The conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Yet, at this moment, Wang Tianlu felt a deep sense of humiliation. Beneath my calm facade, my heart is twisting in agony. Why? I was exceedingly respectful toward Yuan Shang, greeting him with a smile. And what did he say? He said Xu Ke told him what to do?! Xu Ke, the man I look down on, is giving orders to Yuan Shang? This is a blatant humiliation to me, Wang Tianlu!

The faces of both Wong Liqing and Wang Yu instantly turned a deep, livid crimson.

Yuan Shang, the Martial Alliance Vice Leader! He was a man who could find a reason to loudly scold Wong Liqing during a core members meeting of the Wang Family Corporation, and Wong Liqing wouldn't even dare to retort.

And now? That Xu Ke, whom both of us look down upon, can actually instruct Yuan Shang? What does that imply? Isn't this just a thorough slap in our faces? It's just short of outright stating that we're inferior to Xu Ke!

The thought left them feeling intensely bitter and angry, so much so that they nearly ground their teeth to pieces.

Zhan Yunning's expression was rigid, her gaze vacant. I've heard of Yuan Shang's reputation. He was the previous Martial Alliance Enforcement Hall Chief, known for his impartiality and indifference to personal connections. Rumors even suggest he might be called back to the Martial Alliance Headquarters to take on an important position… It's safe to say that during his tenure, Yuan Shang was someone none of the six major families wanted to, or dared to, offend. But what is happening right now?!

The other directors by their side were completely dumbfounded. Xu Ke and Yuan Shang… One is on the ground, the other is in the heavens. How did they ever become connected?

"Are you done asking? If you're done, then get on with your meeting," Yuan Shang said after a moment of silence filled the conference room.

Only then did everyone snap out of their daze, but they just looked at each other in dismay, with nobody picking up the conversation. Wang Tianlu, who had just been trying to curry favor, had now fallen completely silent.

"All right," Wong Qifu said, taking charge of the situation.

Yuan Shang nodded and turned to leave.

Wong Qifu instructed, "Xiao Ning, please take Vice Alliance Leader Yuan to the office first."

"Yes!" Zhan Yunning immediately nodded and instinctively glanced at the still-composed Xu Ke. I suddenly realize that I might have never really known the Wang Family's son-in-law at all.

Xu Ke noticed Zhan Yunning's gaze and his eyes swept over her. Startled at being caught staring, Zhan Yunning hastily averted her gaze and hurried after Yuan Shang.

After Yuan Shang left, the conference room remained deathly quiet, as if the very air had frozen.

Then, Xu Ke broke the icy atmosphere. "Wong Liqing, have you considered my offer?"

Wong Liqing still hadn't recovered. "You..."

At that moment, Wang Yu suddenly interjected, "Since Vice Alliance Leader Yuan is waiting for you, what's the point of continuing this meeting? Hurry up and handle whatever needs to be done." She then turned to Xu Ke. "As for you, we'll talk in a few days."

She had already figured it out. Regardless of Yuan Shang and Xu Ke's private relationship, even Yuan Shang had to show Xu Ke some respect on the surface. There was definitely something tricky going on here. Out of caution, Wang Yu decided to interrupt the wager between Wong Liqing and Xu Ke. If I foolishly jump in and bet against Xu Ke now, I'd truly be an idiot.

"Exactly, don't keep Vice Alliance Leader Yuan waiting too long."

"Yes, let's conclude today's meeting here."

"We'll continue this another time."

Numerous directors chimed in, most of them from Wong Qifu's opposition. Sensing things were going awry, they immediately knew it was time to pull back. Yuan Shang's inexplicable appearance and his mysterious willingness to do things for Xu Ke made them smell a rat.

What if Wong Liqing actually loses? Each of them was savvy enough to quickly realize they couldn't just stand by and watch Xu Ke's bet succeed.

But Xu Ke's expression remained icy.

Seeing that Xu Ke wouldn't budge, Wong Qifu's supporters spoke up.

"Let's adjourn. Vice Alliance Leader Yuan arrived in a hurry, so he must have urgent business."

"Director Wang, since Xu Ke is held in high regard by Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, you should hurry."

"Xu Ke, a wager is a trivial matter. Don't get caught up in a moment of anger; Vice Alliance Leader Yuan's business is more important."

Although they invoked Yuan Shang's name, they secretly felt that the idea of Wong Liqing kneeling to Xu Ke's pig-farming parents was utterly ridiculous. Wong Liqing is from the same generation as Xu Ke's parents, which is already elevating their status. And he has to kneel? That's pure fantasy! Where would the Wang Family put its face?

Seeing the situation unfold, Wong Qifu was about to speak.

But Xu Ke beat her to it. "Fine, let's leave it at that for today."

Surprise flashed in Wong Qifu's eyes. If Wong Liqing is determined to betray me, then of course I have to take him down and bring Xu Ke in. This is an obvious opportunity to grow my faction—why wouldn't I seize it? But Xu Ke had already backed down.

The directors breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Wong Liqing felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, while a smug smile returned to the corners of Wang Yu's lips. Only Wang Tianlu's face was dark, his thoughts unreadable.

Xu Ke left the conference room and headed straight upstairs, leaving the directors behind.

"What exactly is going on?" one of the directors immediately asked Wong Liqing and Wang Yu.

As the only two present who had dealt with Xu Ke before, the other directors naturally turned to them for answers.

"I don't know."

Wang Yu's response made their faces darken. If they had known earlier that Xu Ke had someone like Yuan Shang backing him, they wouldn't have been so rash in choosing their side.

At this, one of Wang Tianlu's supporters cursed angrily, "Useless! You can't even get clear information on a pretty boy. I really don't know what gives you the right to sit here."

Seeing this, Wong Qifu's supporters and the neutral directors said nothing, instead turning to pack their things and leave one by one. Wang Yu and Wong Liqing were now ostracized by both sides.

"However, think about it carefully..." Wang Yu's face was grim. "Yuan Shang is probably not connected to Xu Ke personally. He was likely arranged by Wong Qifu. And that so-called one-billion-dollar contribution? What if a major project was prepared in advance for Xu Ke, all to ensure he could enter the board smoothly?"

At this suggestion, the directors' expressions suddenly changed. Hearing Wang Yu's explanation, they suddenly felt this might be the truth of the matter. Xu Ke definitely doesn't have the ability to find a major backer like Yuan Shang in Tianhai. Only Wong Qifu could! Yes, that explanation makes sense. If some random person just barged in, Wong Qifu would have been furious. With her excellent relationship with Chen Xiong, why would she be afraid of Yuan Shang? Therefore, she was unfazed when Yuan Shang burst in because she had obviously arranged for him to come and support Xu Ke all along.

Several directors analyzed the situation along these lines, and everyone grew thoughtful.

Looked at this way, they really didn't need to worry too much about Xu Ke. As long as they clung to Wong Qifu's coattails, other problems would naturally resolve themselves. As for Xu Ke, they no longer cared if their silence had offended him.

He's just a pretty boy. Even with Yuan Shang showing up to support him at Wong Qifu's request, he's still just a pretty boy! That doesn't change a thing.

While the directors were speculating about the truth, Xu Ke and Wong Qifu returned to the office.

"Mister Xu, Director Wang." Yuan Shang, who had been sitting on the sofa, immediately rose to his feet.

Zhan Yunning, standing to the side, also greeted them hurriedly.

Xu Ke and Wong Qifu said in unison, "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan."

"Xiao Ning, you may leave us," Wong Qifu said.

"Yes."

The three of them sat down again. As soon as they were settled, Wong Qifu cut right to the chase, "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, why did you come over so suddenly without any notice?"

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