Volume One, Chapter 26: Zhou Yang Unleashes His Ultimate Move

"Our relationship is complex and ever-changing!" Zhou Yang began. "To understand it, I must start from how I first met Ms. Tang Yumei."

"Half a month ago, I was a pharmaceutical sales representative at an EPS branch office, and Ms. Tang was a client in my assigned territory."

"However, one day, I received a task from a high-ranking executive. He ordered me to develop an intimate relationship with Ms. Tang and record compromising videos of her. He promised that if I did this, he would ensure my career at EPS remained smooth sailing."

"I believe everyone here can guess who this executive is," Zhou Yang said, pointing at Xie Yong. "That’s right, it is Mr. Xie here. As the HR Director of EPS, he controls all personnel movements. He wields immense power, and he used that power to coerce me into performing such a despicable act."

"But I’m sorry, Mr. Xie; I did not fulfill your wishes. While I certainly desire promotions and raises, I will not sell my conscience. I refused your order, and for that, I was dismissed by the branch office."

Zhou Yang took a deep breath, reflecting on that decision—it was, without a doubt, the right one.

"If I were truly the kind of scumbag who would destroy someone’s family, I would have accepted your task back then."

"But you, Xie Yong—you are the one who has been plotting to fabricate evidence of your own wife's infidelity, all to threaten her into a divorce and leave her with nothing. You are the true scumbag!"

Zhou Yang’s words were powerful and resonant, leaving the entire courtroom stunned.

"My God, is this for real?"
"Wait, there are this many twists in this story? Why am I starting to sympathize with the defendant now?"
"It’s clearly not that simple. Demanding that someone leave a marriage with nothing—that request sounds suspicious from the start!"

The public opinion in the room shifted dramatically. Tang Yumei’s parents looked on with fury; they had originally believed their daughter was unfaithful. Now, it seemed highly likely she had been framed.

Beside them, Xie Feng was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected his father to resort to such underhanded tactics. Xie Feng hated Zhou Yang, but the idea of his father trying to push Zhou Yang into his mother’s bed was something he couldn't stomach.

"Dad, is what Zhou Yang said true?"

Xie Yong, a man of deep cunning who had navigated many storms, remained calm. "He is framing me! How could I possibly do such a thing?"

Before the trial, Xie Yong had contacted the regional manager, Xie Hongtao, and asked if he had leaked any information about him to Zhou Yang. Xie Hongtao, terrified, had adamantly denied it.

Xie Yong felt reassured. However, after hanging up, Xie Hongtao had called Zhou Yang, begging him not to reveal Xie Yong’s identity, fearing for his own job. Zhou Yang, grateful that Xie Hongtao had risked telling him the truth earlier, agreed.

They had devised a cover story. Zhou Yang had asked, "What if the truth comes out anyway?" and Xie Hongtao had instructed him to say he found private emails on his computer.

"I have the screenshots of those emails," Xie Hongtao had said. "Zhou Yang, I’ve put my fate in your hands. If you have even a shred of conscience, don’t betray me!"

Back in the courtroom, Zhou Yang spoke with absolute confidence. "Mr. Xie, you can keep playing dumb, but I have the evidence."

Zhou Yang handed the printed screenshots of the private emails to the judge. "I once asked the intermediary who the executive was, but he berated me. Harboring resentment, I kept a close watch on his computer. One day, when he went to the restroom, I searched his computer for clues. I got lucky and found this private email."

The email was displayed on the large screen. It contained only one line: *If he refuses to do the task, replace him.*

Seeing the evidence, Xie Yong panicked but quickly attempted to argue. "You call this a piece of evidence? I was referring to HR-related tasks! Do not slander me!"

Zhou Yang sneered. "If I weren't an EPS employee, I might have actually believed that!"

"May I ask, what HR task requires direct communication between the HR Director and a regional manager? Furthermore, even if such a task existed, why would it be sent via a private email? Are other colleagues not worthy of knowing about it?"

Every word from Zhou Yang felt like a blade piercing Xie Yong’s heart, leaving him defenseless. He regretted his carelessness; he and Xie Hongtao usually communicated via private phone calls specifically to avoid leaving a paper trail. The one time he had replied via email, it was because he was impatient. Little did he know, Xie Hongtao—who had been trying to protect himself by forcing a written trail—had just handed Zhou Yang the weapon to destroy him.

Even the plaintiff’s lawyer was stunned. Xie Yong hadn't told him any of this. Using one's corporate power to manipulate a subordinate into trapping one's own wife, all to secure a favorable divorce—the malice was truly breathtaking.

Xie Yong’s face turned pale, then red, as he stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Xie Yong, you bastard! You know how our family treated you. How could you do this?" Tang Yumei’s cousin shouted.

Xie Yong had once been a poor young man, and it was Tang’s father who had insisted that Tang Yumei marry him. The Tang family had funded his businesses and, when those failed, used their connections to secure his position at EPS. His current status as a director was entirely built on the foundation provided by his father-in-law.

"I was blind!" Tang’s father cried, pounding his chest.

Tang Yumei stood tall. "So, from start to finish, Zhou Yang and I have been nothing more than good friends. It was Xie Yong who coveted our marital assets and tried to use these despicable methods to force me out with nothing."

"Furthermore, I have known for a long time that Xie Yong has been keeping a mistress. I even know her home address!" Tang Yumei looked at Xie Yong. "Do you want me to expose her information and confront you here in court?"

Xie Yong, his spirit completely broken, collapsed into his chair.