Forcing Them Out

Huo Xi did not argue when his father told him not to call the old man Grandpa. He did not hold much respect for his grandfather anyway. Calling him Grandpa had merely become a habit, and it also kept people from thinking he was too cold-hearted and unfilial. After all, Huo Patriarch's blood still ran through his veins.

The younger generation was naturally at a disadvantage in public opinion. Now that his father had spoken up, things were different.

He had no issue changing how he addressed him. In truth, he was rather indifferent when it came to family affection, aside from his grandmother, who had raised him since childhood.

"Huo Zhenyun's first love had an ulterior motive in leaving behind that pregnancy test report. Huo Zhenyun has thought of her all these years. If that woman and her child reappear, he may do something that harms our interests," Huo Xi said frankly, voicing his thoughts.

Bai Yu, the second son of the White Household, could not help voicing his thoughts. "No wonder we got no response when we went to the old man about the project before. So there was someone else in his heart."

The White Household's daughter also spoke up. "And Huo Patriarch was only ever so-so toward Great-Aunt back then. He never considered helping our White Household either. Otherwise, how could he have watched us decline further and further?"

Han Yi, the second son of the Han Household, had always done business alongside Huo Xi, so he immediately asked, "What do you want to do? Our Han Household will fully support you."

Bai Jue, the eldest son of the White Household, added, "Our White Household supports you as well. Besides, we still have to seek justice for Great-Aunt."

The Su Patriarch glanced at Huo Zhang, sighed, and said, "Zhang'er, what do you think?"

Huo Zhang still shared a deep bond with his mentor and disciple. He finally understood why Huo Zhang's father had never tried to stop him from studying painting.

After all, Huo Zhang was his only son. If he went into the arts, would not the Huo Household's power fall into the hands of the collateral branches?

Was Huo Zhenyun not worried about that? He truly could not understand it. Later, he thought perhaps it was because Huo Zhenyun respected Huo Zhang. He had never expected it to be this.

"Huo Xi, our Shen Household naturally stands with you." After their project collaboration and Huo Xi's wedding last time, Shen Yu had long regarded Huo Xi as a friend. Moreover, he remembered Shen Can saying that the later plot would involve the protagonists confronting Huo Xi, the great villain.

That person was bound to be an enemy of the Shen Household anyway. No matter the reason, they would certainly stand on Huo Xi's side. Everyone in the Shen Household thought the same way. Anyone allied with the protagonist was their enemy.

Everyone present could only stand with Huo Xi, because their financial entanglements ran deep. If the person in charge of the Huo Household changed, whoever took over would certainly not continue working with families close to Huo Xi.

Then they would all lose their cooperation with the Huo Household. How much annual revenue would their companies lose? Besides, those present were either related by marriage or connected as mentors, disciples, and friends. Naturally, they would only stand with Huo Xi.

"First, we cannot let them keep hiding behind the scenes. Being in the shadows makes too many things convenient for them."

"That woman kept waiting—waiting until Grandma died, until the White Household's elders were gone."

"There is only one reason she still has not appeared: they are not powerful enough yet. Of course, we cannot give them more time to grow."

"We need to force them out. Appearing before they have much strength will put them under tremendous pressure."

As soon as Huo Xi finished speaking, Shen Can's inner voice rang out.

[Woohoo, support the boss! Making them show themselves now is the best time. We can't let them keep hiding in the shadows and building up their strength.]

"I've already begun making arrangements on my end. Tomorrow, Huo Corporation will see large-scale personnel changes, along with changes to some shareholders' holdings. The public will definitely be full of speculation."

"As for Huo Zhenyun, I have already arranged a good show for him. Father, go over there and play the dutiful son who has no choice but to care for his sick father."

"First, there will be personnel changes in the company. Then Huo Zhenyun will fall ill. Huo Corporation's stock price will definitely become unstable. They will certainly panic."

After Huo Xi finished, Huo Zhang asked uneasily, "You're going after Huo Zhenyun's people? Won't that upset him and make him want to teach you a lesson?"

Huo Xi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and only then said, "I'm the one running Huo Corporation now. What is wrong with making some position changes under my own arrangements? Even if those people cry in front of him, they will not be able to change anything."

"If he truly wants to take my power, he cannot simply move against me and replace me immediately. He would have to convene a shareholders' meeting and a family meeting, then let the shareholders and family members vote on whether I can continue serving as president and family head."

"The Huo Household and the company are not his personal domain anymore. Do you think those people do not know whether it is better to offend an old man who may not have many years left, or me, someone in his twenties?"

"Besides, in wealthy families, is it not perfectly normal to replace a few people at the top with your own people? Huo Zhenyun will not make much of it. At most, he will be a little displeased."

Huo Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. His son had not risen to power because the old man had arranged it or pushed him there. His son had earned it through his own ability. It was not as though the old man could replace him whenever he pleased. There would have to be a contest of power, and his son might not lose.

"But Huo Zhenyun is not sick. If the outside world hears that he is ill and then sees Huo Corporation's stock becoming unstable, he might come out and say something. Or are you planning to use some methods on him?" Huo Zhang thought his son might resort to drugging him or something similar, and for some reason, it made him uncomfortable.

His son was smart and capable. He felt methods like drugging someone did not suit him and would tarnish his reputation. If someone truly needed to use such methods, he should do it himself. Over the years, he had not done much for his son.

"There is no need for any methods. He already undergoes a physical examination at the sanatorium every two months, and elderly people always have some health problems. The reports make them look serious enough to guide public opinion."

"We only need to leak a couple of reports dated relatively recently. Just in time, he will think that sanatorium is untrustworthy. Next month is his seventieth birthday, and did he not say he wanted to return to the country to celebrate it? When the time comes, I will have someone persuade him to return early."

"He will not come out and say anything either. I have just moved against his people. He would love to teach me a lesson, so I understand that although I am the family head, it does not mean he has no influence at all."

After hearing Huo Xi's words, Huo Zhang was completely reassured. His son had thought of everything and would not use methods that damaged his own reputation. All Huo Zhang needed to do was follow his arrangements.

"Then should we act a little arrogant in public? Like the whole 'when one person rises, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven' sort of thing? Like we're thrilled that our cousin is about to take complete control of the Huo Household?"

"After all, we are on your side. The more genuine our attitude is, the more that woman spying on the Huo Household will panic. First, there are company personnel changes, some shareholders are forced out, then the old man falls ill, and we act like this."

"She will definitely panic. She will fear that before she has the chance to return with her child, your power will have grown even greater, while the old man truly is getting old." Han Yi truly deserved to be someone who often worked alongside Huo Xi; he quickly figured out how they should act.