Divine Doctor and His CEO Wife-Chapter 72 I’ll Write a Better One

The secretary glanced at Chen Xiao, hesitating to speak.

"Just say it," Luo Qingli said indifferently.

Only then did the secretary begin her explanation, "The formula has been stolen. We don’t know who did it!"

At these words, Luo Qingli shot to her feet, her expression growing grave. "Is there anything on the surveillance cameras?"

The secretary gritted her teeth. "The culprit obviously knows our Luo Group very well. They disabled the surveillance in advance, so it’s very likely an inside job... possibly someone from the R&D department itself."

With a stern face, Luo Qingli said, "Take me there."

She realized there was probably a mole within the Luo Group, causing trouble at this critical juncture to deliver a fatal blow.

"R&D department? Research and development of what?" Chen Xiao asked.

"Beauty products," Luo Qingli explained, "like face masks and moisturizers. The domestic market for these products is huge, which is why I started preparing this project six months ago."

"We just developed a new whitening cream a few days ago, and it hasn’t been publicly announced yet. Now, just days later, it’s been stolen... We’re in trouble."

「The R&D Department」

Luo Qingli and Chen Xiao walked in to find everyone looking dejected, with grim expressions on their faces. After all, the product they had worked so hard to develop had vanished overnight. This setback had clearly discouraged them.

Half a year of hard work, gone just like that.

Luo Qingli composed herself and, after consoling them, requested, "Take me to the scene."

When they arrived, Luo Qingli’s brow furrowed slightly. The safe had been opened, and everything inside was gone.

An elder with graying hair sighed. "President Luo, you must find the mole. Otherwise, it’s a disservice to the six months of effort everyone in the R&D department has put in!"

"Rest assured, Elder Cheng," Luo Qingli took a deep breath. "I will get to the bottom of this for everyone’s sake, and for my own."

This incident would have a significant impact on the Luo Group. After all, developing the whitening cream had cost the company a great deal of effort and capital. Now, with this problem, the board of directors was bound to put immense pressure on her.

It was very possible this was a conspiracy targeting her all along.

Elder Cheng sighed. "President Luo, I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I will excuse myself for now. I hope this matter is resolved quickly."

"Also, we haven’t filed a patent for the formula yet. Now that it’s missing, it could very well become someone else’s property in the blink of an eye. You must take this seriously."

This put enormous pressure on Luo Qingli, and she nodded silently.

Chen Xiao suddenly asked, "How effective is this whitening product of yours?"

"The whitening effect is quite good, based on our tests. It not only whitens but also moisturizes the skin. Here are the before-and-after comparison photos of our testers," Luo Qingli said, taking out a document and handing it to Chen Xiao.

Elder Cheng added with a hint of pride, "It’s precisely because the whitening effect is so remarkable that President Luo asked us to ramp up production and get it to market sooner!"

Hearing this, Chen Xiao grew curious about how powerful the effects truly were. But upon inspection, he was left speechless. "You call this whitening?"

He really couldn’t see much of an effect.

"I could lock a big black dog indoors for a couple of weeks and get the same result..."

"You—!" Elder Cheng flew into a rage. "You’re insulting the results of our research!"

Chen Xiao felt a headache coming on. "Aren’t you the ones insulting your own research?"

They worked for half a year to come up with this junk, and I’m not even allowed to comment?

Elder Cheng rebuked coldly, "We have data for comparison! Our product is at least twenty percent more effective than the other beauty products currently on the market!"

"Do you have any idea what a huge improvement that is?"

"It’s no exaggeration to say that as soon as our product launches, it will immediately capture a share of the market and compete with the big-name companies!"

Chen Xiao looked at Luo Qingli doubtfully. "Is this stuff really better than what’s already out there?"

"It’s true," Luo Qingli nodded.

"Then what’s the difference between those other products and an IQ tax?" Chen Xiao asked, exasperated.

Luo Qingli was silent.

She truly had no words to counter. Most beauty products were indeed just an IQ tax, with hardly any significant effect.

Luo Qingli’s head ached. "I’m trying to solve this problem right now, not listen to your sarcastic remarks. Get back to your post."

"Search the entire company. Find the mole and track down any leads on our formula!"

"All personnel are to cooperate with the investigation immediately!"

Luo Qingli ordered her secretary coldly, "Start with the R&D department!"

"Yes!" The secretary nodded.

A young man standing behind Elder Cheng spoke up, dissatisfied. "President Luo, we’re already heartbroken that the formula we worked so hard on was stolen, and now you want to start the investigation with us? Isn’t that a blow to our morale?"

"But if you want us to cooperate, we’ll cooperate."

"I guess we’re just unlucky for being the ones who are closest to the formula every day."

As the young man spoke, his words resonated with many others in the R&D department. They were already distressed enough, and now they were going to be investigated as suspects? This left them deeply dissatisfied.

Seeing the crowd getting worked up, Luo Qingli felt a bit helpless. "Everyone, this investigation isn’t about suspecting you. It’s about clearing your names."

The young man sighed. "If you truly didn’t suspect us, why investigate us? My master poured so much effort into developing this product, and now... Heh."

Chen Xiao stared at him intently. "Are you afraid of being investigated?"

"I..." The young man scoffed. "What do I have to be afraid of?! I’ve done nothing wrong and have a clear conscience! I just think it’s unfair! Do as you please!"

Chen Xiao sneered. "The investigation is a simple procedure. Why are you here riling people up and stirring discontent against President Luo?"

"If you didn’t steal anything, it’s not like we can just frame you for it, can we?"

"Enough!" Elder Cheng snorted. "President Luo, I watched this kid, Zhang Yi, grow up! I can vouch for his character! Also, unrelated personnel need to get out of our R&D department. We don’t welcome his kind here!"

Chen Xiao spoke lazily, "President Luo, why not just let them have that lousy formula? I’ll write you a better one. I can’t be bothered with this fuss."

As soon as he said that, all eyes in the room snapped to him.

Elder Cheng’s face flushed with anger as he retorted, "You little brat, that product is an improved version of my Cheng Family’s ancestral beauty formula! Don’t you dare call it a ’lousy formula’! Do you have any idea how valuable it is? Do you realize how precious it is?! Do you know how much profit it could generate for the Luo Group?!"