Ning Yunhuan hadn't expected that Mu Jinzhi, whom she'd held in relatively decent regard in her previous life, could stoop so low. He clearly knew the true nature of the situation, yet he deliberately spoke this way now. Did he truly believe she would be intimidated by the spectacle and dare not speak up?

“Young Master Mu, the rumors outside speak of how exceptional you are. I never imagined you would amount to no more than this. Truly, seeing is not always believing!” At this moment, Ning Yunhuan felt nothing but contempt for Mu Jinzhi. She couldn't fathom what method Mu Jinyan had used to so easily dispel his suspicions, but for such an indecisive man, it was no wonder that despite having every advantage in his previous life—timing, geography, and personnel—he still lost to Mu Jinyan.

The disdain in Ning Yunhuan’s words was clear to everyone present. Mu Jinzhi’s face turned ashen. He had not anticipated that Ning Yunhuan would dare speak to him this way. A wave of frustration rose in him, yet he didn't want to engage with her—he felt that arguing with a woman of no standing would degrade his own decorum and bearing, lowering his status. Thus, though furious to the point of near collapse, he remained silent.

“Miss Lin starts off with sarcasm and innuendo, even using Second Young Master Mu as a mere pawn. When Second Young Master Mu rushed over, he called me a villain and tried to hit me. I am truly innocent; my bodyguard only moved to keep him at a distance. I didn't lay a single hair on him. I trust Councilor Mu is not as muddled and incapable of discerning right from wrong as the Eldest Young Master?”

Having finished speaking, Ning Yunhuan adopted an expression of innocence and fear.

The Mu family members fell into a silent stupor. Lin Maoshan arrived shortly after and overheard all of Ning Yunhuan’s speech. Compared to Lin Qian, his granddaughter who was so rebellious and constantly caused trouble, enjoying everything the Lin family offered without being able to fully repay it, Lin Yi, the child in his arms, held far greater importance.

If Father Lan was scheming for everything the Lin family possessed, was Lin Maoshan not also scheming against Father Lin? On the surface, the Lin family seemed to lack a successor, but if Lin Maoshan were reduced to raising only his great-grandson, he might as well have his grandsons quickly produce children to be properly cultivated.

If they knew that they could inherit the Lin family fortune, these degenerate descendants—who could do nothing but eat, drink, gamble, and visit prostitutes—would still manage to sire children, and they would certainly fight tooth and nail for control of the Lin estate. Lin Maoshan’s willingness to adopt Lin Yi was solely due to his appreciation for Father Lan’s influence.

Although the Lan family’s primary strength lay overseas, Father Lan was now showing signs of using his business dealings in Huaxia for money laundering. Setting aside everything else, the Lan family’s wealth alone was likely not far beneath that of the Lin family. After all, a family like the Lans, founded on underworld activities and operating for two centuries, would have a foundation that was not only comparable to the Lins, but perhaps even superior.

As long as Father Lan was willing to spare even a sliver of his wealth for his grandson Lin Yi, it would be enough for the Lin family to regain control of the reins in Huaxia once they had a proper heir!

It was forgivable that his grandsons did not understand his intentions, as they were all useless duds. But for his sons, especially the eldest son, Lin Chen, not to grasp his meaning—and worse, for Lin Chen to allow his daughter to constantly harass Ning Yunhuan—made Lin Maoshan suspect that his eldest son was secretly signaling opposition, filling him with deep disappointment.

“Lin Chen, book her a flight for tomorrow. Send her wherever you like, but I do not wish to see her within the Lin family residence again!” Lin Maoshan’s expression was calm, but these words left Ye Ci’s face deathly pale, her lips trembling too much to speak. Lin Dan, standing nearby, cast a meaningful glance at Ning Yunhuan, patted Ye Ci’s back, and quickly interjected:

“Grandfather, Qianqian, she merely…”

“If you intend to speak on her behalf, you will arrange a suitable match with your grandmother tomorrow.” Lin Dan was no longer young. The reason Lin Chen had held off on urging her marriage was his reluctance to allow his daughter to be married off as a mere family pawn.

Ye Ci’s womb had been uncooperative, producing only two daughters for Lin Chen throughout her life. Although customs were more relaxed now, advocating for gender equality, the higher the status of a family, the more weight they placed on tradition.

A daughter had no right to inherit the Lin estate. Lin Chen, as the eldest son, naturally resented this. He had explored other avenues, even keeping mistresses, but none had ever borne him a single child. At this stage of his life, he still only had two daughters. The younger daughter, Lin Qian, was spoiled beyond redemption. Perhaps due to Lin Dan’s lifelong excellence, Lin Qian had lived under her shadow, and the sisters’ relationship was poor.

Lin Chen had long given up on Lin Qian, but he harbored different plans for Lin Dan. He intended to find a suitable son-in-law to marry into the family. If Lin Dan could then bear him a son, he wouldn't be entirely without a chance. This was why he had never pushed for Lin Dan’s arranged marriages, instead seeking potential sons-in-law willing to marry into the Lin family in secret.

In the past, Lin Maoshan might have been aware of this situation but chose to turn a blind eye. He never expected that today, simply because Lin Dan spoke up for Lin Qian, he would move to marry Lin Dan off.

If Lin Dan were truly married away, Lin Chen’s entire scheme would be ruined. Unwilling to accept this, he frantically signaled his daughter with his eyes.

However, there is always something that restrains another thing. Although Lin Dan excelled beyond Lin Qian in almost every aspect, she genuinely loved and defended her sister. No matter how much Lin Qian hated her, Lin Dan’s affection for her younger sister ran deep; otherwise, she wouldn’t have spoken up for her before Lin Maoshan time and again.

Even though she realized Lin Chen was growing anxious, she knew Lin Qian’s life would be difficult after being cast out. Even with financial support from her and Ye Ci, for the dignified eldest daughter of the Lin family to face expulsion, losing her status and standing, her marriage prospects would surely suffer. If Lin Qian were simply rich, it wouldn’t be good fortune for her; it might even be disastrous.

“Grandfather, please give Qianqian one more chance…”

“Shut up! Who asked for your false kindness? Stop your sly moves! Do you think I don’t know what you’re scheming?” Lin Qian had been stunned by Lin Maoshan’s earlier threat to send her abroad. She hadn't realized that in her grandfather's eyes, she was less worthy than Ning Yunhuan. Already humiliated, hearing the sister she had disliked since childhood, Lin Dan, plead for her only fueled her rage rather than gratitude.

“Grandfather, you must remember whose name we carry! No matter how good you are to her, can she even bear you children?” Lin Qian’s rebellious nature, stemming from having an older sister, had intensified over the years, leading her to associate with many second-generation wastrels and pick up many vile habits. Now, her careless words made Lin Chen’s face darken, and Mu Mingli, standing nearby, stiffened her expression:

“Is this how your mother taught you manners? You won’t be going abroad either, but you won’t stay in the Lin residence. The Lin family’s long-standing reputation cannot be ruined by having descendants like you!” Mu Mingli already had numerous grandchildren, and Lin Qian was inept at speaking, much less pleasing anyone. Her constant frivolous attire was something a woman her age found appalling. Seeing her downfall now and hearing her blathering nonsense brought Mu Mingli no sympathy, only deeper disgust:

“If you are so capable, the Lin family dares not keep you. If I ever learn that anyone in the Lin family maintains contact with her in secret, or continues to support such a wayward descendant with family funds, they will be treated the same as Lin Qian—considered to have broken ties and set out to make their own way in the world!”

Mu Mingli finished speaking and glanced at Lin Maoshan, who nodded in response. The couple did not spare Lin Qian a look, focusing instead on Lin Chen and his wife.

“I’m not leaving! Why should I leave? She’s the one who should go!” Hearing Mu Mingli’s words, Lin Qian was so enraged she nearly screamed. Before she could, Lin Chen’s patience snapped. He delivered a heavy slap that unbalanced her, causing her to stumble against nearby tables and chairs before sliding to the floor. He finally let out a breath and commanded the servants, “Take her out and hand her over to Guard Wang. This is my order. Have him escort Lin Qian down the mountain and forbid her from returning home!”

Ye Ci dared not utter a sound. Those words had come from Lin Maoshan and his wife; no matter how much she hated to part with her daughter, she had to swallow her resentment, planning to beg for her return once Lin Maoshan’s anger subsided in a couple of days.

Just as Lin Qian was about to shriek, strong hands seized her arms and began hauling her away. The pink-clad girl standing beside her glanced nervously at Lin Qian, reluctant to follow but having no reason to stay, so she offered a weak plea:

“Uncle, Auntie, Qianqian is just a child. She—she can stay with me for these couple of days, and I will talk some sense into her.”

“Good child, thank you so much.” Lin Chen’s expression softened when he saw Liu Yan speaking. He nodded to her: “Please talk some sense into Qianqian. Only your words might reach her…”

“Aunt, save me…” Lin Chen’s words were cut short by Lin Qian’s piercing, pig-like shriek. Lin Min, unable to bear seeing her niece suffer, rushed to Mu Mingli, pouting: “Mom, Qianqian is so young and naive. She just misspoke. Forgive her this once. The Lin family isn’t short on money; what’s wrong with supporting one more person?”

Mu Mingli cast a sharp look at her daughter, who seemed to be aging backward, raised innocently and obliviously by Father Lan. She felt both hatred and anger, mixed with a creeping sense of caution.

In the past, when her daughter was raised under her wing, being her only child and born late in life, Mu Mingli had cherished Lin Min like her own eyeball. Though she had been spoiled terribly, growing up in a family like the Lins, Lin Min, no matter how innocent or pampered, wasn't completely witless. When she married, she had her quirks, but she understood the important matters.

Initially, they believed Father Lan, though his influence was overseas, was a suitable match for the Lin family. Furthermore, Father Lan’s unique status promised a powerful alliance between the Lan and Lin families, so they allowed the marriage. They hadn't anticipated that in just over twenty years, Father Lan would raise Lin Min into this state—Mu Mingli wasn't sure if Father Lan had done this intentionally or if he had truly doted on her until she became so carefree and shallow.

If it were the latter, it would be one thing. But if it was the former, Mu Mingli shuddered. Her daughter’s entire life would be ruined!