Chapter 115: A Drastic Change in Expression

“Could it be...” Ye Tiancheng’s face turned ashen.

The power standing behind the overseas Hong family was extraordinarily formidable.

Even the overseas Hong family was willing to become its subordinate, and this news had long since shaken the entire Ye clan.

The Dowager Matriarch in particular had taken the matter to the utmost seriousness. Once she learned that such immense power was driving everything from behind the scenes, she had personally ordered that the cooperation be completed without the slightest mishap. Better still, Ye Tiancheng was to meet that mysterious backer tonight and establish a relationship with him.

The three grand elders, led by Lord Ye, shared the same view. In private, they had specifically instructed Ye Tiancheng to seize this opportunity, make a strong impression, and win the attention of that hidden superior.

Ye Tiancheng naturally understood the importance of the matter. He would never allow himself to make a mistake and miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Yet now Ye Tianlin was claiming that he, too, would be meeting that person tonight.

Where had this fallen dog, stripped of his identity and driven from the family, gotten such information?

Could it be that Ye Tianlin had not been bluffing all along, but truly knew what he was talking about?

At that thought, Ye Tiancheng’s face went deathly pale. His scalp tingled with terror.

If it were really true, would that not mean he had been showing off his meager skills before a master—turning himself into a complete laughingstock?

“That’s impossible. Absolutely impossible. You must be talking nonsense—you just happened to guess correctly. If you really know something, then say it to my face!” Ye Tiancheng sucked in a sharp breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

Ye Tianlin regarded him coldly. “I never intended to conceal anything tonight. I had already planned to make the announcement here at the Su residence. Since you happened to come, I may as well let you learn exactly who I am.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall fell silent.

The relatives exchanged bewildered glances, staring at one another in disbelief.

Seeing this, everyone in the Su family immediately restrained their smugness. Could it be that Ye Tianlin still had another trump card?

As for Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, both wore solemn expressions. They scarcely dared to breathe, yet a faint glimmer of anticipation appeared in their eyes, as though they had been handed one last lifeline.

Ye Tianlin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cold and sharp. “Tonight, the backer behind the overseas Hong family will personally meet with the Dowager Matriarch. I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Ye Tiancheng’s heart began pounding violently. After several seconds of shock, he forced himself to calm down once more and gritted his teeth unwillingly. “The news must have leaked, and you happened to hear it by chance. Don’t think I don’t know that Zhao Shanhe is your most trusted and devoted follower. So stop putting on an act here just to save face!”

“Then let me tell you one more fact. The Capital Consortium is the power standing behind the overseas Hong family—and I am the one who controls the Capital Consortium.”

Ye Tiancheng frowned, then instantly relaxed. It had all been a false alarm. Shaking his head, he said, “What utter nonsense. The Capital Consortium has existed for barely ten years. What right does it have to make the overseas Hong family submit? You’re bragging without even bothering to make your story plausible. The holes in it are obvious!”

“Besides, if you were really that powerful, why has the entire Ye clan remained completely in the dark for all these years? Do you truly think the Ye clan is blind?”

“I thought you might actually have some ability, but in the end you’re doing nothing but spouting nonsense and stubbornly putting on a brave face. And the more you do that, the more satisfying this becomes!”

With that, Ye Tiancheng completely let down his guard and threw back his head in laughter.

The old master of the Su family secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately stepped forward and sneered, “Ye Tianlin, you should face reality. Putting on a brave front is useless. It will only make you lose even more face!”

“Who would have thought that the former heir of the Ye clan would sink to such depths, resorting to lies to preserve his dignity?” Su Zhengjun laughed, barely able to contain his amusement.

Su Yicai snorted contemptuously. “Ye Tianlin, you brought this fate upon yourself. If you had offered any other explanation, perhaps we might have believed you. But this excuse is simply too absurd. How could the Capital Consortium possibly be powerful enough to make even the overseas Hong family bow before it?”

Su Yixue also spoke with triumphant satisfaction. “The Capital Consortium’s assessment has already been released. If it wasn’t aimed at you, then who was it aimed at? And now you claim to be the person who truly controls the Capital Consortium? No one would believe that!”

For a moment, the gazes around them grew increasingly strange, many of them openly gleeful at his misfortune.

Ye Tiancheng clicked his tongue twice. “Ye Tianlin, Ye Tianlin... seeing you like this truly pains me. Unfortunately, I won’t give you another chance. You can forget about returning to the Ye clan for the rest of your life, let alone reclaiming the position of heir!”

Ye Tianlin replied, “Since I chose this path, I never intended to return to the Ye clan. As for the trifling position of heir, it means nothing to me.”

“Besides, I know that something like this is difficult to believe when merely spoken aloud. Fortunately, I gave instructions in advance. In a few minutes, Hong Jianian should arrive at the Su family villa.”

“So why don’t we let Hong Jianian... tell you himself?”

In an instant, the entire Su residence sank into utter silence. Not a sound could be heard.

At his words, Ye Tiancheng’s expression changed dramatically once more.