Chapter 21 You Captured Her

Since ancient times, how could anyone who has offended others possibly leave so easily?

"Mr. Huang, shouldn't you apologize to my person?"

Old Master Huang’s complexion turned unsightly in an instant. He was a man of sixty; to be asked to apologize to a teenage girl was not only a disguised insult but a profound humiliation.

"It is merely a trifle, Young Master Xiang. Why be so petty? It would hardly sound good if word of this got out, would it?" Though aged, the ruthlessness in Old Master Huang’s bones remained. Throughout Hong Kong City, few dared to demand an apology from him. Furthermore, he was a man of principle who did not stir up trouble without cause. The entire incident today was, in truth, the fault of Father Xu. The two families had reached an agreement to trade a person for an investment, yet in the end, Father Xu had reneged and brought the girl to Xiang Zhihua’s venue. This was clearly a deliberate slap in the face to Old Master Huang. His reluctance to apologize was, in a sense, justified.

"Exactly, Young Master Xiang, it is nothing more than a small misunderstanding," Father Xu interjected hurriedly, trying to smooth things over. "Why bring up an apology? Besides, today is Old Master Huang’s birthday. Perhaps you could show some grace for the sake of the celebration?"

"Who are you?"

Xiang Zhihua’s question left Father Xu feeling utterly embarrassed. Standing right beside Lu Yao, his presence was obvious. Was Xiang Zhihua truly unaware of his identity? Or was he intentionally trying to humiliate him because of Lu Yao?

"I am Yaoyao’s father," Father Xu replied, his face stiff as he was forced to introduce himself. If he could have avoided it, he would never have chosen to humiliate himself at such a juncture, but having spoken, he could not take it back. He had to grit his teeth while feeling the weight of the crowd’s gaze.

"Then step forward and kneel to apologize to her on Mr. Huang’s behalf."

Father Xu’s eyes widened at Xiang Zhihua’s words. "W-what?" He stared at Xiang Zhihua in disbelief.

"Are you and Mr. Huang not close friends?" Xiang Zhihua raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean to say you refuse to apologize to my person on his behalf?"

"It’s not that..." Father Xu tried to protest, but he was interrupted by Old Master Huang.

"Xu Shenghai, this matter started because of you, so you are the one who should step up to resolve it." The Huang family was, after all, the victim. Had Xu Shenghai not gone back on his word, Old Master Huang would never have had to come to Xiang Zhihua’s territory to seize someone. He had already shown restraint by not beating Father Xu in front of everyone.

Father Xu’s face went pale, and he cast a desperate, pleading look toward Lu Yao, hoping she might say a word in his favor. But Lu Yao had no intention of acknowledging him. This was all Father Xu’s own doing; he had no one else to blame. Under the pressure from all sides, he had no choice but to kneel to Lu Yao.

"I’m sorry!" With gritted teeth, Xu Shenghai knelt, offered a reluctant apology, and then, with a dark, thunderous expression, turned and left in a hurry. To stay any longer would only invite more shame.

The crowd erupted in murmurs. Even the men who had just been bragging about being willing to have their heads kicked like balls fled the scene in a hurry, terrified of being nabbed by Xiang Zhihua’s men. The speed of their retreat was truly unparalleled.

Xiang Zhihua glanced at Lu Yao. "Go upstairs and wait."

"Young Master Xiang, the Master is here," Cheng Gang whispered, leaning over to remind him. The "Master" he referred to was none other than Xiang Zhenhai, who had been brought from the old family mansion.

Fifty-something-year-old Xiang Zhenhai, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, was escorted into the room by Xiang Zhihua’s men. His black and white hair gave him an air of stern authority, and his eyes, sharp and clear, showed no signs of age. He brandished his cane in the air, looking as if he were performing some strange dance.

"Is this the purpose of your jewelry banquet?" Xiang Zhenhai glared at his son, his voice icy. "You bastard, I will never agree!"

Ever since Xiang Zhihua sent the invitation to the old mansion, Xiang Zhenhai had known his motive. He wanted that five percent stake in the An Corporation, didn't he? He would rather die than surrender it.

"Shh," Xiang Zhihua made a gesture for silence. "Father!"

This was the first time in seventeen years, since moving out of the old mansion, that Xiang Zhihua had called him "Father." The sound made Xiang Zhenhai’s scalp tingle and his chest tighten.

"You—do not call me father! I have no such bastard son as you!" Xiang Zhenhai clutched his chest, gasping for air. The brute hadn't been able to invite him, so he had simply had him kidnapped. No other father in all of Hong Kong City would be treated this way by his own son. If the son wasn't ashamed, he certainly was!

"Cheng Gang, go get a chair for Mr. Xiang," Xiang Zhihua said nonchalantly. "Let him sit and catch his breath. We wouldn't want him to drop dead from anger."

Xiang Zhenhai’s eyes widened, bloodshot with rage. "Get out!" Before Cheng Gang could approach, Xiang Zhenhai roared, driving him back.

Xiang Zhihua raised an eyebrow. "You don't want to sit? Very well. Then sign the equity transfer agreement." He had given Xiang Zhenhai chances, but the older man had repeatedly ignored them. He could no longer be blamed for stripping away his dignity in front of everyone.

Xiang Zhenhai’s eyes turned cold. "In your dreams! The shares are mine." He looked sharply at Lu Yao. "I will never transfer them to you."

Xiang Zhenhai’s refusal was exactly as expected; Xiang Zhihua was not surprised. "I am not asking for your consent, Mr. Xiang." The black prayer beads in his right hand slid rhythmically, making him look like a pious ascetic. "I am merely informing you."

Xiang Zhenhai froze, then demanded, "What do you mean by that?" Had he done something behind his back that he wasn't aware of? Impossible. Everything the Xiang family had—and shouldn't have had—was already in his hands. What else could he possibly do?

"Father, it’s bad! The Fourth Mistress is missing!" Just as suspicion brewed in Xiang Zhenhai’s heart, a low voice rang out from outside the banquet hall.

"It was you?" Xiang Zhenhai’s gaze locked onto Xiang Zhihua. "You sent people to kidnap her?" His expression was that of a vampire, teeth bared, as if he wanted to drain the blood from Xiang Zhihua’s body. It was a savage and terrifying sight. After all, Xiang Zhihua’s current state was inextricably linked to that very Fourth Mistress.