Let's Make A Deal

"Grandpa!" Lu Ming's face stiffened. He never expected the old master to be serious about this. His pupils shrunk in shock.

Before he could say anything, Old Master Lu's powerful voice crushed his resistance.

"What? My words don't work anymore?"

Of course, they still worked.

After all, the biggest inheritance was still in the old master's hands!

Hearing this, Lu Ming deflated instantly—just like a wilted eggplant.

For the sake of the inheritance…

"Fine, I'll kneel!"

Plop!

The moment his knees hit the floor, Lu Ming felt like he had knelt on a bed of needles.

The pain was unbearable!

He instinctively tried to stand up, but before he could, a slender hand pressed firmly on his shoulder—forcing him down.

He couldn't move!

The hand belonged to Gu Ling.

Her voice was as cold as ice.

"Apologize."

Her tone wasn't loud, but it sent shivers down Lu Ming's spine.

Lu Ming gritted his teeth. The moment his knees touched the ground, he felt a sharp, bone-piercing pain—as if his knee bones had shattered!

"Hiss—!"

He sucked in a sharp breath.

"Gu Ling! You damn woman, don't touch me—"

Before he could curse further, he felt the old master's intimidating gaze pressing down on him.

The inheritance.

If he disobeyed now…

Lu Ming endured the humiliation.

As the CEO known as the "Living Yama," this was the first time he had ever felt so exposed, like someone who had been stripped of all dignity.

Under the gaze of everyone, he forced himself to say three words:

"I'm sorry."

Gu Ling's eyes dimmed slightly.

Too late.

The original owner of this body—who once loved Lu Ming deeply—would never get to hear this apology.

Meanwhile, Lu Ming was seething inside.

The humiliation of kneeling before Gu Ling made him want to strangle her right then and there.

Once he stood up, his expression was twisted with rage.

His eyes were burning with anger as he glared at Gu Ling.

"You're useless! Do you really think you're still something after leaving the Lu family?!"

His voice was filled with mockery.

But then, he turned to Lin Miaoyuan, his expression suddenly softening.

"But Miaoyuan is different. She's a genius! A genius that you useless people can't even begin to understand!"

His voice was filled with pride.

"Miaoyuan received an invitation from the Elite Academy a few days ago! That's an honor you'll never achieve in your lifetime!"

He sneered, looking at Gu Ling with utter contempt.

"I will divorce you sooner or later!"

Gu Ling crossed her arms.

Her face unchanged.

Her voice calm, yet arrogant.

"The Elite Academy?"

"If I wanted to get in, I could do it with a flick of my fingers."

"It's not even worth mentioning."

The moment these words fell—

Silence.

And then—

Gasps filled the air!

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

Did this useless woman even know what the Elite Academy was?!

That was a place where one could come into direct contact with the world's top figures!

Lu Ming almost burst out laughing.

"You? Enter the Elite Academy?"

He sneered.

"I bet you don't even know what it is! If you're so confident, why don't you try to get in?!"

In his mind, only top students and geniuses like Lin Miaoyuan could enter the Elite Academy.

Definitely not trash like Gu Ling.

Gu Ling ignored his mockery.

She turned to Old Master Lu instead.

Her gaze was calm, but there was a sharp glint in her eyes.

"Lao Taiye, you refuse to allow the divorce because you're afraid I won't be able to protect myself, right?"

Old Master Lu nodded.

In front of everyone, Gu Ling suddenly smiled.

Her confidence shone like the sun breaking through a storm.

"Then, if I enter the Elite Academy and prove that I have the ability to protect myself—will you agree to divorce me and Lu Ming?"

BOOM!

The entire room exploded with shock!

Gu Ling's words weren't just shocking because she was so desperate to get a divorce—

But because of what she just said!

The Elite Academy!

Even a once-in-a-generation genius would have to go through an insane selection process to be accepted.

Yet, Gu Ling made it sound as easy as breathing!

"She's crazy."

"She must be dreaming!"

Everyone whispered among themselves.

But Gu Ling's expression remained calm.

She was dead serious.

For a moment, Old Master Lu fell silent, deep in thought.

Then—

He slowly nodded.

"Okay."

His decision stunned everyone.

But in his heart, Old Master Lu didn't actually believe Gu Ling could do it.

Yes, she had saved Lu Lingxiao, but entering the Elite Academy?

That was impossible.

But he thought—

After this Ling girl hits a wall and fails, she'll come crawling back and finally understand her limits.

Then, she would retreat.

And this whole matter would end.

Old Master Lu's voice was calm.

"Then it's settled."