28 Apprehension

"Xinqi?" Gu Tingzheng asked, puzzled. "Where did this small company pop up from?"

In Chenxing City, new companies were established as frequently as carp crossing a river, and minor firms rarely caught his attention.

Wang Hongzhi explained, "Xinqi is not exactly a small company. They have been growing rapidly over the past few years, focusing on the high-tech sector. They just went public recently, and now they are expanding their business, aiming directly at the biotechnology industry."

Gu Tingzheng remained noncommittal; if he hadn't heard of a company, it simply lacked weight. "What are the capabilities of Xinqi's Huo Lingchen?"

"The man is quite capable. He’s only been in business for five or six years, and his company has already gone public." Wang Hongzhi gave a sly smile. "Besides, he is ambitious, and since he lacks powerful backing or resources, he is quite easy to control."

"Very well, go ahead and make the arrangements."

Gu Tingzheng had never reconciled himself to the fact that Gu Zhixu held power. The Gu Group was set to enter the biotechnology industry in the second half of the year, a major strategic layout orchestrated by Gu Zhixu. Once successful, Gu Zhixu's position in the group would be even more secure, and Gu Tingzheng had no desire to see his nephew succeed so smoothly.

Just as Wang Hongzhi gathered his documents to leave, a knock sounded at the study door. The butler walked in. "Sir, someone from the Wang family is looking for Mr. Wang."

"My family?" Wang Hongzhi was confused. He had always had little presence at home, and his father rarely concerned himself with his affairs. "Who would be looking for me?"

The butler thought for a moment. "It seems to be the personal assistant to Director Wang."

Wang Hongzhi frowned. The assistant wouldn't seek him out without reason; it was likely his father had something to say.

Gu Tingzheng also furrowed his brows, checking the time—it was only 5:00 AM. They had stayed up all night because of that damned woman; why would the elder Mr. Wang be looking for someone so early?

The two exchanged glances, an ominous feeling rising in their hearts.

Wang Hongzhi was a bit panicked. "Second Brother Gu, you think..."

Gu Tingzheng raised a hand to interrupt him. "Don't scare yourself. Go back and see; it might be something else."

The incident with GSC had only happened three hours ago; it was unlikely that the elder Mr. Wang could have received word so quickly. Wang Hongzhi thought this made sense—he shouldn't lose his nerve before knowing the situation. He handed the documents, which had cost him three million dollars, to Gu Tingzheng. "Keep these for now; I'll get them from you next time."

...

"Young Master, you’ve finally returned," the butler of the Wang family estate said, rushing forward to open the car door as Wang Hongzhi arrived. Seeing the gauze on his forehead, he couldn't help but exclaim, "What happened to your head?"

The butler was a kind-faced old man who had served the Wang family for many years. He was roughly the same age as the elder Mr. Wang and had practically watched Wang Hongzhi grow up.

"It's nothing, just a bump. It’ll be better in a couple of days," Wang Hongzhi said as he stepped out, asking casually, "What does my father want with me?"

The butler’s expression tightened as he whispered a warning, "Assistant Liu came in a panic before dawn. I don't know what he said, but the Master flew into a rage and sent people out to find you immediately."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongzhi faltered, reluctant to head upstairs. The butler urged him, "Young Master, don't drag your feet. The Master has been looking for you for over two hours and is already furious."

Wang Hongzhi gritted his teeth, thinking that at the end of the day, it was his own father—he wouldn't kill him, would he? He put on a look of resignation and strode toward the study.

But as soon as he entered, seeing the shattered glass on the floor and his father's grim face, his bravado vanished. "Dad, you called me..."

"You scoundrel! Kneel!" Wang Chengmao roared, cutting him off.

Wang Hongzhi shivered in fear. His knees went weak, and as he was about to drop down, he looked at the glass shards and whispered, "Dad, let's talk this out. If I kneel on this glass, do you still want me to have legs?"

"You still want your legs?" Wang Chengmao looked at the gauze on his head, knowing full well it was the work of GSC, and struck him hard with a ruler. "I'll beat you to death today to keep you from ruining three generations of the Wang family's legacy!"

"Dad, Dad!" Wang Hongzhi dodged repeatedly. "Is there nothing we can talk about properly?"

Wang Chengmao stopped his hand and demanded, "When did you steal the dark web account?"

Wang Hongzhi’s heart skipped a beat, but he feigned confusion, playing dumb. "What dark web?"

"You bastard! Stop playing the fool in front of me!" Wang Chengmao was livid. "You’re trying to welch on a mere two million dollars? Are you trying to get the Wang family killed? Have you even considered the consequences?"

"Dad, I really don't know what you're talking about," Wang Hongzhi said, his eyes darting away, yet he stubbornly refused to admit it.

Seeing his denial, Wang Chengmao kicked him in the abdomen. Wang Hongzhi fell backward, landing hard on the scattered glass. It was summer, and his thin clothes offered no protection against the sharp shards, which sliced through his garments and tore into his skin. Blood seeped out, staining his shirt red.

Wang Hongzhi gasped in pain. Having been beaten and humiliated all night, he was filled with resentment. Red-eyed, he climbed up from the glass, glaring at Wang Chengmao. "Have you always disliked me, just looking for an excuse to kill me?"

"You still have the nerve to yell at me?" Wang Chengmao was beyond furious. "Do you even know what the dark web is? Do you know what kind of people are on there? They are cold-blooded criminals who value money over their lives. The last person who dared to delay a final payment had his entire family wiped out!"

Wang Hongzhi was stunned by his father's words, his bravado wavering, but he still retorted, "Don't try to scare me. Xia Country isn't some lawless land."

"You know nothing!" Wang Chengmao was shaking with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at him. He couldn't fathom how he had produced such an idiot; at over forty years old, he was still this naive—naively stupid. "Do you think it's not simple for them to kill you without anyone knowing? You're lucky this time that it was GSC; they’ll let it go if you just pay the penalty fee. If it had been DK, our entire family would probably be buried with you by now!"

Wang Hongzhi remained unimpressed. Aren't those people just after money? If he paid them, wouldn't it be over? He was perfectly fine right now, so what was there to be afraid of?

Seeing Wang Hongzhi's shameless attitude, Wang Chengmao knew it was useless to reason with him. But now, dwelling on the dark web account was pointless. He suppressed his rage and turned to ask, "Why did you target the Gu Group? Do you have any idea that using the dark web to steal secrets is a major taboo?"

At this point, Wang Hongzhi no longer denied it. He slumped onto the sofa, the blood from his wounds soaking into the expensive leather upholstery. He said nonchalantly, "As long as you don't say anything, how could the Gu Group ever suspect me?"

Veins bulged on Wang Chengmao's forehead. "You think the Gu Group won't investigate? Do you think Gu Zhixu is that easily fooled?"

Wang Hongzhi curled his lip and let out a cold snort. "He's just a bastard from a mistress's house; what is there to be afraid of?"