Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The situation that the Xiao Family faced was not too optimistic, and they had no choice but to try their best to stop the stocks from crashing by pumping in massive amounts of funds, causing the Xiao Corporation’s shareholders to be extremely unhappy. Some of them even demanded that Xiao Zhiyuan get stripped off his position as CEO.
Xiao Zhiyuan’s position was unstable, and Old Mr. Xiao obviously wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen. Hence, he personally treated some of the shareholders to a meal and swallowed his pride to beg for their mercy.
However, Xiao Zhiyuan’s reputation had been tarnished completely.
Xiao Zhiyuan put down his mobile phone slowly, though he could still hear the vague beeping sounds. He turned pale and his hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
He suddenly staggered backwards, unable to keep his balance. He quickly grabbed the wine cabinet beside the French window and struggled to steady himself.
Old Mr. Xiao’s heart skipped a beat upon sight of his behavior and he hurriedly asked, “Zhiyuan, what’s wrong with you?”
The Xiao Family could not afford to take any more blows. There was a complicated shareholder system because of the complex management system. Although the shareholders seemed to be harmonious on the surface, they were actually at odds with each other and had plans of their own. If there was a balance, it would aid the Xiao Family greatly. Now that the Xiao Family was facing damage to their reputation, dealing with the shareholders was a major problem.
Of course, the Xiao Family was a major shareholder of the Xiao Corporation and they need not worry about their position. However… they were afraid that the Xiao Family’s interests would be at a disadvantage.
He was somehow ill at ease after seeing the way that Xiao Zhiyuan was behaving.
Xiao Zhiyuan’s throat turned dry and his body stiffened. Staring at his father with a complicated mix of emotions, he said, “Father… Secretary Li called just now to tell me that the results of his investigation are out and… so is the DNA test report. It’s stated… that there is a 98% chance that he’s my biological son!”
Hence, Chu Jingnan was definitely his illegitimate son!
He was flabbergasted when he heard the outcome. He did not expect to have ended up with an illegitimate son. Although he had mistresses, they were only meant for him to satisfy his needs. He had always been self-disciplined and careful. Hence, he felt that he was confident in solving the matter when the scandal was first exposed.
Throughout the past few years, he had been extremely careful and conscientious in order to avoid getting his mistresses pregnant. Yet, he actually found out that he had an illegitimate son who had popped out of nowhere. He could not accept it at all.
He had a complete family and an outstanding pair of son and daughter. He did not carry any hopes and in fact, he did not even wish to acknowledge Chu Jingnan, for he did not want the latter to disrupt his life. In fact… deep down, he felt that his illegitimate son was a stain in his life and a reminder of his shameless acts, the very testament of his betrayal. He could not accept it at all.
Although he was in awe of Chu Jingnan, he merely admired him but did not wish to make him his son.
Old Mr. Xiao was beyond astonished. He stared at him with his eyes wide open. “You… didn’t you guarantee that you had nothing to do with Chu Jingnan? What… is going on with him?”
His worries were not uncalled for.
Xiao Zhiyuan said, “Father, I found out years after I got married to Yuechan, that she had a male friend whom she was very close to. It made me very uncomfortable and I went out for a few drinks. In the end… I reckon that she had gotten pregnant with that kid at that time.”
After that incident, he had looked that woman up in a bid to make it up to her. However, he felt rather guilty because it was his first time betraying his marriage. Hence, he did not dare to be too brazen and kept all communications discreet. At last, he did not follow up, and who would have known… that it would blow up into an irreversible mistake.
Old Mr. Xiao looked at him and asked, “What do you plan to do?”
His face turned sullen. He had never taken Chu Jingnan seriously, for he already had a pair of outstanding grandchildren. He felt that illegitimate children were shameful, and he would never acknowledge Chu Jingnan.
Xiao Zhiyuan was reminded of the outstanding Chu Jingnan and felt like he was stuck in a dilemma.
Old Mr. Xiao sneered. “Zhiyuan, stop being weak and vulnerable. We’re in an unfavorable position now, and once Chu Jingnan’s identity is confirmed, we will be at a loss.”
Hanging his head low, Xiao Zhiyuan answered, “Father, I understand. I’ll handle this accordingly.”
Old Mr. Xiao spoke in a mellower tone, “He’s still the flesh and blood of the Xiao Family, after all. I won’t be so heartless as to leave him in the lurch. However, Chu Jingnan is the cause of all the trouble we’re in now. If the fact that he’s your illegitimate son is exposed, you’ll lose your position in the Xiao Family. Even I won’t be able to protect you. If this matter gets blown up, our reputation and interests will suffer irreversible damage. And most importantly… your wife will be upset!”
Lin Yuechan’s father held 15% of the Xiao Corporation’s shares and was one of the major shareholders. He was already extremely displeased with the Xiao Family because of Xiao Zhiyuan’s mistresses. At this juncture, they could not afford to lose the support of the Lin Family!
“Father, don’t worry. I won’t let her find out about my illegitimate son.” Xiao Zhiyuan was obviously well aware of that fact and hence, he only hesitated for a moment. Compared to the Xiao Family’s interests, Chu Jingnan did not matter much to him.
Old Mr. Xiao nodded and said, “I’ve never interacted with that Chu Jingnan before, though I’ve heard about what he’s done. I think he’s overly ambitious and scheming. Nothing in this world is that coincidental. He happened to join the Xiao Corporation and get into your good books. I doubt that occurred by chance. You must be wary of him.”
The Xiao Family was already in a chaotic situation, and he did not want the family to be ruined any further or for his grandchildren to be upset all because of an illegitimate son.
Xiao Zhiyuan took a deep breath and said, “Father, you’re right. We didn’t know that he was the Xiao Family’s flesh and blood and hence, I didn’t keep my guard up against him previously. Now that we do, I definitely have to be wary.”
Although it was a pity because of how outstanding Chu Jingnan was, Xiao Chengyu was not exactly inferior. He only lacked experience in business management. Since Xiao Zhiyuan was still strong and healthy, he could merely give Xiao Chengyu more guidance.
Chu Jingnan had no idea that the Xiao Family… had already decided his fate without his knowledge.
