Chapter 254: Psychological Manipulation
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“That’s not just about five million anymore,” Mei Shu said, completely unfazed by him. Her expression became even more meaningful.
Lu Ming shivered inexplicably, his face twisted into a bitter expression. “So, tell me, who’s so against me being with Niannian?”
Mei Shu noticed that she had complete control over his emotions now and was satisfied with how things were going. She grinned and said, “Since the moment your affair was exposed, besides Niannian, who else vehemently disagreed with you staying in the Shen family?”
Lu Ming furrowed his brow, clearly still struggling to come up with an answer.
Mei Shu continued calmly, “1 guess you and your mother have both tried hard to avoid divorce with Shen Nian. Let’s not even discuss what Shen Nian thinks, but haven’t you noticed someone else’s reaction was even more extreme than Shen Nian’s?”
Lu Ming gradually began to form a picture of a certain person in his mind, but he refused to entertain that thought. However, the clenched fist resting on his knee betrayed his true feelings.
“I think you already have an answer in your heart about who this person is. Shen Nian didn’t come here this time because he stopped her. He’s the one person who doesn’t want any connection between you and Shen Nian,” Mei Shu said.
Lu Ming scoffed and asked, “How do you know for sure that Shen Nian didn’t come because of some urgent matter? What if she had something important to attend to?”
“Lu Ming, given your current situation, you’re surprisingly naive,” Mei Shu sneered, not mincing her words. “Back when you two got married, the Shen family generously gave you five percent of the company’s shares. Over the years, your family’s wealth has grown substantially thanks to the company’s dividends. While it may not seem like much, it’s a fortune you can never fully enjoy.”
“The fact that the Shen family was willing to give you, an outsider, such a large stake in the company shows their trust in you. But now, someone wants to take that away. He doesn’t want you and your mother to continue profiting from the company’s dividends.”
“You’re talking about Shen Quan, right?” Lu Ming muttered, lost in thought. “I did make a mistake, but 1 believe that if I work hard, Shen Nian’s father will eventually accept me again! He has always been good to our family, and our relationship has been good. He wouldn’t suddenly turn so heartless!”
Without the Shen family’s connections and shares, Lu Ming wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything.
After all these years of living a comfortable life, he had become lazy.
Could it be that he would have to work for someone else if he got divorced now?
That would be even worse than death for him!
“It’s impossible, Lu Ming. If it were just a matter of losing Shen Nian, Shen Quan might not be so heartless. But now, he won’t give you another chance,” Mei Shu said decisively.
Lu Ming thought Mei Shu was exaggerating and trying to scare him. An overwhelming sense of anger and frustration welled up inside him. He failed to realize that Mei Shu had already taken control of his thoughts, leading him step by step into the linguistic trap she had set.
“Why do you say that? I’ve been his son-in-law for so many years, and I’ve shown filial piety to him. He can’t just cut me off like this!”
Mei Shu replied coldly, “Don’t you find it strange, Lu Ming? Your marriage to the Shen family was obviously an unlikely match. Why would Shen Quan choose you as his son-in-law in the first place? Why would he marry his beloved daughter to someone like you?”
“It’s because I’m outstanding! Shen Nian’s father knew I was capable, so he allowed me to marry into the Shen family. If you hadn’t sent that video to Niannian, 1 would have become the sole decision-maker in the Shen family!” Lu Ming retorted, glaring at Mei Shu.
If it weren’t for her interference, he and Shen Nian could have been a model couple, and he could have continued to enjoy his extramarital affairs!
It was all because of her meddling…
Seeing the hatred in his eyes, Mei Shu realized that she had set the stage well. Now, she continued to manipulate him, saying, “No, the reason you’ve enjoyed years of wealth and prosperity isn’t just because of your own abilities, but because of your mother.”
Lu Ming was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Mei Shu thought that this man really knew nothing, but she managed to keep a straight face and said, “Because Shen Quan and your mother were old acquaintances. He had always coveted your mother, so he went to great lengths to marry his daughter off to you, all to bring himself closer to your mother.”
With that, Mei Shu placed an old black-and-white photograph on the table.
Lu Ming suddenly widened his eyes. “When was this photo taken? Is the woman in it… my mom?”
Mei Shu nodded. “They knew each other from before, but your mother chose your father in the end. He married someone else as well. However, they reconnected later, and he wanted your mother to be his mistress. But because your father was still alive, your mother refused.”
“But my father has already passed away…” Lu Ming couldn’t understand why his mother, who was so fond of wealth and luxury, would refuse someone as wealthy as Shen Quan!
“That’s the problem,” Mei Shu continued without changing her expression, making up a story as she went. “When Shen Nian tragically died from a heart disease, not long after, your father suddenly died at home.. Don’t you think it’s just too much of a coincidence?”
