As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, a tranquil serenity blanketed the Gu mansion. Outside, the melodious chirping of birds filled the air, their songs mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves from the meticulously tended garden. The fragrance of the blooming flowers wafted through the open windows, infusing the mansion with a calming aroma.
Yet, as the old saying goes, "the calm before the storm," hinted at a deeper truth. Despite the apparent tranquility, this day was not destined to be a peaceful one for the Gu family.
Beneath the façade of serenity, a storm brewed—a storm of emotions, secrets, and ambitions that would soon unleash its fury, reshaping the lives of those residing within the hallowed halls of the Gu mansion. The tranquil morning, with its delicate beauty, served as an ironic prelude to the tempest that was about to engulf their world.
Master Gu had come home very late from the office and by the time the first rays of sunlight hit the surface, he was already awake preparing to take on the day.
The whole family met at the dining table to have breakfast.
Madame Gu and Gu Hua kept stealing glances at Gu Liang, itching to know how her date with Sun Gang went. Master Gu was so occupied in his office related thoughts that he didn't notice anything unusual with his family.
After putting down his chopsticks, Master Gu turned his attention to the butler and said, "Tell Li Chen to come see me"
The butler face stiffened and Madame Gu flinched hearing the name Li Chen.
"Hubby, why do you want to see him?"
"I need to discuss the divorce with him"
"You don't have to worry about that, you go to work and tell me what you wanted to tell him. I will pass on the message"
Master Gu got a little suspicious but soon buried his suspicions, thinking that his family would never do anything against his wishes.
"Well you are right, there is a lot going on at the office, I will talk to him when I return" With that Master Gu stood up and collected his things and walked out the door.
"Mom, do you think dad is suspecting something regarding Li Chen?" Gu Hua, who was feeling very anxious, asked Madame Gu.
"Don't worry about your father, I can handle him"
"But what if he finds out"
"I said stop worrying!"
Madame Gu turned her attention to Gu Liang with a smile and asked the question she had been thinking about the whole night.
"Liang, how did the date go? Did you handle him like we discussed? Why did you come back early?"
"Mom, one question at a time please… The date went well"
"Does that mean Sun Gang is going to be my brother-in-law soon?"
"Brother, don't think too far ahead, I am still married remember?"
"That marriage is ending soon, so there is nothing more to say about it," Madame Gu said.
"Mom… He kept touching me and it made me feel a little uncomfortable so I left early"
PA!
A loud smack landed on Gu Liang's face before she could even continue with her statement.
"Mom!" Gu Liang said with watery eyes.
"Mom, why did you hit Liang?" Gu Hua asked as he stood up to comfort his sister.
"What did I say to you before you left last night?"
"Ahhh!" Gu Liang was tongue tied as her mother's words rang in her mind.
Madame Gu's fury simmered just beneath the surface, evident in the trembling of her hands and the fire that blazed in her eyes. She had counted on Gu Liang to heed her advice, to understand the significance of the night, but the news of her early departure had shattered those expectations. Disappointment coursed through her, intensifying the storm of anger within.
As she stood there, her demeanor was a stark contrast to the tranquil morning that enveloped the mansion. The carefully cultivated composure that she usually wore like armor had crumbled, revealing the raw emotions beneath. Madame Gu's anger was a tempest that threatened to consume everything in its path, and in that moment, the fragile peace of the mansion hung in the balance.
"I told you to impress him, how is that hard to do. All you had to do was smile and let him do what he wanted! Is that so hard?"
"But mom!" Gu Liang said through sobs. Ever since she was born, she had never been hit by anyone and she never thought that her own mother would be the first.
"Mom, she said she felt uncomfortable. How was she supposed to stay while didn't feel like it anymore?"
"I don't care! Was he going to kill her? I don't think so!" Madame Gu bellowed angrily.
Gu Liang's aching cheek served as a painful reminder of the heated exchange that had just taken place. Her eyes, once filled with resentment, now reflected a mixture of pain and anger. With unsteady footsteps, she rose from the table, her departure punctuated by the echoing sound of her heels on the polished floor.
Her brother, Gu Hua, watched the scene unfold with a heavy heart, torn between the loyalty he felt for his sister and the frustration he harbored for their mother's actions. He turned to Madame Gu, the matriarch of the family, and spoke with a tone that carried both concern and reproach. "Mom, you went too far," he declared, his words laden with a weight that underscored the severity of the situation.
With those words, Gu Hua followed his sister's path, leaving Madame Gu alone in the wake of their tumultuous confrontation. The room, once a battleground of emotions, now settled into a heavy silence. Madame Gu, still seething with anger and disappointment, grappled with the realization that her own actions had inadvertently pushed her family apart.
Deep within her heart, she longed for a union with the Sun family, a connection that held the promise of elevating their family's status to unparalleled heights. Her desire for success and recognition had clouded her judgment, leading to a confrontation that left scars both seen and unseen. As she stood there, alone with her thoughts, the consequences of her actions weighed heavily upon her, casting a shadow over the tranquil morning that had once enveloped the mansion.
Meanwhile in the opulent expanse of the top office at Gu Enterprise, Master Gu held court amidst an environment that exuded wealth and refinement. The Western-inspired interior decor of the office was a testament to extravagance and sophistication.
The walls were adorned with rich, mahogany wood paneling, which imparted a sense of timeless elegance. Expansive bookshelves, laden with leather-bound tomes and antique curios, lined one wall, hinting at a profound intellect.
A grand, ornate desk occupied the center of the room, its surface polished to a lustrous sheen. The desk, crafted from dark walnut, featured intricate carvings and gilded accents, speaking of opulence and authority. A leather-bound blotter covered a portion of its expanse, upon which lay a meticulously organized array of documents.
The office was bathed in the warm, golden glow of vintage crystal chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling, casting a play of light and shadow upon the room's sumptuous furnishings. Plush, crimson velvet drapes framed the windows, their heavy fabric lending an air of regal grandeur.
Master Gu himself was a striking figure, his handsome countenance bearing the distinguished marks of age. Lines etched into his face told the story of a life richly lived and challenges overcome. Dressed in a tailored suit of the finest Italian craftsmanship, he exuded an aura of authority and power that befitted the head of a vast corporate empire.
As he furrowed his brows while scrutinizing the documents before him, the room seemed to pulse with an air of anticipation. Master Gu's office was not just a physical space; it was a reflection of his stature, a testament to the legacy he had built, and a stage for the intricate maneuvers of business and power that unfolded within its walls.
A soft knock interrupted Master Gu from his work and he slowly raised his head to see who was at the door.
"Sir, your mother's lawyer is here to see you" reporting was Master Gu's trusted assistant, Zhou Rui.
Master Gu jolted from his seat with confusion and asked. "Did he say why he is here?"
"No Sir" Zhou Rui answered.
"Okay, let him in"
Master Gu grabbed a bottle of water and went back to his seat.
Old Madam Gu's lawyer, Shang Xiang, walked in with steps that exuded confidence. A small smile was plastered on his lips. Shang Xiang was not just a lawyer to Old Madam Gu but they had been friends since they were young and they treated each other like brother and sister.
"Uncle Shang Xiang, how are you doing this morning? What did I do to deserve such an early visit?"
"No need for formalities young man. We have something important to discuss regarding your daughter's marriage to Li Chen"
The words hung in the air and Shang Xiang gave Master Gu a stare that made his heart skip a beat. He only hoped that it was good news because the fact that his mother had kept her assets frozen to be released when the term for the marriage that was stated ended had been giving him a headache.
Master Gu was not fully aware of how much his mother owned but he knew it was a lot and it would help to elevate the company and he can finally bid for the land he had been eyeing for months.
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I would like to thank everyone who is showing the novel support. The powerstones, the collections... It all serves as motivation to me so thank you.