The over four billion was merely the best-case scenario from Ye Fan's assessment report. Even if the profits were much worse—shrinking by a factor of four—the Ye Family would still lose over a billion.

At this moment, Yuan Shang and Chen Xiong were very satisfied.

Yuan Shang was especially delighted to see Ye Yunfeng seething with rage, veins bulging on his forehead, yet unable to vent his frustration. They had been wanting to take action against the Ye Family for a long time, but alas, they had no justifiable reason.

Pleased, Yuan Shang cast an appreciative glance at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke, who had been maintaining a very serious expression, almost broke into a smile.

"Ye Yunfeng, Xu Ke, do either of you have any objections? If there are no objections, this will be recorded and filed," Chen Xiong asked.

"No," Xu Ke shook his head.

Chen Xiong had already far exceeded their expectations. If it were not for the fact that the two Martial Alliance leaders had a strained relationship with the Ye Family, they would not have secured so much money. Of course, this was all on the premise that Xu Ke's evidence was thoroughly prepared, which had emboldened Chen Xiong to act so decisively.

"No." Ye Yunfeng took a deep breath before adding, "However, I would like to discuss the payment method and date."

Chen Xiong's ruling followed the regulations, so Ye Yunfeng couldn't find any fault with it. Although it was a painful blow, if he were to argue, Chen Xiong, backed by the rules, would certainly have the upper hand.

As for causing a commotion in the Martial Alliance? That's even more impossible… Just because the Ye Family could suppress the Wang Family doesn't mean they can suppress the other six great families.

Therefore, he could only try to find a solution elsewhere.

"What do you want to say?" Chen Xiong asked.

"First, the source for all payments must be limited to the profits from this project. Second, the Wang Family will also send supervisors, so everything will be transparent. I hope that if the project runs into financial trouble, or if it requires maintenance and construction, the payment deadline can be extended, or you can accept installment payments," Ye Yunfeng stated.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyebrows shot up.

Ye Yunfeng really doesn't miss any opportunity to stir up trouble. He doesn't even want the payment to come from the Ye Family Corporation's funds.

"So you're saying that whenever a payment is due, you'll immediately order major repairs, spend all the money on the books, and we'll have to wait until the next lifetime to get paid?" Xu Ke sneered.

Ye Yunfeng raised an eyebrow. "Are your supervisors just for show? We will provide a reasonable justification for every expenditure."

"You can also choose to let us pay in installments. We'll pay back a portion whenever we have the money."

"Besides, every project requires maintenance. Otherwise, profits will definitely decrease, and you wouldn't want to see that happen, right?"

Xu Ke smiled and ignored Ye Yunfeng, turning to Chen Xiong. "Alliance Leader Chen, what do you think?"

Chen Xiong pondered for a moment. "Regarding the request from Family Head Ye, the point about the payment source cannot be fully accepted. The compensation to the Wang Family and the fine for regulatory infractions confiscated by the Martial Alliance must come from the Ye Family's assets. This is a punitive measure from the Martial Alliance; you cannot use such methods to circumvent it.

"As for the method and source of payment for the profits to be shared with the Wang Family, that can be decided through mutual agreement. However, the required interest cannot be waived.

"First, maintenance and construction must be decided by mutual agreement and based on objective facts. You cannot deliberately overspend to cause delays.

"Second, when selecting contractors for maintenance and construction, the Ye Family may not choose any company affiliated with your parent company, subsidiaries, or branch offices.

"Third, there must be no other malicious actions that harm the interests of the Wang Family."

Chen Xiong spoke slowly, making sure to add a catch-all clause at the end. Regarding the profits the Ye Family owed the Wang Family, Chen Xiong couldn't force the Ye Family Corporation to pay up, as this was a profit-sharing agreement, not a punitive fine. It wouldn't be logical to source profits from elsewhere. The restriction on choosing affiliated companies was to prevent Ye Yunfeng from simply moving money from his left pocket to his right. If they agreed to use the project's profits as the sole payment source, Ye Yunfeng could then delay the payments indefinitely.

"Alright." Xu Ke nodded and looked at Wong Qifu. "Regarding the profit-sharing issues, should we have the corporation's people handle the negotiations?"

The details involved were far too messy and complicated. Xu Ke wasn't an expert and couldn't debate this with Ye Yunfeng without being manipulated.

"That's fine." Wong Qifu nodded. "The payment method and source for the profits can be discussed later."

Ye Yunfeng also agreed, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

The punitive fees had already cut him to the bone; thankfully, there was still plenty of room to maneuver here.

As for Ye Fan, his eyes were long since vacant.

He knew his position was forfeit after causing such a colossal disaster for the family. The only question was whether he would be completely cast aside...

TAP. TAP. TAP. The scribe at the side rapidly recorded the conversation.

"Alright, now..." Chen Xiong rubbed his nose. "Xu Ke's first three demands have been temporarily resolved, so let's discuss the next two. One is to strip Ye Fan of his position and investigate the improper relationships. The other is for an apology… How does the Ye Family see this?"

Chen Xiong looked at Ye Yunfeng and was inwardly flabbergasted.

These two demands are clearly Xu Ke's attempt to destroy Ye Fan and inflict real pain on the Ye Family.

However, Ye Yunfeng said flatly, "The Ye Family has never had a habit of appointing a Young Family Head in advance. Ye Fan was not the designated heir, so there is no position to strip him of. As for investigating the banks involved, that is unnecessary. These improper competitive practices were Ye Fan's personal actions and have nothing to do with the Ye Family. Our family naturally has no improper relationship with these banks. There's no need to waste manpower and resources on an investigation."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan, who already knew his fate, turned deathly pale. Even though he had anticipated this outcome when he was summoned home this afternoon, hearing his father state it so emotionlessly still left him feeling suffocated and wretched.

The position he had worked so hard for was gone, just like that...

His eyes filled with resentment and fury as he shot a murderous glare at Xu Ke.

But in the face of reality, he could only admit defeat!

Everyone else exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.

Who didn't know that Ye Fan had been representing the Ye Family in Tianhai for years?

But now, to sacrifice a pawn to save the king, Ye Yunfeng had bluntly discarded his own eldest son and even claimed he had nothing to do with the Ye Family.

It sounded as though Ye Fan had become an outcast of the Ye Family!

But how could Xu Ke let the Ye Family off so easily? "Ye Fan used the Ye Family's influence and financial resources to negotiate with those banks. How can you say the Ye Family had no involvement?"

"Do you have proof that the Ye Family was involved in these improper backroom deals?" Ye Yunfeng sneered. "Show it to me."

"I am paying because this land project ultimately ended up in our hands. Accepting responsibility doesn't mean we are guilty, nor does it mean we made a mistake. It means that because we profited, we are sharing with you, our allies. This demonstrates that the Ye Family, as one of the Six Great Families, acts with a sense of duty and responsibility. Furthermore, it shows our commitment to maintaining the friendly relations among the Six Great Families."

"Therefore, for you to demand an apology for disrupting friendly relations is simply preposterous."

As he finished, Xu Ke couldn't help but laugh at Ye Yunfeng's audacity.

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