"The stock has stabilized," Chairman Zhou began, voice almost conversational. "Thanks to the rapid response after the press release… the market has recovered. But stabilization is not full trust. And your credibility is still under scrutiny."
He paused. "The press conference… it was poorly handled. Public sentiment might be swayed by the surrogate story, but investors and partners are watching closely. One misstep now could undo everything."
Lu Zeyan nodded slowly. "The surrogate explanation....."
"Helps," Director Chen interrupted. "It helps with moral perception. It shifts the narrative from scandal to misunderstanding. But it does not erase questions about leadership judgment."
"But," Chairman Zhou continued, "you must understand that appearance and control matter. You allowed the company and the public to hang in uncertainty before revealing key facts. That is not something easily forgiven in leadership."
