"What do you mean by that!"
Selina Wu's expression changed instantly when she heard this, and she looked at Chase Ju.
"Isn't my meaning already very clear?"
Chase Ju sneered: "The person who offended Nightstar, and the one who vouched for that kid, was Allen Ju, not our Ju family."
"He used his identity as Third Young Master Ju to guarantee this matter, but our Ju family doesn't recognize it."
"If you can't understand, I'll put it another way."
At this point, Chase Ju paused, glanced at the old Ju patriarch sitting there.
The latter's face was expressionless, with no intention of stopping Chase Ju from speaking further.
Seeing this, Chase Ju grew even more excited and continued, "In other words, if Nightstar comes for someone, we'll hand Allen Ju over."
"Isn't he supposed to be responsible? Doesn't he think that kid is his friend?"
That kid is his friend, not our Ju family's friend. Let Nightstar trouble him, let them trouble Allen Ju—just don't let them trouble our Ju family!
Chase Ju finished speaking.
Beside him, Allen Ju's mother's face suddenly changed.
She stepped forward, about to say something, but before she could get the words out, the old Ju patriarch waved his hand: "This was Allen Ju's own choice. He's not a child anymore. As an adult, he needs to take responsibility for his actions."
"Back then, among the third generation of our Ju family, he was the child I favored most. But now, he's really disappointed me."
The old Ju patriarch's voice was slow. As he spoke, Allen Ju's mother immediately turned, urgently looking at Allen Ju kneeling there: "Allen! Say something!"
"Admit your mistake to your grandfather! Hurry up!"
"Don't let an outsider ruin your future and destiny! It's really not worth it!"
"And Chase Ju is right—your so-called friend might not even see you as a friend. He just wants you to clean up his mess!"
"You've been duped! Apologize to your grandfather—maybe he'll forgive you!"
The woman was full of urgency—she understood how serious this was.
If Allen Ju lost his status as Third Young Master Ju, it would mean completely stripping him of his chance to be an heir in the third generation of the Ju family.
To put it bluntly, from then on Allen Ju would have to live an utterly ordinary life. Compared to everything he has now, it would be like falling from heaven to hell!
"Allen, just admit your mistake."
"That's right, everyone was young once, everyone made mistakes, but knowing your mistakes and fixing them is the greatest virtue."
"Don't be stubborn anymore. You're hurting your mother for the sake of an outsider—do you really think this is right?"
From nearby, other Ju family members spoke up one after another.
Some were genuinely concerned for Allen Ju, while others took the chance to make snide remarks or had ulterior motives.
Everyone had their own thoughts, but most just couldn't understand why Allen Ju would be so stubborn for the sake of an outsider.
What was in front of him?
Being Third Young Master Ju meant a life of immense wealth and privilege!
But if Allen Ju lost that status, all his former pride and connections—maybe not one hundred percent gone, but ninety-nine percent lost—would likely disappear.
Besides, the Ju family isn't a small clan. In a big family, once Allen Ju loses his position, someone else will quickly take his place.
And in the future, he'd never get the chance to return to that position again.
That's reality.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
Allen Ju glanced at the woman, his voice hoarse, eyes full of apology.
"So you still won't admit you're wrong?"
The old Ju patriarch looked down at him from above.
His voice was cold. The elder had been head of the Ju family for years, raising the clan's industry and wealth to new heights. Sitting there now, he was like an immovable mountain, and the pressure in his gaze toward Allen Ju was overwhelming.
Even though the old Ju patriarch didn't have a shred of martial arts skill, just his presence alone was enough to make people feel immense pressure.
"He's my friend."
Allen Ju raised his head and met the old patriarch's gaze, repeating the same words as before.
He hadn't changed his answer.
He just stared back at the old Ju patriarch.
One was the head of the Ju family, the other was the third-generation Third Young Master Ju.
At that moment, Selina Wu actually felt for a second that Allen Ju was standing on equal footing with the old patriarch.
But it was only a fleeting feeling.
"For the sake of a so-called friend, you're giving up your status as Third Young Master Ju, and you might even be taken away by Nightstar and put in danger. Do you think it's worth it?"
The old patriarch's voice was deep and slow, but every word carried immense pressure. His eyes, though aged, were as sharp as ever and didn't waver for a second, locking onto Allen Ju.
"Our Ju family has such vast industries, so much wealth, so many connections—you should understand that."
"You should also understand that now is not the time to be stubborn. If you bow your head now, you'll keep everything. But if you stick to your beliefs, you'll lose it all."
"Have you really thought through the price of losing everything?"
As the old patriarch spoke, Allen Ju kept his head raised while kneeling.
The conversation between grandfather and grandson made every Ju family member nearby tense up.
"I do not regret it."
Allen Ju took a deep breath. His voice was weak, his body colder and colder from the rain, and he was getting sick, so his words were a little slurred.
But even if his words were slurred, it was still those four words.
"Allen!"
Allen Ju's mother covered her eyes in anger, wiping away tears from the corners.
"Allen Ju, this is outrageous!"
"For the sake of an outsider, are you planning to abandon our Ju family?"
"How did our Ju family end up with someone as selfish as you!"
Some Ju family members who sided with Chase Ju immediately spoke up, their words fierce, eager to seize the chance to stomp Allen Ju into the dirt.
When Allen Ju was still Third Young Master Ju, everyone inside and outside the Ju family gave him respect.
Now, with just a hint that he might lose his status, he immediately faced waves of criticism.
Besides, it looked like Allen Ju was dead set on his path, refusing to turn back.
These people could now shout whatever they wanted, completely unrestrained.
"You don't regret it?"
The old Ju patriarch narrowed his eyes, his voice icy: "Well, so you really don't regret it!"
"If I ever get the chance, I really want to meet this friend of yours—to see what kind of person could make my grandson so obsessed with so-called friendship!"
"I want to know: are you just foolish, or is our Ju family's legacy really not as important as your friend?"