44: Gao family? Your Gao family is nothing!

Gao Shiyuan was seeing stars from the beating, almost passing out. He forced himself to stay conscious and pleaded tearfully:

"Director Shen, spare my life! Spare my life!"

"Slap!"

Another harsh slap landed, and Gao Shiyuan slumped to the ground, his face swollen like a pig's head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Gao Shiyuan was in so much pain he almost fainted, but he didn't dare to resist, only holding his head to avoid Shen Yuntao's furious assault.

He had lived a smooth life, never once being hit, and never expected to be brutally beaten one day.

Gao Yunyun huddled in a corner, trembling with fear, not daring to look at Gao Shiyuan being beaten anymore.

Shen Yuntao roared:

"I'm telling you, if Young Master Lu isn't appeased, I'll immediately have bodyguards drag you out, cripple you, and then throw you to the dogs in the suburbs!"

Gao Shiyuan was scared out of his wits, scrambling over to hug Shen Yuntao's pant leg and wailing: "Director Shen... please save me... woo woo..."

"Hmph!"

Shen Yuntao kicked him away in disgust, then turned to Lu Chen with a fawning expression,

"Young Master Lu, this scoundrel Gao Shiyuan just needs a good lesson. You can deal with him however you please. I just hope Young Master Lu will calm down and not let this affect our relationship, what do you say?"

Lu Chen smiled and shook his head, a playful curve on his lips.

He slowly walked over to Gao Shiyuan, raised his superior foot, and looked down at him.

Gao Shiyuan trembled all over, his eyes showing a pleading look: "Young Master Lu... Young... Young Master Lu..."

Lu Chen said indifferently: "Where is Gao Xuewei? Bring her out to me, completely and respectfully."

"Wh-what?" Gao Shiyuan suspected he had misheard.

Seeing this, Shen Zeting, despite his fear, stumbled over and asked anxiously:

"Young... Young Master Lu, what did you mean by what you just said? How could my fiancée provoke you?"

Lu Chen coldly glanced at Shen Zeting, "Your fiancée?"

Shen Zeting was stunned and, before he could react, he was kicked!

"Unfilial son, your horoscopes haven't even been matched yet, what fiancée!" Shen Yuntao reprimanded sharply, then smiled obsequiously at Lu Chen, explaining:

"Young Master Lu, you've misunderstood... Our A-Ting and their Gao Family have absolutely no relation..."

Shen Zeting was dumbfounded: "Dad, didn't you already agree to my marriage with Xuewei?"

Shen Yuntao kicked him: "You beast! Shut up!"

Shen Zeting was extremely wronged and was about to argue, but Shen Yuntao had already turned to Lu Chen, his face full of smiles:

"Young... Young Master Lu, this matter is truly a misunderstanding."

Shen Yuntao continued to smile obsequiously, "Our Shen Family and the Gao Family have always kept to ourselves; we know absolutely nothing about what their Gao Family has done!"

In just a few short sentences, Shen Yuntao completely distanced himself from the Gao Family.

Having been in the business world for many years, he had long cultivated a sharp eye for observing people's expressions, and then he recalled Young Master Lu's reputation as a playboy.

He instantly understood the purpose of Lu Chen's visit: it was Gao Xuewei!

If he didn't distance himself from Gao Xuewei now, the next one to be dealt with would be the Shen Family!

Lying on the ground, covering his face, Gao Shiyuan wanted to curse when he heard these words!

It was Shen Zeting who had taken the initiative to propose marriage with great fanfare.

But now, Shen Yuntao, upon encountering trouble, chose to protect himself, even lying through his teeth to deny the relationship!

This was simply abandoning a donkey after the millstone was used!

Gao Shiyuan endured the intense pain, struggled to sit up, and pointed at Shen Yuntao, cursing loudly:

"You, Shen Yuntao, I used to be so respectful to you, but I never expected this is how you treat our Gao Family!"

Shen Yuntao's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing: "Gao Family? What's your Gao Family worth!"

Gao Shiyuan's chest heaved violently with anger. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Shen Yuntao, wishing he could devour him, gritting his teeth:

"Shen Yuntao, it's a shame our Gao Family even considered marrying our daughter into your Shen Family! Turns out you are so heartless and unfeeling! Your Shen Family just wait for your retribution!"

Shen Yuntao's expression changed dramatically: "Gao Shiyuan!"

He suddenly raised his hand and slapped Gao Shiyuan hard across the face.

Gao Shiyuan's ears rang from the sudden slap, his face swollen like a pig's head, and two large white teeth detached from his mouth, falling to the floor with a harsh clatter.

He covered his face and let out a tragic laugh: "Hahaha, I should have guessed it long ago, you, Shen Yuntao, never considered our Gao Family as relatives. Today I finally understand..."

Shen Yuntao was furious, pointing at Gao Shiyuan and shouting:

"What nonsense are you talking about? Our Shen Family has never had any relatives from your Gao Family!"

With that, he turned to Lu Chen with a fawning expression,

"Young Master Lu, this Gao Shiyuan is just a fool. Rest assured, I will severely punish him later and give you an explanation."

Gao Shiyuan was fuming: "You..."

Lu Chen glanced at Gao Shiyuan lightly, his tone calm: "I have no interest in your affairs. Have Gao Xuewei come out to see me; don't make me lose my patience."

"Alright!" Shen Yuntao hastily agreed, then turned and shouted to the secretary nearby, "Xiao Wu, quickly go and invite Young Miss Gao downstairs."

Xiao Wu hurried upstairs.

Shen Yuntao ingratiated himself, "Young Master Lu, please wait a moment. I'll arrange for refreshments right away."

Lu Chen leaned lazily on the sofa, his expression calm and noble, and said indifferently: "If it weren't for Shen Qingyan, you wouldn't be standing here perfectly fine right now."

"Yes, yes, yes, thank you, Young Master Lu, thank you, Young Master Lu, I know I was wrong..." Shen Yuntao said fearfully, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, a chill running down his spine.

Gao Shiyuan, who was lying on the ground nearby, suddenly came to his senses when he heard this.

Shen Qingyan was the woman from the Shen Family who had caught the eye of a Young Master from a prominent Family in Yanjing City, and because of her, their Shen Family was able to successfully become one of Tianhai City's three major groups.

Yanjing... Young Master Lu... Could it be... could it be... Gao Shiyuan looked up in astonishment, staring intently at the man sitting casually on the sofa.

Young Master Lu... In Yanjing, only the eldest Young Master of the Lu Family could be called Young Master Lu, and that was Lu Chen!

Gao Shiyuan felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, almost fainting.

Gao Xuewei... Gao Xuewei was actually involved with Lu Chen... His mind raced, but he couldn't figure out when Gao Xuewei had gotten involved with Lu Chen.

After his daughter was driven out of the Gao Family a few years ago, her life had been very difficult; she not only had to take care of her child alone but also worked several part-time jobs, and privately, she had no contact with anyone.

How could... how could she be involved with the Lu Family of Yanjing City?

The more Gao Shiyuan thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he slumped to the ground, like a puddle of mud.

Shen Yuntao, however, paid no attention to Gao Shiyuan's condition. He diligently brought tea and snacks forward:

"Young Master Lu, please try this. This is the newly arrived Dragon Well tea; it's mellow and fragrant, I guarantee you'll love it after one sip..."

Lu Chen didn't even look at him: "Get out."

Shen Yuntao chuckled twice, then sheepishly walked to the side and stood there.

A moment later, faint footsteps were heard from the stairs...