Luo Jialin hadn't expected that he would still be one step too late. By the time he rushed to the factory to try and switch back the formula, he discovered that their products had already flooded the market across the country. It was practically impossible to recall them all.
What was even more terrifying was that the first batch of users had already started experiencing issues, and accusations were gradually popping up online.
Even if he changed the formula now, as long as the products already out there weren't cleared from the shelves, the relevant authorities would still be able to find evidence.
Even if he followed Han Weicheng's advice and contacted the victims to settle privately and pay compensation, it was already too late.
There were simply too many people affected, and the amount of compensation would be astronomical. He immediately checked the accounts, only to find that much of the payment from the factory hadn't even been received.
He stormed up to the factory manager. "What the hell is going on? Where's the money? Where did it all go?"
"It was President Xiao. He told us to transfer it to the research center," the manager stammered, not daring to meet Luo Jialin's eyes. "He said the payments were being invested into the next phase of product development. That only through continuous research could better products be created."
Furious, Luo Jialin punched him. "You bastard! Who gave you the right to redirect funds back to the research center? Did I give you permission?!"
"There were signed documents—by you! The accountants processed everything according to those. They thought it was your instruction…" the manager looked utterly aggrieved.
Luo Jialin grabbed him by the collar. "What did you say? What documents? Bring them here. Let me see!"
All the paperwork was brought out. One look, and Luo Jialin's legs nearly gave out—how could this be? How could all of it be signed by him? When had he ever signed these documents?
He flipped through several more pages, each one sending a deeper chill down his spine.
The signatures were his, without a doubt. But the content of the documents wasn't at all what he had believed them to be. That bastard Xiao Anning had deceived him.
Enraged, Luo Jialin stormed off to confront Xiao Anning. Before he could say a word, Xiao Anning handed him a file.
"President Luo, this is a copy of every document you've signed since the company was founded. If anything happens to the company, the first person the police will come for… is you."
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Luo Jialin was seething, snatching the folder from his hands.
Xiao Anning smiled faintly. "I mean that your mentor tricked you. He never intended to properly research or run the company with you. He just wanted to use you to make a quick fortune."
"To fund his secret research," Xiao Anning added, adjusting his glasses, his smile growing more sinister. "Now that the money is in hand, all of it has been poured into his pet project."
"You've been cast aside. If you don't want to go down with him, you'd better start listening to me." He stepped forward and patted Luo Jialin's collar. "I'm not as cold-blooded as your mentor. Out of respect for the Luo family, I'll make sure you don't end up in prison."
Luo Jialin's fists clenched tightly. "You're that kind-hearted, are you?"
He finally couldn't hold back anymore. His fist shot out and landed hard on Xiao Anning's face. "Don't act like you're innocent. Don't pretend this has nothing to do with you! You think I don't know your part in all this?"
"The money was moved in your name. The staff followed your orders. I already asked about the formula—it was you who had it changed."
"You're no different from him. Neither of you are decent human beings. Bastard! I'm going to beat you to death!"
Xiao Anning let him get in two punches before he fought back, quickly subduing Luo Jialin and pinning him to the ground. "Calm down, Luo Jialin! It's too late for this now. Even if you beat me to death, what difference does it make?"
"Wouldn't it be better to figure out how to get out of this cleanly?"
Luo Jialin slammed his fist into the floor. "You've already dug the pit. You planned all along to make me the scapegoat. Now you want to act like some benevolent savior? Don't insult my intelligence!"
"Tch." Xiao Anning patted his face mockingly. "At least I'm pretending. Unlike your mentor, who's using you like a stepping stone. Time to wake up, kid."
"If you don't want to go to jail, you'd better listen."
He released Luo Jialin and stood up.
Luo Jialin slowly got to his feet, his earlier fury now simmering into a dark glower. "Then spit it out."
Xiao Anning, knowing the power backing the Luo family, didn't take offense at the attitude.
He wasn't like Han Weicheng, that lunatic who cared only about his research and dared to use even the heir of the Luo family as a pawn.
If anything happened to Luo Jialin, there was no way the Luo family would let it slide.
He needed to plan a way out for himself. If everything blew up—if the investigation led back to the factory and Luo Jialin's company—they would definitely look for someone to hold accountable. He had to ensure that Luo Jialin could be cleared.
"Think about it—if we had followed the original research formula, could your company have gained such market recognition in under two years?" Xiao Anning said as he pulled out a chair for him.
"Would we have seen revenue grow this fast?" he continued. "Let's be honest, this has been a double-edged sword. High risk, high return."
Luo Jialin glared at him. "And what good is all that now? A huge crowd is out for blood. A single spit from each person could drown our company's name."
"The longer we delay, the more victims there'll be. Things will spiral out of control. There'll be no profit, no reputation left!"
"Don't be so pessimistic yet." Xiao Anning handed him a document. "These are the official regulations on prohibited substances and chemical additives for cosmeceutical products."
"Technically speaking, our formula didn't break any laws," he pointed to the composition chart. "Even if someone reports us, you can show this to the authorities."
"That's Plan C, of course—the worst-case scenario. Plan A is that you show the police the original, legitimate research formula."
"If the authorities investigate the factory, you can claim you had no knowledge of the formula being changed. After all, our products passed the official inspections before hitting the market."
"You simply reviewed the test results. You didn't conduct additional testing on the final products. You were in charge of research and business operations, not the factory's internal workings."
Luo Jialin wasn't stupid. He quickly grasped the implication: "So you're saying I should find a scapegoat—someone at the factory to take the fall for changing the formula. That way, I can wash my hands of it?"
"That's the best strategy," Xiao Anning nodded.
"And even if the flawed formula is discovered, it might not result in criminal charges. The harmful substances are within the legal limit."
"We're doing this purely as a precaution. There are just too many affected people."
Luo Jialin nodded. "Let me think about it."
He got up and headed for the door. After a few steps, he paused and turned back to look at Xiao Anning.
"I really didn't know about the formula change. I asked the factory manager—he said the formula came from you. Xiao Anning, this so-called rescue of yours… isn't it really about saving your own ass?"
"I thought everything would be airtight: I personally oversaw the lab work, personally approved the formula, and emailed it to the team. I never expected you'd go this far—"
"Going behind my back, persuading the factory head to swap the formula like it was nothing. Ha… I really did underestimate just how shameless you all are."
"Once this mess is cleaned up, our partnership is over!"