The quiet manor didn't feel lively despite the large number of people; instead, it had an inexplicable eerie atmosphere.
Gu Mai led two people into the huge conference room, where sparse discussions could still be heard.
Everyone stared at him with eyes like hawks, as if they wanted to tear some flesh off him, their greed undisguised.
"I didn't expect you all to be here. I'm late," he said, walking straight to the head seat and sitting down.
The man who was humiliated and silenced by Gu Mai last time still spoke first this time.
"Head of the family," a respectful title, but without any real respect, he straightened his back and looked at Gu Mai, "The royal investigation team is about to arrive at the manor. I'd like to know what strategies the head of the family has to deal with it."
"What can I do to deal with the mess you've created?"
The words were thrown back at him again.
Knowing this wasn't the time to argue, the person next to him gently tugged at him, "These things have been going on for a long time. The old family has been in power for so many years, and they've never been exposed before! Why is it that the royal family only discovered it so soon after you took the throne?"
His words were full of criticism.
But Gu Mai's expression was completely different from his; he seemed relaxed. Even Gu Mi, who was standing next to him, had no idea what he was up to.
"Doesn't that further demonstrate that the collateral branches are incompetent? What they could clean up before, they can't clean up now?"
"You! You're just making excuses. If you were capable, the royal investigation team wouldn't have had to force their way into the manor."
Gu Mai seemed to have reverted to his old self before he became the head of the family, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalant air.
"So, who can save the family from this predicament? Hmm?" The rising tone revealed no hint of lightness, but rather a threatening and oppressive feeling.
“This…”, the previously aggressive branch hesitated.
Although everyone strongly supports Gu Mi, they all know that although they all grew up under the old man's mentorship, Gu Mi is reckless and impulsive, and apart from his ruthless and vicious methods, he has almost no qualities that would make him worthy of being regarded as the lord of the city.
When Gu Mai saw the old man from the southern branch nod, the men who had been standing and attacking him obediently sat down.
This strange situation actually made Gu Mai quite interested.
It seems there are more than one or two people who want to be the head of the family.
Then, he spoke up: "Patriarch, what he said just now wasn't entirely unreasonable. Although you've been active in Jiangcheng recently, I've also received some news. I'd like to ask you, why have you been repeatedly obstructed by Orland in Jiangcheng? I'd like to know if this is a personal grudge or a family feud?"
When confronted with questions, Gu Mai did not refute them verbally, but his silence gave everyone hope.
"Oh? So the Southern family means that their aggressive exposure of the collateral branches' 'business practices' is aimed at me alone? If you make me step down, the group will be better off?"
A large crowd sat below the stage, waiting for him to continue.
“The head of the Southern Family has his reasons for thinking this way, and I think it’s what most people think too. Since that’s the case…” He glanced at the person beside him, “Gu Mi has also received training as an heir. Apart from the third brother, he is the only one here who is qualified to become the head of the family. Then let him handle this crisis. Is everyone satisfied?”
The huge conference room became even quieter because of his words. Gu Mi could not hide his excitement and almost wanted to slam his fist on the table.
It feels like a dream. Is it really that easy to become the head of the family?
The group of branch managers below the stage were completely silent, as if none of them had expected that he would give up his position so easily.
The Southern Clan Head, who had just been speaking eloquently and making accusations, now looked extremely pale.
It was common knowledge that Gu Mi could not become the head of the family, especially since the two brothers had always been at odds.
The head of the Southern family dared to openly attack him only because he had learned of this news. He was certain that Gu Mai would not hand over the position to Gu Mi.
If someone seizes the opportunity and pushes him to the top, that would be the best outcome.
But Gu Mai caught everyone off guard.
"I hope everyone will support me as the 'acting head of the family'. Since this is a personal matter, my withdrawal will surely quell the storm soon."
"Don't you think so, my dear brother?"
It felt like the tension that was about to erupt inside had been turned into a dud by Gu Mai's decision to step down, leaving no trace.
He had his assistant prepare the authorization and agency materials in advance, as if he had been well-prepared.
Gu Mi didn't even read the terms carefully before signing his name at the bottom.
Although he had already handed over his position, Gu Mai still spoke with a hint of warning as he got up to leave: "Now that the family head's affairs are settled, I think you all need to clean up your messes, otherwise, the family's downfall is only a matter of time."
It was only after the incident where their ship was intercepted that Gu Mai learned that someone in his family was crossing the royal line.
The old man left behind a huge mess. Even if he wanted to clean it up, it wouldn't be a matter of a day or two, not to mention that he was busy with the retreat from Jiangcheng at the time.
However, Gu Mai felt that the "personal grudge" was not just a wild guess.
He had this feeling before when he was in Jiangcheng, but he didn't have any clues and couldn't make a conclusion.
The next morning, he received a message from his assistant.
[Patriarch, Patriarch Orland wishes to meet with you.]
【knew. 】
Gu Mai pushed open the door to the quiet private room.
Zhuo Wen and his usual assistant Shi Yu had arrived long ago.
The moment the door closed, the temperature inside seemed to drop, giving off a strange chill. Both sides looked at each other with a hint of wariness.
However, Gu Mai did not seem to show any disappointment at being impeached, which made Zhuo Wen, who was expressionless, feel a little resentful.
Gu Mai saw that expression on his face again. "I wonder if Mr. Zhuo has something to discuss with me?"
"Of course there is something. I think you are a forgetful person, so I'm here to remind you."
He pushed the paper bag next to him over, and because the stacks were so high, a few pieces of paper spilled out of the open bag.
Gu Mai naturally saw it too; it was a photo of a branch of a family illegally mining royal mines.
This means that the Sko family's affairs are indeed related to the Orland family.
“Steig and Orland have always kept to themselves. Mr. Zhuo’s actions have disrupted the original balance. Even if he brings down the Steig family, Orland himself will be affected.”
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