Chapter 134: Poor Guidance for the Protégé

Ye Hua looked at Ye Yingtang in disbelief, unable to fathom that he could be so heartless toward her. Her eyes were filled with resentment, her fingers curled into tight fists, her nails digging deep into the flesh of her palms.

If this statement were released, she would become a pariah in the capital, someone everyone would want to strike down. Those she had bullied in the past would surely come knocking to exact their revenge, ensuring her downfall would be nothing short of miserable. Her life would be utterly destroyed. She had worked so hard to reach such a high status and live such a glamorous life; how could it all just vanish in an instant? By what right did Ye Yingtang sentence her to death with a single word?

"No, this statement cannot be drafted, let alone made public." Yang Lan realized the gravity of the situation. She could not allow Ye Hua to be ruthlessly cast out of the family. If Ye Hua’s life were ruined, she and Ye Zemao would be left isolated and helpless within the Ye family, while Ye Zehong could join forces with Lu Yao to secure his seat as the next head of the family. If that happened, wouldn't the elaborate trap she and the organization had spent years planning come to nothing? Even if it meant threatening suicide, she had to ensure Ye Hua remained in the Ye family.

"In all these years, the Ye family has never faced the scandal of a granddaughter being expelled. Surely, if this statement is released, it will implicate the Ye Group. Besides, this is a family disgrace that must not be aired in public." Yang Lan took a deep breath, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "I believe this is enough to teach Xiao Hua a lesson; she will never harbor such malicious thoughts again. It is also my fault; I focused all my attention on Zemao, causing her to feel unbalanced and leading her to lash out in an attempt to vent her inner dissatisfaction. It’s all my fault; it’s all on me."

As she spoke, tears welled up and spilled from Yang Lan’s eyes. "It’s all my fault for failing to raise my daughter properly."

Ye Hua crawled on her knees to Yang Lan, embracing her and weeping along with her. "Mom, I know I was wrong. It’s not your fault; it’s mine for being immature, for being too competitive, and for being too starved for love."

Watching the mother and daughter weep in each other’s arms, Ye Yingtang’s expression grew even gloomier. Lu Yao’s face was equally unimpressed. She felt like applauding the two women for their acting performance. Tears came on cue; with such exquisite talent, it was a pity they hadn't joined the entertainment industry.

"Yingtang, considering that Xiao Hua didn't do anything to harm my life or Zemao’s, please, I beg you to forgive her this once. Just this once. If she dares to commit another mistake, I will personally drive her out of the house myself. I mean it; I will never go back on my word!" Yang Lan looked at Ye Yingtang with a pitiful expression, as if she would die right there if he did not agree.

Ye Yingtang ultimately could not bring himself to be that cruel. He glanced at Yang Lan and then said to Ye Hua, "I can stop the lawyer from making this statement public, but it remains valid. If you dare to hurt anyone again, it will be released immediately. It is permanently in effect!"

Ye Hua sobbed with gratitude. "Thank you, Father. Thank you for your guidance."

Ye Yingtang was fuming, his blood pressure soaring and his head spinning. Without another word, he walked out of the living room with a stony face.

Only then did Ye Hua let out a breath, collapsing onto the floor in exhaustion. Yang Lan helped the injured Ye Hua to her feet. "Go and apply some medicine quickly, or you’ll be left with scars."

Ye Hua braced herself and stood up slowly. The movement tugged at the wounds on her back, causing sweat to bead on her forehead from the pain. She cast a cold, chilling gaze toward Lu Yao, the look in her eyes growing increasingly vicious. It was as if she were saying that she knew Lu Yao was the one who had leaked the information, and she would never let it go.