CHAPTER 286: YE IS MY FATHER

A graduate of prestigious universities, an outstanding international student with excellent grades, his resume was truly dazzling, one could say his rise had been meteoric.

Twelve years ago, he was the top leader in J City, personally integrating several leading enterprises. Two had successfully gone public, an achievement that could be described as remarkably brilliant.

However, his most anticipated venture, the Tiger Real Estate Group, had turned into a complete mess, which infuriated him.

Luis watched with great interest, as if reading a realistic novel. Damn, this guy was practically the protagonist of a wish-fulfillment story dominating the political arena.

Ye was also thriving in the capital. Originally, he was competing with a successor groomed by another family for the position of second-in-command in the province. Although the family backing him was also profoundly influential.

In the end, he fell just short. Ye was a man who knew when to bend and when to stand firm. He immediately negotiated with his opponent and began channeling his resources to support his former rival.

The rival successfully ascended to the position. With Ye’s support, he was as stable as an old dog, just waiting for the official transfer order.

In return, he supported Ye in solidifying his position as the powerful number three.

This could be considered a win-win situation, a necessary display of propriety. Luis couldn’t really grasp how deep the complexities ran here.

Anyway, Ye had advanced a step further. Unlike some who, after failing in competition, receive a promotion in title but a demotion in reality, being sent somewhere to retire, this workaholic was soon to have his own new, substantive position.

His status became even more coveted and influential.

"Ding... Cheat activation complete. Memories have been successfully loaded."

Luis quickly checked the memories implanted into Ye by the cheat. Looking at them, he found them melodramatic and clichéd.

It was simply that Ye had a lover when he was young and studying. The lover became pregnant, but his family required a marriage of political and social convenience. This extremely ambitious man abandoned his girlfriend.

He compensated her with a sum of money to abort the child, and then, through his family’s mediation, married his current, socially appropriate wife for the sake of his future.

Later, he heard through the grapevine that the girl had a heart condition and didn’t abort the child, but gave birth. Sadly, the girlfriend fell ill and passed away not long after.

The child was raised by the maternal grandmother’s family. Most who walk the path of officialdom are cold-blooded and ruthless, but after all, it was his own flesh and blood. Ye had secretly kept tabs on the child’s situation, until the child’s grandfather passed away.

After dropping out of junior high, the child’s whereabouts became unknown. That period coincided with the most perilous hurdle in Ye’s own struggle for advancement, and he couldn’t afford to be distracted.

This time, returning to Bathek City, frankly, the Tiger Real Estate Group wasn’t even significant enough to warrant his concern anymore. He just wanted to come back and find his own flesh and blood, to see how he was doing.

Although he knew he had no right to call himself a father, no matter what, that was his child. He couldn’t acknowledge him publicly, nor did he want to disrupt the child’s life. He just wanted to know if he was doing well.

If anyone had bullied him... he would tear them to pieces...

"This guy!"

The most heartless are those in power. Luis suddenly felt a twinge of regret. Turns out he was playing the role of an illegitimate son.

This guy, capable of reaching such a high position, was no kind-hearted pushover. What if, to protect his reputation, he decided to eliminate Luis? Damn it, this was also a potential bomb.

Just as Luis was feeling troubled, a signal came over the walkie-talkie: "Luis, Luis, get to the elevator immediately and stand by."

He waited in the elevator for half an hour. When the doors opened again, Ye stepped in confidently.

His smile was still hearty and affable. "I won’t overstep my authority. It’s better for Mayor Waller to chair the work meeting. You should have confidence in his capabilities regarding this matter."

Bella was visibly very nervous. Dominic, who knew the background better, immediately smiled and said, "Vice Mayor Waller was promoted through your mentorship, a key operational figure. It would be an honor for our Tiger Real Estate Group to have him presiding."

Luis quickly lowered his head, an action that seemed somewhat furtive.

This only made things worse. The moment he lowered his head, Ye suddenly narrowed his eyes and scanned over, his pupils instantly widening with shock and joy.

The always composed, lofty Ye, who could command the world with a steady hand, the one who wouldn’t flinch if Mount Tai collapsed before him, now found his breathing becoming rapid.

"Look up!"

He suddenly couldn’t control himself and barked the order. Both Dominic and Bella were startled, staring dumbfounded at Ye’s stern expression.

"Don’t be so loud, who are you trying to scare?"

Luis, feeling somewhat hesitant but knowing he couldn’t avoid it, suddenly rebelled and shouted back, putting on a very displeased expression.

According to the memories implanted by the System, Ye had secretly tried to see his son before to reconcile, but the rebellious son, hating him for abandoning his mother and child, refused to meet him and even cursed him.

This kind of plot was particularly logical. It was impossible for father-son affection to blossom immediately from the start.

Luis’s shout completely stunned Dominic. Bella was utterly flabbergasted. This lowly security guard actually dared to be so disrespectful to a powerful figure like Ye.

By the time Luis looked up, the elevator had already reached the first floor.

Pressing the door open button with one hand, Luis also activated his acting skills, saying with a cold face, "Respected guest, the elevator has arrived. Take care, we won’t see you out."

"You little bastard, how dare you speak to me like that!"

Something even more bewildering for the fake couple happened. Ye fiercely grabbed Luis’s arm, his eyes red, and said angrily, "What is this about? Why are you working as a security guard here?"

"What, are you crazy? Being a security guard is a legitimate job. I’m not stealing or robbing, what’s it to you?"

His grip was vise-like, an iron clamp. Luis tried to shake it off several times but couldn’t break free, following the cheat-loaded storyline.

Luis needed acting skills now. The System’s prompt instantly rang in his mind.

"Ding... Exchange two random blind boxes for the exclusive skill: Oscar-level Acting?"

"Exchange!"

This was a moment to save his life. Luis was starting to regret activating this Father Cheat.

Because Ye was too high-ranking and powerful. Such people pursued flawless reputations and certainly cherished their public image.

If he considered eliminating Luis to protect his reputation... it wasn’t impossible.

After all, according to the plot, he never raised the child, so the emotional bond couldn’t possibly be very deep.

"Alright, alright, I know!"

Only then did Ye remember there were outsiders present. He released his hand, took a deep breath, and adjusted his breathing.

Luis, now possessing Oscar-level acting skills, maintained a cold expression, but tears seemed to shimmer in his eyes, a sight that made Ye feel somewhat heartache.

Stepping out of the elevator, he turned back for one last look. Luis turned his head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

"This, President Ye, has he been somehow inadequate?"

Dominic asked tremblingly. Not just him, even Bella felt no schadenfreude, her heart filled entirely with anxiety now.