chapter 7 who is the clown

Gary Su walked up to Alexander Xu, his expression icy as he glared at the crowd.
The security guard, upon seeing Gary Su's arrival, felt both surprised and fearful. Before he could speak, he heard Gary Su's angry voice, "Mr. Xu is my friend. How dare you insult him like this? Apologize right now!"
Hearing Gary Su's commanding tone, the security guard trembled and quickly bowed to Alexander Xu, stammering, "Mr. Xu, I... I didn't recognize you earlier. Please forgive me."
"Mr. Xu, some people lack discernment and act rudely. Please don't be angry," Gary Su turned to Alexander Xu and said.
"It's fine, it's not a big deal, let's go in!" Alexander Xu replied calmly, showing that he wasn't bothered by the incident. He knew there were many people like that in society, and it wasn't worth his time.
"This time, Mr. Xu didn't bother with you, but be more careful in the future!" Gary Su warned the security guard.
"Yes, yes, understood!" The security guard hurriedly agreed.
As they were about to enter the hotel, Gary Su suddenly turned around, casting a cold glance that made those who had mocked Alexander Xu earlier lower their heads in shame.
Seeing this, Gary Su snorted and entered the hotel with Alexander Xu.
The onlookers began discussing the unexpected turn of events. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
"Did that young man really know Mr. Su? He's dressed so casually!"
"Some important people prefer to keep a low profile. Maybe that young man is the heir to some wealthy family. Otherwise, why would Mr. Su show him such respect?"
"You're right. We should be more careful in the future. We definitely shouldn't offend that young man."
Speculation about Alexander Xu's identity ran rampant among the crowd, as they could sense that this young man was not ordinary.
Inside the party, Gary Su raised his glass and clinked it with Alexander Xu's. "Just a bunch of clowns. Please don't mind them, Mr. Xu."
Alexander Xu nodded. "I've seen worse."
"Alright, I'll go meet a friend. Enjoy yourself," Gary Su said.
"Sure," Alexander Xu replied.
As Alexander Xu swirled the red liquid in his glass, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
"I remember the last time I had a drink was before I went to prison..."
Alexander Xu gave a self-deprecating smile, filled with a sense of how much things had changed.
Just then, a familiar voice behind him exclaimed, "Alexander Xu? What are you doing here?"
Alexander Xu turned and was unsurprised to see Barry Ye and Isla Song. They were both dressed formally, indicating their attendance at the party.
Alexander Xu smirked. "You've recovered nicely, I see. You're attending the party today."
Barry Ye's tone turned cold. "Don't change the subject, Alexander Xu!"
"We were invited to this party. I think you must have sneaked in, right? I remember clearly that your name was not on the guest list. After all, who would invite a 'murderer'?"
Barry Ye's words were filled with disdain, and he emphasized the word 'murderer' loudly, making sure everyone around heard. Dozens of pairs of eyes turned to Alexander Xu.
Even a few timid female waitstaff standing nearby, who had just heard that Alexander Xu was a 'murderer,' dropped their trays in shock and let out screams.
"This person is Alexander Xu. He owes money and actually killed someone who came to collect the debt! He just got out of prison yesterday and he's already sneaking into a party today."
Barry Ye spoke loudly, ensuring everyone could hear him.
"He looks decent on the outside, but who would have thought he's a murderer? You really can't tell a person by his appearance!”
"That's right, this kind of person dares to do anything, so we'd better stay away!"
Hearing this, the crowd became wary and unconsciously moved away from Alexander Xu. Some even called for security.
Alexander Xu smirked in response. "Barry Ye, have you ever heard the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover'? You got invited to this party, and so did I. Can't I also be invited?"
"You say you were invited here? Hahaha!" Barry Ye burst into laughter, pointing at Alexander Xu and questioning, "Tell me who invited you. I'd like to see which idiot dared to invite a murderer. Come on, reveal yourself!"
"That's right, who dares to invite a murderer? Unbelievable!" Someone in the crowd chimed in.
"Mr. Ye is absolutely right. A murderer should never be allowed to attend today's party. And the person who invited him must not be a good person either. Both of you, get out!"
Many people at the event knew Barry Ye, as he was the general manager of the Hua Feng Pharmaceutical Group, and his position was not low. It was impossible for others not to recognize him.
Hearing the strong support from the crowd, Barry Ye gained even more confidence. He looked at Alexander Xu with a smirk and said, "Why don't you get out now? If I call for help, it won't be as simple as you think!"
"Oh? Not simple? I'd like to see how complicated you can make it!"
As soon as Alexander Xu responded, Gary Su walked up with a stern expression.
"Mr. Xu is not only my benefactor but also my brother. I want to see who has the guts to slander my brother as a murderer!"
Gary Su glanced around, and the entire venue fell silent.
A murderer... No, this young man was invited by Gary Su, and he's Gary Su's benefactor?
This was beyond imagination!
Meanwhile, Barry Ye was completely stunned.
When did Alexander Xu, the murderer, become Gary Su's brother?
He had no idea about this!
With no response from the crowd, Gary Su turned his gaze to Barry Ye and said in a cold tone, "Barry Ye, you've just become the Deputy General Manager of the company, and you're already acting high and mighty? You even want to kick out the person I invited? What's next, do you want to kick me out and become the CEO yourself?"
"No, Mr. Su, I didn't know Alexander Xu was your brother. Otherwise, I wouldn't have..."
Slap!
Before Barry Ye could finish his sentence, Gary Su slapped him hard across the face.
"Starting from tomorrow, you don't need to come to the company anymore, and you have no connection with the company!"
Upon hearing this, Barry Ye trembled all over. He quickly grabbed Gary Su's clothes and pleaded, "Mr. Su, please don't fire me. I beg you! I've done so much for the company, there's no reason for you to fire me!"
Barry Ye had put a lot of effort into securing this position, and his entire future depended on it. If he were fired by Gary Su, he would have to go back to his miserable life. This was something he absolutely couldn't accept.
"Reasons, you say?" Gary Su sneered, then lowered his voice and said slowly, "Don't think I don't know that you've been in frequent contact with the Sun family recently. Are you planning to become a corporate spy?"
Barry Ye shivered at Gary Su's words. They were like a bucket of cold water being poured over him, leaving him thoroughly chilled.
"Mr. Su, I didn't..."
Gary Su waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for you to say more. I've already been merciful by not sending you to the police."
As soon as he heard this, Barry Ye didn't hesitate to kneel in front of Alexander Xu, tears and snot streaming down his face as he begged, "Alexander Xu, Master Xu, I was wrong. It was all my fault before. Please help me plead with Mr. Su. Don't let him fire me, please! I beg you!"
Seeing Barry Ye's terrified expression, Alexander Xu felt no sympathy. Instead, he felt a sense of satisfaction. He replied calmly, "You dug your own grave. You can't escape the consequences."
Then, Gary Su gestured for the security guards to take Barry Ye away.
"No, please! Alexander Xu, Mr. Su, don't do this! Don't fire me! Don't fire me!"
Barry Ye's cries echoed in the venue, growing fainter as he was escorted away. Soon, the place fell silent again.
"Is there anyone else who wants to drive Mr. Xu away? I'm here too, and I'd like to see who has the guts!" Gary Su sternly declared.
The people who had been making a fuss earlier fell silent. Even Barry Ye had been expelled, so they didn't dare to speak up.
Some even secretly rejoiced that they hadn't looked down on Alexander Xu earlier. Otherwise, it might have been them who got kicked out.
"This... How did this happen?"
Isla Song muttered to herself, her whole being in a daze. The scenes from earlier felt like a dream, too unreal to be true.
She could never have imagined that Alexander Xu knew Gary Su, the CEO of Hua Feng Pharmaceutical Group.
In an instant, she regretted her choices. If she hadn't left Alexander Xu and hadn't gotten together with Barry Ye, Gary Su might now be calling her "sister-in-law," which would have been a tremendous honor!
Considering future prospects, Alexander Xu, who had befriended Gary Su, was undoubtedly more promising than Barry Ye. But she had made a mistake this time, having associated with the wrong person!
Realizing her mistake, Isla Song hurriedly ran to Alexander Xu, tightly embracing him. She choked, "Alexander Xu, I'm sorry. It was all because of Barry Ye's pressure. You know, my family has no power, and we couldn't compete with Barry Ye. But my heart has always belonged to you. I don't want to be apart from you. I love you. Can we reconcile, please?"
Facing Isla Song's apology, Alexander Xu felt nothing. Instead, he pushed her away and asked, "Isla Song, am I a murderer?"
"No, you're not..." Isla Song cried.
"Come on, tell everyone here what happened four years ago. Who is the real murderer?!" Alexander Xu's voice grew colder and more demanding. "Tell the truth, and I might consider forgiving you!"

..