Standing Next To You-Chapter 256: The first and second branch’s reaction

Both the first and second branches were infuriated by the fourth branch’s trickery. They believed everything was going smoothly on their side, and all they needed to do was wait for the fourth branch to succumb to pressure and make an oath.

However, they did not anticipate the fourth branch continuing to fight a futile battle. Their efforts had been rendered meaningless.

Feeling cheated, the first and second branches wanted to retaliate immediately. If they weren’t wary of the old man’s omnipresent eyes and ears, they would have long plotted to eradicate the remaining heir of the fourth branch, even if it required extreme measures.

The fourth branch’s stance at the dinner table reached Lin Zhe and Lin Fei’s ears, eliciting different reactions from the two.

Lin Zhe learned the news from his father during a phone call.

"We invested a considerable sum to poach those people from the fourth branch. We exerted significant effort to absorb them and even afforded them time. But that snake Lin Ruo failed to distinguish between good and bad. He dared to deceive me!"

Lin Baozhi vented his anger on the phone. "If I had known this would happen, we should not have given them time; we should have forced them to make an oath."

Lin Zhe remained silent as he listened. The eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses remained expressionless and cold. Like his father, he did not anticipate the fourth branch’s audacious move.

He was the one who suggested to his father to pressure the fourth branch and corner them like a rat with nowhere to hide. Once cornered, they would extend an olive branch for the fourth branch to grasp.

The fourth branch would have no choice either way. By allowing them time to surrender voluntarily, they would make the fourth branch believe they still had an exit strategy when, in reality, they did not.

By giving them time to "consider and surrender," their branch would appear more "considerate" than the second branch. The fourth branch’s animosity towards them would diminish, and Lin Zhe would gain the fourth branch’s loyalty and dedication.

After all, it was better to have servants who served them wholeheartedly than those who were coerced.

But... nothing went according to his plan.

Lin Zhe’s gaze turned even colder as he surveyed the bustling street below. What he detested most was being cheated.

The audacity of the fourth branch to deceive him. What happens next, they shouldn’t fault him for showing no mercy.

"I understand, Father. It seems I made an error in judgment. We shouldn’t have given them the chance to surrender. But what’s done is done, and we can’t act hastily. Grandfather is surely keeping an eye on us. We can’t afford to lose the advantage we currently hold. The second branch hasn’t gained any advantage from this either. We’re right back where we started."

"Are you suggesting we simply let this slide? I don’t know where Lin Ruo finds the audacity to thrust his son into the heir competition. But we need to tread carefully and nip this in the bud before it flourishes."

Lin Baozhi placed a great deal of trust in his son, leaving most matters for him to handle. His son surpassed him in many aspects, proving to be more intelligent and capable.

None of the Lin brothers stood out significantly, that’s why the old man hadn’t identified a clear future headmaster for the family in their generation.

However, the children born to Lin Baozhi and his brothers surpassed their fathers’ abilities, instilling hope that their offspring could indeed inherit the title of heir.

Among the Lin brothers, Lin Baozhi harbored the greatest confidence. His only son displayed exceptional qualities: intelligence, capability, and talent. It was a stroke of luck to have such a gifted child, one that even Old Master Lin approved of.

As a result, Lin Baozhi vested a considerable amount of power in Lin Zhe. Even now, he entrusted decision-making to his son.

Lin Zhe absorbed his father’s words and nodded firmly. "We’ll do just that. But not immediately. First, we need to understand how Uncle Lin Ruo suddenly gained the confidence and courage to make such a decision."

He delegated this matter to his personal butler because first, he was confident in his personal butler’s abilities, and secondly, the fourth branch’s surrender was something they were sure of. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Given the importance of this issue for their branch’s expansion, Lin Zhe paid close attention to every detail.

According to the recent report from his personal butler, the meeting with Lin Ruo had gone smoothly. They were certain that Lin Ruo would extend his hand to them and choose their branch over the second branch. Hence, they had been confident in giving the fourth branch ’time’ to consider.

Something must have occurred during the period when they gave the fourth branch time. But what could it be?

"I’ll return to the country, Father. I’ll personally look into this matter."

Whatever caused Lin Ruo to change his mind, Lin Zhe sensed it was a hidden danger that needed to be eliminated.

.....

At the same time, in the luxurious K Star hotel, Lin Fei’s personal butler reported to him the events that transpired at the dining table.

Lin Fei reclined by the pool, amusing himself with a young lady, seemingly unfazed by the news relayed by his butler.

The butler sighed at the sight of his nonchalant young master and couldn’t help voicing his concern. "Young Master, is this truly the time for leisure? Your father summons you back to the mansion."

Lin Fei cast a mischievous glance at the butler, flashing a playful smile. "Feeling envious, are you? You should loosen up a bit. Don’t be so serious and stoic all the time, or you’ll end up bald and looking older."

The personal butler remained silent, his expression unchanged.

The young lady beside Lin Fei chuckled at the speechless reaction of the butler. "Oh, come on, Lin Fei, don’t tease your little servant. Look at him, he’s lost for words."