Chapter 117: Destroying the Heart by Killing the Spirit

Inside the spacious white van, Duan Xiuqi was resting with his eyes closed. Beside him, Tong Yunrou kept glancing out the window, urging, "Drive faster."

The agent in the driver's seat turned around with a smile and said, "Don't worry, Miss Tong. The Old Master has always prioritized Xiuqi's career. Today was supposed to be a meeting with President Qi."

Old Master Duan was usually broad-minded; as long as it wasn't a major event like a birthday banquet or a New Year's Eve dinner, he didn't mind if they skipped other social gatherings. Today, Duan Xiuqi had been scheduled to meet with President Qi Mo.

However, for some reason, President Qi had been acting strangely, showing no intention of dropping the endorsement cancellation, and instead kept them both there to discuss antiques, tea, and philosophy.

Tong Yunrou wasn't keen on returning for this banquet because she enjoyed such occasions, but rather because it was being held to celebrate the Old Master's recovery. Duan Xiuqi could be excused due to work, but as his future daughter-in-law, she had to attend to maintain her image as a devoted partner in the eyes of the Old Master.

Having proactively taken their leave from Qi Mo, she had insisted on dragging Duan Xiuqi toward the banquet.

*

Inside the banquet hall, chaos had already erupted. Xu Xingchen was shouting, "Shut that video off!"

The backstage operator was drenched in cold sweat. He frantically moved his mouse, but finding the system unresponsive, he desperately yanked the power cord out.

What the hell?

The video was still playing on a loop!

Bai Chuwei sat with her long legs crossed, leaning languidly against an armrest, watching the turmoil outside with a smile. Her gaze was relaxed, possessing the composure of someone in total control.

Duan Xiuhao was so anxious his face had turned beet red, and he bellowed, "Why hasn't it been turned off yet?"

A cold, sharp voice suddenly cut through the room: "Xu Li, mother of Xu Xingchen, hired a hitman to murder Duan Xingye?"

Duan Feihan stood in the center of the hall, cold and imposing like a towering mountain, his intimidating aura sweeping across the room.

The Old Master’s blood pressure spiked with rage. He gripped Duan Xingye’s hand tightly with his weathered palm, while his other hand trembled as he pointed at Duan Xiuhao and Xu Xingchen. "You... you people..."

Being pointed at by his own father, Duan Xiuhao was nearly scared out of his wits. He instinctively cried out, "Dad, even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs! How could I possibly harm Xingye? He is my own son!"

Xu Xingchen’s legs turned to jelly. Was his father trying to dump all the responsibility onto him?

Seeing everyone turn their gaze toward Xu Xingchen, Duan Xiuhao quickly defended him. "Dad... this has nothing to do with Xingchen, does it? This... isn't this just an interrogation video of Xu Li? He is your grandson, too!"

In the corner, Bai Chuwei chuckled softly, "Duan Xiuhao really does value Xu Xingchen highly."

Interesting.

It was a pity, though. Since she had decided to show up at this banquet today, she would shatter every hope Xu Xingchen had of entering the Duan family.

Let it be chaotic. Let it be a total mess.

Yes, the Old Ancestor had a wicked penchant for watching the world burn.

Bai Chuwei shifted her posture, her polished nails gently tracing her fair jawline, and spoke in a light, clear voice—

"Xu Xingchen, are you certain you were completely unaware of your mother hiring a hitman to harm Duan Xingye?"

In the banquet hall, a leisurely, smiling female voice echoed from an unknown source, shocking everyone present!

Xu Xingchen’s face turned deathly pale. His sweat-slicked palms gripped his trousers, and his heart felt as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

He... he knew!

Between the things Bai Chuwei had said when she visited his home, his mother’s behavior, and the later incident of Duan Xingye jumping from the building, he had already guessed what had happened.

Xu Xingchen didn't know if he should lie, but all his expressions were surely being recorded.

Once his Fourth Uncle, Duan Feihan, brought in a micro-expression expert, he would be exposed instantly if he lied. If he lied, his situation would only become more precarious. But if he admitted it in front of everyone, he would be reviled by all of Haicheng, and the persona he had built at school would collapse in an instant.

Truly ruthless!

The smiling female voice rose again, each word sharp and resonant: "An—swer—me."

The van pulled up a few dozen meters outside the banquet hall. Duan Xiuqi stepped out, his eyes fixed on the lights of the venue. In a daze, he thought he heard a familiar voice.