"Ding-ding-ding~" Early in the morning, Bai Yuxuan was jolted awake by the urgent ringing of her phone.

"This is..." Seeing the caller ID, she snapped awake instantly, sat up straight, and answered.

"It's me, Bai Yuxuan."

"This is Xiao Liu, Young Master. I've checked what you asked. That boiler plant has serious exhaust gas treatment issues. And..."

"And what?"

"It seems the higher environmental authorities have been alerted."

"What did you say!" Bai Yuxuan shot up from bed.

"Got it. Arrange my schedule. I'm heading to the boiler plant right now." She hung up, threw on clothes, skipped breakfast, and dashed out. Ten minutes later, a sedan stopped before her.

"Young Master." A woman in a suit stepped out and opened the car door.

"Okay, Xiao Liu. No time to waste. Let's go."

Bai Yuxuan hurried into the car, directing Xiao Liu to drive to the plant.

Upon arrival, the moment she stepped out, a pungent smell nearly choked her back inside.

"Are they insane? This stench is so thick, you can smell the emissions are way over the limit." She rushed toward the factory building.

To her shock, the plant was already sealed with notices.

"What... what's going on!" She turned to the guard.

"Don't you know? Last night, the higher environmental authorities conducted a surprise inspection. The person in charge was taken away."

"What! How could it be so fast? Did we arrive too late?"

"So, Young Master, what now?" Xiao Liu asked anxiously.

"Use all the funds I can mobilize to compensate residents whose health was harmed. Their well-being comes first."

"And after that?"

"Use every connection we have to minimize the impact."

That day, Bai Yuxuan ran around tirelessly. Yet by evening, the authorities held a press conference. They publicly criticized Western River Boiler Co., Ltd. and announced the criminal detention of its legal representative.

"Damn it! We're too late!" Past midnight, watching the rebroadcast news, Bai Yuxuan slammed her fist onto the coffee table, shattering the glass.

"Young Master, I'm back." Xiao Liu knocked on the door.

"Xiao Liu, come in."

"Don't be so pessimistic. Though your father put you in charge, you're not the legal representative. You won't bear direct responsibility."

"You're too naive. This affects me through the family—the White Clan."

"That boiler plant is a core White Clan project. The loss is significant. And the reputation damage is severe. Business circles know we funded it. For merchants, reputation can outweigh money. This will likely crash our stocks."

"Young Master, what about the White Clan people...?"

"Exactly. They won't let me off. Even kicking me out now would be reasonable."

"How could..."

"What about Father..." Bai Yuxuan's expression turned grave.

"Young Master, during my investigation, I found something. I'm not sure if I should say..."

"Speak. Things have gone this far."

"When I contacted Mayor Chen today, he told me he informed your father about the investigation a week ago."

"What! So it was really Father!"

"And the document he gave you seems forged."

"Now I understand. He wanted me to take the fall to preserve his position."

"I never expected he'd be so heartless..." Xiao Liu said indignantly.

"Hmph. This is the man I know. For a moment, I thought he was like a father. I was too naive. That's enough, Xiao Liu. Go rest."

"But, Young Master..."

"Leave. I need to be alone." Xiao Liu left with a worried glance.

Bai Yuxuan hugged her knees, staring blankly out the window. Though calm in front of Xiao Liu, inside she was turmoil. If it weren't so late, she'd rush home to ask why he did this.

She'd always obeyed him like a tool, yet he made her take the blame, discarding her like a pawn.

Next morning, after a sleepless night, still hugging her knees, her phone rang. Her father's secretary summoned her to a family assembly.

She rushed out, heading straight to the meeting place.

At the venue, in the corridor to the reception hall, she finally saw him—her father.

She charged up to him.

"Father, why did you do this to me?"

The cold man showed little emotion.

"Yuxuan, let me give you an example. If a leader makes a mistake and lets a subordinate take the blame, should that subordinate accept it?"

"The answer is yes. A subordinate's mistake seems like inexperience. A leader's mistake makes them look incompetent. So, you understand?"

Her father patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Yuxuan. You're the most outstanding of the younger generation. They won't do anything to you."

With that, he walked into the meeting hall.