Showdown (Continued)

The closest to notice was Second Aunt, whose sharp eyes immediately caught the glaring scene in the photo.

Lu Mingye was smiling tenderly, his hand resting on the head of an unfamiliar boy, while a strikingly alluring woman nestled against his side.

The image looked as heartwarming as a happy family of three—yet as bitterly ironic as a sharp knife, ruthlessly stabbing into the eyes of every member of the Lu Family.

Lu Mingshi swiftly grabbed a handful of photos and the investigative report. After just a glance, his expression twisted into something indescribable.

He passed the documents to his younger brothers, Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle, and soon, the entire second generation of the Lu Family had seen the irrefutable evidence that would ruin Lu Mingye’s reputation.

The boy’s name on the birth certificate, the expensive private school he attended, the riverside mansion purchased under Lu Mingye’s name…

Every detail was undeniable.

Faced with the evidence, Lu Mingye’s feeble excuses sounded utterly hollow.

He collapsed into his chair, his face ashen, eyes brimming with terror and despair.

He was finished.

He knew—he was completely finished.

The dining room was deathly silent, save for Lu Chengsi’s labored breathing.

The old man closed his eyes, his face etched with anguish.

A family scandal—and such a disgraceful one at that!

After a long pause, he slowly reopened his eyes. The towering fury had been forcibly suppressed, replaced by the cold calculation of a seasoned strategist.

He turned to Lou Mengling, his tone softening, laced with a hint of negotiation:

"Mengling, this is Mingye’s fault. I failed as a father. I’ll make him kneel and apologize to you! I’ll ensure he cuts all ties with that woman! But… could we reconsider the divorce? This affects the Lu Family’s reputation, and the children—"

It was a classic attempt to smooth things over.

For the sake of the family’s dignity, he was willing to sacrifice his daughter-in-law’s suffering.

In the past, Lou Mengling might have yielded to her father-in-law’s persuasion.

But not anymore.

"Father, I’ve upheld the Lu Family’s dignity for over twenty years," she met Lu Chengsi’s gaze without flinching.

"For twenty years, I’ve lived as a joke. Now, I refuse to keep pretending. I want my dignity back."

"As for the children," she glanced around, "they’re grown. They’ll understand."

"You—" Lu Chengsi hadn’t expected such defiance. For a moment, he was speechless.

Then, Lu Chenyuan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

He rose slowly, his tall figure casting an oppressive shadow under the crystal chandelier.

First, he bowed slightly to Lu Chengsi, his tone respectful but his words unyielding:

"Grandfather, this is Mother’s personal matter. As the victim in this marriage, she has every right to make whatever decision she deems right. No one has the authority to interfere."

Then, his sharp gaze swept across the uncles and aunts present. His voice, though quiet, carried an unmistakable authority that reached every ear.

"I’m not here to witness a farce or judge who’s right or wrong. I’m here to make one thing clear: I unconditionally support my mother’s decision."

He paused, his tone turning colder, firmer.

"Her freedom, her dignity, outweigh any so-called ‘family reputation.’ If anyone believes our family’s dignity depends on sacrificing my mother’s happiness, then we don’t need such dignity."

Finally, his eyes landed on his father, now a broken shell. There was no warmth left in his gaze—only finality.

"Father," he said calmly, as though stating an irrelevant fact,

"It’s time you faced the consequences of your actions."

Silence.

The room was stunned.

Lu Chenyuan’s words weren’t just support—they were a declaration.

A declaration that he stood with his mother, severing ties with Lu Mingye’s lineage and the rotten family rules that prioritized face and profit above all else.

Lu Mingye’s last hope shattered.

With Lu Chenyuan’s backing, Lou Mengling’s divorce was inevitable.

The Lou Family’s support would also harden in light of Lu Chenyuan’s stance.

He had lost his wife—and the backing of the Lu Family’s most powerful heir.

His standing in the family would plummet.

The atmosphere in the dining room was suffocating.

Lu Chengsi stared at the grandson he had raised, now entirely beyond his control. Anger, helplessness, but most of all, resignation churned within him.

He knew—from today onward, this family would never be the same.

Seeing no room for compromise, Lu Chengsi sighed, his tone brooking no argument:

"Fine, I won’t stop you. But until everything is settled, this stays confidential. However you feel, publicly, you remain the Lu Family’s First Lady. The family’s stock must not fluctuate because of this. That’s non-negotiable."

Lou Mengling hesitated, then nodded. "Agreed."

Without giving anyone time to react, Lu Chenyuan stepped to his mother’s side and gently helped her up. "Mom, let’s go home."

"Okay." She tossed the empty folder onto the table, as though discarding a heavy, shameful past.

Arm in arm, mother and son walked out of the mansion—the gilded cage that had suffocated Lou Mengling for half her life—under the Lu Family’s complex, awed gazes.

...

The car glided smoothly away from the Western Hills estate, the city lights streaming past the windows.

Inside, Lou Mengling remained silent, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

Only when the opulent manor vanished from the rearview mirror did her tense shoulders finally relax. Two silent tears traced down her cheeks.

They weren’t tears of sorrow—but of liberation.

Lu Chenyuan didn’t disturb her. He drove them back to their own villa.

When the door opened, warm light spilled from the living room. Lou Mengling froze.

On the sofa sat four anxious figures—her three sons and her beloved youngest daughter, Lu Qianqian.

The moment they saw their mother and eldest brother, they rushed forward.

"Mom!" Lu Qianqian was the first to embrace her, her eyes red-rimmed. "Big Brother told us everything."

The siblings gathered around, their faces free of gossip or shock—only pure, unwavering support for their mother.

Looking at her five grown children, at the unconditional love in their eyes, the last icy walls around Lou Mengling’s heart melted away.

She smiled—a genuine, radiant smile—even as her tears fell harder.

She had lost her husband, but in return, she found herself again—and realized she possessed the most precious treasures in the world: her children.

Lu Chenyuan watched calmly as his mother was surrounded by his younger siblings, then walked to the entryway and picked up the suitcase he had packed earlier.

The others looked at him in confusion.

His gaze swept over his mother and siblings as he announced evenly,

"I’ve already arranged for a place outside. Lin Yuan has taken care of everything. Starting today, I’ll be moving out of the Lu Family as well."

Lu Chenyuan paused, then turned to the third sibling, Lu Chenyan. "Your agent has been bribed. I trust you know what to do."

With that, Lu Chenyuan stepped out of the Lu Family home.