My stepmother forced me to donate bone marrow, so I retaliated by slapping my scumbag father in the

Several staff members at the entrance witnessed the whole process. They wanted to watch but dared not look any longer, so they quickly lowered their heads.

But their reactions were more embarrassing to Shen Jianjun than their open mockery.

Sun Mei suppressed her anger: "It's just a hotel, what's so special about it?"

"Once the mining permit is approved, we won't need to put up with these people at all."

Shen Jianjun remained silent, his face still ashen.

The hotel manager escorted Shen Ze and his party to a private room and personally instructed the staff to raise the standards of service before hurriedly returning to the lobby.

As he passed the door, he finally saw Manager Shen Jianjun and his wife, paused in his steps, and quickly went to greet them.

"Mr. Shen, when did you arrive?"

"Young Master Shen?"

Shen Jianjun turned his head abruptly: "Who are you calling 'Little Shen'?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly explained, "Mr. Shen, please don't misunderstand."

"The person who just went in was also General Manager Shen. I addressed you as 'Young General Manager Shen' to distinguish between the two of you; there was no other meaning behind it."

This explanation only made Shen Jianjun's face turn even uglier.

In the past, when people in Shanghai mentioned "President Shen," he was the first person they thought of.

Now, Shen Ze has become the chairman of Caesars Hotels, and his businesses are growing. Even hotel managers have to refer to him as "Little President Shen" to distinguish them.

It seemed that only Shen Ze deserved that formal title.

And he, once a billionaire, can only become "Little President Shen" in the future.

"Who gave you permission to call me that?"

Shen Jianjun's voice suddenly rose: "When I was doing business, he was still nowhere to be found!"

"You, a hotel manager, dare to act superior to me?"

The guests in the hall all looked over.

The waiters looked at each other, hesitant to approach.

The manager quickly smiled apologetically, "Mr. Shen, it's really a misunderstanding."

"I was just trying to make it easier to distinguish, I didn't mean to belittle you."

"You are the chairman of Jianjun Group, how could I possibly be disrespectful to you?"

"That's enough!"

Shen Jianjun interrupted him: "From now on, when you see me, call me General Manager Shen!"

"Understood, Mr. Shen."

The manager nodded repeatedly: "Your reserved private room is ready. I will personally take you there."

Shen Jianjun remained silent with a cold expression.

Even though the manager had changed his tune, the words "Little Shen" still felt like a thorn stuck in his heart.

A month ago, people like this would have to be very careful even if they stood in front of him and spoke to him.

Now, however, they greet Shen Ze first and then meet him, even having to rely on the word "little" to distinguish their identities.

Everyone thought he had fallen on hard times and that Jianjun Group would never be able to recover.

But they had no idea that the fifteen mines were still operating at night.

The payments from Northwest Industry are also continuously flowing into the group's account.

Once the qualifications are approved, the 300 million tons of sand and gravel orders will once again become the capital for Jianjun Group's rise.

At that time, all the status, wealth, and respect he lost will be returned to him.

Thinking of this, Shen Jianjun's frustration dissipated slightly.

"Jianjun, don't lower yourself to his level."

Sun Mei took his arm and whispered comfortingly, "The mine is receiving payments every day, and Chen Wen is helping us apply for the necessary permits. As long as we get through this period, those who looked down on us before will naturally come back begging to us."

"good."

Shen Jianjun gave the manager a cold look: "I'll remember what happened today."

The hotel manager's expression changed slightly, and he could only force a smile, saying, "Mr. Shen, it was really a misunderstanding."

"Don't worry, I've already arranged a private room, and all expenses tonight will be 20% off."

"20% off?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jianjun's anger only intensified.

A month ago, when he came to a hotel of this caliber, he didn't need to make a reservation himself.

The hotel owner will personally deliver the best food and drinks to the private room free of charge, and he won't even dare to charge the bill when it's time to settle the bill.

These days, a manager giving him a 20% discount is seen as a huge favor.

"Do you think I'm short of money?"

That's not what I meant...

Just as the manager was about to explain, Shen Jianjun's phone, which was in his pocket, suddenly vibrated violently.

He took out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and saw it was the mine manager.

Thinking that fifteen mines were still operating late at night, he immediately suppressed his anger and answered the phone.

"What is it?"

There was no immediate answer from the other end of the phone; only chaotic footsteps and shouts could be heard.

"Stop everything!"

"Power off all equipment immediately! No one is allowed to leave the site!"

Immediately afterwards, a piercing sound of the machine stopping came.

Shen Jianjun frowned deeply: "What's going on over there? Why is it so noisy?"

The mine manager finally spoke, but his voice was trembling uncontrollably.

"Mr. Shen, something's happened!"

"A large number of regulatory officials suddenly arrived, along with a joint investigation team. They have sealed off the entire mine!"

Shen Jianjun's face darkened: "What's the panic?"

"Wasn't it all arranged long ago? They work on the resort project during the day and only start mining at night. What can they possibly find out?"

"Just say those machines are for the resort's construction!"

Heavy breathing came from the other end of the phone.

"It's no use, Mr. Shen, they have solid evidence!"

"They know exactly what time we start the machine each day, how much sand and gravel we extract, which road we transport it via, and where it is finally delivered."

"On-site photos, equipment operation records, videos of transport vehicles and loading onto boats on the riverbank—everything is there!"

boom!

Something seemed to explode in Shen Jianjun's mind.

He froze on the spot, his fingers tightening rapidly around his phone.

"impossible!"

"The mine is full of our own people, and there's a fence around it. How could anyone have taken pictures of these things?"

"Is there a mole among you? Find that person immediately!"

The mine manager was on the verge of tears: "Mr. Shen, now is not the time to look for an inside man!"

"The investigation team said that we continued to mine illegally after the new regulations took effect, which is a very serious offense."

"The mine has been sealed off on the spot, and all personnel are under investigation."

"Where's the equipment?"

Shen Jianjun suddenly raised his voice: "How are those equipment?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Those few seconds sent a chill down Shen Jianjun's spine: "Speak!"

"How's the equipment?"

The mine manager managed to say with difficulty, "Confiscated everything."

"What?"

"The crusher, screening equipment, loading equipment, and transport vehicles were all registered and seized."

"The investigation team said that the equipment used in the illegal procurement will be confiscated in accordance with the law."

"Our people tried to explain, but the other side produced an equipment list, and the model and serial number of every machine matched."

Shen Jianjun's body swayed violently twice.

He purchased those devices using a loan of 6.9 billion from Mingzhu Private Bank.

Fifteen complete sets of equipment, almost all paid for in full.

He had thought that even if the mine could not be restored in the end, he could at least sell the equipment at a discount and recover some of the funds.

But now, even that last escape route is gone.