Chapter 52: She Family (Part 1)

Yu Minglian wanted to throw herself out the nearest window.

No matter what she did, she couldn't track down the new shareholder—because she had no idea how to contact them!

The former shareholders had flat-out refused to disclose the buyer's identity. Idiots! Did they forget who Ethan Li was? Did they not realize how much of an honor it was to even own shares in Hong Long Corporation? And yet, they had sold without a second thought?

Just how much money had this mystery buyer thrown around to secure four major stakes overnight? Billions? Tens of billions?

"Wuwuwu, Mr. Li is such a bully…" she muttered under her breath, forehead marked with stress lines. As Ethan's secretary, she was used to high-pressure situations, but this? This was insanity! She sent out silent prayers to every deity she could think of, pleading for divine intervention.

As if answering her desperate call, the office phone rang.

Yu Minglian straightened up instantly, smoothing her blouse and collecting herself before answering. "Hong Long Corporation, this is CEO Li's office. How may I help you?"

The voice on the other end spoke.

Yu Minglian's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Are you sure?" she whispered.

This… this changed everything.

Her panic melted into excitement. For once, it felt like fate was on her side. The caller had left her with strict instructions—do not inform Ethan. Let him be surprised.

A sly grin curled on her lips. Retribution. Ethan had given her hell today, and now she had the perfect excuse to let him walk into this meeting blind.

Elsewhere…

Inside a dimly lit office, a heavy silence loomed.

An older man, nearing his sixties, sat behind an imposing mahogany desk. His hands trembled with barely restrained rage as he read the latest shareholder report. The paper crumpled in his grip.

"Useless!" he bellowed, hurling the report to the floor.

Kneeling before him, a man barely managed to flinch before his father grabbed a glass from the desk and smashed it against his head. The impact sent shards flying, embedding into his scalp. Blood trickled down his temple, but he dared not make a sound.

She Gu, the boss of the Vermillion Dragon Organization, glared down at his son with contempt. "I gave you one task. A minor task. And not only did you fail, but you also lost our foothold in Hong Long Corporation!"

The injured man—She Jing, the eldest son—bowed his head low, ignoring the pain that clouded his vision.

"We failed to seize White Phoenix Empire because of Zhang Guan's incompetence. That, I can tolerate. But you?" She Gu's voice was like a blade cutting through the air. "You were supposed to be better."

With a forceful kick to the chest, She Jing was sent flying backward, crashing against the office wall. He bit back a groan, instinctively scrambling back onto his knees.

"I have no excuse, Father," he rasped, pressing his forehead to the cold floor. "I accept any punishment you see fit."

She Gu's eyes flickered with disdain. He had no time for failures. "Go to the underground chamber and receive your punishment." His voice was as indifferent as if he were ordering tea. "Your brother will clean up your mess."

A sharp flicker of bitterness flashed across She Jing's eyes. His brother.

"…Yes, Father." He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as he forced himself to his feet. His ribs ached with every movement, but the pain was nothing compared to the humiliation.

As he limped toward the door, the sound of approaching footsteps stopped him in his tracks.

A slow, confident rhythm.

He looked up, and his expression darkened.

Standing before him was She Lei.

The favored son. The one their father truly acknowledged.

Tall and strikingly handsome, She Lei's golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he took in She Jing's pitiful state. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed.

"Enjoying yourself?" She Jing growled lowly.

She Lei smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. "Can't say I'm not."

She Jing's body tensed, but he said nothing. His fists clenched at his sides, trembling with barely contained rage.

She Lei let out a mock sigh, shaking his head. "You really let Dad down on this one, bro." His voice was lighthearted, but the glint in his golden eyes was cold.

For a fleeting moment, She Jing thought he saw something terrifying behind that gaze.

She Lei wasn't looking at him like a brother.

He was looking at him like a dead man walking.