Chapter 12: Jiang Bei's Number One, Daring to Covet My Woman?

As soon as Uncle Li left, Angus Mu couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. Ben Xiao curiously asked, "Uncle Angus, who is that man?" Angus Mu sighed, "His name is Spike Li, the most trusted confidant of my second brother and a formidable martial artist. He's always by my brother's side, eliminating opposition for him. His actions and words represent my brother's will..." He stopped mid-sentence, reluctant to continue. Ben Xiao urged, "Uncle Angus, just say it." Angus Mu paused, then with a bitter smile said, "It was Spike Li who threatened me, forcing me to leave the board. Let's not dwell on the past." Ben Xiao frowned slightly, feeling a bit of sorrow. According to Sam Mu's original plan, Pearl Mu was to become the CEO of the Mu Corporation. The Mu family's billions should have been in his wife's hands. But, betrayed by her two brothers, she ended up like this... Just then, Pearl Mu returned from work. In her tight-fitting OL uniform, she showcased a devilish figure. Especially her long legs in black stockings stirred endless fantasies. However, she looked tired and irritable. She glared fiercely at Ben Xiao before collapsing wearily on the sofa. "Dad, did uncle Paul call you about the dinner tonight? He called me personally." Angus Mu, with a wry smile, replied, "Spike Li just came to inform us." "What? Spike Li came in person?" Pearl Mu stood up in shock, her eyes wide. Angus Mu nodded solemnly: "Besides inviting us, the Yue family and the Lei family from Jiang Bei will also attend. This is a setup!" Pearl Mu, with a hint of self-mockery, said, "Tonight, they want to butcher our family on the chopping block..." "The death of Douglas Ye, the annihilation of Eric Ye's family, the arrest of Patrick Yue, Oliver Mu's beating, the tearing of the contract... all these accounts, they want to settle tonight." Pearl Mu glared harshly at Ben Xiao: "This is all because of the trouble you caused..." Before she could finish, Angus Mu coughed twice: "Mind your attitude. You promised me to actively pursue Ben until he falls in love with you." Pearl Mu fell silent. Her father's protection of Ben Xiao annoyed her, but she was used to it. She pursed her lips, her attitude softening significantly: "Dad, this is a serious matter. If we attend the banquet, someone might lose their life. Maybe... let Ben Xiao escape." "If he leaves Zhonghai, there might be a chance to turn things around. The Yue and Lei families wouldn’t really want our lives, would they?" Angus Mu firmly replied: "Ben Xiao has only been in Zhonghai for a few days, asking him to flee... that's not appropriate. Don’t worry, I have a plan. We'll just go to the banquet as usual." "Dad, you're not still expecting uncle Paul to help us, are you?" "With the Lei and Yue families involved, do you think we can still escape? I hope Uncle still remembers our kinship and doesn’t go too far. That's settled then! We'll leave for the banquet in an hour!" Leaving these words behind, Angus Mu went upstairs. His departure left Ben Xiao and Pearl Mu alone in the living room, leading to an awkward atmosphere. Pearl Mu stared resentfully at Ben Xiao, wanting to say something but ultimately sighing and turning upstairs, ignoring him. Ben Xiao picked up the phone and dialed Jacob’s number: "Jacob, arrange for tonight's Mu family banquet…" An hour later, the three drove to Paul Mu's residence. Pearl Mu, driving the car, looked solemn and pale. Her emotions were complex. Ben Xiao had resolved the conflicts with Colin Chen and Douglas Ye for her, retrieved the contract from Oliver Mu, saving Rainbow Security Group. The feeling of being protected by him made her heart race and moved her inexplicably. Yet, she still felt Ben Xiao was too impulsive, causing one big problem after another. Reason told her not to let Ben Xiao continue unbridled, as it would lead to disaster. But somehow, she didn't act against him, instead getting increasingly swept up in his pace, almost drowning in it... Forty minutes later, they arrived at Paul Mu's residence. Jin Xiu Mountain in Jiang Bei, Yun Ding Villa District. Nestled in the mountains and waters, with excellent feng shui, Jin Xiu Mountain wasn't high but possessed the majesty of a tiger and dragon, overlooking all of Jiang Bei. Ben Xiao, sitting in the car, couldn't help but take a good look around: "This villa area is excellent, with a high strategic position, gathering the momentum from all directions. Living here can flourish one's family and power." Pearl Mu, annoyed, glanced at Ben Xiao: "Are you still in the mood to admire the scenery at this time?" Angus Mu replied: "This is the most prestigious villa area in Jiang Bei, without a doubt. There are ninety-nine villas here, not for sale at any price. Those living here are the top elites of Jiang Bei. And uncle's residence is Jin Xiu Number Two." "The Yue family of Jiang Bei resides in Jin Xiu Number Three." Ben Xiao looked up towards a villa on the top of Jin Xiu Mountain, curious: "What about Jin Xiu Number One?" Angus Mu explained: "Jin Xiu Number One is inhabited by the retired general, Vivian Zhou." Ben Xiao found the name familiar: "Vivian Zhou?" Angus Mu: "One of the four deputies of David Hua. He played a significant role in quelling the Binh Giang Province unrest and was awarded the rank of general. After retiring, he settled here. The only general in Jiang Bei. For many years, despite the constant rivalry among the top families, including the rise of the Yue and Lei families, no one dared to offend General Zhou." Ben Xiao showed more respect: "With the merit of quelling unrest, even the powerful local families of Jiang Bei wouldn’t dare to offend General Zhou." Angus Mu suddenly glanced at Ben Xiao and sighed: "A general can command respect in Jiang Bei. The Xiao family of Dongyong Mountain once pacified eighteen provinces in the east, their merit and status were unparalleled..." Hearing this, Pearl Mu's gaze intensified. Her resentment towards Ben Xiao seemed to lessen somewhat. Soon, the car stopped in front of the grand gate of Jin Xiu Villa Number Two. A huge mansion covering more than six acres, majestic, almost like a private estate. As soon as they got out of the car, Oliver Mu, his face wrapped in bandages, approached with sarcasm: "Glad to see you didn't run away, or the consequences would've been severe." "Sister, uncle, please come in." Saying this, Oliver Mu glared at Ben Xiao, taunting: "Ben Xiao, tonight's banquet is also prepared for you. I hope God blesses us to leave through this door alive." His voice was low but full of mockery. "No need for God's blessing, I shall fulfill your wish." Ben hummed, leading the way into the Mu family's gate. They crossed the large lawn of the estate, and at the end was the banquet hall. The hall was large, over four hundred square meters, with a big round table in the center. Surrounded by tea tables and sofas, the environment was quite elegant. As soon as the three sat down, a mocking female voice rang from behind. "Oh, isn't this our once heir of the Mu family, Miss Mu? What a rare guest." Ben Xiao frowned slightly and looked ahead. A tall beauty in a green strap dress, accompanied by a middle-aged man, approached. It was Odelette Mu, Paul Mu's eldest daughter. Speaking of it, Odelette is Pearl's cousin. Odelette's words were sharp and without a hint of kinship. Pearl Mu seemed accustomed to this and was not surprised. The man accompanying Odelette Mu was none other than Paul Mu. The Second Elder of the Mu family, controlling billions in assets, commanding respect and awe. Dressed in a grey Zhongshan suit, he exuded the aura of a leader, proud and indifferent. As Paul Mu entered, everyone stood to greet him. He took his seat and gestured with his hand, immediately quieting the room. After some pleasantries, Paul Mu looked at his watch, coughed, and his expression turned cold: "Angus, you've gone too far." Angus Mu, serious, replied: "Brother, speak your mind." Paul Mu, sitting at the head of the table, said haughtily: "Five years ago, our father disappeared suddenly. The Mu Corporation faced a crisis. My niece, in accordance with our father's will, took over as CEO. The Mu family united, ambitious to overcome the crisis. At that time, Roger Lei was ardently pursuing my niece, and everyone was optimistic about this match. If our family allied with the Lei family through marriage, the Mu Corporation's crisis could have been easily solved." "But you, Angus, flatly refused Roger Lei, causing a rift between the Lei family and us, ultimately leading to the Mu Corporation's collapse. If not for me and our elder brother stepping in, the Mu family wouldn't have just split; it would have been destroyed." "Angus, because of your selfish desires, the Mu family has been torn apart. This is the life's work of our father." Hiss! Pearl Mu and Angus Mu gasped in disbelief, staring at Paul Mu. At first, it was clearly Uncle and Second Uncle, driven by greed, who had forcefully ousted Pearl Mu, leaving her with nothing... And yet, they could speak so self-righteously? Can people really be this shameless? However, this was just the beginning. Even more shameless things were yet to come... Paul Mu continued to righteously enumerate: "That aside, after you rejected Young Master Lei, you went against my and Elder Brother's wishes, stubbornly marrying off my niece to a useless Xiao from Dongyong Mountain." "Brother Angus, do you realize how many powerful enemies the Xiao family of Dongyong Mountain has? You're dragging our entire Mu family into deep waters." "A useless scion of the Xiao family, even if he survives by chance, can't ensure his own safety. How can he compare to Young Master Lei, the foremost family in Jiang Bei? You're truly foolish, abandoning the promising path offered by Young Master Lei and betting on a failure, missing a golden opportunity. Our Mu family had the chance to rise further, but you squandered it." At this point, Paul Mu suddenly slammed the table and bellowed: "I can overlook these past issues, but the recent events are too much. You've indulged your son-in-law, killing Douglas Ye, the King of Jiang Bei, causing a huge uproar. Are you trying to turn the world upside down?" "If it weren't for me still considering you a brother, maneuvering around to find a way out for your family, all three of you would've been dead by now!" "Young Master Lei, out of old affection, has offered a condition to resolve this matter — as long as Pearl Mu publicly announces her divorce from Ben Xiao and marries Young Master Lei, then everything Ben Xiao has done recently can be erased!" As soon as these words were spoken... Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! The sound of dense footsteps approached from the entrance. Hundreds of armed mercenaries entered in a line, surrounding the banquet hall. Leading them was a young man in a wine-red suit. Standing at 1.8 meters tall, robust and upright, with a commanding presence, his muscles exuded explosive strength. His eyebrows were sharp, his gaze cold and unparalleled, radiating the aura of someone born to be admired. The number one young master of Jiang Bei. Cooper Lei, the son of Roger Lei. He held a bouquet of roses made from pure gold thread, exquisitely crafted and lifelike. There were ninety-nine roses, and just the cost of making them was over a hundred million. Click! Cooper Lei walked into the banquet hall with a commanding stride, stopping in front of Pearl Mu. He extended the roses with a gentlemanly smile: "Pearl, I've said before, I am your true dragon, your destined one. No matter what difficulties you face, I will always come forward to protect you." "Ben Xiao is nothing but an ant in my presence, utterly unworthy of you. Leave him and marry me!" With these words, he knelt on one knee, his face full of sincerity. ----------