Luo Wuyou's mind was reeling.
Luo Yao had also left home at eighteen—why was she so much more formidable?
In the past, Luo Wuyou had entertained the thought that if it ever came to a life-or-death struggle with Luo Yao, she might stand a chance. But now, that notion was utterly crushed.
Disgusted by Old Master Luo's shrill voice, Luo Yao kicked him square in the mouth.
"You had your chance to speak earlier. Now? No need."
Snapping back to reality, Luo Wuyou rushed to support Old Master Luo.
"Father! Are you alright?"
Old Master Luo: "Uwah—ahbah—wah!"
"Father! What are you saying?"
"Wah—ahbah—bah!"Luo Wuyou stared at Luo Yao, her eyes burning with hatred—and fear.
"Luo Yao, what exactly do you want?"
Luo Yao looked puzzled. What did she want?
Wasn’t it them who issued the summons?
"Two things. First, hand over the family head’s key. Second, deliver Second Luo to me."
What Luo Yao sought was crucial—it involved the Luo family’s dragon vein, though no one knew what lay inside.
The key was split into two parts. One half belonged to the family head, but Luo Yao had seized the position through bloodshed, so she’d never obtained it.
This was Old Master Luo’s last lifeline.
The other half should have been with the guardian. But the previous guardian, Luo Wuyou, had failed in her role, so Second Luo—Luo Yao’s own uncle—had taken temporary custody, claiming Luo Wuyou wasn’t fit.
Later, when Luo Yao returned, she refused the guardianship and unleashed a massacre. Second Luo vanished.
Everyone assumed Luo Yao had imprisoned him.
No one had ever opened the Luo family’s treasure. Rumor said it required both keys.
But for generations, no guardian and family head had ever agreed to unlock it.
Luo Yao didn’t need the key—she just wanted to see what was inside. Was it something she required?
She hadn’t even known about the keys until after Second Luo disappeared.
Second Luo had been the most ruthless man of his generation.
"Don’t delude yourself. A woman has no right to control the Luo family’s legacy. Hand over Luo Corporation now," Luo Wuyou snapped, speaking for Old Master Luo, who could no longer articulate words.
It had just dawned on her why her father had clung to the key all these years—it was his only shield against death.
As long as he held it, Luo Yao wouldn’t kill him.
Luo Yao’s voice was ice. "No answer? Then silence it is."
"Uncle Fu, send this woman back there. She won’t see daylight again."
"Yes."
Luo Wuyou froze, a chill crawling down her spine.
The last time Luo Yao had sent her away, it had taken years to escape. Was she really going back?
Luo Yao’s disdainful gaze swept over her, and Luo Wuyou looked up—the scene was eerily familiar.
"Luo Wuyou, if I hadn’t used you as bait to lure out Second Luo, did you really think you could’ve escaped?"
What?
Luo Wuyou felt as if struck by lightning.
Now she understood why the heavily guarded facility had suddenly presented an opportunity.
It had all been Luo Yao’s design.
She was a pawn. Old Master Luo was a pawn.
Luo Yao cared nothing for blood ties.
"Ha! Haha—HAHAHA!" Luo Wuyou tore off her mask, revealing a face ravaged by burns, a grotesque contrast to her former allure.
Lin Ran recoiled—it was hideous.
"So we were all your pieces on the board. Luo Yao… you truly are heartless."
Her eyes flicked to Lin Ran.
"Little brother, be careful. This woman won’t love you. She’ll only use you."
Uncle Fu swiftly had Luo Wuyou bound. She gritted her teeth.
No. I have to fight back. What if—?ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
She lunged—but a dart struck her neck, pumping her full of sedatives.
Luo Wuyou: It’s over.
Luo Yao turned to Lin Ran, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
She was unsettled by Luo Wuyou’s words. What if Lin Ran believed them?
Everyone in this world could be a tool—but her A’Ran wasn’t.
Lin Ran grinned. "I love you, wife. You’re the best."
Luo Yao exhaled in relief, her icy glare sweeping the room.
The Luo family members shuddered, remembering her past brutality.
Why were only Luo Wuyou, Old Master Luo, and Luo Yao left of the main bloodline? Lack of heirs?
No. It was because years ago, in this very hall, a purge had left the family drenched in blood.
"You’ve fed on the Luo family’s wealth for years—yet you dared disrespect A’Ran?"
Before they could protest, Luo Yao cut in coldly.
"Expel them all. From today, they’re no longer under Luo family protection."
Uncle Fu moved instantly.
Luo Yao approached Lin Ran.
"A’Ran, did you hit them earlier… for me?"
The servants had reported Lin Ran’s outburst—how he’d slapped faces over their vile tongues.
"Damn right. They can insult me, but badmouth you? I’ll wreck them. ‘Give them face’? If I bowed to every demand, where’s my dignity?"
Luo Yao’s heart swelled with joy. Meanwhile, her guards dragged the offenders out at gunpoint.
Outside, under the barrels’ threat, Uncle Fu achieved a silent feat: severing one hand from each traitor.
From this day, few in the Luo family would remain whole.
Bi Yaolian, the second aunt, lost a hand—plus her tongue. After a pause, Uncle Fu ordered her "two balloons" removed too.
Hmm. No sign of him. Probably won’t show.
Only then was she released, left for others to scavenge.
Returning inside, Uncle Fu reported, "Young Miss, they’re gone."
Luo Yao nodded. "A’Ran, let’s leave. This place… unsettles me."
"Sure."
Lin Ran stood, amused by the day’s theatrics. Pity there weren’t snacks.
As they passed Old Master Luo’s wheelchair, the man had succumbed to pain-induced unconsciousness.
Luo Yao had him dumped in the back chambers to rot.
But she knew he’d cling to life.
He still craved his throne.
How delightful… when you finally reclaim it, only to find Luo Corporation no longer belongs to the Luos.
I can’t wait.