Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

A voice full of vigor and anger boomed like a grand bell, its chilling authority falling over the room. All eyes converged on the source. When they saw who had arrived, everyone's expression changed.

"How is that possible?"

"Hasn't he stayed away from Deyun Hotel for years?"

"Why has he come today?"

The most extreme reaction, however, belonged to Xie Jinhua. Upon seeing the newcomer, his face drained of color. His body trembled involuntarily, and his lips turned white. "Gr-Grandfather, why have you come?"

The speaker was none other than Xie Hezheng, who had rushed to Deyun Hotel. Behind him stood a bearded, middle-aged man with a peculiar expression.

Even Bai Qian'er's face paled upon seeing Xie Hezheng appear. Hadn't the Xie Family Patriarch retired long ago, uninvolved in worldly affairs? Though he held the title of Family Head, everyone knew it was just a formality to maintain the family's morale. The current trajectory and strategies of the Xie Family were dictated by the brothers Xie Jiancheng and Xie Jianxin, with the other siblings merely assisting. So why would Xie Hezheng step in today...?

Bai Qian'er couldn't understand. What baffled her even more was why Xie Hezheng would speak up for Xu Ke, and so decisively at that.

She subconsciously glanced at Xu Ke, horror flashing in her eyes. Could it be... was Xu Ke so calm all along because he knew Xie Hezheng would come to his aid? How is that possible? Why would someone of Xie Hezheng's stature deign to help him?

At this moment, the same question circled in everyone's mind. To protect Xu Ke, he's going to drive his own grandson out of the Xie Family? Is he Xie Jinhua's grandfather or Xu Ke's?

Xie Hezheng walked through the door and his eyes met Xu Ke's.

Xu Ke looked at him with a hint of confusion. He knew for a fact that the one coming to help him wouldn't be Xie Hezheng.

What astonished him even more was that when the furious Xie Hezheng saw him, the old man's expression instantly melted into a remarkably kind smile. But the moment he turned back to Xie Jinhua, his face reverted to a thunderous scowl. This seamless transformation, performed in a single breath, was a masterful display of the face-changing art.

Xu Ke was dumbfounded. What is going on? He didn't get it.

And neither did Xie Jinhua. Because when Xie Hezheng walked right up to him, the first words out of his mouth were a thundering command.

"Get on your knees!"

This demand startled the entire room.

"Wh-Why?" Xie Jinhua couldn't believe it. This is my first time hosting the pre-auction gathering for the families. I was in the middle of putting Xu Ke in his place, a moment of triumph. And now, my grandfather is demanding I kneel in front of everyone? This isn't just losing face; it's utter humiliation!

"Kneel!" Xie Hezheng's voice boomed again, allowing no room for questions. His authority was immense, and fear sprouted instinctively in Xie Jinhua's heart.

THUD.

Xie Jinhua's knees gave out, and he knelt. At this moment, humiliation filled his eyes. Kneeling to his grandfather wasn't the problem. The problem was being forced to do so in front of this many people. It was unbearably shameful.

"You're kneeling to atone for your actions," Xie Hezheng said coldly. "Our Xie Family has always valued its relationships with the other prominent families. Today, you arbitrarily altered the rules and created a fake invitation, all in an attempt to drive away a guest. This kind of behavior makes all our guests feel insecure, worried they could be targeted by any one of our families at any time.

"You have not only destroyed the good image our Xie and Bai Families have painstakingly built, but you have also failed the high hopes your father and I had for you.

"From this day forward, you are forbidden from interfering in any of Deyun Hotel's affairs. You will reflect on your actions. Do you hear me?!"

As the words fell, Xie Jinhua felt as though he had been plunged into an icy abyss.

The crowd's jaws dropped in disbelief. Xie Hezheng showed up and stripped Xie Jinhua of his authority, just like that?

Only Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang secretly gave each other a thumbs-up. Regardless of whatever deep-seated animosity Xie Hezheng harbored against the Bai Family, his words were masterful. Truly worthy of Old Master Xie!

"Grandfather, no! I'll never do it again! I was wrong!" Xie Jinhua screamed wretchedly once the shock wore off.

"Gag him," Xie Hezheng said, not even bothering to look at him.

The middle-aged man beside him mercilessly stuffed a clean towel into Xie Jinhua's mouth. He could only make muffled whimpers, his face flushing crimson.

Seeing Xie Jinhua's state scared everyone into silence. Some had considered speaking up for him, but now they didn't dare. If he's this ruthless with his own grandson, how much worse would he be with us?

After dealing with this, Xie Hezheng turned to another matter. His gaze, sharp as a knife, landed on Wong Ming. Long accustomed to a high position, Xie Hezheng commanded respect without even showing anger.

THUD.

That one look was all it took. Wong Ming's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, his face ashen with fear.

"How did an idiot like this get through our doors?" Xie Hezheng roared. "Someone, throw him out!"

It would be a lie to say I'm not furious, Xie Hezheng thought. But even knowing Xu Ke has a terrifying background and that I'm here to protect him, I'm not actually angry about Jinhua targeting him. It's right for my grandson to be bold and go after what he wants. If Xu Ke couldn't even handle my grandson, he wouldn't be worthy of the person backing him. But what infuriates me is my grandson's stupidity! How could he resort to such pathetic, trashy tactics? He was about to explode with rage. If I don't teach Jinhua a harsh lesson today, the Xie Family's fortune won't last three generations!

"Yes, sir!"

Several men immediately swarmed forward, grabbed Wong Ming, and dragged him out a side door to dump him on the garbage heap behind the kitchen. Throughout the ordeal, the terrified Wong Ming didn't dare make a peep, his mind reeling with regret. What in the world is happening?

Seeing his grandfather systematically dismantling his support, Xie Jinhua fell into utter despair. What is going on?

"And you." Xie Hezheng's gaze fell upon Lin Yu.

Startled, Lin Yu bowed nervously. "Old Master Xie."

Strictly speaking, I'm part of the Bai Family's faction; otherwise, I wouldn't have followed Bai Qian'er's orders. But fundamentally, I'm an employee of Deyun Hotel, so I still have to obey Xie Hezheng. Why is he calling on me? Did I overstep? Am I about to be punished?

"You've done well," Xie Hezheng stated calmly. "You handled matters impartially and didn't bow to pressure. You also have a good demeanor. We'll arrange some training for you. The supervisor position that man just vacated is now yours."

Hearing this, Lin Yu froze on the spot in disbelief. The supervisor position at Deyun Hotel... is being given to me, just like that?

It wasn't until Bai Qian'er gently shook her and said with a smile, "Aren't you going to thank Old Master Xie?"

Snapping out of it, Lin Yu was overcome with gratitude and exclaimed, "Thank you, Old Master Xie! Thank you!"

"It's nothing," Xie Hezheng waved his hand slightly.

At that moment, all the other receptionists and servers looked at Lin Yu with envy. If we'd known that taking a slap from Wong Ming could earn us a promotion and get us noticed by Old Master Xie, we would have lined up for it!

After meting out rewards and punishments, Xie Hezheng instinctively glanced at Xu Ke, who wore an inscrutable smile. Xie Hezheng quickly averted his gaze, hoping no one noticed, while his mind raced. I've done all this, and he's smiling. He must be satisfied, right? Ah, wait... He wanted to smack himself on the head. How could I forget?

He coughed suddenly and announced, "Also, bring a new invitation over here."

An alert staff member, having already seen Old Master Xie defend Xu Ke, had already fetched a new invitation. The moment the Old Master spoke, the invitation was presented.

Xie Hezheng turned to Xu Ke. "Xu... young friend, what is your name?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The bearded, middle-aged man was stunned. What the hell? Old Master, you're not going senile, are you? Didn't you just review a file on him that went back eighteen generations? Why are you asking for his name now?

At that moment, everyone was taken aback. Old Master Xie doesn't even know his name? Could it be that his visit today wasn't specifically for Xu Ke, as we all thought?