Chapter 171

"Even though Darryl committed a terrible crime, as his father, you must also be punished!" Old Master Darby declared coldly. "If you don't admit your wrongdoing today, I will beat you to death myself."

Smack! Smack!

The cane struck Darryl's father repeatedly, causing fresh blood to flow onto the floor.

Luna cried uncontrollably, her voice nearly gone. "Please stop! Please stop hitting him! If this continues, you'll kill him!"

"Stop hitting him?" Yumi stepped forward toward Old Master Darby. "Grandpa, I think Daniel Darby won’t apologize until he's on his deathbed. He probably believes you’re too old and compassionate to cause him real harm."

"Yes, Grandpa! If we don't punish Darryl and his parents, how will the others feel?" several voices from the crowd echoed.

Old Master Darby’s face turned pale with anger. "Bring out the domestic discipline!"

Tzzz!

At the mention of those words, most of the family members gasped, while Daniel’s face drained of color, and his body began trembling. The Darby family’s *domestic discipline* was infamous for its cruelty—an ancient form of torture involving a heated copper pillar. It was designed to inflict unimaginable pain.

The hall fell into a tense silence. A large copper pillar was brought forward, and the servants began coating it with oil to prepare for the burning.

"I’ll ask you one last time—do you admit you were wrong?" Old Master Darby’s gaze pierced through Daniel.

Dripping with sweat, Daniel trembled, but he remained firm. "Darryl didn’t do this. He would never commit such a crime!" Daniel’s voice was filled with conviction as he locked eyes with Old Master Darby.

"How dare you!" Yumi stormed forward and slapped Daniel hard across the face. "How dare you defy us! Your son is lower than filth, and you still refuse to acknowledge it!"

"Put him on the copper pillar!" Old Master Darby ordered in rage.

Hearing the command, several young members of the family tied Daniel up with ropes and dragged him toward the burning pillar.

"No! No, please!" Luna screamed, collapsing as she watched helplessly.

The copper pillar glowed red-hot. Daniel knew once he touched it, he was as good as dead.

"You still won't admit your mistake? Put him on it!" Old Master Darby’s voice echoed coldly.

With that, the men forcefully pushed Daniel onto the burning pillar.

"Ahh!" A loud, agonizing scream filled the hall. Daniel’s skin scorched as he cried out.  

"My son is innocent! My son would never do such a thing!" Tears streamed down Daniel’s face as his body was consumed by the unbearable heat.

Suddenly, a furious shout erupted from the entrance.

"What the f***!"

Darryl burst through the doors, wielding the Blood Drinking Sword, his eyes bloodshot, looking like a man possessed. Behind him was Dax Sanders, brandishing an ax, followed by hundreds of muscular men dressed in black.

"You’re unforgivable! All of you!" Darryl was beyond reason, swinging his sword wildly at anyone who crossed his path.

Seeing his father being burned alive had driven him into a blind rage. His mind was consumed with only one thought: Kill! Kill! Kill!

At that moment, the only word reverberating in his head was Kill!

"You bastard!" Old Master Darby shouted, rising to his feet, trembling with fury as he pointed at Darryl. "You traitorous wretch! How dare you show your face here! Take him down! Take him down now!"

With his command, the younger members of the family rushed forward. But at Dax’s signal, 200 of Darryl’s men charged in, overwhelming the room like a tidal wave. Chaos erupted instantly.

Chapter 172

"Dad! Dad!" Darryl shouted, his voice cracking as he hurriedly cut the ropes binding his father and held him in his arms. Daniel's body was almost beyond recognition, burnt, and reeking of scorched flesh mixed with blood. His clothes and skin had fused together from the torture.

"Son... tell me... did you do it? Did you commit such a thing?" Daniel's lips, pale as ash, barely moved as he spoke, the agony too much to bear.

"I didn’t! I didn’t!" Darryl sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.

"That’s... good..." Daniel managed a faint smile, his strength fading fast. His eyes closed, leaving it uncertain whether he was alive or dead.

"Dad! Dad, please! Don’t scare me! Don’t leave me!" Darryl's screams echoed throughout the hall, shaking his father's limp body, but there was no response.

Yumi, her voice laced with contempt, stepped forward in her high heels. "Stop screaming. Whether your father’s dead or not, he deserves it!" She pointed at Darryl. "You were raised in this mansion, and now you bring men here to cause chaos. Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?"

Bam!  

Darryl stood up slowly, his eyes burning red with fury as he walked toward Yumi, one step at a time.

"Wha-what are you doing?" Yumi stammered, her body trembling under the weight of his murderous gaze.

Smack!  

Without warning, Darryl swung his hand, slapping Yumi with brutal force. She flew through the air, landing ten meters away. Blood spilled from her mouth.

Before she could even rise, Darryl was on her again, slapping her over and over.

Slap! Slap! Slap!  

The sharp sound of each slap echoed in the silent hall, chilling everyone to the bone. Old Master Darby dropped his walking stick, struggling to breathe as he watched in horror. He couldn’t utter a single word.

"Darryl! How dare you hit your sister-in-law!" Florian roared as he grabbed a stick and charged at Darryl.

Smack!  

The stick shattered against Darryl’s body like it had struck solid stone. Darryl turned his head slowly, his expression unreadable.

Smack!  

He slapped Florian with the same brutal force, sending him flying across the room until he slammed into the wall and crumpled to the floor. Before Florian could even touch the ground, Darryl was on him, gripping his neck with iron-like strength.

Florian gasped for air, his face turning a sickly purplish-blue as Darryl tightened his hold, a cold, distant smile playing on his lips.

"Three years ago, you accused me of stealing from the family and cast me out," Darryl said, his voice calm but filled with rage. "Yet every penny of the eight million I used for oil stocks was my own. Not a single coin belonged to you!"

Florian could barely respond, struggling for breath, his strength fading.

"A month ago, I invested 30 billion dollars in the Darby clan. All of you accused me of having ulterior motives, but all I wanted was to repay the kindness you showed me when I was young," Darryl continued, his grip tightening further. "Even though you treated me like garbage, I never thought of repaying you the same way. Then, last week, when Jackson’s wife was assaulted, you all blamed me! I said I didn’t do it, but none of you believed me!" Darryl’s voice boomed, filling the hall as everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

Dong!  

Darryl released his grip, and Florian collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately for air, clutching his throat.

Meanwhile, Dax’s men had subdued all the Darby family members. They lay beaten, broken, and helpless on the floor. The room was silent. The tension was so thick you could hear a pin drop.

"I, Darryl Darby, was raised and nurtured by Grandpa. Now, my father lies on the edge of life and death," Darryl declared, his voice filled with power as he raised his sword, the weight of his words filling the room. "If my father lives, our debts are settled. But if my father dies, I will make sure every single one of you dies with him."

Vroom!  

Thunder cracked, and lightning illuminated the dark sky as rain began pouring down in torrents. Darryl, his face expressionless, walked out of the mansion, carrying his father in his arms, leaving the hall in eerie silence.

Chapter 173

Once Darryl was out of sight, Yumi struggled to her feet and hurried toward Old Master Darby. "Grandpa, this is unacceptable!" she cried, her face swollen and stained with blood, still bearing the imprint of Darryl’s slap.

Old Master Darby, visibly trembling, ignored her outburst. His eyes shifted to the entrance, where Dax Sanders stood with his hundreds of men. The once grand hall was now littered with beaten Darby clan members, blood smeared across the floor.

"Who are you?" Old Master Darby demanded, directing his question at Dax.

Dax strode forward, smiling calmly. "My first name’s Dax. Last name Sanders."

The room collectively gasped. The name "Dax Sanders" was infamous in Donghai City, known to all.

Old Master Darby slowly rose to his feet. "The Sanders... What business do you have here in Darby Mansion? Why are you involving yourself in our family’s matters?"

Yumi, regaining her composure, quickly chimed in, "Exactly! The Darbys have nothing to do with the Sanders. Why are you here?"

Despite Dax’s notorious background in the underworld, the Darby clan was the wealthiest in Jiangnan. If it came to a conflict, the Darbys had the resources to challenge the Sanders, but such a confrontation was risky.

Dax crossed his arms behind his back, his tone calm and measured. "I have no interest in meddling with your family affairs," he began, pausing slightly. "But if you harm Darryl, you harm me." A faint smile crept onto his face.

The hall buzzed with whispers. How could Darryl, the disgraced live-in son-in-law, have such powerful connections?Yumi stood silently, nervous but too afraid to speak.

Old Master Darby went quiet for a moment before locking eyes with Dax. "Young man, you seem loyal. I appreciate that Darryl has a friend like you," he said. "But Darryl has made a grave mistake. He brought shame to the Darby clan, and he must be punished."

Dax's face darkened. "What mistake could he possibly have made that would justify burning his father alive? What shame did he bring to your clan that you punished his family so cruelly?" His fists clenched in anger.

Old Master Darby's face flushed with embarrassment. He was hesitant to explain, but Yumi, ever eager to disgrace Darryl further, spoke up.

"Let me tell you then!" she sneered. "Darryl disgraced the Darby name by becoming the Lyndon family’s live-in son-in-law. And if that wasn’t enough, he also assaulted his sister-in-law!" Her cold smile only deepened as she relished the accusations.

Dax frowned as he listened. He didn’t believe a word she said, finding it hard to understand how someone so outwardly beautiful could harbor such a vicious spirit.

"Enough," Dax interrupted, his voice sharp. He swung his ax into one of the mansion’s pillars, splitting it clean in half. The crashing sound reverberated through the room, startling everyone present.

"I don’t care for your lies," Dax stated firmly, enunciating every word. "From now on, anyone who dares to cross Darryl will answer to me—and they won’t survive it."

With that final declaration, Dax gestured to his men, and they filed out of the mansion without another word.

Old Master Darby stood frozen, watching Dax leave. His family members were similarly silent, too stunned to react. Dax’s parting words echoed in the air like a thunderclap. Who would have thought that punishing Darryl would provoke someone like Dax Sanders?

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" Yumi was the first to break the silence, clutching her bruised face. "We can’t just let them get away with this! Dax Sanders had no right to interfere in our family business and harm us like this. We have to do something!"

Chapter 174

Old Master Darby glanced across the bloodied hall, his eyes scanning the Darby members sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain. Some were seriously injured, and others... might not have survived.

"Call the medics! Take stock of the injured," Old Master Darby ordered, his breath heavy and uneven. Drake, standing by his side, quickly moved to organize the care for the wounded. The mansion buzzed with an undercurrent of resentment and hatred, the atmosphere thick with anger.

Yumi, still bleeding from her lips, the mark of Darryl’s hand vivid on her face, spoke up, her voice trembling with rage. "Grandpa, why didn’t you fight back?!" Her anger flared as the sting of Darryl's slap burned her face, fueling the hatred in her eyes.

Old Master Darby remained silent, his face clouded in thought. Yumi pressed on, but before she could say more, Florian emerged from the corner where he had been hiding.

"Shut up!" Florian snapped at her. "You saw what happened! Dax Sanders brought hundreds of men. What was Grandpa supposed to do against that?"

Yumi's fury only intensified at Florian's words. "How dare you yell at me! Where were you when Dax showed up? Hiding in the corner, terrified! Now you want to act tough and scream at your wife? What kind of man are you? How did I end up marrying someone as useless as you?"

Her words cut deep, and Florian's face turned crimson with embarrassment. He had no response, knowing full well that Yumi was right. He stood there, silenced, his anger deflated as Yumi's tirade continued.

Meanwhile, Old Master Darby let out a long, weary sigh. He turned to Drake, who was watching the situation unfold with a mix of apprehension and guilt.

"Drake, follow me," Old Master Darby commanded, his voice cold and distant as he walked out of the main hall.

Drake followed closely behind, his heart racing. As the patriarch of the Darby clan, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He knew that, in part, this disastrous situation was his fault.

The two entered the Darby Private Room, a small, modest space where Old Master Darby had spent five years in seclusion, cultivating. The room, simple and unadorned, was a stark contrast to the chaos of the mansion. To Drake, it felt suffocating, a place of solemnity and quiet judgment.

Once inside, Drake immediately dropped to his knees, his face full of remorse. "Father, I’m to blame for this mess. As clan leader, I failed to handle the situation, and it escalated beyond control. Even what happened just now—it's my fault. Please, punish me."

Though uneasy, Drake was calculating. He knew that offering himself up for punishment might spare him from harsher consequences.

Old Master Darby, seeing his son’s self-accusation, sighed deeply. "Drake, stand up. It’s not your fault," he said.

Drake stood, relieved by his father’s words. But his relief was short-lived.

"Dad, now that Dax Sanders has gotten involved, what should we do next?" Drake asked, his tone cautious.

Old Master Darby’s face grew even more serious as he replied. "Since it’s come to this, I’ve decided that from today forward, our family will begin cultivating. We’ve made a fortune in business over the years, but what good is all that money? It’s just an external possession, meaningless if we don’t have the strength to defend ourselves."

Drake nodded, understanding the gravity of his father’s decision. Old Master Darby had realized a bitter truth—no matter how wealthy the Darby clan became, without true power, they were vulnerable. If the Darby members had been cultivators, they would have fought back and defeated Dax Sanders and his men. But it wasn’t too late to change.

Unbeknownst to them, Jackson was eavesdropping just outside the room, his face twisting in thought. Cultivate the entire clan? he mused. If every member of the Darby clan became a cultivator, no one—not even Dax Sanders, Brandon Guy, or Abby Guy—would dare challenge them. The Darby clan would be untouchable.

A deadly gleam flickered in Jackson’s eyes as his fists clenched tightly.

Darryl, I thought of you as a brother. Yet, you assaulted my wife. Fine. You started this. Now, I’ll do the same to you—I’ll go after your wife.

Chapter 175

Drake stood in stunned silence at Old Master Darby’s words. Turning the entire family into cultivators? It seemed impossible. His mind raced as he tried to process the enormity of the plan.

“But, Dad, to make someone a cultivator, we’d need a Spiritual Herb or a Spiritual Elixir. Both are incredibly rare. No matter how much money we have, it’s nearly impossible to obtain them without the right connections,” Drake pointed out, still skeptical.

Spiritual Herbs were the same thing Darryl had consumed—given to him by Brandon and Abby Guy—that had turned him into a cultivator. The Elixir, derived from the Spiritual Herb, was even more potent and pure, but incredibly difficult to find.

Old Master Darby remained calm, waving off Drake’s concerns. “Don’t worry about that. I know Priest Brian from the Wudang Sect. He can supply us with the Spiritual Elixir. Years ago, he gave me the ‘Easy Breath Practice,’ which I’ve been cultivating. For him, obtaining the Elixir will be no issue at all.”

Hearing this, Drake’s eyes lit up with relief and joy. “Yes, Dad. I’ll get started on a list of our clan’s most capable members right away.”

Just then, the clicking of heels echoed from outside the room. Yumi entered, her face still swollen from Darryl’s slap, her anger barely contained.

“Grandpa, we’ve counted the injured members. Seven are in the hospital’s emergency room, and we don’t know if they’ll make it. Another ten are severely wounded. When have we ever been humiliated like this? We can’t just sit by and do nothing!” Yumi’s voice quivered with fury.

With a loud smack, Old Master Darby hit the table, his eyes blazing. “This isn’t over. Darryl and Sanders—this will never be over!”

---

Meanwhile, at Donghai City First Hospital, Lily walked hurriedly down the hallway with a fruit basket in her hands, her heels clicking against the floor. Behind her was Samantha, her face a mask of disinterest. The pair caught the attention of several men in the corridor—Lily, with her slender frame and short skirt, and Samantha, despite being in her thirties, looking striking with a well-maintained figure.

Men whispered to each other, some glancing enviously. Whoever was married to a woman like Lily was indeed a lucky man.

Lily, however, paid no attention to them. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Darryl. She didn’t know the details of what had transpired the night before when Darryl rushed off with Dax after a phone call. All she knew was that Darryl’s father had been admitted to the hospital, severely injured.

This was the first time Lily had ever thought of visiting Darryl’s parents, as she had never met them before. Over time, she had started feeling a stronger sense of security with Darryl, and now she felt it was her duty as his wife to visit his father.

“Lily, is it even worth visiting Darryl’s father? He’s not dead, is he? You could’ve come alone—why drag me along? I had a facial appointment with my friends! It’s embarrassing to visit someone like Darryl’s father. They’re nobodies!” Samantha complained loudly, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Mom, please lower your voice,” Lily urged, biting her lip. “Lately, Darryl’s been working hard. Stop looking down on him. Besides, after three years of marriage, we’ve never even met each other’s parents. Now that his father is in the hospital, it’s only right we visit.”

Samantha huffed, momentarily silenced. 

“Fine, fine. I’ll say a quick hello and leave. I hate hospitals, all the germs everywhere,” she muttered.

As they approached the ward, laughter drifted from inside. Lily and Samantha exchanged a glance, their steps faltering.

“Is that a young woman’s voice? Didn’t you say only Darryl and his mother were in there?” Samantha asked, her brows knitting in suspicion.

Lily frowned, remaining silent as the sound of the woman’s voice filled her with a sense of unease.

Chapter 176

Lily froze for a moment, hearing the sweet voice of another woman inside the hospital ward. The thought of someone else being close to Darryl gnawed at her, and her mood darkened. Who is this woman? What is she to Darryl? she wondered, her stomach twisting with unease.

Peeking through the window, she could see Daniel Darby, Darryl's father, lying in the hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages and connected to machines. Bloodstains marked his bandages, and several blood bags hung beside him. His condition seemed severe—he was lucky to be alive after the brutal torture he'd endured.

Luna sat beside him, smiling warmly. Daniel had barely survived the night, but thanks to Darryl’s good relationship with Shelly Sullivan, the hospital director, he was still breathing. Shelly had gone out of her way to ensure Daniel received the best care possible. Today, Shelly wasn’t in her usual white coat but wore a simple dress, sitting by the bed telling jokes to lighten the mood. Despite her normally serious demeanor, she was doing her best to cheer up Darryl’s parents.

“Uncle Daniel, back in high school during my first math class, the teacher introduced himself as Stan Dupp,” Shelly began with a grin. “I don’t know what I was thinking, but I just blurted out, ‘I wonder why we’re all sitting when he’s standing up?’ His face turned green, and I spent the rest of the day standing!”

Daniel chuckled heartily, clearly enjoying her company. The room was filled with laughter, and it was obvious that Shelly’s presence had been a great comfort to Daniel and his wife.

Just then, the door burst open as Lily and Samantha stomped in, heels clicking sharply on the floor. They had been eavesdropping outside the ward, and Lily couldn’t stand the joyful atmosphere inside any longer. The sight of another woman so comfortable around Darryl’s family made her feel sick with suspicion.

“Who is this woman?” Lily asked, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Shelly.

The room fell silent instantly.

Darryl was the first to break the tension, quickly stepping forward. “Lily, you’re here!” he said, reaching for the fruit basket she carried. He turned to his parents, his voice filled with forced cheerfulness. “Dad, Mom, this is Lily Lyndon, my wife. And beside her is my mother-in-law, Samantha.”

Although Darryl noticed their lack of enthusiasm, he was still relieved they had come to visit. 

Lily, her face set in a straight, emotionless expression, greeted them softly, “Dad, Mom.” But her eyes were fixated on Shelly, brimming with suspicion.

“Lily, this is the hospital director, Shelly Sullivan,” Darryl said with a forced smile, introducing Shelly.

Samantha, however, wasn’t having it. She marched forward, her voice sharp. “Director Sullivan? Darryl, I didn’t know you were on such good terms with a hospital director. Who is she to you, exactly? You two seem awfully close.”

Shelly quickly tried to clarify, feeling the tension rising. “Auntie, please don’t misunderstand. I’m just a friend of Brother Darryl.”

Samantha scoffed, unimpressed by the explanation. “Tsk, tsk, you call him ‘Brother’? That’s what you call ‘just friends’? I’m disgusted by how you’re addressing him like that.” She shot a pointed glare at Darryl. “Darryl, looks like you’re doing quite well for yourself—flirting with other women right under Lily’s nose. Don’t you feel ashamed? Don’t you feel guilty?”

Shelly’s face flushed with embarrassment, her patience nearly snapping at the insult. Why is this woman speaking to me like that? Shelly thought, holding back her anger.

Daniel, sensing the growing tension, tried to intervene with a weak laugh. “Oh, Samantha, don’t get worked up. It’s not what you think. Shelly is just a friend of Darryl’s. She helped save my life. She’s been so kind to us.”

Samantha wasn’t swayed in the least. “Tsk, tsk, you’re defending her, are you? Seems like this ‘cheap’ woman has gotten cozy with your family, huh? If you like her so much, why don’t you ask your son to be with her? Then I can get Lily a better husband.”

Her words dripped with venom, using the situation to tear Darryl down, as she had never liked him from the start.

“You...” Daniel’s face turned purple with rage, his breath coming in short, furious bursts. He was too weak to argue, but Samantha’s words cut deep.

Chapter 177

The atmosphere in the room had become incredibly tense. Darryl stood silently, his expression darkening. He had thought Lily and Samantha were there to visit his injured father, but it was clear now—they had come to stir up trouble. In the three years of their marriage, they had never visited his parents, and now, on this first visit, Samantha had chosen to insult and antagonize them. Worse still, Lily remained quiet, not offering a single word to stop her mother's cruel remarks.

“Darryl, what are you staring at? What now? Do you think we came here just to cause a scene?” Samantha snapped, her tone laced with mockery.

“I never said that,” Darryl responded coldly. “You’re the one who said it.”

His indifference only angered Samantha more. 

“What’s this attitude of yours?” she yelled. “You’re cheating on Lily right in front of us, and you’re still trying to defend yourself?”

Darryl wasn’t interested in entertaining her accusations any further. He remained silent.

Daniel, sensing the rising tension, attempted to intervene. “Samantha, please calm down. You’ve misunderstood—”

“You shut your mouth!” Samantha cut him off harshly. “Your useless son has been living under our roof for three years, eating our food, and doing absolutely nothing to repay us! If I had a son like him, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.”

Daniel’s face flushed with anger, his breathing becoming labored. He had already suffered a heart attack a few days ago, and now, after being brutally tortured, his weakened body was struggling to cope with the stress Samantha was putting him under.

Seeing his father in such distress, Darryl’s temper flared. Enough was enough.

“I didn’t make any contributions, you say?” Darryl’s voice rose, his anger barely contained. “Your daughter holds 51% of the shares in the Lyndon family business. Wasn’t that because of me?”

Samantha let out a mocking laugh. “Hah! Darryl, where do you get the nerve to spew such ridiculous lies?”

“If you don’t believe me, ask your daughter,” Darryl replied coolly, no longer interested in explaining himself.

As the argument escalated, Daniel’s condition worsened. His breathing became ragged, and he looked on the verge of collapse. Shelly, who had been silently observing, could no longer stay quiet. She knew Daniel’s fragile condition couldn’t handle this stress any longer.

“Please, stop fighting!” Shelly pleaded, stepping forward. “The patient can’t be agitated. Can’t you talk things through without shouting?”

Samantha, however, was in no mood to listen. “Shut your mouth, you cheap woman!” she barked, stepping menacingly toward Shelly. “Who gave you the right to speak? You know Darryl is married, yet here you are, flirting with him. Don’t you have any shame?”

Samantha shot a cold glance at Daniel. “He’s fine, isn’t he? I’m just saying a few words. He won’t die from that.”

That was the breaking point for Darryl. His eyes turned bloodshot, and his voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Shut up. Get out.”

The entire ward fell into an uneasy silence. His chilling tone sent a shiver through the room. Even Lily, who had been silent, felt shaken—not out of fear, but from a strange coldness that seemed to fill the air.

“Darryl, what now? Are you planning to hit my mom? Or maybe hit me?” Lily challenged, finding her voice again after the shock.

“I don’t want to talk to you right now,” Darryl replied, his fists clenched in frustration. “Get out.”

Lily shivered again, taking a deep breath. “Mom, let’s go,” she said coldly. Without another word, both women stormed out of the ward, their heels clicking loudly against the floor as they left.

The tension in the room remained thick even after their departure. A while later, Shelly hesitantly approached Darryl, biting her lip in guilt. “Brother Darryl, I’m so sorry. This misunderstanding was because of me...”

Shelly had become the hospital director thanks to Darryl’s help, and the last thing she wanted was to damage his marriage. The thought of being the cause of his problems weighed heavily on her.

Darryl sighed deeply, his expression softening. “Don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault.”

Shelly nodded but still felt uncomfortable. Despite Darryl’s reassurances, she couldn’t shake her concern.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal,” Darryl said with a gentle smile. “How about I treat you to dinner later?”

Chapter 178

Since it was a misunderstanding, Darryl wasn’t worried about the Lyndons seeing him have dinner with Shelly. She had helped his father a lot since he was admitted to the hospital. Today, she had even been unfairly scolded by Samantha, so Darryl felt he owed her a meal as thanks.

"Brother Darryl, are you sure this is a good idea?" Shelly asked, biting her lip, a little embarrassed. Samantha had just caused trouble, and if Shelly went out to dinner with Darryl, the Lyndons might take it the wrong way.

Darryl wasn’t concerned. "What’s there to worry about? I just want to thank you for taking care of my parents these past few days."

As he spoke, he looked at Shelly with appreciation. It was undeniable that Shelly possessed a mature beauty, especially when she blushed, which made her even more attractive.

Without further hesitation, Shelly accepted the invitation.

Meanwhile, Lily and Samantha stormed out of the hospital, feeling insulted.

"I think you should divorce that worthless man right away. Did you see his face just now? His ego is huge, but he’s as useless as a dog!" Samantha fumed as they left.

She continued complaining non-stop about what had happened in the hospital. Her words were beginning to get to Lily.

"Mom, stop bringing it up, okay? I’ll think about it on my own," Lily said, biting her lip.

Lily was conflicted. She felt bitter seeing Darryl so carefree and happy around Shelly. Just then, her phone rang—it was William.

"Lily, Granny is sick! Come back now!" William shouted.

*What? Granny is sick?* Lily thought. 

Before she could respond, William hung up. Without hesitation, Lily got in her car and rushed to the Lyndon residence.

Ten minutes later, she arrived at the mansion. She parked and hurried inside, heels clicking on the floor.

To her surprise, Granny Lyndon was sitting on the couch, looking perfectly healthy. Her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes bright. The rest of the family was gathered around, engaged in conversation.

"Granny, you... William Lyndon! Granny looks perfectly fine. Why did you say she was sick on the phone? What’s going on?" Lily demanded, agitated.

William shrugged casually. "If I didn’t say that, you wouldn’t have come so quickly."

"Alright, alright, don’t be mad, Lilybud. I asked William to say that," Granny said, smiling. "Oh, Lilybud, I’m so glad you came quickly. It shows how much you respect me."

Granny motioned for Lily to come closer. 

"Huh?" Lily was confused but walked over and sat next to her grandmother. "Granny, why did you call me here?"

Granny sighed. "Lilybud, I’ve been watching you closely since you took charge of the family business. You’re hardworking and competitive, but you’re not as capable as you need to be. Other than your success with Giselle Lindt, which you marketed well, the rest of the business hasn’t been impressive."

Lily was shocked. "Granny, are you saying—?"

"Lilybud, you’re still young. Running the family business is too much responsibility for someone like you. It must have been exhausting, hasn’t it?" Granny interrupted, smiling kindly.

Lily remained silent. Granny was right. Since she took over, her life revolved around work. Even when her employees left for the night, she stayed behind, reading reports and making plans. It was tiring, but it also felt rewarding. Being in charge meant that people finally respected her, something she hadn’t experienced before. She enjoyed that power.

"Lilybud, I think you should take a break. Why don’t you give up some of your shares? A young woman like you doesn’t need to be burdened with so many," Granny said, smiling gently.

Chapter 179

Lily's heart tightened at Granny's words, but she remained composed.

"Granny, it's fine. I don’t mind being tired. Since I’m young, it’s okay for me to work harder than others," she said.

The crowd snickered quietly.

"Lily, stop pretending. No matter how hard you work, with your limited ability, there’s no way you can lead this business," William mocked from the side.

The people around them nodded in agreement, none of them believing Lily was capable of running the family business.

Lily bit her lip. "Granny, what will make you happy? Do I have to give away my shares?"

"Oh, Lilybud, it’s not that I don’t trust you. Honestly, you don’t have the strongest ability among us. And, after all, you’re just a woman. A big family like ours can’t have someone like you in charge," Granny replied.

Lily sighed internally. She had known that no one truly supported her since she took over, but she hadn’t expected this day to come so soon.

"Lilybud, I’m not trying to take away your authority, but I can’t bear to see the business decline. We have potential in the younger generation, like William. We can’t overlook his opportunity," Granny said, trying to sound comforting. "That’s why I’d like you to share some of your stock so we can form a family board of directors. Of course, you’ll still be the first board director. What do you think?"

William, sitting nearby, could hardly contain his excitement. Once Lily gave up her shares, her control would be gone.

Everyone in the room was watching Lily with mixed emotions.

Lily sighed and nodded. "If Granny insists."

She didn’t have much of a choice. Even if she stayed in charge, no one would remain loyal to her.

"My Lilybud is so mature and understands the bigger picture," Granny said with a satisfied smile.

In the next moment, she asked the treasurer to bring forward a document that had been prepared in advance for Lily to sign.

---

Three days later.

It was a pleasant Sunday, and the streets of Donghai City were bustling. Darryl rode his motorbike outside the luxurious Platinum Corporation building. His cheap bike looked out of place in front of such an upscale entrance, but what drew people's attention wasn’t the bike—it was Shelly, seated behind him. She wore a short skirt, her fair, long legs catching the public’s eye. The sight of an attractive woman on a motorbike was rare, and it caused passersby to pull out their phones and take pictures. Even the security guards couldn’t help but gawk and whisper among themselves.

Darryl felt a bit depressed. He hadn’t wanted to show up on his motorbike either, but he had no choice. A few nights ago, during dinner, Shelly had mentioned wanting to buy a car. She’d just gotten her license and was a little nervous about driving. Without hesitation, Darryl had let her practice with his Audi R8. Unfortunately, within just a hundred meters, Shelly had panicked and crashed into a signpost, sending the car to the repair shop.

Darryl had been speechless. There hadn’t even been anyone in front of her, so he couldn’t understand why she’d suddenly swerved. Still, he found her embarrassed and apologetic expression oddly endearing.

Today was Sunday, and Shelly wasn’t working. When Darryl mentioned he was going to the Platinum Corporation, she insisted on coming along, hoping to meet some celebrities. He didn’t see any harm in it and brought her along on his motorbike. He hadn’t been to the office in a few days, but with his secretary Pearl managing things, he wasn’t too concerned.

However, a problem had recently come up. Since the Superstar TV program had aired, Giselle Lindt’s popularity had skyrocketed, and many companies had rushed to collaborate with her in just two weeks. Yet, in the last few days, all those partnerships had been mysteriously canceled, including those with advertising companies.

Chapter 180

Giselle had no appointments today, which was a significant loss for the company. It was strange, given her popularity. She had a massive fan base, so it didn’t make sense that no one was interested in signing her. Darryl sensed something was wrong and wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Darryl, I'm really sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have to come here on your motorbike," Shelly apologized, still unsure how she had crashed into the signpost.

"Don't worry about it. I used to ride here on my motorbike all the time," Darryl laughed, not minding at all, as he parked the bike in a lot nearby.

Just then, his phone rang. It was a message from Yvonne Young.

Yvonne: Darryl, what have you been up to lately? Is your wound better now? You haven’t come to Pearl Pavilion since the trip.

Darryl chuckled at the thought of her but didn’t respond right away.

"Wow..." Shelly’s presence drew attention from everyone around. Dressed in a short shirt that highlighted her alluring figure, she was undeniably attractive.

It wasn’t long before the attention shifted to Darryl. People looked at him with a mix of admiration and curiosity.

"A guy with a motorbike like that has such a gorgeous girlfriend? He's so lucky!" they thought.

Even the parking attendant was distracted by Shelly’s beauty before snapping back to reality. He pointed at the parking spot. "Hey, you parked your motorbike in a car spot. That’s not allowed!"

As he spoke, the door of the car next to them opened, and a stunning woman stepped out. She was dressed in tight denim jeans and high heels, her figure as captivating as Shelly’s, if not more so, with a touch of elegance.

"Markus, what’s going on back there? Is the car okay?" the woman asked.

The scene immediately became more intense. Men around couldn’t help but gape, their excitement barely contained. The arrival of two beautiful women in such close proximity was a rare sight. Both had their own unique charms, and spending even a moment with either seemed like a dream.

"Miss Lana?" Darryl was taken aback when he saw the woman emerge from the car. Is that my high school teacher, Lana Thomas? he thought, surprised.

Darryl remembered that Giselle had told him Lana wanted to join the entertainment industry, and he had passed the message along to his secretary, Pearl, to handle. It looked like Lana had come for the interview.

"Darryl?" Lana frowned. 

At the last class reunion, she had heard rumors that Darryl had become a live-in son-in-law and was now poor and useless. She hadn’t believed it back then, but now, seeing him like this, she started to wonder.

Lana sighed and shook her head. "Didn’t I always tell you to study hard and not fool around back in school? Look at you now. Do you regret it? Seems like I wasn’t strict enough with you."

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