Chapter Sixty: My Apologies for Keeping You Waiting

"Su Zheng, don't speak to Grandma like that. If worst comes to worst, I'll give up; I won't work at Haoyuan anymore," Chen Muxue said, her heart filled not only with grievance, but also with regret and loss.

Ever since she started working, all her effort and sweat had been poured into Haoyuan Trading. Now being told to let go, she found herself truly reluctant.

"Insolent! When did it become your place to interrupt while I'm speaking?" Old Madam Chen rebuked sharply, her gaze at Su Zheng brimming with anger and her expression dark as night.

"Hmph! You want me to take out a hundred million to support this worthless company, Haoyuan Trading? Dream on! Do you really think the Chen family is empty and powerless? I'll call right now and apply for Haoyuan Trading's bankruptcy. All those bad debts can be dragged out in court!"

Having spoken, the old lady actually pulled out her phone and began to make a call.

In a distant corner, Chen Wenli stopped her sobbing, her face twisted with a ferocious glee and a touch of smug satisfaction. In the end, the old lady always sided with her! Even if it meant mutual destruction, she would not let Chen Muxue have her way. That thought greatly pleased Chen Wenli, who cast a venomous glare at Chen Muxue, believing that there would be plenty of opportunities for revenge in the future.

The old lady still had some connections in the business association.

Soon, she finished her call and looked at Chen Muxue and Su Zheng with disgust. "Everything is over. I've already spoken to my friends at the association. By tomorrow at the latest, Haoyuan Trading will be bankrupt and dissolved completely!"

Hearing this, Chen Muxue swayed, her heart aching with unbearable sorrow and grievance.

The company she had struggled to keep afloat was just beginning to show promise, and now, because of a single word from the old lady, it would come to an abrupt end.

"And as for your family, I had intended, out of blood relations, not to expel you from the family. But now, I see I was terribly mistaken!"

"Now, all of you come with me to the ancestral home. I will announce, once and for all, that you will be erased from the Chen family genealogy and never again be allowed through our doors!"

This time, the old lady was resolute, her face set with determination, her voice filled with hatred.

"Grandma…" Tears welled up in Chen Muxue's aggrieved eyes. She wanted to plead with the old lady to retract her decree, but as soon as she called out, she could say no more.

She knew, no matter how much she begged, it would be futile.

The old lady had truly made up her mind, and no one could change it.

"Su Zheng, what should we do? What will happen to Mom and Dad?" Chen Muxue clung to Su Zheng's arm, her body trembling as she murmured.

From afar, Chen Wenli, delighted by Chen Muxue's misery, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Beside her, Chen Xiong wore a look of vindicated joy, his posture straightening with pride.

Su Zheng frowned slightly, glancing at the expressions of the three members of the Chen family, and felt a surge of anger.

"Muxue, trust me. Once we're at the ancestral home, I will fulfill my promise. I’ll make them beg you to return and manage that company. Come!"

With that, Su Zheng ignored the three and led Chen Muxue away.

"Hah! Still boasting at the edge of ruin. Dad, Grandma, let's go. This company will be gone tomorrow, hah…" Chen Wenli smiled triumphantly, her spirits revived, her face glowing with satisfaction.

The old lady signaled for Chen Xiong to notify the others, then strode into the elevator with a grim face.

Chen Xiong, Chen Wenli, and a few attendants accompanied the old lady downstairs, where Chen Xiong’s phone rang.

After answering, his expression changed dramatically.

"Wenli, come here," Chen Xiong called her aside in a panic. "Your brother has disappeared!"

"Hmph! He can't even handle such a trivial matter. He’s probably out partying again," Chen Wenli replied impatiently.

"Impossible. This time it was someone from Xiaopeng’s entourage who called me. Xiaopeng left with a few people and hasn’t been reachable for hours. You have wide connections; help me find him!" Chen Xiong said, his face filled with anxious worry.

Chen Wenli hesitated. She didn’t want to miss witnessing Chen Muxue’s family being expelled in disgrace, but she couldn’t resist Chen Xiong’s urging. The two made a quick excuse to the old lady and hurried away.

One hour later, at the Chen family ancestral home.

Most of the Chen clan gathered once more. Two family meetings in a single day aroused much suspicion, and many glanced at Su Zheng and Chen Muxue, who sat in a corner of the hall, whispering among themselves.

Chen Jianguo and his wife had also been summoned, their faces anxious, unsure what important decision the old lady would announce, praying fervently that it wouldn’t concern them. If it did, it would surely be trouble.

The two notaries were invited again, sitting with expressions of impatience.

Soon after, the old lady appeared. After taking her seat, she glanced around and noted that Chen Xiong and Chen Wenli had not yet returned.

She didn’t want to wait any longer; after clearing her throat, she spoke coldly:

"After personally visiting Haoyuan Trading, I discovered that the company managed by Chen Muxue has serious problems!"

"Therefore, I declare that from tomorrow, Haoyuan Trading will apply for bankruptcy, and the company will cease to exist!"

"And as for Chen Muxue, the actual manager of this company, and her family, from today onwards, they are officially… expelled from the family!"

"I have gathered you all again so you can bear witness. Chen Muxue’s family shall never be entered into the family genealogy and will have no further connection to the Chen family! I ask the two notaries to certify this for us!"

This time, the old lady was utterly resolute, wasting no words and making her announcement directly.

An audible gasp swept the hall. No one expected the old lady to change her decision within just a few hours, and still resolve to expel Chen Muxue’s family!

Her tone was so unwavering, her expression so furious, that it seemed nothing would change her mind this time.

Some people chuckled softly.

Others shook their heads, feeling the old lady was too merciless.

For Chen Jianguo and his wife, the news was unbearable.

They had done nothing but sit at home, yet suddenly heard they were to be expelled.

Expelled from the family?

That meant no family ties while alive, and after death, they could not be buried in the ancestral tomb.

For those nearing old age, this was the hardest punishment to accept.

"Woo…" Chen Jianguo and his wife rolled their eyes in shock, unable to accept the sudden blow, slumping into their chairs, about to collapse onto the floor.

"Father! Mother!" Chen Muxue cried out in trembling voice, rushing with Su Zheng to support them, her face filled with sorrow.

"Hmph!" The old lady snorted coldly at the scene, showing no emotion.

"Madam," one of the notaries spoke formally, "before we announce your decision, I must disclose something first. Last time, you asked me to investigate Haoyuan Trading’s fund entries. There was a high-level client file that could not be accessed immediately, but now the results are in!"