Chapter Four: The Nine O'Clock Review

I requested formal verification fifteen minutes ago. A corporate note cannot become a punishment while verification is pending.” Ma stared at her. “Miss Zhou, must you drag a family matter into public?” Twelve phones captured the sentence. Tang took a screenshot. “Thank you for confirming the inspectors know her family—and who that family is.” The chat detonated. Sweat gathered on Ma's forehead. “Conditional approval. Repair all equipment within seven days. No live sparring until then.” “One matter remains.” Lin Ran pointed at the exit. “Someone created a fire hazard.” The corridor recording showed Beyond's safety director attaching the cord ten minutes before the review. His own stream documented investigators escorting him away.