Volume One, Chapter 12: If You Can’t Do It, Get Out

Madam Lu snapped back to her senses, silently chastising herself for speaking out of turn. Her gaze drifted away from Qiao Ye’s, and with a guilty tone, she whispered, “No one’s at fault; it’s me who misspoke.”

Seeing Lu Tingxiao rise and leave, Madam Lu stepped forward to shift the conversation. “Xiao Ye, I’m not blaming you, but today’s matter is truly a domestic issue between you and your husband. It shouldn’t have involved outsiders.”

“If it weren’t for your uncle’s help, I might have really fallen into Lu Qi’an’s trap today.”

Qiao Ye looked at Madam Lu, sensing that in her moment of anxiety, she had hinted at something more than mere nonsense.

“Grandmother, if I were to investigate what Lu Qi’an did today, I might uncover something better left hidden. Don’t you really want to explain what you just said?”

“Are you threatening me?” Madam Lu’s temper flared, her voice sharp.

“I took pity on you for being honest and helped you get a position at Lu Corporation, even this acting presidency.”

“Now you want to make a public spectacle over this?”

Madam Lu raised her hand to rub her temple, as if overwhelmed by anger, staggering slightly.

“Let’s put today behind us. Since you weren’t seriously harmed, you must not investigate further, understood?”

Qiao Ye knew that pressing harder would only invite more trouble from the board members.

Having already driven Lu Qi’an away, this matter required careful long-term handling.

She nodded slightly, as if conceding.

“I understand.”

Madam Lu felt relief, patting Qiao Ye’s hand earnestly.

“Xiao Ye, I know it hurts you that Qi’an brought home another woman, but I only wish for more heirs for the Lu family.”

“The position of primary wife still belongs to you. As the main spouse, you should be magnanimous; there will be many happy days ahead.”

Seeing no response, Madam Lu turned and left the room, leaving Qiao Ye filled with disgust.

So this was their plan—primary wife? Did they really think this was some ancient emperor’s harem with multiple wives and concubines? Absurd!

After leaving the club, Qiao Ye chose not to return to the Lu residence but went back to the Qiao family home.

Previously bankrupt, the house had been mortgaged as well.

Fortunately, after taking control of Lu Corporation, Qiao Ye had enough money to buy it back before it was sold.

Over the years, Qiao Ye rarely returned, but she had arranged for regular cleaning, and none of the household items had been disturbed.

This was the only place where Qiao Ye felt at peace.

After a restful night, she woke early the next day.

She kept recalling Madam Lu’s words and expression, as if she knew some hidden truth.

Could her mother have suffered something before?

Qiao Ye’s heart tightened as she hesitated, then opened the room where her mother had lived.

Bright light filled the space, but a faint musty odor lingered, reminding her no one had visited in a long time.

She had gone through her mother’s belongings before and found no clues.

There was a small writing desk where her mother had loved to read.

Come to think of it, her mother had been fond of keeping a diary…

Qiao Ye pondered the events from fifteen years ago, feeling there was something she had missed.

Just as she was about to think more deeply, her phone vibrated—it was her assistant.

“Hello? What is it?”

“President Qiao, bad news! Manager Lin has been attacked!”

“What? Who did this? I’m coming to the company right now.”

Qiao Ye turned to leave, making sure to lock her mother’s room behind her.

At the company, before she even opened the manager’s office door, she heard a heated argument inside.

“Vice President Lu, this project has always been managed by our team. The preliminary work is halfway done. Isn’t what you’re doing unfair?”

“What do you mean your team’s responsible? This is the Lu family’s asset and project. As CEO of Lu Corporation, can’t I personally oversee the projects under my command?”

Qiao Ye pushed the door open and saw the two parties confronting each other. Manager Lin’s cheek bore red marks, evidence of a slap. Fury surged within her.

“Lu Qi’an, you assaulted my subordinate manager early in the morning. Is this how you ‘learn to manage the company’?”

Lu Qi’an was somewhat ashamed but unwilling to give up the project.

He feared being expelled by Lu Tingxiao.

Since returning yesterday, Lu Qi’an had been scheming. His only leverage was this promising project.

Lu Tingxiao, seeing the profits Lu Qi’an could bring, might relent and let him stay.

If he could deliver results, he might even have grounds at the shareholders’ meeting to remove Qiao Ye.

“You promised the shareholders you’d guide me well. I just want to handle one project to gain experience. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

Lu Qi’an had tried to seize the project before Qiao Ye arrived, but she was timely. He had no choice but to message several shareholders.

Soon, four shareholders arrived, led by Mr. Bai, who smiled and tried to smooth things over.

“Why all standing? I heard what happened. Lu just wants to practice on a project. It’s a minor issue; President Qiao needn’t block him.”

The others agreed in chorus.

“Exactly, Lu has good intentions. It’s just one project; let it go.”

“Maybe President Qiao is reluctant to give up control, afraid Lu will outshine her.”

“That’s impossible. She personally told shareholders she’d mentor Lu, aiming for him to take over soon.”

Every word favored Lu Qi’an, making him hold his head high, eyes nearly popping.

“Rest assured, shareholders, I’m confident this project will bring the company at least fifty million in profit.”

“Fifty million?” Qiao Ye sneered, her expression derisive.

“The investment is only ten million. To claim you can quintuple the profit with a few words—one might think you’ve hired a god of wealth.”

Her assistant and manager chuckled quietly behind her. Manager Lin stepped forward as all eyes turned to him.

“We’ve estimated this project many times before. The profit range is between twenty-five and thirty-five million.”

“That’s because you’re incompetent. Uncle Bai, don’t worry. I’ll take charge and guarantee we exceed expectations!”

Lu Qi’an made a boast he didn’t truly believe.

He had only briefly studied the project. Knowing Qiao Ye had recently invested much effort, he wanted to snatch it away to dampen her spirit.

“What if you can’t exceed expectations?”

Qiao Ye’s anger tightened her voice as she coldly sneered.

“Clearly there are better projects without takers, yet you refuse and insist on stealing mine now.”

“If the profit falls short of fifty million, Lu Qi’an, you and your backers can all take a hike!”