Chapter 69: This Woman Is Rather Mysterious

"Father, please be merciful. I’m courting Lawyer Lu—can you let me have a chance to live? I am not fond of pretending to be siblings." Ye Zemao entered the office with a mischievous smile, hands in his pockets and an enigmatic expression on his face. He sat down beside Lu Yao, draped an arm around her shoulders, and grinned, "Miss Lu, you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."

He leaned in close, his breath brushing her cheek as he spoke. Uncomfortable, she edged away.

Yang Lan’s face darkened, and she snapped, "Zemao, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Ye Zemao deliberately pressed his face against Lu Yao’s, his smile deepening. "I’m not talking nonsense. Ever since I saw Lawyer Lu at the old mansion, she’s been on my mind."

The more he spoke, the darker Yang Lan’s expression grew, her face a harbinger of an impending storm. A chilling light flashed in her eyes as she cast a warning glance at Ye Zemao.

Ye Zemao raised his eyebrows, released Lu Yao, and walked over to Yang Lan, affectionately wrapping an arm around her shoulders. In a gentle tone, he soothed her, "Mom, I was just joking. Surely none of you took it seriously?"

At these words, Yang Lan’s stern expression finally eased somewhat. She slapped his arm lightly and sighed, "Don’t joke about such things. Otherwise, some people might believe you, and think they’ve finally become a phoenix perched on a high branch."

Lu Yao was taken aback. She looked at Yang Lan in silence, a cold smile flickering in her eyes. She couldn’t tell whether Ye Zemao’s appearance was saving her or pushing her into another pit.

"Enough, everyone out," Ye Yingtang said coldly. "I have something to discuss privately with Lawyer Lu."

"Father, we’re all family here. You can just talk to Lu Yao in front of us. Why avoid us?" Ye Hua said sourly, her tone unfriendly. "Anyone listening would think our family isn’t harmonious."

"Xiao Hua, what nonsense are you saying? Your father needs to discuss business with Lawyer Lu—it’s about commercial secrets. Let’s not disturb them," Yang Lan quickly smoothed things over, pulling Ye Hua out of the office.

Ye Hua shot Lu Yao a vicious glare, leaving reluctantly. As soon as they reached the VIP lounge, Yang Lan threw Ye Hua’s hand aside, her face stern as she reproached, "Xiao Hua, you shouldn’t have said that to your father just now. Have you forgotten that you’re supposed to play the role of the obedient, capable daughter?"

"I just couldn’t stomach it," Ye Hua said angrily, tossing her bag onto a chair. "She’s a nobody, doesn’t even know who her parents are. Just because she helped the Ye family win a small legal case, Father protects her like that—and the youngest brother is no better, acting as if he’s lost his mind. He knows you dislike Lu Yao, yet insists on defying you, deliberately or otherwise getting close to her. It’s only because you spoil him that you believe his lies. I think he’s genuinely interested and wants to win her over."

Yang Lan’s brows were tightly furrowed, her gaze darkening. "Did you find out what I asked you to investigate last time?"

"Not much," Ye Hua replied, taking out a file and handing it to Yang Lan. As Yang Lan looked through the papers, Ye Hua continued, "This woman is mysterious. Aside from her last three years in Beijing, everything before that is impossible to trace, as if it’s been deliberately erased. But there’s something odd: recently, she and Ye Zehong had large financial transactions."

"How much?"

"Twenty million."

Hearing the sum, Yang Lan’s eyes narrowed. She had sensed something unusual in Ye Zehong’s gaze toward Lu Yao at the old mansion. This confirmed her suspicion.

Ye Hua asked uncertainly, "Do you think they made some sort of secret deal?"