Volume One, Chapter Three: The Twins

The next day, at Lu Corporation.

A black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the building. Qiao Ye pushed open the door and stepped out, removing her sunglasses and handing the keys to the security guard. She walked into the lobby, wearing ten-centimeter high heels.

Just as she was about to take the elevator, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

Qiao Ye glanced over and saw Lu Qian ignoring the security’s attempts to stop him, striding toward her.

“Qiao Ye, here’s the DNA report you asked for. It clearly shows that the blood I carry is from the Lu family. What else do you have to say?” Lu Qian waved the report in his hand.

“Now that I’ve proven I’m a Lu, this company should step aside and let me take over, right? Otherwise, should I assume that while I was away, you tried to seize Lu family assets with ill intent?”

More and more onlookers gathered, their whispers growing louder.

A chill flickered in Qiao Ye’s eyes. “While I was away? You ran off to avoid marriage, threw Lu Corporation into chaos, and the family was left with no one to hold the reins. If it weren’t for me fighting against all odds, Lu Corporation would have changed hands long ago.”

“Besides, with thousands of employees in the company, you need to show some real achievements before I can confidently hand the group over to you.”

“What have you gained or accomplished all these years? If nothing, shouldn’t there be a transition period? Once you’ve gained experience, then you can have the CEO position.”

Back then, to stabilize the situation, the matriarch of the Lu family had decided to let her into the company.

Five years had passed.

Now, she held no real power and couldn’t confront Lu Qian, who was of pure blood, head-on.

But if she could first keep Lu Qian at bay by claiming to act in the company’s best interest, letting him learn from her before stepping aside, she could buy more time and opportunities.

After all, the staff cared about which leader could truly bring benefits.

If Lu Qian had nothing to offer, even as the Lu heir, he wouldn’t so easily replace her.

Qiao Ye’s words struck Lu Qian like a slap.

He nervously glanced at the gathering employees, who were eager to watch the spectacle.

Five years ago, he had suffered brain injury and memory loss, not knowing who he was. After Chu Yun’er, his only thought was to be with his child and her—no grand ambitions, no achievements.

Clenching his fists in shame and anger, he forced out accusations: “Stop spouting nonsense. What you’re really saying is you don’t want to return the property—you’re greedy and materialistic.”

“Think about it—your family went bankrupt when you were young. If it weren’t for my grandfather taking you in, would you even be where you are today?”

“You’re scheming to embezzle the Lu family’s legacy. Soon enough, will you try to rename Lu Corporation to Qiao Corporation?”

His words ignited an even louder buzz among the crowd.

Qiao Ye gritted her teeth. “Say whatever you want, but I’m always thinking of the company’s interests. If you think I have ulterior motives, call a board meeting and listen to their opinions. If they agree you should be CEO directly, I have no objections.”

“You—!”

Lu Qian was furious.

There was no way those old-timers would agree to him as CEO.

They had resisted even his appointment as vice president, let alone CEO!

“Mommy!”

Suddenly, a soft child’s voice sounded.

A little girl in a pink dress darted through the crowd and hugged Qiao Ye tightly.

The little one’s skin was porcelain white, her eyelashes impossibly long, and her amber eyes bright and clear. When she smiled, it melted hearts.

She lifted her face, speaking in a babyish voice, “Mommy, is Sugarbean interrupting you right now?”

The coldness in Qiao Ye’s eyes instantly softened. “Of course not.”

She then looked up at Lu Tingye, who was strolling over at a leisurely pace.

Their eyes met, sparking a subtle intimacy invisible to others.

The man carried an air of authority; people instinctively parted to let him through. A group of female employees stared, utterly captivated, whispering praises.

So… incredibly handsome!

Lu Qian barely had time to process why his uncle was here. He stared furiously at the little girl in Qiao Ye’s arms, veins bulging on his forehead.

“She… she’s your child?”

Qiao Ye was completely composed. “If not, then what?”

Actually, she wasn’t.

This was Lu Tingxiao’s daughter, who was home sick from kindergarten today.

Though Qiao Ye had almost had children of her own.

Years ago, she had an unexpected one-night stand and got pregnant with twins. But on the day of delivery, both babies were lost.

She had suffered postpartum depression for a long time, unable to shake her emotions.

Later, Lu Tingxiao returned with a pair of twins—a boy and a girl.

Though she didn’t know who their mother was, perhaps because they were about the same age as the children she lost, from the moment she saw them, she inexplicably wanted to be close.

The two children liked her too.

Over time, she had “gloriously assumed” the role of their guardian.

But she really didn’t owe Lu Qian any explanations.

Lu Qian’s eyes bloodshot as he accused, “Qiao Ye! You’ve broken your vows and even have an illegitimate child!”

“Illegitimate child?”

Qiao Ye sneered, “Don’t you have one too?”

Lu Qian was livid.

Sugarbean, though not understanding “illegitimate child,” saw Lu Qian’s harshness and immediately spread her little arms in defense.

“You bad uncle, I won’t let you speak about my mommy like that!”

Lu Qian’s fury exploded; he couldn’t control himself and shoved Sugarbean.

At that moment, the elevator doors were closing.

Qiao Ye’s pupils contracted sharply. With swift reflexes, she scooped Sugarbean out.

“You brat, tell me—who’s your father?”

“Qiao Ye, we’re not even divorced yet. This child looks older than Yuanbao. So right after I left, you got involved with someone else? How low can you be… ah!”

Before Lu Qian could finish, his finger was forcefully bent back by someone.

His face turned pale as he met the cold, deep gaze of Lu Tingye.

“Good nephew, do you think elders don’t exist here?”

“U-uncle, it hurts, it hurts.”

Sweat poured down Lu Qian’s face, his legs nearly buckling.

Lu Tingye’s expression was grim, his low voice laced with suppressed anger: “You abandoned your wife on your wedding day and left the country. If it weren’t for Qiao Ye, Lu Corporation would be gone by now. Yet you dare act up here? I think you shouldn’t be angry at her—you should be kowtowing to her.”

The pressure on Lu Qian’s finger increased relentlessly; it was about to snap.

“What do you say, good nephew?”

“Uncle, uncle, I—I was wrong, truly wrong.”

Just as Lu Qian’s hand was about to be crippled, Qiao Ye’s voice cut through sharply: “Let him go.”

Only then did Lu Tingye release his grip.

Lu Qian’s entire arm went numb, trembling uncontrollably.

But suddenly, realization dawned on him, and his expression changed dramatically.

“Qiao Ye, my uncle… he can’t be your lover, can he?”