CHAPTER 626: CHAPTER 626: THE LION’S BIG MOUTH

"It’s very simple. As long as you agree to these few things, I’ll let those two women go. First, I want you to stop targeting our Lu Family and compensate us for all the losses you’ve caused us recently. Second, I want you to apologize for everything you’ve done to our family during this time and provide us with emotional compensation. Third, I want 10% of the Xu Group’s shares in your hands."

Miss Lu’s outrageous demands left Feng Yiweng stunned, her eyes widening slightly. She wanted to pull Miss Lu in front of her, shake her shoulders, and ask if she really knew what she was saying. Ten percent of the shares? Did she have any idea what astronomical figure that was? Who in their right mind would give such a massive benefit away?

Feng Yiweng felt that Xu Ke on the other end of the phone would never agree to such an outrageous request.

Sure enough, Xu Ke’s cold laughter came through the phone.

"Ha, do you even know what you’re saying? Ten percent of the shares? Did I hear wrong, or are you dreaming? Does your entire Lu Family have more than five percent of my Xu Group? You actually dare to ask for ten percent, don’t go overboard."

"If you don’t give me these things, what you’ll get in return are two corpses. Anyway, our family’s almost been driven to bankruptcy by you. I’ve never lived a hard day from birth till now, except for those few days in custody. The days in custody taught me that I’m different from them. I can’t live a hard life; I’d rather die than live in hardship. If you drive our family to bankruptcy, you’re forcing me to die. If I die, I won’t go alone; I’ll take a few down with me. So, you choose; is money more important or are those two people more important?" Miss Lu spoke.

On the other end of the phone, Lin Mengyao was so scared by Miss Lu’s words that her face turned pale. She looked at Xu Ke with helpless eyes, tears flowing down her cheeks, but she covered her mouth tightly, not letting herself cry out loud or disturb Xu Ke.

"I think you seem to have misunderstood something. Why do you think I would be willing to pay such a high price for them? One is a pitiful person I took in, giving her food and letting her live a life she never dared dream of. If she dies, it’s only because she’s too unfortunate to bear the blessings I’ve given her. As for the other, she’s just someone my wife brought back for amusement. Although she’s a relative, she’s not even within the five degrees of kinship. These are the people you want so much from me for? Ha, that’s not how charity works," Xu Ke said, full of mockery and disdain.

"If you want to do something to them, go ahead. Anyway, I’ll avenge them later. Even if you die, it doesn’t matter. Aren’t there people related to you still alive? I really like implicating others, and I assure you, after you die, no one will forget you. People alive will think of you every day, be it to miss you or curse you. That’s for them to decide," Xu Ke said calmly.

Miss Lu felt a chill run down her spine. "You’re still threatening me at this point? Do you really not care about them? I know you’re cold-hearted, but I didn’t think you’d be worse than a beast, treating people you live with so ruthlessly. Even people who keep a cat or dog for a few years get attached, but those two living people don’t hold the slightest value to you?" Miss Lu said incredulously, full of sarcasm.

Although she spoke confidently, her hands were already gripping the sofa tightly, her nails leaving mark after mark on the leather couch.

"Me willing to avenge them is already an honor for them," Xu Ke chuckled.

This was a silent psychological battle, both sides testing who had the better mental fortitude, who was more skilled. But obviously, Miss Lu had already lost a step. From her initially imposing demands, she was now trying to maintain momentum by mocking Xu Ke, hiding her own fear and insecurity, and Xu Ke caught all her changes in his mind.

So far, Xu Ke still stood at the top of this negotiation.

"Do they know how beastly you are? If they learn that the one they regarded as family gave up on them so easily for a bit of benefit, what will they think? Will they still keep you in their hearts or will they start hating you, turning from family to enemies?" Miss Lu attempted to use Yu Xia and Tang Zhongwei’s feelings towards Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao as leverage. Her mind was blank because Xu Ke refused to follow the script she had imagined, leaving her at a loss.

"If they want to hate, let them hate. If a pet doesn’t behave, I can always replace it with one that does. It’s not a big deal," Xu Ke said in an extremely relaxed manner.

"Fine, you’re ruthless, don’t regret it!" Miss Lu resorted to her last tactic by hanging up and decided not to call Xu Ke again. She wanted to apply psychological pressure on him, make him fear and yield to her conditions. She didn’t believe Xu Ke truly felt nothing for those two women.

Even after the call was cut off, Xu Ke’s face remained as calm as ever.

"Xu Ke, what do we do now? Are we really going to watch them leave us? Can you really bear to let those two leave this world in their prime?" Lin Mengyao clutched Xu Ke’s sleeve, her voice laced with sobs.

She had cried too long and too many times today, making her eyes swollen like walnuts. This rare vulnerability added a unique attraction and charm to her already beautiful face.

Although Lin Mengyao didn’t explicitly say it, her intention was still for Xu Ke to agree to the demands if it came to a critical moment.

Lost in her emotions, Lin Mengyao didn’t notice Housekeeper Zhao, who was standing beside Xu Ke. When she uttered those words, his gaze towards her carried a hint of coldness.

Housekeeper Zhao had been with the Xu Family for almost half his life. He had served the old master, witnessed Xu Ke’s father getting married and having children, and watched Xu Ke grow up under his eyes. Although he was named Zhao and not Xu, he had long considered himself part of the Xu Family and regarded Xu Ke as his junior.

His love and respect for Lin Mengyao was premised on her being Xu Ke’s wife, so when she stood against Xu Ke’s interests, his affection towards her waned.

Xu Ke felt both love and frustration toward Lin Mengyao’s behavior.

She was always like this, unable to remain completely calm and rational. As soon as it involved someone she cared about, she’d stop thinking and let others lead her by the nose.

Xu Ke helplessly wiped the tears that started flowing down Lin Mengyao’s face again, "Don’t you believe me? Xiaxia and the others are not just your family; they are mine too. Do you really think I wouldn’t care about them? The people I sent out are still searching for them. I haven’t given up on them. What I said earlier was just to buy time, Yaoyao, trust me, alright?"

"But, what if..."

"There’s no ’what if.’ For me, there’s only assurance, without a single mistake. She wouldn’t dare touch Xiaxia and the others because she’s afraid—afraid I’ll go after her family. So rest assured, I know what I’m doing, and I promise I’ll bring them back to you safe and sound," Xu Ke assured.