Chapter 86 - 85: This Is the Only Way Forward

Chapter 86: Chapter 85: This Is the Only Way Forward

Under the expectant gazes of his wife and daughter, Lin Yaodong patiently guided them. "In life, you sometimes have to learn to bow your head. In business, you can only reap higher returns if you’re willing to make sacrifices."

Zhen Zhen grew irritable. "What exactly are you trying to say!?"

Lin Zhenxiang quickly stepped in to soothe her. "Mom, let’s hear Dad out first!"

"What we need to do now is cut our losses in time," Lin Yaodong said. "We cannot let these recent incidents continue to affect the Lin Family’s business."

Lin Zhenxiang’s heart ran cold. She could not believe that, at a time like this, all Lin Yaodong cared about was the Lin Family’s business!

"We will hold a press conference as soon as possible and publicly apologize to the customers who contracted food poisoning at our restaurant."

Zhen Zhen’s eyes suddenly widened. "Lin Yaodong, are you stupid! Doesn’t that equate to admitting there is a problem with our restaurant!?"

"Exactly. We must admit to it." Seeing Lin Zhenxiang lower her head in thought, Lin Yaodong knew his words were getting through to her. He softened his voice and slowly continued, "A food safety issue occurred at the Lin Family restaurant. We previously tried to avoid responsibility for it, but since it is now unavoidable, we will own up to it. This is taking a step back to gain the upper hand."

Zhen Zhen continued to look at him as if he were an idiot. "Admit it yourself! Xiangxiang and I aren’t going to humiliate ourselves along with you!"

After careful deliberation, Lin Zhenxiang spoke up in a steady voice. "Mom, I think Dad is right. Neither of us can take the fall for this, or the Lin Family is finished!"

Zhen Zhen’s expression shifted drastically, her voice sharp with resistance. "Xiangxiang, you don’t mean to tell me you want your mother to—"

"How could I!" Lin Zhenxiang interrupted just in time. "Mom, you’re my own mother! How could I ever let you take the fall? The one who bought the diseased fish was my uncle—he must bear the consequences!

"I’ve already done so much to protect him, to the point of ruining my own reputation. If we continue to cover for him, everything we’ve worked so hard to build will be destroyed!"

Zhen Zhen’s expression shifted. Should she protect the Lin Family that provided her with wealth and status, or protect her good-for-nothing brother? The choice was not difficult to make. At present, this was the only viable path forward.

By waiting until after so many setbacks to surrender her uncle as the true culprit, Lin Zhenxiang would only be guilty of shielding him. At the same time, she would earn a wave of high praise for her filial devotion to her family.

Seeing the mother and daughter reach an agreement, Lin Yaodong nodded in satisfaction.

However, Zhen Zhen was still worried about one thing. "Xiangxiang, what about those forged invoices you made earlier?"

A faint smile graced Lin Zhenxiang’s lips. "I can wash my hands of that completely. Mom, your main focus right now needs to be on talking some sense into my uncle."

Zhen Zhen nodded. "Alright. He’s the one who caused this mess by being cheap in the first place. He can’t run from it!"

Lin Zhenxiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, she felt annoyed with herself for letting negative emotions cloud her judgment earlier. She had lost her cool!

Now that she was calm enough to think properly, she realized she could have easily come up with these solutions to escape their current predicament long before Lin Yaodong had to point them out.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! A sudden knocking at the hospital room door interrupted them.

The three of them hurriedly adjusted their expressions.

Zhen Zhen went to open the door. Seeing the Empress’s personal lady-in-waiting standing outside, she immediately greeted her with a warm smile.

"Lord Xin, please come in!"

Staring straight ahead, Lady Xin walked into the room with an expressionless face. She was a living, breathing human, yet her every movement was as stiff and coldly mechanical as a machine’s.

Lady Xin approached the hospital bed and activated her Light Brain.

Empress Yudola’s projection immediately appeared.

Yudola looked as elegant and dignified as always, though her expression was noticeably dark.

Lin Yaodong, his wife, and Lin Zhenxiang hastily bowed in greeting.

"Lin Zhenxiang, I have taken over your case from the Commander-in-Chief," Yudola said indifferently. "Since I was the one who initiated this matter for you, it is only right that I be the one to wrap it up."

As the esteemed Empress, she would rather slap herself in the face than allow anyone else the satisfaction of humiliating her!

Biting her lip, Lin Zhenxiang lowered her head. "I am sorry for disappointing you..."

Perhaps detecting a sliver of genuine remorse in the apology, Yudola’s expression softened slightly.

Lin Zhenxiang immediately seized the opportunity to add, "But please rest assured, Empress. I will take full responsibility and clarify everything. I will certainly deliver a satisfactory result to you before nightfall!"

"Very good." Yudola seemed somewhat satisfied, but she left her with a stern warning. "I hope you do not disappoint me this time."