Chapter 138: The More One Tries to Hide, the More One Is Exposed

The Matriarch had arrived in person at the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce!

The news spread instantly, catching everyone by surprise. Pushing open the door to Shen Wanjun’s office, they found the Matriarch sitting upright, her hand resting firmly upon her cane. Beside her stood the three elders, led by Lord Ye.

As Su Rulan and the father-daughter duo, Zhao Shanhe and Zhao Qing, entered, the Matriarch didn't even spare Su Rulan a glance. Instead, she fixed her gaze squarely on Zhao Shanhe and his daughter. She set her cane aside, clapped her hands, and said with a cold, mocking smile, "Well, well, Zhao Shanhe. I never imagined you would defect to the Shangjing Consortium so quickly."

"Matriarch, I have already severed ties with the Ye Family Clan. Who I choose to align with is my own business; I hardly need a lecture from you," Zhao Shanhe replied in a deep, steady voice.

The Matriarch didn't get angry; instead, she laughed and nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you do not need my permission. Even if you have defected to the Shangjing Consortium, it is only a temporary arrangement."

She turned her head to stare at Shen Wanjun. "Chairman Shen, you know exactly why I am here. I trust you will represent the Shangjing Consortium and convey the sincerity of the Ye Family Clan to the person pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Matriarch, I believe there is some misunderstanding. The Shangjing Consortium has always been under the absolute control of our Sovereign, Ye Tianlin." Shen Wanjun had been briefed beforehand, but he never expected such a bizarre turn of events. The identity of the Sovereign had already been made public, yet the Matriarch simply refused to believe it. It was like trying to prove one’s own existence to someone who had already decided reality was a lie—it was beyond absurd.

What was most frustrating was that the Ye Family Clan, having been rejected once before, had the audacity to show up in person.

"Chairman Shen, there is no need to hide the truth behind a veil of pretense. We know exactly what is happening. The consortium's previous rejection was merely a way to test us!" Lord Ye stepped forward, his tone full of conviction.

The Matriarch added, "From the beginning, the Shangjing Consortium’s actions have been driven purely by profit. Rather than propping up a puppet like Ye Tianlin, it would be far more beneficial to accept the submission of the Ye Family Clan. We are prepared to follow the consortium’s every directive, including the arrangement of our future heirs."

Shen Wanjun was nearly driven to madness by her words. Zhao Shanhe could no longer hold his tongue. "At this point, must you continue to invent excuses to deceive yourselves? Is it truly so difficult to accept the facts?"

"Exactly," Zhao Qing chimed in. "You simply cannot handle the blow to your pride, so you manufacture excuses for your failure. Matriarch, is your reputation really that important to you?"

The Matriarch let out a cold snort. "Both of you, hold your tongues. As Lord Ye said, the idea that Ye Tianlin is merely a puppet of the Shangjing Consortium is the only answer that makes any sense!"

Lord Ye argued righteously, "If Ye Tianlin were truly capable of founding the Shangjing Consortium himself, how could the Ye Family Clan have remained ignorant of it for all these years? There is clearly something fishy going on!"

Zhao Shanhe and his daughter were left fuming, their faces turning blue at the sheer stubbornness of the old woman.

Su Rulan gritted her teeth and stepped forward. "Everything my father said before was just baseless worry. You must not take it seriously. I am Tianlin’s wife; I am the person who knows him best."

Lord Ye sneered, feigning wisdom. "Do not put on such a performance, Su Rulan. You are merely terrified that if the Shangjing Consortium accepts our submission, Ye Tianlin will face a grim fate. That is why you are trying to cover up the truth—because, in reality, Ye Tianlin has absolutely no ability whatsoever!"

Just as Su Rulan was about to explain further, the Matriarch cut her off, rising to her feet with cold resolve. "If what you say is true, then why is Ye Tianlin not here today at the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce? It is because he is afraid—afraid that I will tear away his mask."

Su Rulan was left speechless, choked by the realization that no amount of logic could pull the Matriarch back to reality.

Shen Wanjun regained his composure, his expression stern. "Matriarch, it is useless for you to say anything more. Things have reached this point, and the Sovereign has no need to prove anything to you. Please leave the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce."

Unfazed, the Matriarch remained perfectly calm. She leaned on her cane and smiled. "I expected that the Shangjing Consortium would not agree so easily. But rest assured, I have all the patience in the world."

With that, the Matriarch and the elders took their leave. After they had gone, Shen Wanjun rubbed his temples, sighing. "That woman is truly incapable of seeing reason. It is enough to drive a man to his grave."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head. "Brother Shen, it is not that she cannot see reason; it is that she refuses to believe it. She cannot let go of the pride etched into her bones. Still, this situation is infuriating."

Zhao Qing’s eyes lit up. "I have an idea that might force the Matriarch to shut her mouth once and for all, though I am not sure if the Young Master would approve."

"What is it? Tell us!" Su Rulan asked, intrigued.

Shen Wanjun and Zhao Shanhe leaned in, their gazes fixed on Zhao Qing.