Mr. Qu, whose body trembled from the effects of his stroke, glared resentfully at his wife.
He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, only drool trickled down his chin—he couldn't utter a single word.
Madam Qu acted as if she hadn't seen anything and showed no intention of helping him. Instead, she swept her gaze over the household staff and said, "Why are you all just standing around? Can't you see the old master is still standing? Go and change his clothes, now!"
The servants hurried over and started to help Mr. Qu, whose legs were already weak, to change his clothes.
They hadn't even reached the stairs when Second Madam Qu, dressed in a black satin qipao, came down. "Big Sister, what are you doing? Isn't the old master's outfit perfectly fine? Why bother changing it?"
Third Madam Qu walked in from a side doorway, rolled her eyes, and said, "Second Sister, you really are funny. Today is the old master's big birthday—of course he should wear something festive! Just look at what you picked out for him. Tsk tsk, all black from head to toe. Is this a celebration or a funeral?"
"Third Sister, that's not right," Fourth Madam Qu said as she walked in from outside. "It's precisely because today is such an important day that we need to keep things dignified. The old master is eighty—should he really be wearing bright red? Wouldn't that be ridiculous?"
"Fourth Sister, isn't Big Sister still in charge here?" Third Madam Qu said casually. "What, you're not listening to her anymore?"
Mr. Qu watched as his four wives stood before him, trading barbs back and forth, yet not a single one asked if he was comfortable.
Mr. Qu was trembling all over, his eyes brimming with tears.
He'd long regretted marrying so many troublesome wives.
But now, it was far too late for regrets.
Just then, Steven Qu, the eldest son of the Qu family, strode in from outside. "Why isn't this settled yet? All the guests have arrived—Father needs to go greet them!"
Madam Qu immediately barked at the servants, "Did you hear that? Hurry up and help the old master change his clothes! If you mess up, you're all in trouble!"
With that, Madam Qu flicked her sleeve and said to her son, "You go ahead—we'll be there soon."
"Alright." Steven Qu gave his mother a long, searching look, exchanged glances with her, and quickly left.
Half an hour later, when Mr. Qu reappeared before the guests, he was dressed in a festive dark red outfit, matching the patterns and colors on Madam Qu's attire.
Cecilia Gu noticed that Mr. Qu seemed even more sluggish than when she'd seen him a few days ago. She whispered to Sophie Mo, "Who do you think is controlling Mr. Qu now?"
Sophie Mo replied with a knowing look, "Who knows? Maybe his sons are working together to control him. They're all getting impatient! The old master has lived too long—his sons can't wait any longer."
Isn't that the truth?
Even the youngest, Zachary Qu, was already thirty-three, and Steven Qu was old enough to be a grandfather.
If they didn't seize power soon, it might really be too late.
Though Mr. Qu had become little more than a puppet, in front of the guests he still had to put on a cheerful facade and play along with his wife and sons.
Luckily, his role wasn't too demanding—once he'd gone through the motions, he was quickly helped away to rest.
Whether he was really resting or not, only they knew.
The guests didn't really care about that.
Most of them were just here for the spectacle, hoping to see who would ultimately take charge—and then decide whether to cooperate or go their separate ways.
See? People are just that practical, just that heartless, just that cold.
Several internationally renowned singers had been invited to perform at the birthday banquet, along with a few famous actors and actresses who came to offer their congratulations.
With the band's melodious performance, the atmosphere seemed perfectly harmonious.
At that moment, someone quickly approached Cecilia Gu and whispered in her ear, "If anything happens, go straight to the third small house in the backyard—there's a passage underneath."
The person spoke very fast—and in Spanish, no less.
As soon as they finished speaking, they quickly disappeared.
They moved so fast, it was as if they'd never been there at all.
Cecilia Gu's eyes narrowed.
Looks like the Qu family is really planning something.
Max Mo also walked over, quietly telling Cecilia Gu and Sophie Mo, "Don't wander around later."
Cecilia Gu and Sophie Mo both nodded at the same time.
No matter how much trouble the Qu family stirred up, it wouldn't reach the front—unless they were ready to throw everything away.
The backyard of the Qu family must be quite a spectacle right now, huh?
Cecilia Gu's guess was spot-on—the Qu family's backyard wasn't just lively, it was absolute chaos!
Several of the Qu family wives had Mr. Qu locked up in a room, forcing him to rewrite his will and pass the family on to their own sons.
Steven Qu and Eric Qu, the heads of their respective factions, were in direct confrontation—neither willing to back down.
Using the birthday banquet as an excuse, Steven Qu had replaced all the estate's security with his own people. Now, unless he gave the order, no one could leave the house.
Eric Qu demanded to see Mr. Qu, but Steven Qu's men blocked him at the door—no matter what, he couldn't get in.
Second Madam Qu saw her son being stopped and sneered, "The old master isn't dead yet, and you're already itching to plot against your own father, aren't you, Steven?"
Madam Qu replied coldly, "Eric, that's a bit much! Steven is the eldest son—it's his duty to serve the old master. You're always trying to be in the spotlight, aren't you? Isn't it just fine for you to entertain the guests outside?"
Third Madam Qu sneered, "Exactly, Second Sister. Everyone knows the old master's health isn't great, so what's wrong with Steven staying here to look after his father? With so many people talking, if any rumors spread, it could hurt the Qu family's reputation. Just stay put! With Big Sister in charge, you can pray and meditate in peace. Your son is greeting guests out front—how dignified is that?"
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Second Madam Qu sneered repeatedly, "Third Sister, what's the point of siding with Big Sister? If Steven takes power, he'll cast you and your son aside first!"
Fourth Madam Qu said slowly, "At least I have two sons to rely on. Third Sister, you only have one of your own. The other one—whether he's truly yours or not, that's still up for debate!"
Third Madam Qu's expression changed instantly. She glared viciously, "You don't need to stir up trouble. At our age, all we want is a peaceful life. Big Sister has managed this house for years—she knows how hard it's been for me. All I hope for now is my children and grandchildren's safety. Steven and Big Sister would never mistreat their younger brothers."
Steven Qu immediately chimed in, "Third Mom is right. I would never mistreat my own brothers."
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
Just then, Eric Qu's voice rang out from outside the door: "Big Brother, if you insist on harming Father, don't blame me for fighting back! Whatever happens today, I won't let you bully him!"
Steven Qu turned to Mr. Qu and said, "Did you hear that, Father? If you don't make a decision, your second son might go after the guests outside! With so many important people here, any disturbance would be a disaster, wouldn't it?"
With that, Steven Qu placed a will on the table.
His intentions were crystal clear.
Mr. Qu was so furious he was shaking all over, but he couldn't get a word out.
At that moment, Zachary Qu suddenly appeared beside Lisa Li and whispered something.
Lisa Li's expression shifted slightly. She immediately stood up and walked over to Max Mo.
Lisa Li's action became the fuse for the sudden upheaval at the Qu Family's birthday banquet. Upon receiving the news, Eric Qu immediately ordered, "Seal off all exits—bring everyone in the estate inside!"
When Max Mo noticed several unfamiliar faces at the banquet, he raised his eyebrow and signaled to his own people.
Several people quickly approached Cecilia Gu and Sophie Mo, whispering, "Come with us."
Cecilia Gu and Sophie Mo immediately put down their chopsticks and, along with their own people, quietly left their seats and blended into the crowd.
Julia Yu tied up her hair as she walked, tore off the hem of her dress, and snapped the heels off her shoes to turn them into flats.
Wendy and the others did the same.
They changed their outfits discreetly as they walked.
Just as they blended into the crowd, a commotion erupted at the estate's entrance. Then someone fired a warning shot: "We're the security team. We suspect someone has brought contraband into the banquet. Please cooperate with the inspection."
Max Mo narrowed his eyes. The Qu brothers must be desperate now—willing to risk offending everyone. Are they really ready to go down with the ship?
Heh.
Wishful thinking.
At that moment, Lisa Li finally reached Max Mo and asked in a low, anxious voice, "Brother Max, what's going on?"
"Why did you come over?" Max Mo retorted.
"Someone just told me that the place would be surrounded and no one would be allowed in or out. I got nervous and scared, so I came to find you," Lisa Li replied anxiously.
Max Mo sneered inwardly, Fool—she's being used.
Still, it was fine—he wanted to see what tricks the Qu brothers would pull.
They dare to try to lock up Max Mo?
They must have a death wish.
If the Qu family wants to bite off more than they can chew, let's see how well they can stomach it.
"Who told you that?" Max Mo asked.
"He said he's one of Zachary Qu's men," Lisa Li replied anxiously. "Brother Max, what is going on?"
Max Mo didn't answer her. Instead, he looked toward the entrance.
He saw that the entrance and the perimeter of the estate were surrounded by a fleet of vehicles.
Each vehicle was loaded with heavy weaponry.