Chapter 17: War Between Families
1178 Words
The announcement from WeiTech spread through the business world like wildfire.
By noon, every major financial network was discussing the same shocking headline.
“WeiTech CEO Liang Wei Plans to Acquire Zhang Shipping.”
Inside the headquarters of Zhang Shipping, the atmosphere was chaotic.
Executives hurried through the corridors. Phones rang endlessly. Assistants whispered urgently to one another.
In the chairman’s office, Zhang Guoliang slammed a newspaper onto his desk.
“This is ridiculous!”
The headline stared back at him in bold letters.
“Corporate War: WeiTech Targets Zhang Family Empire.”
Around the room, several senior executives looked nervous.
One of them spoke cautiously.
“Chairman Zhang, if WeiTech actually launches a hostile acquisition, we may not be able to resist.”
Zhang Guoliang’s face turned red with anger.
“Impossible!”
He pointed at the article.
“That arrogant boy thinks he can swallow Zhang Shipping?”
Another executive cleared his throat.
“President Liang has enormous financial resources.”
“And investors trust him.”
Someone else added quietly, “If he starts buying shares…”
Zhang Guoliang’s fist struck the desk again.
“This is all because of her.”
His voice dripped with contempt.
“Zhang Mei.”
Silence filled the room.
Everyone knew the family scandal from three years ago had never truly faded.
Now it had returned with greater force.
Another executive spoke nervously.
“Chairman… perhaps we should reconcile with Miss Zhang.”
Zhang Guoliang’s expression hardened immediately.
“Never.”
His voice was cold.
“She betrayed this family.”
He stood and walked toward the window.
“Let Liang Wei try whatever he wants.”
But inside, a flicker of unease stirred.
Because he knew something the others didn’t.
Zhang Shipping’s financial situation was worse than the public realized.
If WeiTech truly launched an acquisition…
The Zhang family empire might actually fall.
In another part of the Zhang family mansion, someone else was watching the news very carefully.
Liu Yating.
Zhang Mei’s stepmother.
She sat elegantly in the living room, a glass of wine in her hand as the television replayed the announcement.
The news anchor spoke excitedly.
“Experts say this could become the biggest corporate battle of the year…”
Liu Yating’s lips curved slightly.
“Interesting.”
Across from her sat her son, Zhang Lei.
He looked anxious.
“Mother, if WeiTech acquires Zhang Shipping…”
“Our position in the family will be finished.”
Liu Yating’s expression remained calm.
“Relax.”
Zhang Lei frowned.
“How can I relax?”
“Father is already furious.”
“And Liang Wei is clearly protecting Zhang Mei.”
He clenched his fists.
“That woman is destroying everything.”
Liu Yating placed her wine glass down slowly.
“No.”
Her eyes glinted coldly.
“She’s simply returning to finish what she started.”
Zhang Lei blinked.
“What do you mean?”
Liu Yating stood and walked toward the large window.
“You don’t understand your sister.”
“She was always the smartest one in this family.”
Zhang Lei scoffed.
“Not smart enough to avoid the scandal three years ago.”
Liu Yating’s smile widened slightly.
“Are you sure about that?”
Zhang Lei looked confused.
Before he could ask another question, Liu Yating picked up her phone.
“I think it’s time we contacted an old friend.”
Across the city, in a luxurious penthouse office overlooking the skyline, Wang Xiao was already aware of the situation.
He sat calmly behind his desk, reading the news reports about WeiTech’s announcement.
His assistant entered quietly.
“President Wang, someone is requesting to speak with you.”
“Who?”
The assistant hesitated.
“Mrs. Liu Yating.”
Wang Xiao’s lips curved into a slow smile.
“Ah.”
“That’s unexpected.”
He pressed a button on his desk.
“Put her through.”
The screen on the desk lit up.
Liu Yating appeared on the video call.
She looked calm and elegant, as if nothing unusual was happening.
“President Wang,” she greeted politely.
“Mrs. Liu,” Wang Xiao replied smoothly.
“To what do I owe this surprise?”
She smiled faintly.
“I believe we have a mutual problem.”
Wang Xiao leaned back in his chair.
“Zhang Mei.”
“Yes.”
“And Liang Wei,” Liu Yating added.
Wang Xiao chuckled softly.
“That man is becoming quite troublesome.”
Liu Yating folded her hands.
“He just declared war on the Zhang family.”
“I saw.”
“So,” she continued calmly, “perhaps we should cooperate.”
Wang Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Interesting.”
“What exactly do you propose?”
Liu Yating’s smile turned colder.
“Another trap.”
Meanwhile, across the city, Zhang Mei stood in Liang Wei’s office looking out at the skyline.
The news of the acquisition had already triggered chaos everywhere.
Phones rang endlessly in the office behind her.
Investors were calling.
Reporters were demanding interviews.
But Zhang Mei’s thoughts were somewhere else.
Liang Wei walked in carrying a stack of documents.
“Zhang Shipping’s stock dropped six percent after the announcement,” he said.
Zhang Mei nodded slightly.
“That was expected.”
Liang Wei studied her expression.
“You’re thinking about your family.”
She didn’t answer immediately.
Finally, she said quietly, “My father will never surrender the company.”
“I know.”
“That means this will become ugly.”
Liang Wei placed the documents on the desk.
“Corporate wars usually are.”
Zhang Mei turned toward him.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
Liang Wei met her gaze.
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
He didn’t hesitate.
“Because they attacked you.”
The simple answer made her pause.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Huo Zhen suddenly rushed into the office.
“Boss!”
Liang Wei frowned.
“What happened?”
Huo Zhen looked uneasy.
“We just received several anonymous tips.”
“What kind of tips?”
“About the scandal three years ago.”
Zhang Mei’s attention snapped toward him.
“What did they say?”
Huo Zhen hesitated.
“Most of them are useless rumors…”
He handed her a phone.
“But this one is different.”
Zhang Mei looked at the screen.
It was a simple text message.
Unknown number.
No name.
Just one sentence.
Her heart skipped a beat as she read it.
“If you want the truth about that night three years ago…”
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Liang Wei noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
Zhang Mei slowly looked up.
Her voice was quiet.
“Someone claims they know what really happened.”
Liang Wei frowned.
“Let me see.”
She handed him the phone.
He read the message.
Then his expression darkened.
Because the message ended with five chilling words.
“Come alone.”
And beneath it was an address.
- Writer
