Along the way, Liu Yanru reached the company's underground garage without incident. However, her complexion was extremely pale, resembling a frightened bird. She spent the entire journey nervous, afraid that another accident might happen on the road. In the TV series I've watched, accidents are more likely to occur in heavy rain and hazy weather like this.
The incident of the attack last night cast a significant psychological shadow on Liu Yanru's heart. Moreover, she was very concerned about the company's situation, although until now, there had been no issues. But, often, the lack of problems is the biggest problem itself.
The psychological anxiety had an oppressive impact on Liu Yanru's spirit. After all, the other party was a member of the Zhao family, one of the four great families. When such opponents act, their blows are decisive and devastating. Can I handle it myself?
"Boss, are you alright?" Chu Ge noticed that his boss showed no intention of leaving the car; her eyes seemed a little unfocused, and she appeared to be deep in thought, so he spoke up quickly.
"I'm fine; perhaps it's just too much pressure." Liu Yanru's unfocused eyes briefly brightened with expression. That's when I realized I had already reached the underground garage of the company.
Trying to shake off her concerns, Liu Yanru tucked her hair behind her ears, perked herself up, forced a smile on her face, and started applying makeup from the cosmetics in her bag. Usually, Liu Yanru is confident; her natural beauty is enough for her to exert her charm without makeup.
"The boss is so beautiful."
Seeing his boss touch up her makeup, Chu Ge leaned against the car door with a smile, resembling a hooligan teasing a girl.
"Hmph, glib."
"I'm your boss; mind your words, or I'll fire you." Although Liu Yanru seemed somewhat annoyed by Chu Ge's comment, there was a smile in her eyes, and the anxiety in her heart eased a bit.
Chu Ge chuckled, locked the car, and quickly followed his boss into the company. Walking into the company's hall, he noticed more and more eyes settling on him. It's true that remarkable people attract attention, even when they're simply fulfilling an ordinary role. Despite being just a bodyguard, his presence was like an undiscovered gem, impossible to overlook.
"This person was hired by the chairman as a bodyguard, just yesterday. He looks so attractive. Could he be the chairman's private attendant?"
"Looks can indeed get you places. Had I been younger, perhaps the chairman would have taken a fancy to me."
"You'd do better to stick to being a security guard and keep dreaming after clocking out."
"Shh, keep it down or you'll get us fired."
"What's there to worry about? If no one tells, who will know?"
"You're not in the loop then; this bodyguard took down all the interviewees yesterday, leaving them in the dust, and they left in despair."
"That's not the story I heard. The boss took one look at this bodyguard and dismissed the others."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. A friend of mine was there."
As the chairman boarded the elevator, employees whispered to each other, their curiosity about executive matters reflected in their whispers.
Wang Shan, head of the personnel department, approached from the reception and frowned upon seeing the employees gossiping about the chairman. "Back to work, everyone. Do you not want your jobs?"
Nobody wants to risk offending the HR department, especially not Wang Shan, the chairman's trusted inner circle. The employees scattered swiftly, wary of getting into trouble with her.
"Hi, may I help you with anything?"
At the company's front desk, a new employee stood with a professionally polite smile, addressing the man and woman before her.
"Where is Liu Yanru now?"
Ye Feng's gaze was intense, and his tone was far from courteous.
This time, Ye Feng wanted Liu Yanru to know he was back and determined to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
No one messes with his family unchallenged. To spit in the face of his sister is to court death.
He wanted Liu Yanru, the woman he believes responsible for his father's death, to lose everything and pay the ultimate price.
"Sorry, I don't know the chairman's whereabouts."
Despite the impoliteness of Ye Feng's inquiry, the employee maintained her composure and professionalism, secretly signaling the security guard for assistance.
"Brother, that woman must be in our father's old office right now."
Ye Yao clung to Ye Feng's arm, her features twisted in indignation.
"Let's go."
With a snort of disdain, Ye Feng began moving toward the elevators with Ye Yao.
"Who are you? Stop right there."
Several security guards rushed towards Ye Feng, forming a barrier.
"Good dogs don't stand in the way. Move."
Ye Feng's frown deepened, and he dismissed them with a few cold words. However, the security guards of Moyu Group, chosen through stringent selection processes, were resolute. Their positions offered good treatment and salary, and none were willing to lose their job over a lapse in judgment.
"Sir, please leave."
"Really not moving aside? Don't make me act."
Ye Feng's posture resembled that of a caged beast ready to strike, his fierce demeanor causing the guards' hearts to race.
"Let them go upstairs."
Wang Shan ended a phone call and hurried over, directing the security guards to let Ye Feng and Ye Yao pass. She recognized Ye Yao as the actual daughter of the previous chairman and nominal daughter of the current chairman. Following the chairman's instructions, Wang Shan knew better than to involve herself further.
"Consider yourselves lucky."
Ye Feng sneered, pulling the buoyant Ye Yao into the elevator. Unaware of who accompanied Ye Yao, since Ye Feng had never before appeared at the company, Wang Shan looked on with concern.
Quickly, Ye Feng led Ye Yao into Liu Yanru's office without waiting for permission.
Chu Ge immediately took his position in front of Liu Yanru. His first impression of the young man — Ye Feng — was of someone untamed and extraordinary.
"Ye Feng, Ye Yao, why are both of you here?"
Liu Yanru stood and approached Chu Ge's side, eyeing the pair with suspicion. In name, Ye Feng was her son, but she discerned that his presence meant more than a filial visit.
Shouldn't Ye Feng still be serving in the army?
"This was originally my father's company. I don't think we need to inform you of our arrival."
His gaze fixated on Liu Yanru, Ye Feng's hands clenched into shaking fists. Chu Ge noticed his aggressive posture and stood vigilant.
So these individuals are the nominal children of the boss. Yet Chu Ge couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu.
"My brother returned to remind you that what doesn't belong to you will never truly be yours."
"You wretched woman, I hope you get what you deserve."
Ye Yao joined in, glaring at Liu Yanru with undeniable loathing. It was Liu Yanru's fault she hadn't dared return home, out of fear of persecution.
Now, with her brother by her side, she felt courageous.
"There's no family fortune here for you. By law and by your father's will, his shares were left to me."
"The only thing your father left you was 500 million yuan. I haven't touched this money."
Liu Yanru refused to take anything that wasn't hers, but neither would she relinquish what was. She stood firmly under the force of law.
"Ye Yao, I've never sought to persecute you. Why would I? What would it benefit me?"
"You suffer from paranoid delusions if you truly believe you can't return home. The money that's yours is deposited into your account every month. I've not once mistreated you and live with a clear conscience."
As she spoke, Liu Yanru's expression was icy. These issues had been festering, and it was time to settle them once and for all, to prevent further conflict.
"A clear conscience, indeed."
Ye Feng heard Liu Yanru out, a cold, mocking laughter followed, tinged with chilling undertones. He expected Liu Yanru to back down, to show restraint. Instead, she spoke boldly, with an assurance that caught him off guard.
One could fake a will; alterations could be made without consent. He hadn't been present during his father's illness and death, leaving room for manipulation.
500 million yuan dispensed to them like charity when their father's legacy was worth so much more.
"To follow a ruthless woman, to protect someone so coldhearted."
"Don't you fear that one day she'll dispose of you?"
"I'm willing to double your salary, and we could be allies."
Ye Feng then addressed Chu Ge, attempting to turn him against Liu Yanru with promises and camaraderie. A waste, to serve at such a woman's side.
Liu Yanru responded with anxious tension, afraid Chu Ge might believe her to be the monster Ye Feng portrayed her as.
Chu Ge faced a decision as an alert from his system popped up:
[Option 1, align with the urban protagonist returning from military service, becoming his closest ally. Reward: ? million funds.]
[Option 2, protect the boss at any cost, even as the villain. My fate is mine to shape. Reward: The Favorability of the Villain Camp.]
With a smile creeping at the corners of his mouth, Chu Ge positioned himself before Liu Yanru, his gaze on Ye Feng, appearing moved by the offer.
Convinced Chu Ge would forsake his dark affiliations for the righteous path, Ye Feng proudly awaited his acceptance.
Behind Chu Ge, Liu Yanru trembled with nerves, her security in this man's allegiance on the line.
In a moment laden with anticipation, Chu Ge spoke earnestly.
"Hello, could you consider calling me dad?"
"I have no desire for brotherhood; I instead want to be your daddy figure. Would that be acceptable?"