Chapter 78: A Father’s Fury, A Son’s Rebellion

Chapter 78: A Father's Fury, A Son's Rebellion

Arasaka Saburo was infuriated by Arasaka Yorinobu's defiance, yet he remained composed, refusing to let anger cloud his judgment.

He spoke again, his tone deliberate:

"Yorinobu, it's not too late to admit your mistakes. Stop testing my patience."

"I know you need achievements to secure your position within the company. That's why I've brought Arasaka's latest power armor device. Switch to a different project and continue your work."

"For the errors you've committed, I am willing to let bygones be bygones. You can still be the heir to Arasaka Corporation."

Faced with the opportunity to reconcile, Yorinobu didn't even hesitate. He waved his hand dismissively, flatly rejecting Saburo's offer.

"No, this device must go to LA Corporation!"

The die was cast. Since forging an alliance with LA Corporation, Yorinobu was determined to deliver the Relic chip into Li Ang's hands.

To Yorinobu, his father Saburo's authoritarianism was nothing but a source of disdain and humiliation.

Realizing that Yorinobu remained obstinate and intent on opposing him, Saburo's last sliver of hope for his second son crumbled into nothingness. He spoke with a cold finality:

"Your betrayal of the family, defiance of your father, and alliance with the enemy have shamed your deceased mother, me, and the entire Arasaka lineage!"

"Yorinobu, it seems my Infinity tolerance for you has been a grave mistake. You are the greatest threat to Arasaka."

"Perhaps I should never have allowed you to return to the company. You are unfit to stay here!"

Saburo's words stabbed deeply into Yorinobu's heart. He glared at the grotesque old man before him, his mind involuntarily recalling Li Ang's warning:

Possession…!

In that moment, an uncontrollable rage wrapped in a primal, soul-deep fear surged from within Yorinobu.

Overwhelmed by complex emotions, Yorinobu stepped forward as if possessed and seized his father's throat with both hands.

"Cough… Yorinobu, you!"

Saburo's face twisted in extreme terror. His expression, distorted by suffocation, revealed his frailty as his body trembled uncontrollably.

"You despicable old wretch! Now neither you, nor Mother, nor the Arasaka family need be shamed by me any longer. Go to hell!"

Yorinobu's fingers tightened further. The frail and aging Saburo could only watch in horror as Yorinobu's veins bulged with effort, gradually choking the life from him.

At that moment, hidden behind a column, V and Jackie Welles were filled with shock and dread. They had never expected to witness Arasaka Yorinobu murdering his own father right before their eyes.

Exchanging a glance, V and Jackie knew full well they were in serious trouble now.

What had started as a simple plan to steal a biochip for some quick cash—and perhaps gain some street cred—had turned into something far more dangerous. They had unwittingly become witnesses to this deadly "family feud."

Soon, Saburo succumbed to asphyxiation, his lifeless body collapsing to the ground. Only then did Yorinobu regain his senses, emerging from his rage.

"What… What have I done…"

Staring at his trembling hands, Yorinobu was struck by shock and panic. Though he had often cursed his father as an old monster, actually killing Saburo brought him no relief.

Instead, he felt a profound and overwhelming fear.

Yorinobu knew all too well that if the crime of patricide were pinned on him, the elders of Arasaka Corporation would unite to ensure he spent the rest of his life rotting in prison.

By then, forget about taking over Arasaka Corporation or becoming the head of the Arasaka family—surviving in prison without getting killed would already be a blessing!

"No, no way, someone has to take the fall for this!" Arasaka Yorinobu growled through gritted teeth. He immediately called the building's AI system to activate the full security alarm.

[Level 1 Alert Activated. Guests are advised to remain in their rooms and avoid unnecessary movement!]

The AI quickly locked down every room in the Cantao GroupPlaza and switched all lighting to a red alert mode.

Shortly afterward, Takemura Gorou and Adam Smasher emerged from the elevator. As soon as Takemura saw Saburo Arasaka collapsed on the floor, he rushed forward.

"What... what happened here?!"

"What's wrong with Lord Saburo?!"

Shock and suspicion filled Takemura's gaze. He had already mentally identified Yorinobu as the prime suspect.

"Someone... someone poisoned and killed my father!"

Yorinobu's mind worked fast, concocting a lie on the spot. Before Takemura could approach Saburo's body to examine it, Yorinobu shouted:

"Takemura Gorou! My father is dead, and the killer is still on the run. You must catch the murderer immediately. Do you understand?!"

Seeing Yorinobu deliberately blocking his investigation of Saburo's body, and noticing Adam Smasher standing menacingly in the background, Takemura realized this wasn't the time to confront them directly.

"Yes, Lord Yorinobu, I will do my utmost to capture the culprit!"

Takemura clenched his fists tightly. His sharp eyes had already noticed unusual marks on Saburo's neck—proof that Yorinobu's story was a lie.

As Takemura prepared to leave the room, he received an urgent message from the Arasaka security team:

[Lord Takemura, we have trouble! An unidentified armed helicopter has landed on the rooftop and is engaging in a firefight with us!]

At the same time, Adam Smasher received an alert from his own security forces. Agents from the Intelligence Bureau and a mecha-suited team from Militech were attempting to seize Arasaka's power armor technology!

When Yorinobu learned of this raid, he froze for a moment.

How had the situation spiraled so out of control tonight? Where had this armed force suddenly appeared from, and why were they trying to steal Arasaka's assets?

"Takemura Gorou, take your men to support the rooftop defenders immediately! You must secure the power armor device. I'll call in Arasaka's elite troops for backup."

Knowing this was no longer a safe place, Yorinobu quickly issued orders to his bodyguards, instructing them to hold the line.

"You will escort me out of here. If anyone suspicious approaches me, eliminate them on sight!" Yorinobu ordered Adam Smasher.

"Yes." Takemura and Adam Smasher both nodded in acknowledgment.

Yorinobu then left via an emergency elevator with Adam Smasher guarding him closely.

As they made their escape, Yorinobu prepared to call Li Ang to explain the situation at Cantao GroupPlaza. But before he could dial, Adam Smasher suddenly asked:

"Lord Yorinobu, were those two hiding behind the pillars part of your plan?"

Yorinobu frowned, bewildered. "What pillars? What nonsense are you talking about?"

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