Everyone Waited with Bated Breath.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing the figures within. Leading the way was Jin Kai, the project manager of Tianyuan Group, followed closely by two high-ranking executives.
That was it?
Where was the president of Tianyuan?
"Mr. Jin!"
Huo Beiting, all smiles and without a shred of shame, stepped forward eagerly to greet Jin Kai, gripping his hand warmly.
He no longer held a grudge against Jin Kai for forcing drinks on him at a prior business event. In the corporate world, enemies were temporary. What mattered now was Tianyuan's 20% stake. It could bring much-needed vitality to Huo Corporation.
"Mr. Huo," Jin Kai replied with a polite smile, though everyone knew better than to underestimate him.
Behind that mild demeanor lay a shrewd and calculating mind.
"Mr. Jin, where is your president?" Huo Beiting voiced the question everyone was dying to ask. "I personally sent the invitation, and his assistant assured me he would attend. But he hasn't shown up yet."
Jin Kai's smile didn't falter. "I'm not in a position to comment on the president's schedule."
"So… he's not coming?"
Wang Fengxian blurted out in alarm.
"I wouldn't know," Jin Kai replied ambiguously, adding, "Mr. Huo, I suggest we not let the president's absence delay your birthday banquet. Proceed as planned."
Huo Beiting's heart sank, disappointment written across his face.
Still, he graciously ushered Jin Kai into the hall. With the founder absent, Jin Kai represented Tianyuan Group, and maintaining appearances was crucial.
As soon as Jin Kai entered, he was swarmed by guests eager to learn Tianyuan's next steps in Haicheng.
Who wouldn't want a partnership with Tianyuan?
In the past five years, every project they invested in had become a massive success, earning astronomical profits. In the business world, they were unbeatable.
But going head-to-head with the four major families of Haicheng? That was another story.
The eventual winner remained uncertain. After all, these families had decades, even centuries, of influence and connections. And in the end, power often outweighed wealth.
Still, what about five years from now?
Or ten?
No one wanted to offend a rising titan.
Least of all the Huo family.
With no natural flair for business, Huo Beiting seemed poised to lead the family enterprise into decline.
"Tianyuan's founder didn't show up… Could he be some terminally ill old geezer?" Huo Beiting muttered to Huo Jianjun, his tone tinged with frustration. "I went to all this trouble for nothing."
"Enough." Huo Jianjun shot him a warning glare. "Haven't I taught you to keep your emotions in check?"
At 8:00 p.m. sharp, the banquet hall doors were shut.
The patriarch of the Huo family, leaning on his dragon-headed cane, ascended the stage with Wang Fengxian's support.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend my birthday celebration," he began, his voice amplified clearly through the sound system.
"Tonight's star isn't this old man halfway to the grave," he continued, his frail hand resting on Huo Beiting's arm. "It's an opportunity to announce two important matters. First, my grandson Beiting's engagement to the eldest daughter of the Su family. The two are deeply in love, and the wedding is set for next month."
Standing among the crowd, Su Weiwei blushed with pride and joy.
"Congratulations, Miss Su! Congratulations, Mr. Su!"
"Mr. Su, don't forget to lend us a helping hand in the future!"
Su Heng quickly became the center of attention, responding modestly, "Mutual support, of course."
Even Zhao Yuzhen found her status elevated, standing stiffly by Su Heng as an ornamental figure, her smile painfully forced.
"The second matter," the elder Huo continued, his tone deepening, "concerns the future of the Huo Corporation. After forty years at the helm, I've decided to pass the torch. I will transfer 30% of my shares to Beiting, making him the largest shareholder. Going forward, my son Jianjun will assume the role of chairman, while Beiting will take over as CEO."
This arrangement had been agreed upon by Huo Jianjun himself.
As a devoted father, he saw this as an opportunity for his only son to prove himself superior to Huo Xingzhou.
The elder Huo signed the transfer agreement with a firm hand and passed the pen to Beiting.
Huo Beiting, unable to contain his excitement, reached for the pen with trembling hands.
With just one signature, he would become the largest shareholder of the Huo Corporation.
"Sign it, son," Wang Fengxian urged.
"Go ahead, Beiting," the elder Huo said calmly.
"Yes, Grandpa! I promise to dedicate myself to making the Huo Corporation stronger than ever!"
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Huo Beiting suppressed his elation and prepared to sign.
Just then, the banquet hall doors creaked open.
All heads turned toward the grand gilded doors, now swinging wide.
A man in a tailored black suit sat in a wheelchair, his pale face cold and indifferent under the glittering chandeliers. Beside him stood a petite woman in a soft-colored gown, her serene elegance captivating.
"Huo Xingzhou!"
Someone gasped aloud.
"Is that really him? Has he come back to beg forgiveness?"
"I heard his sister nearly got into serious trouble yesterday. Without the Huo family's protection, their branch is defenseless."
"How dare he show up here? Look at the fury on the He family's faces."
Conversations erupted across the hall, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Su Heng shot Zhao Yuzhen a sharp glare, signaling her to deal with the situation.
Zhao Yuzhen hurried toward the woman beside Huo Xingzhou.
"Qiao Xi, how dare you show your face here?" she hissed. "Go back home before you embarrass me even more!"
Qiao Xi met her gaze coolly. "Perhaps we should make it official with a written statement severing ties. Then you won't have to worry about me tarnishing your reputation."
"You—" Zhao Yuzhen glared at her, disgusted.
Huo Xingzhou gripped Qiao Xi's hand firmly, his voice icy. "She's with me. She has nothing to do with your Su family."
On stage, the elder Huo's face darkened as he glared at Xingzhou.
How dare he cause a scene here?
Wang Fengxian quickly chimed in, feigning understanding. "Father, don't be angry. Xingzhou must be here to apologize. Attending your birthday banquet shows he still cares."
"Hmph!"
The elder Huo snorted heavily. "Care? Tell him to leave! Our family registry isn't a revolving door."
Relieved, Wang Fengxian and Huo Jianjun exchanged satisfied glances.
Huo Beiting sneered and stepped off the stage, microphone in hand, heading straight for Xingzhou.
"HO XINGZHOU!"
His voice boomed across the hall.
"You spineless coward. You cut ties with the family, so how dare you show up now? Are you here to grovel?"
Xingzhou pulled out a sleek black invitation card embossed with gold.
Calmly, he opened it and held it up for all to see.
"You invited me, didn't you?"