Upon hearing his mother's hurtful words, Gu Zhaoming's reaction was one of unsurprised resignation.
In his youth, he had once believed her bias was the root cause, only to later realize her motives were steeped in self-interest. She always prioritized her own agenda, manipulating her younger brothers to ensure her ascendancy to dowager status—a position contingent upon her brothers assuming leadership. With Gu Zhaoming growing up under his grandfather's influence, she feared losing control over him.
Now that he had returned, her apprehension heightened, fearing he might challenge for the position of family head or seek retribution against them.
Yet, Gu Zhaoming remained unfazed by her trepidation.
Closing the distance between them, he spoke with a sardonic chuckle, "For the coveted seat of family head."
Old Madam Gu recoiled in terror at the intensity of Gu Zhaoming's gaze, instinctively retreating a step. Her worst fears had materialized.
