Lu Youqi narrowed his eyes as he looked at his eight sons.
"You’re all such filial children—laughing your father to death."
Seated in his wheelchair, Lu Ludu glanced at Luo Yao and nodded before addressing Lu Youqi.
"Don’t act so indignant. Born into a great family like ours, what choice do we have but to fight? Take you, for instance—didn’t you seize power by eliminating your own brother?"
"Nonsense!" Lu Youqi denied immediately. Lu Ludu smirked in disdain.
"You think you covered your tracks well, but I’ve got irrefutable proof. Otherwise, why do you think everyone here is standing behind me?"
Seeing Lu Youqi’s face twitch, Lu Ludu’s grin widened.
"Honestly, there’s no point denying it. It’s the truth—one of the tragedies of great families. Even the Head of the Li Family, already taken away by the authorities—how many of the major families in this city, aside from the Wang Family, have gained their positions cleanly?"
"If you could do it, why can’t we?"
After years of patience, Lu Ludu finally let loose."Old man, stop struggling. Look around—do you see even one of your sons standing with you? You know exactly how we’ve lived all these years. ‘Young masters of a wealthy family’ sounds nice, but in reality, we were just your tools. Which one of us wasn’t abused growing up?"
The room fell silent. No one could refute Lu Ludu’s words.
To the outside world, Lu Youqi was refined and amiable, but within the Lu Family, he was a notorious tyrant—violent and cruel to his own kin.
Lu Youqi felt his heart turn cold. He had anticipated this day might come, but never imagined it would be such a complete betrayal.
"Where’s Luxin?" he asked, referring to his favorite ninth son.
"Ah, Ninth Brother. Right—the only one you never laid a hand on. But you won’t be seeing him."
"What do you mean?"
Lu Ludu feigned sorrow.
"You accused me of drug trafficking, but it wasn’t me—it was Ninth Brother. I’ve already handed him over to the authorities. After all, for a crime this big, someone from the main Lu Family line has to take the fall. Don’t you agree, Lu Youqi?"
The sorrow vanished, replaced by a chilling grin. Lu Youqi’s scalp prickled.
He understood now—Lu Ludu was framing Lu Luxin for this.
Just as he had once tried to force Lu Ludu to confess, except Lu Ludu was actually guilty, while Lu Luxin, at least in this case, was innocent.
"You unfilial wretch! Have you no shred of familial love?"
Lu Ludu scoffed. "Familial love? ‘Royal families are the cruelest.’ We may not be royalty, but our infighting is just as vicious. If love meant anything, so many wouldn’t have died."
"If you truly care about your son, why not take the blame yourself? Do one last thing for the Lu Family."
"Though I have to say, Ninth Brother really was the most filial. When I told him his father would die unless he took the blame, he actually went. Hilarious! And you pinned your hopes on this fool? How could he possibly lead the Lu Family forward?"
Lu Ludu paused, eyes burning with hatred.
"Too bad he doesn’t know what’ll happen to his dear father after he confesses. Even I can’t predict how ugly it’ll get."
Lu Youqi took a deep breath, stunned by Lu Ludu’s ruthlessness.
This was his own flesh and blood.
"So now you’re staging a coup?"
"A coup? You really think you’re an emperor? I’m just following your example. How you came to power—need I remind you? I’m doing this for the Lu Family’s future."
Lu Youqi felt the bitter irony of his life.
Yes, he had seized power unjustly, but at least he’d done it quietly.
Now these traitorous sons of his had outdone him in cruelty.
"You really think I’m some pushover? Fine. If this is how it is, I won’t hold back."
Lu Youqi saw the full picture now. He wouldn’t wait for death—if he acted fast, he might still save Lu Luxin.
"Lu Youhu, seize these traitors!"
Lu Youhu, Lu Youqi’s cousin, oversaw the Lu Family’s entire security force.
"Brother, my apologies. I prefer your sons. You’re old—time to step down."
Shock. Disbelief. Numbness.
"What? What did that wretch promise you?"
"You… all of you… Agh—I’ll die of rage!"
Ah San sighed. "Patriarch, steady."
Steady?
"Steady your mother—"
The outburst left Lu Youqi lightheaded. Then he remembered one last hope.
He turned to Luo Yao.
"President Luo, help me."
Lu Ludu sneered. "Old man, President Luo is my ally. Why would she help you?"
Lu Youqi was floored. How had this bastard Lu Ludu pulled this off?
Luo Yao rose and approached Lu Youqi.
"Beg."
"What?"
"Beg."
Without hesitation, Lu Youqi dropped to his knees, knocking his forehead against the floor.
"President Luo, I beg you—save me! The Lu Family will submit to you!"
Luo Yao looked down in contempt. This was the man who’d dared oppose her?
"You had such an air of authority before. What happened? Done pretending?"
Lu Youqi shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No more pretending. Never again."
At last, the old dog groveled at her feet. Luo Yao felt like a victorious general.
Years ago, Lu Youqi had sent his sons to harass her while squeezing Luo Corporation in business.
If not for her ruthlessness and decisiveness, she’d never have made it this far.
Today, it all ended.
The Lu Family’s fate was sealed.