The company convened an emergency meeting.
Qin Feiwan sat at the head of the table, her face grim, listening to the external publicity and public relations departments report on the cause of the incident.
The news was released suddenly, and the company had not made such a decision. Everyone in the external publicity department was in a panic, and all of them vehemently denied any involvement.
"But Vice President Qin, the IP address clearly shows Yuchang City, which is also a point of heated discussion among netizens."
Nowadays, posts online display the location, and the announcement from Qin's Group explicitly showed it originated from their main headquarters.
Qin Feiwan's assistant, holding her phone, was outside the office taking calls from various branch companies inquiring about the matter. The news was too sudden for anyone to be prepared.
"Has a clarification statement been issued?" the external publicity staff asked urgently. "I can guarantee it wasn't our unauthorized action. Our department definitely did not leak account information, nor do we have any spies from competitors."
The public relations department was also in a difficult position. "A clarification statement has been issued, and the previous recall order has been rescinded. However, the message was released during peak working hours, so many people saw it."
"Furthermore, due to the IP address, no one believes our clarification statement. The online speculation now is whether the products under Qin's Skincare line have problems."
Public opinion escalated rapidly. Within minutes, Qin's Skincare, a thriving domestic beauty brand, faced public scrutiny. Some even brought products to counters demanding refunds, as stated in the recall order.
Compared to the previous malicious defamation incident, this situation was far more challenging.
Before the meeting concluded, someone from the public relations department glanced at their phone and stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "This is too much!"
"Vice President Qin, our competitor, IM, has launched their new product during this time. The video even compares it to the technology of our Zhenyan series, implying our technology is immature and its efficacy is severely compromised."
Qin's Skincare was already thrust into the spotlight.
"Vice President Qin, we request that our colleagues from the security center help investigate this IP address to determine its origin and prove our innocence."
Speaking of the security center, Qin Feiwan cast a worried glance toward the door. Qin's Group's network had been under attack just last night, and at dawn, it was plunged into this public opinion storm.
She refused to believe it was all a coincidence.
With internal and external pressures mounting, what should she do?
At this point, the issue that needed immediate clearing was not the recall order itself. Everyone's focus had shifted from the original announcement to the products and technology.
"You go to the security center," she instructed a staff member quietly recording in the meeting room. "Tell the director and Luo Chen that the situation is tense and any further mistakes are unacceptable. All issues must be resolved within one day."
"Yes!"
Qin Feiwan shifted her gaze to another person. "You go and negotiate with the platform operators. Investigate whether our accounts have been compromised and obtain the relevant records if possible."
"Yes."
"Call the R&D department and have them take the entire Zhenyan series of products for further testing at the most authoritative institution. I need the experimental report as soon as possible."
Someone from the public relations department checked the time on their phone. "Vice President Qin, we have already requested them to do this. The report should be back shortly."
Qin Feiwan pinched her brow. Silence filled the room, with no one daring to speak.
"Mmm... isn't Professor Yao, the eldest son of Granny Yao, currently in Yuchang City for an academic exchange?"
"Yes," the public relations department was well-informed about this. "You mean?"
"Invite him," Qin Feiwan's short hair flew as she spoke. "We will hold a press conference at noon."
Everyone began implementing her arrangements.
Qin Feiwan walked out of the meeting room, her face etched with fatigue, but also with an undeniable sharpness.
Her assistant approached her, holding her phone. "Vice President Qin, are you alright?"
She had watched Qin Feiwan transform from a carefree designer into the decisive leader she was today, experiencing countless challenges along the way. As a woman herself, she admired her greatly and felt for her deeply.
"President Qin probably hasn't heard the news yet. Shall I inform him?"
"Later," Qin Feiwan said. It was only now that she truly understood the life Qin Ningyi had led all these years, and what she had sacrificed and endured for her and her brother's dreams.
Now, she wanted to be a sister who wouldn't be a burden.
Of course, she wouldn't push herself too hard. "Is Assistant Xiao's vacation ending soon?"
"Yes, in two more days," the assistant tilted her head in thought.
Qin Feiwan instinctively touched her knuckles. "Notify Assistant Xiao to return to work. Her vacation is to be ended early."