The Ju Patriarch's voice thundered, already brimming with anger.
As those words rang out, the Ju family members closest by felt a chill deep in their bones.
Everyone who looked at Allen Ju revealed a sense of helplessness.
This kid is just way too stubborn.
Beside him, Selina Wu clenched her teeth, while Martin Wu could only sigh in frustration.
On the other side, Gloria Rong, Leon Lu, and the others who had stayed mostly silent now wore faces full of indignation.
"This is just way too much."
"That guy clearly knew his actions would cause Allen a ton of trouble, but he just up and left like that?"
"We even stood up for him that day, and now he treats us like a bunch of monkeys!"
Those who backed Allen Ju and supported Evan Lin that day now stood united in outrage.
Most of them were upset about Allen Ju's situation, genuinely feeling for him.
Before this, Allen had mentioned his friend from Whitewood County to them more than once, but now, at this critical moment, the friend Allen put so much hope in just slipped away when things got tough.
For days now, there hasn't been a single word from him. Looks like he got the news and ran off ahead of time.
None of them were really afraid of trouble, but what they couldn't accept was the feeling of being 'sold out.'
"Selina! How could you even know someone like that? And you and Martin should really talk Allen out of this! Don't let him do something stupid!" someone blurted out, getting anxious.
"Yeah, you two hang out with him the most, and Allen always listens to you. If he keeps being this stubborn, we might not even be able to hang out together anymore!"
Another person chimed in right away.
Their friendships weren't exactly rock solid, but they weren't as fragile as people imagined either.
But even the strongest relationships will eventually fall apart if there's no benefit or shared connection holding them together.
Allen had helped them out plenty of times before, and they genuinely liked having a good relationship with Third Young Master Ju. Seeing Allen in trouble now, they couldn't help feeling a bit like rabbits mourning a fallen fox.
What's more, if Allen can't get through this, loses the Ju family's backing, and gets stripped of his Third Young Master Ju status, the network he's built around himself will take a huge hit.
That would be a loss none of them could even begin to estimate.
"What an idiot!"
Selina Wu clenched her fists, her expression shifting again and again as she stared at Allen Ju, pale-faced but still stubbornly holding his head high and locking eyes with the Ju Patriarch.
She knew Allen's personality.
Allen was easygoing most of the time, but once he decided on something, not even nine oxen could drag him back.
Besides, deep down, Selina didn't believe Evan Lin was the type to bail for his own safety and leave his friends behind.
"Where did Evan Lin actually go?"
Martin Wu looked over, anxious, but never said a single bad word about Evan Lin.
Martin was straightforward. Ever since he first met Evan in Whitewood County, he'd felt Evan was worth being friends with.
On this point, Martin Wu and Allen Ju were totally on the same page.
The Ju Patriarch's face was imposing as ever. He stared at Allen, kneeling there, for a long, long time without ever looking away.
It was as if he wanted, for the last time, to memorize every detail of his grandson's appearance—a farewell before cutting him off.
The Ju Patriarch's face was stern and commanding. He fixed his gaze on Allen Ju, who was kneeling before him, not looking away for a long, long time.
It was as if he wanted to etch every detail of his grandson into memory, like a final farewell before severing ties.
The atmosphere was so heavy it felt suffocating.
Under the Ju Patriarch's overwhelming presence, Allen Ju nearly collapsed several times, but he forced himself to steady his nerves, stubbornly meeting his grandfather's eyes.
Both grandfather and grandson were stubborn to the core.
No one else in the Ju family dared to utter a word.
Chase Ju's smirk grew even wider, his gaze at Allen Ju dripping with mockery.
"No matter how vast the Ju family's fortune, it's just worldly possessions."
Allen Ju's voice was rough: "My friends will always be my friends."
"The friends I recognize are my friends. They may have nothing to do with the Ju family, but if they run into trouble, I, Allen Ju, will never abandon them."
Allen Ju spoke, each word measured and deliberate.
Every syllable rang out, steady and forceful.
It was as if he spoke not just to the Ju Patriarch, but to everyone present—and even to himself.
His words were strong and unwavering.
He showed no hesitation or doubt; even his voice was steady and resolute.
It was the Ju family's steward.
A man in his fifties.
He moved quickly—one stride covered ten meters.
Soon, he reached the ancestral hall doors, paused, took a deep breath, composed himself, and then gently knocked.
"Master, Nightstar's people have arrived."
He spoke respectfully through the hall doors.
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone inside heard him clearly.
Nightstar's people were here.
Just those words.
The already heavy atmosphere grew even heavier.
"They're here!"
Martin Wu felt a jolt in his heart. Gloria Rong, Leon Lu, and the others' faces changed dramatically.
Selina Wu glanced at Allen Ju, still kneeling, her face clouded with worry she couldn't hide.
"Nightstar's people came this fast?"
"I thought they'd show up around dusk."
"This is bad. Allen Ju caused such a mess, and he still hasn't earned the Patriarch's forgiveness. He's so stubborn—looks like his time as Third Young Master Ju is up."
The younger generation of the Ju family all shook their heads.
"At this point, Allen Ju, are you really going to drag our whole Ju family into the fire just for one friend?"
Chase Ju fanned the flames from the sidelines.
His words dripped with sarcasm—and a bit of gloating.
At that moment, Chase Ju's gaze toward Allen was downright cold.
If Allen Ju stepped down and Chase pushed a little harder, maybe he'd become the next Third Young Master Ju.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
The Ju Patriarch's gaze was deep as he looked at Allen Ju.
"Nothing to say."
Allen Ju shook his head, trying hard to keep his back straight.
Inside that thin frame, he was full of resolve.
He didn't flinch, didn't regret, didn't even wonder if Evan Lin really was just using him, like everyone else said.
A gentle breeze stirred.
Elsewhere, Evan Lin sat quietly on a high-speed train back to Beijing, watching the scenery stream past, utterly calm inside.