But just then, Wong Gaoyang looked down and took out a document. "Alright, that matter is concluded, and the punishment will be carried out according to the regulations. Next, the matter of Wang Yu colluding with the Huang Family to frame Xu Ke…"

Wang Yu, who had been secretly sighing in relief, felt her expression freeze instantly. "Wh-what?!"

"We have a recording here which shows that Wang Yu was in contact with someone from the Huang Family and complied with their demands," Wong Gaoyang stated emotionlessly. "According to family regulations, this constitutes collusion."

With every word he spoke, another shade of color drained from Wang Yu's face. She heard Wong Gaoyang's words, but her gaze was fixed on Xu Ke's indifferent, almost mocking expression. A chill washed over her.

She had always assumed Xu Ke wouldn't dare release the recording, that he wouldn't dare to touch her! She had even become complacent because of it! But now, she realized the initiative had always been in Xu Ke's hands. It was only a matter of whether he wanted to settle the score later!

At this realization, Wang Yu's face turned completely ashen.

Does that mean… she was finished, just like Wong Liqing?!

Xu Ke observed her reaction, his own face a mask of indifference. He had only refrained from dealing with Wang Yu because of Wong Qifu. Now that Wong Qifu had made her stance clear, he certainly wasn't going to show Wang Yu any mercy.

The onlookers watched the pale-faced Wang Yu with a hint of mockery in their eyes.

What a fool! Those two had grown so accustomed to smooth sailing under Wong Qifu's protection. To be so careless in their wrongdoings, leaving behind a mountain of evidence… If they weren't dealt with, they would become a disaster for the corporation sooner or later.

However, some people were already starting to view Xu Ke with extreme caution. He had thoroughly exposed all of Wong Liqing's and Wang Yu's schemes, and even the Ye Family had fallen at his hands. While it was possible Wong Qifu had been helping him behind the scenes, they had no real idea of Xu Ke's own capabilities. But one thing was now crystal clear: Xu Ke was not someone to be trifled with. They knew not to act rashly, at least not until they were certain they could walk away unscathed.

…

"Effective immediately, Wang Yu will also be removed from the list of the Wang Family's core members…" Wong Gaoyang announced mercilessly after playing the recording of Wang Yu and Yang Qing.

Wang Yu scrambled forward, desperate to argue her case.

No! This can't be happening! I can't fall from this position. I'm used to it here; I can't stand the thought of hitting rock bottom!

Facing everyone's stares, Wang Yu cried out weakly, "I… I want to explain…"

Wong Qifu and Xu Ke simply watched her.

Just then, the door was pushed open. A deep, heavy voice rang out. "If you make a mistake, you must bear the consequences. Wang Yu, if you continue to make a scene, I'll lose all respect for you."

Xu Ke's eyes narrowed, a glint of malice flashing within them.

Wang Tianlu has arrived!

Hearing the old bastard make such callous remarks, Wang Yu snapped. "What did you say?"

"What I said was very simple." Wang Tianlu walked over to his own seat, the second-highest in the room, his expression stern. "You made a mistake, and you must be punished."

Wang Yu's eyes reddened with fury. This man, who snuck around committing his own dirty deeds, was now betraying them without a hint of hesitation.

Wang Tianlu then turned to the others. "Sorry I'm late, I was held up."

"It's no problem at all," the crowd murmured. "It's only right that you attend to your own affairs first."

Wang Tianlu beamed, then his gaze fell on Wong Qifu. His smile vanished, replaced by a playful look. "Family Head, my apologies for being late."

"It's fine. We're glad you could make it, Uncle Lu," Wong Qifu replied impassively.

"Excellent!" Wang Tianlu's smile returned. He then looked across at Xu Ke, who was seated opposite him in what was effectively the third-ranked position. "Xiao Ke, you are truly a promising young man! I just learned that you used poison on the ship to neutralize Ye Fan and his men, draining them of all their strength. Tsk tsk, I watched the surveillance footage. The moment you buried a throwing knife in the helpless Ye Fan… it was so incredibly satisfying!"

As his words fell, Xu Ke's expression instantly darkened. Wang Wu and Lin Qinghua were even more furious.

This old bastard! He revealed Xu Ke's methods the moment he walked in! It was an obvious warning to every other member in the room: "If you're thinking of going against Xu Ke, you'd better watch out for these tricks!"

Sure enough, several people raised their eyebrows, silently committing the information to memory. At the very least, they now knew Xu Ke possessed a poison that could neutralize a martial artist's power.

"You flatter me, Uncle Lu," Xu Ke said expressionlessly. "I still have much to learn about throwing knives from you."

Wang Tianlu chuckled. "Why is that?"

A sarcastic smile touched Xu Ke's lips. "Because your talent for shooting arrows from the shadows is far more practiced than mine."

Wang Tianlu didn't get angry. "Haha, if I get the chance, I'll be sure to teach you personally."

He looked at Xu Ke with a smug, smiling expression. So what? What good is your sharp tongue? You couldn't find any evidence against me this time. You still can't touch me, can you?

The crowd's expressions froze. They could smell the thick, heavy scent of provocation in the air.

"Alright, Uncle Lu, you've arrived just as we're wrapping things up," Wong Qifu said coolly. "Wang Yu's punishment has been decided, so we can adjourn the meeting. Unless you have something else to add?"

Seeing Wong Qifu bring the focus back to the agenda, Wang Tianlu shook his head. "I have nothing to add."

Wang Yu glared at him. "If you have no objections, then why did you even come?!" If he wasn't going to speak up for her, why bother showing up at all?

"To uphold the fairness and justice of our Wang Family, of course," Wang Tianlu replied with a placid smile.

Wang Yu was seething with rage. But she was not Wong Liqing. Wong Liqing had martial arts and could lash out at Lai Dehai. She had none. Besides, Wang Tianlu was surrounded by bodyguards. All she could do was remain silent.

Seeing this, Wong Qifu promptly rose to her feet. "Alright, then Wang Yu's matter is concluded."

Everyone nodded in agreement. At this point, no one cared about Wang Yu's feelings. A dog that has fallen from grace earns no sympathy.

Wang Yu was left standing by her seat, utterly alone in her despair.

…

After leaving the conference room, Xu Ke and Wong Qifu returned to the office in the small building. Wong Qifu went into the inner room, leaving Xu Ke outside with Lin Qinghua and Wang Wu.

"It's a real shame we couldn't nail Wang Tianlu this time," Wang Wu remarked, a rare display of emotion for him. He was genuinely furious that Wang Tianlu had revealed Xu Ke's methods.

"It's alright, Uncle Wu," Xu Ke comforted him. "Dealing with Wang Tianlu isn't something that can be rushed."

Wang Wu knew Xu Ke was right and gave a small nod.

Lin Qinghua, however, was still confused. "But wasn't the truck that transported Ye Fan part of Wang Tianlu's cargo? Can't we use that against him?" she asked. "Even if it doesn't do much damage, we could at least disrupt his business and teach him a lesson, couldn't we?"

Wang Tianlu's blatant audacity had infuriated her just as much as it had Wang Wu.

"We can't," Xu Ke said with a helpless sigh. "That business involves the interests of too many people. If we act rashly, it could backfire."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qinghua finally understood. She let out a sigh of her own. "Right…"

Just then, Wong Qifu's voice called from the inner room. "Xu Ke, come in."

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