Chapter 375: Nobody Wants to Be a Marionette
The applause was thunderous.
Even the reluctant Ouyang Family could only clap and offer their congratulations, to say nothing of everyone else.
Under the gazes of the crowd, Xiao Ye offered a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You could say we have some history."
"When you get back, send someone to negotiate with the United Group. Get them to partner with us as quickly as possible."
If they were too slow, the profits they stood to gain would shrink.
'Before I have a complete falling out with the Angel Association, I can definitely use this opportunity to rake in a ton of cash. The more, the better!'
'I'll use it to build Hope elementary schools and invest in national development.'
'After all, it's money from Country A. I won't feel bad no matter how I spend it.'
"Yes!" The Xiao Family members were thrilled, clearly rolling up their sleeves and ready to make a killing.
The Xiao Family, in its current state, really did need a big deal to pull them up.
The members of the Fifth Clan looked at Xiao Ye, a faint sense of crisis rising in their hearts.
Their Fifth Clan had never taken the Xiao Family seriously before.
'A family controlled by a woman with a different surname... you don't even have to think about it to know how useless it must be.'
But unexpectedly, Xiao Ye, the son of the previous Patriarch, had appeared out of nowhere and was leading the Xiao Family to greater and greater heights.
If the Xiao Family was allowed to continue developing, they might actually change the current balance of power.
It seemed the Fifth Clan needed to rise to prominence as soon as possible, too.
Otherwise, if they kept treading water, they'd just be overtaken and left in the dust by those who came after them!
When the applause died down, Linton stood on the high platform and announced again, "Alright, next up is the cocktail party."
"I know you've all been waiting for this. We have a full selection of drinks and food, guaranteed to satisfy everyone!"
"If you need anything, just find one of the servers. For now, please enjoy yourselves!"
"Let's all raise our glasses and have a good time!"
The members of the Ouyang Clan, their faces dark, could not bear to stay any longer. They left in a hurry as soon as Linton finished his announcement.
The Fifth Clan was next to leave.
Although they felt a sense of crisis, they had no intention of getting involved in the United Group's business.
The Fifth Clan was an Ancient Inheritance Clan; they had their own beliefs and standards.
The United Group was indeed an excellent opportunity, but because it came from Country A, the Fifth Clan disapproved of it.
Zhu Chen drained his glass, looked at Xiao Ye, and gave him a slight nod.
He set down his glass. "Let's go, too. There's no need for the Zhu family to stay and join the crowd."
In the blink of an eye, three of the four great Hidden Clans had left.
The remaining families all swarmed toward the Xiao Family.
Some explained their business ideas, hoping to attract more investment.
Others wanted to partner with the Xiao Family.
But Xiao Ye rejected them all. Their pitches were all style and no substance. To put it bluntly, they just saw that the Xiao Family had deep pockets and were looking to cash in.
The cocktail party went on for a full two hours before finally winding down.
Linton personally escorted Xiao Ye and Jin Mingzhu to the entrance. "Mr. Xiao, I'm very much looking forward to our upcoming collaboration."
"As am I," Xiao Ye said. He then gentlemanly helped Jin Mingzhu into the car and left without a backward glance.
Linton watched the car drive away and sneered. "Xiao Ye, you're acting so tough right now."
"There will come a day when you'll suffer. And when that time comes, you'll bend the knee whether you want to or not!"
「In the car.」
Jin Mingzhu, who had appeared to be slightly tipsy, instantly became clear-headed. "What's the plan now?"
Xiao Ye took out his phone and dialed the Zhu family's number. "It's been a while since the Ouyang Family matter began. I trust you've handled everything."
"You can start wrapping things up now. I want you to make sure Li Mao has complete control of the Ouyang Family within seven days!"
"I don't care what methods you use, just get it done!"
「Meanwhile, at the Ouyang residence.」
Li Mao, who had finally been accepted into the main family, was resting in his room.
Seeing the number on the screen, he immediately answered respectfully. "Sir, why the sudden call? Is there something I've done wrong?"
"No, you've done very well. But tomorrow, we start wrapping things up!"
Li Mao couldn't hide his excitement. "Wrapping things up? Does that mean... I'm going to become the Patriarch of the Ouyang Family?"
The Ouyang Family had many members. Only illegitimate children who were exceptionally intelligent, valuable in their own right, or useful to the family had a chance of being brought into the main household.
As for the rest, they could only live honestly on the outside.
Although their lives were still much more comfortable than that of the average person, they were a far cry from the legitimate younger generation of the Ouyang Family.
Li Mao originally thought he would never be able to enter the Ouyang Family in his lifetime.
But he never imagined that not only had the opportunity arrived, but he could even become the Patriarch!
This was something he wouldn't have dared to dream of!
"That's right. Within a week, you will be the Patriarch of the Ouyang Family."
"If you want to succeed, you must do exactly as we say!"
Li Mao hastily agreed. He already knew how formidable this person behind the scenes was. "I promise I'll listen to you!"
"Good. Tomorrow, you'll go to the Ouyang Family's corporate headquarters. My people will meet you there and give you a share transfer agreement."
'This share agreement was something they had gone to great lengths to obtain.'
After hanging up, Li Mao couldn't contain his excitement.
He was finally going to become the Patriarch of the Ouyang Family!
However, he also knew that the person behind the scenes wasn't helping him because they valued his talent.
Li Mao was very clear-headed. He knew he was an utterly mediocre guy.
'So they must have other motives!'
'That leaves only one possibility: they want to control the Ouyang Clan through me!'
Li Mao took a deep breath and looked at his phone. 'Whether they want to control me or not, at least I'm about to become the Patriarch of the Ouyang Family.'
'Once I'm truly the Patriarch, I'll slowly scheme and will definitely be able to seize complete control of the Ouyang Family's power for myself!'
No one wants to be a puppet on a string!
Li Mao had no idea that every word he just said had been transmitted directly to Zhu Chen's ears through the surveillance software on his phone.
He was the mastermind behind it all!
A corner of Zhu Chen's mouth lifted. He had long since discovered that Li Mao wasn't as honest as he appeared.
'When they first made contact, the man was terrified, not daring to question any of their decisions.'
'But slowly, his appetite grew. He started thinking he could have achieved his current success on his own, and naturally, his loyalty wavered.'
'But it doesn't matter. Ambition that isn't backed by ability just needs to be shattered!'
「The next day.」
Li Mao got up early and went to the entrance of the Ouyang residence.
A car slowly pulled to a stop.
Inside sat a man wearing glasses. He was one of the figures from the mastermind's think tank.
He didn't belong to any of the great families and came from an ordinary background, but because he was exceptionally intelligent, he was given the opportunity to work for the Zhu family.
"Hello," the man said coolly. "I am your new assistant. My name is Xin Cheng."
"From today onward, I will be handling all work-related matters. As for you... your only job is to act the part. Do you understand what I mean?"