"Director Yun, what should we do then? We can't just let this go," the assistant asked in a low voice while gripping the steering wheel.
While this investment wasn't their entire capital, it still accounted for a tenth of it. For a businessman like Liao Heyun, who possessed hundreds of millions, a tenth was a sum many people might never reach in their lifetime. No one would ever complain about having too much money. How could he be an exception? "Of course, we can't just let this go," Liao Heyun gritted his teeth, his voice filled with a palpable sense of animosity. "If we can't recover our losses this time, then don't blame me, Liao Heyun, for fighting the Lin family to the death!"
As these words hung in the air, the assistant, sensing the intense gunpowder-like atmosphere, dared not even breathe. The car was plunged into an instant, deathly silence.
At the Dong family's group headquarters, Dong Hua was immediately stopped by a young female secretary.
"What is it?" For someone of the Dong family's stature, he had countless secretaries. There were those responsible for administration, documentation, and even personal affairs. These people flocked to his side precisely because of the position he held and the money in his pocket. Thus, his voice was cold: "I'm sorry, I don't have time today. If it's nothing urgent, let's reschedule."
With that, he attempted to sidestep the secretary. However, before he could take three or five steps, a clear voice reached his ears. "General Manager, please don't misunderstand. Director Dong Ye asked me to call you."
"My mother? Called me?" Hearing this, Dong Hua immediately snapped back to attention, looking at the secretary before him with disbelief. Seeing the secretary nod vigorously, his face was instantly clouded with a heavy layer of suspicion. Why would she call him during a regular day? Although he was Dong Ye's adopted son, she rarely summoned him. One reason was that her son had grown up, and the other was that she herself had to attend to many matters within the group. Was the sun rising from the west today?
"Alright, I'll be right there!" But as he said this, the secretary standing before him didn't seem to move away immediately. Sensing something amiss in the secretary's demeanor, Dong Hua added a question. "What? Is there something else?" The secretary had no other business, but out of kindness, she pulled Dong Hua aside and then whispered, "General Manager, I think Director Dong seems very angry this time. She mentioned something about you and Zhang Ke."
"What?" Before she could finish, Dong Hua interrupted her. His relationship with Zhang Ke had always been discreet. Besides him and Zhang Ke, no third person could possibly know about it. What was going on? Dong Hua immediately grew nervous. "Right, how did you know?" The secretary was utterly bewildered at this moment. After a moment, she took out her phone. "General Manager, you probably just returned and haven't seen the news. If you look at the news, you'll know everything."
"Is that so? Let me see." Dong Hua, disregarding whether the female secretary was willing or not, snatched her phone. His gaze locked onto the phone's screen. "This Zhang Ke, you!" He was so enraged that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Dong family's young master suspected of having an ambiguous relationship with Zhang Ke, attempting to manipulate the Lin family's stock market." "Rumor has it that the Dong family's young master has recognized Zhang Ke as his adopted son. What is the meaning of this?" ... Such news was always based on speculation, and the further he read, the more outrageous and heart-pounding it became. Everything and nothing seemed to be jumbled together, making Dong Hua's heart pound.
"Alright, I understand." Returning the phone to the secretary, he didn't dare to delay and rushed towards Dong Ye. He never expected that this Zhang Ke would betray him in such a short period. No wonder Zhang Ke had made him go out specifically when he encountered that young man Lu Feng. It turned out it was for this very purpose. Absolutely detestable! Dong Hua's thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
"You're here?" Snapping back to reality, he realized he had already reached Dong Ye's door and had knocked. "Yes, Mom!" Dong Hua called out immediately, not bothering to close the door. However, this address caused Dong Ye's pair of willow-like eyebrows to furrow instantly. "You still know I'm your mother? You've recognized an adopted father outside now? What, do you dislike that I've been alone all these years and want to find me a companion? Or do you want me to abdicate early?"
In front of outsiders, Dong Hua was dignified and powerful, capable of summoning storms. But when it came to Dong Ye, he instantly lost all his abilities. "Mom, your son truly didn't mean it that way. Your son has his difficulties. Your son is doing this for the good of the Dong family."
"Then tell me, what good can come from you doing this?" Seeing Dong Ye's ashen face, after a brief moment of thought, he quickly improvised. "Mom, it's all because of that Lu Feng. This person has ulterior motives. He has colluded with the Lin family and intends to annex us. If we don't act promptly, we will suffer greatly."
"Is that so?" Dong Ye was immediately taken aback. But she wasn't foolish. With a little thought, she understood some of Dong Hua's intentions. "I think you're afraid of Lu Feng's recognition as a descendant. Did I not remind you last time in vain? I told you Lu Feng's identity, yet you still insist on this course of action? What, do you want me to kick you out?"
These words were like a stone stirring up a thousand waves. Once he was kicked out of the Dong family, wouldn't all his years of toiling for the Dong family be in vain? Now, he was already bound to the Dong family. If he left, not only would he be nothing, but those he had offended because of the Dong family would likely gather around him like a raging flood. Would he even survive then?
"Mom!" Thinking of this, Dong Hua immediately knelt on both knees and, using his knees, quickly moved to Dong Ye's feet. "Mom, no matter what, I am your son whom you raised for so many years. I know Lu Feng is your biological son, but have you not seen what I have done for the Dong family all these years? Mom, for so many years, I have treated you as my own mother. If you do this, you will hurt a child's heart. Can you bear to do this?" Dong Hua was now resorting to every possible means to stay.
Besides Dong Hua, there was no one else in this place, so what dignity could he not shed? After his lengthy speech, Dong Ye's originally cold heart felt a pang of sorrow. No matter how strong she was, she was still a woman, a mother. "Alright, get up." But Dong Hua, still kneeling on the ground, didn't get up immediately. "Mom, if you don't forgive your son, your son will never get up." Unable to resist Dong Hua, Dong Ye said, "Fine, I promise you, but this matter cannot be left as it is."
"Mom, then whatever you say goes?" Dong Hua raised his eyes and looked at Dong Ye. "How about this, in a few days, I will personally invite Lu Feng over, and you will personally apologize to Lu Feng in front of him."
"Ah?" Personally apologizing was worse than killing him. Sensing a hint of resistance in Dong Hua's tone, Dong Hua immediately said sternly, "What? You're not happy?"
"Happy, of course, I'm happy." Happy, that would be strange.