Chapter 1732: Falling from Their High Pedestal into the Deep Abyss
The battle between T-K Group and Lanxin Company erupted fiercely.
At the same time, because of their violation of advertising regulations and the illegal copying of Lanxin Company’s health supplement recipe, the citizens of Country Z started a major revolt against T-K Group.
The people of Country Z had united.
The strong sense of unity among such a populous country was formidable, as they started to boycott all of T-K Group’s products.
The atmosphere in the meeting was extremely grave and traced with malevolence. Jose had lost his earlier confidence and arrogance. He couldn’t even sit still on his chair.
“Lanxin Company is utterly despicable.”
The sales report sent over by the marketing and sales department was still placed in front of Jose’s seat. Beside it was a copy of T-K Group’s sales figures from a week ago. The two reports listed figures that were as different as night and day.
In just one week’s time, T-K Group had fallen off their high pedestal into the deep abyss.
“Jose, what should we do now?”
Everyone in the meeting room looked toward their leader, hoping that he had a solution to salvage the situation and lead T-K Group from this danger zone.
“Lanxin Company has pushed us step by step to the edge of the cliff. Our takeover plan has completely failed. We are finished.”
No one expected a company as small as Lanxin Company to be able to deal such a lethal blow to T-K Group.
“The press has run major exposes on our violations of advertising regulations and for illegally copying Lanxin Company’s Traditional Chinese Medicine health supplement recipe. The amount of coverage we are getting is akin to our ad bombardment strategy earlier.”
T-K Group had been defeated and was knee-deep in a scandal. Most troublesome of all was that they were going to be embroiled in a legal tussle with Lanxin Company. It didn’t matter what the outcome of the lawsuit was, it would be a massive blow to T-K Group’s company reputation, brand image, and industry standing. T-K Group would be tainted with a stain that could never be washed off.
T-K Group would be completely knocked off their high pedestal.
“According to the figures sent over by our Country M headquarters, sales of T-K Group products across the world have been declining. The company share price has also been falling. The board of directors and shareholders have been actively voicing their displeasure. We have become the major villains in the Group.”
No one expected that a mere takeover plan could end up dragging the entire Group into the mud. The scandalous news of their impending lawsuit had besmeared the reputation of T-K Group worldwide.
“With regards to the illegal copying of Lanxin Company’s Traditional Chinese Medicine health supplement recipe, did we investigate clearly if there is any truth behind it?” Jose finally spoke up.
His voice was full of haggard helplessness.
This was Lanxin Company’s ploy to pull the rug out from under T-K Group’s feet. They wanted to turn the Group’s new Traditional Chinese Medicine health supplement product into a completely useless white elephant.
T-K Group would become utterly helpless without their new product.
No one said a word as there was nothing to say.
“I asked you all a question!” Jose suddenly hollered. His shout was full of rage like a ferocious trapped beast.
“Jose, earlier this afternoon, the person in charge of developing the Traditional Chinese Medicine health supplement product, Dr. Luo Le, has disappeared. We have tried all means to track him down but to no avail. Miss Xia’s mobile phone has been switched off and there is no way to contact her.”
A trembling voice spoke up.
Even though it was not a direct answer to the question, the implications were clear.
Jose’s eyes went dark as he staggered backward. Luckily, he was holding onto the table or he might have fallen on the floor. “Despicable bastards!”
He cursed and swore loudly.
But as vehemently as he scolded, it was just an impotent venting of his rage.
He never imagined that the reason behind his failure would be this Traditional Chinese Medicine health supplement product which he had been so proud of.
Luo Le, Xia Ruya!
They were both highly regarded by him but had ended up being the ones who caused his demise.
Silence descended across the meeting room.
Jose instructed rather feebly. “I don’t care how you do it, find them.”
Jose was like a defeated cockerel. He had lost all drive and motivation.
He finally realized he had fallen straight into Lanxin Company’s trap. The publication of their product quality report was the hole that Lanxin Company had dug for them, just waiting for T-K Group to leap in. Her goal was not just to win the takeover war, but to take down the entire T-K Group.
Lanxin Company’s earlier defeated stance was just a false front to lure T-K Group further in.
“Oh yes, what about Chu? Why is he not in this meeting? Did you notify him?”
Jose remembered that Chu Jingnan was an extremely intelligent person. Like a man clutching at straws, he anxiously called for Chu Jingnan, hoping that he would help him analyze and resolve this situation.
“Our Country M headquarters sent news earlier this morning that Genesis Investment Company has officially withdrawn from our takeover plan. Chu booked a flight back to the US and is already on the plane as we speak.”
The takeover plan had been an absolute failure. Although the key fault laid with T-K Group, Chu Jingnan would still have to bear some responsibility as their consultant.
He would be penalized by Genesis upon his return to Country M.
The rims of Jose’s eyes reddened. He looked down from the office window at the group of Country Z protesters crowded outside their building. Reporters circulated in their midst. Jose finally acknowledged that T-K Group was no longer able to come back from this saga.
The Chinese market was now completely cut off from them.
Their other markets had also started to shrink.
And his over-eagerness was the cause behind it all.
“We lost. We have completely lost.” Jose slumped back on his seat.
His deflated body sank deep into his chair, totally void of his former intimidating and arrogant aura.
“Jose, no one knows who will win in the legal case between T-K Group and Lanxin Company. So what if Lanxin Company has evidence in hand? Sometimes, evidence alone is not enough to determine the outcome of a legal case.”
Lawyers’ arguments and how the defendants manipulated the proffered evidence were also key aspects.
Moreover, Lanxin Company was just a small, unlisted company. How could they hope to win in a lawsuit against T-K Group?
“We have always underestimated Lanxin and Bella.”
It was this underestimation that caused his defeat.
He had committed the major crime of belittling his opponent, which led to him being totally crushed.