C87 Excluding

Old Lady Pei was at a loss as to why Wang Guifa had made such a statement, so she forced a smile and inquired, "My dear in-laws, what exactly are you implying?"

Without missing a beat, she turned to Pei Jinzheng and chided, "Come on, aren't you going to fetch a chair for your father-in-law? Show some initiative!"

"No, we are not in-laws!" Wang Guifa retorted, his expression icy as he gestured emphatically, "I've already told you, we're here to call off the engagement!"

Taken aback, Old Lady Pei nonetheless managed a smile and ventured, "In-laws, are you upset because we haven't finalized the wedding arrangements yet? Let's go have a look at the finest mansion at Four Seasons right away!"

Wang Guifa's displeasure was evident as he responded, "Old Lady Pei, are you not comprehending my words? Must I say 'call off' again for the third time?!!"

"This... You're truly here to call off the engagement?" Old Lady Pei and the entire Pei family were visibly shocked.

Pei Jinzheng, on the verge of tears, protested loudly, "Why? Wasn't the marriage between Jiajia and me agreed upon?"

"Who agreed with you?"

Wang Guifa's eldest son interjected with a frosty tone, "My sister will never marry you!"

His second son chimed in, "Exactly! Why would my sister marry someone who's just been released from prison? You're living in a fantasy!"

Hearing this, Old Lady Pei and the Pei Jiang family were beside themselves with worry!

The union between the two families had been all but confirmed, with most relatives and friends notified and the wedding banquet booked. They were simply awaiting the big day.

Yet now, the Wang family had abruptly decided to withdraw from the engagement?

Old Lady Pei had been counting on the alliance with the Wang family to elevate the Pei family's status!

To have the engagement called off so suddenly was a bitter pill to swallow, a joy turned to disappointment.

Struggling to keep her composure, Old Lady Pei asked with a forced pleasantness, "In-laws, surely there has been no lapse in courtesy from our Pei family towards yours? How can you renege on your promise like this?"

"Yes, exactly!" Pei Jinzheng jumped in, his anxiety palpable. "I want to marry Jiajia!"

He was on the verge of tears from sheer anxiety.

Wang Guifa let out a sneer and said, "Old Lady Pei, there's no need to try and connect our families anymore. The blame lies squarely with your family's underhanded ways!"

"What?" Old Lady Pei, taken aback by Wang Guifa's grievances, pressed, "What has our Pei family done wrong?"

Wang Guifa snorted disdainfully, "Your actions are so heartless, you even coerce your own flesh and blood. Why would I ever allow my daughter to marry into such a family?"

Old Lady Pei paused, then retorted, "What, are they already tarnishing our good name? The nerve!"

"Exactly, they're deliberately stirring up trouble!" Sun Lanping chimed in angrily. "In-laws, you mustn't take their family's word for it!"

Old Lady Pei quickly added, "Right, in-laws, Pei Qiang's family is their own issue, completely unrelated to you!"

Wang Guifa shook his head, "Enough, old woman! I refuse to join families with the likes of you. The Pei family's character has decayed, their morals have plummeted. They're not fit for my daughter!"

"You..." Old Lady Pei's face soured as she felt a pang of discomfort in her chest.

She wanted to counter, but no justification came to mind.

After all, she knew her actions were indefensible.

Before departing, Wang Guifa dropped a final remark, "I've made my point clear! Don't let your family harass ours ever again. We want nothing to do with you! Lest one day you're struck by lightning and drag us down with you!"

Old Lady Pei watched with a heavy heart as Wang Guifa and his son left through the main gate.

They had failed to seize the house, and now Pei Jinzheng's marriage prospects were ruined!

Pei Jinzheng threw a tantrum, wailing, "I don't care! I want Jiajia! You owe me Jiajia, you wretched old hag!"

"You..." Old Lady Pei's face whitened with rage.

Sun Lanping clapped her hands and yelled, "The betrothal gift! They haven't even refunded our betrothal gift money yet!"

"Pei Jiang, go after them, now!"

"Right!" Pei Jiang dashed out in pursuit of the Wang father and son duo.

Old Lady Pei watched the scene unfold, seething with anger that made her liver ache.

At that moment, Sun Lanping turned to Old Lady Pei with a complaint, "Mom, we've taken a hit on both fronts. How did you let this happen?"

"You're blaming me?" Old Lady Pei retorted furiously. "And what about you? Did you lift a finger to help?"

"I don't care, I want Jiajia back!" Pei Jinzheng continued his tantrum.

Old Lady Pei slammed the table forcefully. "Enough! Have you no ambition?"

"Remember, you're the Pei family heir, destined to take over Y Corporation! There are multimillion-dollar deals waiting for you to seal!"

"With money, you can have any woman you desire."

Pei Jinzheng calmed down at her words.

Grandma had a point. With money, what woman couldn't he woo?

Seeing her grandson pacified, Old Lady Pei inhaled deeply and reassured him, "Just focus on your work, and success will come quickly."

"The projects at Y Corporation are well underway, Qiuyu has laid the groundwork. Taking over Y Corporation means guaranteed profits!"

"You're right, Grandma!" Pei Jinzheng, drying his tears, vowed, "Once I've made my fortune, I'll crush the Wang family with it!"

Old Lady Pei feigned severity, "Were you just insulting your grandmother?"

Pei Jinzheng hastily backpedaled, "Grandma, I was wrong. It was just the heat of the moment. Please, don't take it to heart."

Old Lady Pei exhaled deeply, "How could I hold a grudge against my own grandson? Just do well, Jinzheng."

"Mhm!" Pei Jinzheng finally smiled.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Sun Lanping exclaimed, "It must be Pei Jiang with the money! I'll get the door!"

She scurried off and swung the door open, only to find a well-dressed stranger standing there.

"Is this the Pei residence?" the man inquired courteously.

"Yes, who might you be?" Sun Lanping inquired.

"I am Wang Baifa, the attorney appointed by Director Wang," the man replied.

Upon hearing that it was someone from Wang Baifa, Old Lady Pei hurriedly urged, "Please, come in!"

"There's no need," the lawyer responded with an icy tone. "I am here specifically to deliver a termination letter to you."

"A termination letter?"

The Pei family was collectively taken aback by his statement.

The lawyer elaborated, "Following a board decision, we have ceased all forms of cooperation with the Pei family, and we will not engage in any future collaborations either. The termination letter has been delivered, and you have until tomorrow to sign the necessary documents at our company."

"What?!"

The Pei family was thunderstruck, with Old Lady Pei nearly collapsing.

Moments ago, there was talk of making big moves, and now a termination letter had arrived—a permanent one at that! This was tantamount to an industry ban!

Trembling, Old Lady Pei asked, "What have we done to deserve this? Weren't our previous collaborations successful?"

The lawyer's reply was frosty, "Ms. Pei was indeed a good partner, but since we've learned she's no longer with Y Corporation, there's no reason to continue our relationship with the rest of you."

It dawned on Old Lady Pei—it was Pei Qiuyu again! She was seething with anger. How could Pei Qiuyu command such respect? Why did everyone seem to revolve around her? She was the least favored in the Pei family, and she even married a nobody!

I'm the one who calls the shots in the Pei family! Why is everyone so concerned with her?

With her anger boiling over, Old Lady Pei challenged him, "Sir, your unilateral termination is illegal. Aren't you concerned about us taking legal action?"

The lawyer chuckled and calmly stated, "Old lady, all of our contracts include a clause for unilateral termination. It's all there in black and white. If you're not afraid of a countersuit from our company, by all means, go ahead and sue."

"But let me assure you, you'll be the ones with regrets in the end. And another thing—once a company is terminated by our group, others are wary to engage with them. If you doubt it, feel free to test the waters."

"What... You!!" Old Lady Pei was truly terrified by those words.

If he's right, could the Pei family really be doomed?!!

It would mean their whole family facing starvation...

No, it can't end like this!!

Old Lady Pei was nearly hysterical; she couldn't bear to see the Pei family's downfall on her watch.

With this in mind, she immediately broke down and pleaded, "Lawyer, our Pei family can't be left with no way out. If that happens, we're truly done for! I implore you to appeal to Director Wang on our behalf. Please ask him to show mercy and leave us a lifeline! He simply can't sever ties with us!"

The lawyer chuckled coldly and replied, "Madam, you've lost all respect for your age, committing countless misdeeds, and yet you have the audacity to seek further cooperation with us? Discussing partnership with us is a privilege for you. Director Wang has made himself clear—he won't spare you even a morsel of food!"

"I suggest you reflect on your actions!" With that, he dropped the termination letter and walked away.

Overcome with rage, Old Lady Pei felt a tumultuous surge in her chest. A gush of fresh blood spilled from her lips as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.