Could it be that they are here to apologize?

The next day.

News of the Imperial Capital Consortium quickly spread throughout the Jiangnan region.

Upon learning that the Imperial Capital Consortium had executed a complete one-eighty-degree shift in its attitude, the Matriarch immediately convened a meeting.

Family members took their seats one after another in the conference room, excitement and elation written across all of their faces.

Especially the three senior elders, led by Elder Ye, who wore expressions of absolute triumph and satisfaction!

As for Jiang Yingxia, she remained submerged in the crowd, her expression deeply desolate.

The Matriarch sat at the head of the table, her face wreathed in smiles. She pressed her hands downward toward the gathered assembly to quell the surrounding commotion and murmurs, then began to speak: "Just as I anticipated, the Imperial Capital Consortium has finally relented and agreed!"

"Furthermore, all business operations of the Ye Family have fully stabilized through the intervention of the Imperial Capital Consortium. Although there have been some losses over the past few days, the overall foundation remains unharmed!"

"In ten minutes, representatives sent by the Imperial Capital Consortium will formally appoint our Ye Family as an affiliate family of the consortium!"

At these words, the entire room stood up and burst into applause.

Over the past few days, every single family member had endured immense pressure, terrified that the Ye Family would collapse entirely. With the current reversal of fortune, this was undoubtedly joyous news of the highest magnitude.

"This truly is finding a village after doubts and dark trees make way for flowers. It seems my previous deduction was entirely correct—Ye Tianlin was merely a puppet of the Imperial Capital Consortium all along." Elder Ye stroked his white beard, throwing his head back in unrestrained laughter.

The Matriarch said in a deep voice, "Now that the grand局 is settled, the Ye Family becoming an affiliate is a nailed-down certainty. As for Ye Tianlin, that puppet, he naturally has no further use to the Imperial Capital Consortium."

Instantly, the cheers in the room grew even louder, creating a sensational atmosphere.

The strength of the Imperial Capital Consortium was now fully on display for all to see. Choosing to submit and attach themselves to it was hardly a shameful matter; on the contrary, it carried countless benefits and zero harm, ensuring that the future of the Ye Family would be walked with far greater stability and longevity!

At this very moment, only Jiang Yingxia stood alone in a corner, unable to feel even a shred of joy, her mood exceptionally depressed.

Perhaps prior to this, Jiang Yingxia could still barely accept the Matriarch's actions, but as events unfolded, the Matriarch had grown so cold that she felt almost unrecognizable!

What kind of mindset allowed the Matriarch to smile so brightly without feeling the slightest pang of heartache for her own flesh and blood?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yingxia could not help but harbor resentment, yet she felt entirely powerless, completely unable to imagine how Ye Tianlin could possibly break this deadlock.

Especially since Elder Ye would never let the matter rest!

When that time came, even if the Matriarch refused, Elder Ye would find every possible means in private, using any ruthless method necessary, to take Ye Tianlin's life and avenge Ye Tiancheng!

Of course, whether the Matriarch would agree or not remained an unknown!

After all, through so many twists and turns, Ye Tianlin had clearly become the public enemy of the Ye Family, arousing the collective anger of the clan. Once Elder Ye embellished the story and fanned the flames in public, if the Matriarch failed to make a decisive judgment, she would likely find it difficult to appease the public sentiment!

Sure enough, Elder Ye immediately raised his voice and proposed publicly, "Matriarch, for a disloyal and unfilial degenerate like Ye Tianlin, simply expelling him from the family registry would be letting him off far too easily."

In an instant, this once again caused a shockwaves throughout the room.

"Make him pay with his life!"

"If he doesn't die, it simply won't be fair!"

"Matriarch, as the head of the family, you should set a public example for this matter. Otherwise, everyone here simply cannot swallow this anger, and it violates the family rules!"

The Matriarch slowly withdrew her smile, her expression gradually growing gloomy. Facing the attitude of the crowd and knowing full well there was no turning back, she spoke with stern severity, "The nature of Ye Tianlin's offense is indeed grave. Once this matter is concluded, I will certainly give everyone a reasonable explanation!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Ye beamed from ear to ear, cupping his hands in salute. "The Matriarch is wise! That rebellious scoundrel Ye Tianlin deserves to be executed to deter others!"

Outwardly, the Matriarch appeared to nod in agreement, but inwardly, she felt deeply uncomfortable, silently cursing Ye Tianlin for his foolishness and ignorance. If he had only listened to her instructions from the very beginning, things would never have degenerated to this point, no matter what.

Fortunately, however, Ye Tiancheng was also dead, meaning Elder Ye's faction was destined to have no hope. As long as Elder Ye's faction failed to reap the benefits, everything else was manageable!

At worst, after Ye Tianlin's death, they could simply select a suitable candidate from the younger generation of the family and throw their full support behind them!

Of course, had Ye Tianlin's father not died so early back then, they wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble. It was a pity the deceased could not be brought back to life.

Just at that moment, the door to the conference room was pushed open.

All gazes in the room turned successively in the same direction.

A familiar figure, holding a piece of official notice, stepped leisurely inside.

Elder Ye's eyes lit up. Unable to contain his inner glee, he sneered, "Ye Tianlin, why is it you who has come personally? Could it be that the Imperial Capital Consortium sent you here to admit your mistakes?"