Lady Gu Is Too Weak To Fend For Herself Chapter 1698 A Rose Invitation



"The Xia family has lost over ten billion yuan because of an adopted daughter. You're truly muddle-headed!"

Furious shouts erupted one after another. Yin Lianyi's ears rang incessantly.

The fallout turned out far graver than she imagined. All her efforts aimed to save Xia Corporation. How had things spiraled this way?

Blood of the Xia family coursed through Qiao Xi's body, yet she never raised in their home. She proved utterly undependable. As the Xia family's firstborn daughter, Chunyu alone could steer them toward greatness. So why did criticism rain down on her?

"At this point, I won't force you to apologize." Xia Jingan spoke calmly all of a sudden. "I declare my withdrawal from Xia Corporation starting today. Grandma, Chunyu is your favorite, so make her the heir."

Xia Jingan then pulled out a document and passed it to Xia Chunyu. "Sign it. Xia Corporation belongs to you now."

His move left everyone dumbfounded, but Xia Chunyu brimmed with delight. She wondered if this was all a dream. Was Xia Jingan truly handing over Xia Corporation?

Sitting in Xia Jingan's position had long been her wildest dream. Sadly, the company executives doubted her. With Xia Jingan personally transferring control, those executives had no choice but to swallow their doubts.

Once in charge, she would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with heirs from the other three major families, claiming the crown as the capital's premier socialite.

"Jingan, don't act impulsively!"

"You mustn't do this!"

Xia Zhao rushed ahead to halt the proceedings. Without Xia Jingan, Xia Corporation would crumble. Coming from the branch family, he knew the Xia downfall would drag him down too, stripping away all he had.

"Xia Chunyu!" Xia Zhao bellowed loudly. "Apologize now! Jingan cannot abandon Xia Corporation! Never!"

Unconvinced, Xia Chunyu glared with malice in her eyes. She grabbed the contract and scrawled her signature amid the crowd's stunned stares. "I'm a true Xia family daughter with every right to inherit Xia Corporation. Good that Xia Jingan stepped aside voluntarily. Managing the company falls to me rightfully. Who are you to demand I apologize?"

Disdain filled every gaze upon her. Did she even measure up to Xia Jingan?

Xia Zhao eyed the transfer papers, drew a heavy breath. "Fine then! I'm quitting Xia Corporation as well!"

One bold departure sparked the rest. Everyone declared their exits. Yin Lianyi's face turned stormy. "Fine! Don't come crying back. Scram now!"

Soon after, over a dozen Xia family subsidiaries declared independence from Xia Corporation, pledging loyalty to Xia Jingan in forming Jingan Corporation. Xia Corporation stood hollowed out.

…

Hearing of Xia Corporation's division into two gave Qiao Xi no surprise at all. Xia Jingan possessed the skill to pull it off effortlessly. Old Madam Xia and Xia Chunyu had faced their reckoning. Stripped of past influence, they posed no danger anymore.

Just then, Uncle Sheng entered, offering an invitation. "Young Madam, this arrived moments ago. They invite you as their guest."

Qiao Xi accepted it. No name marked the invitation, just an address. A striking rose adorned the bottom right.

Abruptly, she bolted upright, urging Uncle Sheng to ready the car. She headed out immediately.

The driver followed the invitation's directions, delivering her to a quaint courtyard dwelling on the city's edge. The doorkeeper spotted her and ushered her inside with utmost courtesy.

Trailing the attendant straight to the central hall, Qiao Xi caught a potent herbal scent upon entry. Her eyes first fell on a wheelchair-bound man, appearing around 30 yet with snow-white hair and ashen skin, as if death loomed near. Next to him sat Old Master Situ, familiar to Qiao Xi.

"Xi Xi, you've arrived. Come, sit down quickly." Old Master Situ grinned warmly as the younger man gave her a nod.

"Old Master." Qiao Xi offered respectful bows to both before settling into the facing seat.

Gently, Old Master Situ gestured to his companion. "Xi Xi, meet my son, Situ Mingye."

Qiao Xi's eyes flew wide. How could his son look so youthful?

Old Master Situ noticed her shock and elaborated, "I think you know the Situ family took a massive hit a few years back. Mingye fell victim to a bizarre poison from that event. This poison keeps his face from aging, but it cripples him and dooms him to endless suffering. Truth be told, Mingye is already in his 60s, yet he appears to be in his 30s.

"In fact, Mingye is your real grandfather, while his son, Situ Yu, is your actual father. He's simply been missing for years with no word at all."

Qiao Xi had foreseen before arriving that Old Master Situ would reveal all his secrets to her. Still, she never imagined the frail man standing before her was truly her grandfather!