ask your brothers to step up and take responsibility when the food poisoning incident happened and pushed all the blame to the factory instead?” Qian’e questioned.

“That… that’s because those customers assumed that they bought our factory’s products! That’s their own assumption and it’s not something that we can control!” Ding Xiang argued.

“Do you think I’m a fool? Back then, you went around bragging to everyone that the brand name of our factory’s popcorn was ‘Campus Popcorn’. After that, your brothers also sold their products under this brand name. As time passed, everyone naturally thought that they were our partners!” Qian’e said.

“Wait a minute, what ‘Campus Popcorn’? Why is there a brand name?” Qiao Mei asked.

As most of their shops and vendors were located near to schools, Ding Xiang instructed the staff to paste a logo indicating “Campus Popcorn” on the packaging and even went around publicizing this brand.

When Qiao Mei’s factory commenced operations, they did not manage to receive the food permit for the popcorn. Qiao Mei had instructed everyone not to come up with any brand name for it, not even a nickname. She understood the principle that the winds would always howl around the highest peaks. Given that she had made a lot of money in the capital, there must be many people who disliked her. She was doing this so as to prevent any enemies from using the issue as a chance to take revenge.

“All your Ding family members are really heartless! You stole so much butter but you were unable to use it all and kept them beyond the shelf life. The corn you used was also of inferior quality! So many people fell sick! There were even children among them! What if it’s your own child who eats the poisonous popcorn and the child dies! Have you thought about the consequences of doing all this!” Qian’e said.

Now that there was solid evidence, Qiao Mei looked at Ding Xiang and Zhao Fei coldly. Qiao Mei could accept Ding Xiang and the rest for being money-mad. At most, she would just send them off with some money. However, now that it involved causing harm to other people’s lives, it was no longer child’s play.

“You should give me an explanation for this,” Qiao Mei said sharply.

“I’m sorry… We didn’t do it on purpose… I have old folks and young children to take care of at home! It’s not easy for me either! I’m really sorry, please don’t call the police…” Ding Xiang said fearfully.

Ding Xiang completely believed that Qiao Mei had the means and connections to send her and the other Ding family members to jail. She was simply jealous of Qiao Mei’s life and did not understand why Qiao Mei could make so much money every day without needing to do anything and could even go overseas to study. Qiao Mei’s family members and children could even live in such a luxurious house.

Why could Qiao Mei have all these, but not her? That was why she wanted to steal the popcorn business. She did not expect that something so serious would happen. By now, everything had completely deviated from what she expected.

Qiao Mei looked at Zhao Fei and asked, “What about you? Aren’t you going to give me an explanation?”

“I’m sorry. I take responsibility for all of this as well,” Zhao Fei said after a long silence.

“Alright then. I want to take back the popcorn business and the two of you will have to pay for all the factory’s losses. Our company’s finance department will calculate the exact amount and let you know,” Qiao Mei said.

“No! You can’t dissolve our partnership! How can you kick us to the curb like we’ve outlived our usefulness! Even if we haven’t made any major contributions, we have worked hard! You can’t treat me this way! You already gave us the popcorn business back then! What right do you have to take it back!” Ding Xiang looked at Qiao Mei and shouted at her like a lunatic.

“If you have time, you should read more. Didn’t you read the agreement we signed? I only allow you to make most of the business decisions. The business still belongs to me. Moreover, Qian’e and I are the largest shareholders in the business. The two of us can decide on whether you stay or leave,” Qiao Mei said..