Old Madam Grace Zheng looked at Yvonne Zhu, her eyes full of warmth. "I already know what happened the night before last. This isn’t your fault—it’s just that some people in this family can’t stand to see others do well and are always scheming in the dark!"
Old Madam Grace Zheng was sharp-tongued, her words aimed straight at Susan Xu, making Susan’s face turn from red to pale with embarrassment. Yet she couldn’t say anything in rebuttal.
"That child is a good kid. Is he safe now?"
Old Madam Grace Zheng looked at Yvonne Zhu with anticipation.
When she learned that Evan Lin had actually spilled his own blood in public, Old Madam Grace Zheng was beside herself with worry. But with the Keene family's constant pressure, she had to suppress her dissatisfaction and reasoned that, since Evan was taken away by the Zhu family—by Yvonne Zhu—he was probably safe if hidden at the Zhu estate. Only then did she feel a little relieved.
"Well..."
Facing Old Madam Grace Zheng’s gaze, Yvonne Zhu felt a wave of sadness rise in her heart, but she didn’t know how to answer.
"He’s already been expelled from our Zhu family."
Victor Zhu, standing nearby, gave a cold laugh. "That kid doesn’t know what’s good for him. And last night he beat up Keene No. 2 on Phoenix Mountain—just pouring oil on the fire!"
"Last night, our Zhu family drove him out. He has nothing to do with us anymore. I suggest you stop dreaming of using that kid to get close to Yvonne and force our Zhu family to help your Zheng family with anything!"
Victor Zhu’s voice dripped with disdain.
"Exactly! That kid is way too arrogant. He kicked Keene No. 2 down the mountain in front of everyone! This mess isn’t going to be easy to settle. Your Zheng family better be ready for what’s coming!"
Henry Zhu nodded repeatedly, laughing out loud.
His words made the people around him change expression. Old Madam Grace Zheng’s face darkened instantly.
"Henry! Watch your mouth!"
"Our Zhu family isn’t here to get involved in your feud. As for your grandson, he really did leave last night."
Rowan Zhu looked at Old Madam Grace Zheng, nodded, and said coldly, "Whether he lives or dies is none of our Zhu family’s business. Please keep that in mind."
After Rowan Zhu finished speaking, Old Master Zhu led his people to sit down to the side. Bryce Gu shook his head repeatedly, his eyes full of sighs.
The Zheng family members were shaken by Henry Zhu’s words. Eric Zheng looked even more worried, while Susan Xu grew more indignant. She felt that Evan Lin beating up Keene No. 2 would ultimately be blamed on their Zheng family, and she was not willing to accept that.
Once Old Master Zhu and the others were seated, Old Sun’s voice sounded from outside the door again.
"The Keene family has arrived!"
At those words, Old Master George Zheng and the others sat up straight, their expressions instantly turning serious.
Moments later, a group of people walked in from outside.
At the head was Old Master Keene, spinning a pair of iron balls in his hand, striding with energy. Beside him was a vigorous middle-aged man—Henry Keene, the one whose engagement to Joy Zheng was broken and who became a laughingstock.
Henry Keene was the third son in the Keene family. As soon as he entered, he scanned the room and, when his eyes landed on Joy Zheng, his face darkened. "Long time no see!"
There was anger in his eyes as he looked at Joy Zheng.
Next to him was a black-clad elderly man with a grim face—Raymond Cold, known as the Cold Taoist. He walked with a cane, appearing frail, but his eyes were sharp and piercing, and wherever his gaze landed, a cold light flashed, making people afraid to meet his eyes.
A half-step behind Raymond Cold were two men in their twenties. One was Keene No. 2, the one Evan Lin forced to roll down the mountain last night; the other, head held high and full of pride, was Flynn Keene, Henry Keene’s son and the Keene family’s third young master.
"Old Zheng, you know why I’m here today. Years ago, Joy Zheng broke our families’ marriage agreement, got pregnant with a bastard, and fled Oceanport, turning both our families into a joke. Now that she’s back, today’s business is simple to resolve."
Old Master Keene spoke slowly: "Today, I’ll take Joy Zheng back to the Keene family. She’ll work like an ox and a horse for ten years. After ten years, I’ll let her go. With that, our grudge will be wiped clean. How about it?"
Old Master Keene’s tone was calm, but he sounded absolutely certain he would get his way.
"Work like an ox and a horse for ten years?"
Hearing this, Old Madam Grace Zheng’s face changed, while Old Master George Zheng took a deep breath and tried to smooth things over with a forced smile. "It’s been more than ten years—why not let it go? As an apology, I can offer a villa in downtown Oceanport as compensation. What do you think?"
"Besides, Joy hasn’t been home in all these years—she’s suffered plenty out there. If you keep bringing this up, it just makes us elders look petty."
Before Old Master Keene could reply, Flynn Keene sneered from his side, "Punishment? That’s a nice way to put it. Yesterday, your Zheng family’s little bastard even went to Phoenix Mountain to beat up my brother. How do you plan to settle that score?"
"And let’s be clear—my Keene family’s reputation is leagues above yours. Your little Zheng family isn’t qualified to negotiate with my grandfather!"
Flynn Keene snorted coldly, his face full of contempt.
Keene No. 2 glared around the room, hatred written all over his face. "Last night, I didn’t even know that kid was from your Zheng family, and that he was Joy Zheng’s son. If I’d known, I’d have made sure he never walked away alive!"
He turned his gaze and pointed at Faye Zheng standing nearby, his face turning icy. "You were there yesterday! That kid was brought by you and Yvonne Zhu just to humiliate me, wasn’t he?"
"Figures. There’s not a single decent person in the Zheng family!"