Chapter 30: Failed Scheme

Qiao An said, “I’m sorry. I don’t feel that I’m happily married. I didn’t want to betray my heart. To lie to the public.”

Third Madam was furious.

“Qiao An, do you think that Zecheng needs you, his wife, to maintain his decency? So he can do whatever he wants? Let me tell you, Zecheng can replace you at any time.”

Qiao An’s lips curved into a sardonic sneer. “Then I’ll have to trouble you to urge him to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible.”

Third Madam said nothing.

Third Madam said, “Did you think that the Li family will compensate you with a fortune after the divorce?” Other than this reason, she really couldn’t find the real reason for Qiao An’s divorce.

Jo Ann said, “Everything goes according to statutory procedure. What I deserve, there should not be a penny less. What I don’t deserve, I don’t want it.”

Third Madam grinned hideously. “I’ll make sure you leave with nothing.”

Qiao An said, “If the law finds that I should be made penniless, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Third Madam saw in Qiao An’s impassive face her determination to divorce. “You will regret this, Jo Ann.”

Third Madam left angrily.

She returned to the Li family’s manor and complained to the old lady about Qiao An’s insensitivity.

In other words, it was nothing more than a disguised complaint.

The purpose of this was to transfer the blame for Li Zecheng’s marriage to Qiao An and absolve Li Zecheng.

“Mom, I was wrong. That Qiao An was completely different after her marriage. She was filial to me before her marriage and listened to everything I said. But now, she ignores me and isn’t even willing to call me Mom anymore. She even schemed against Zecheng’s assets.”

“She made all sorts of demands on Zecheng, from buying a house to millions of dollars in pocket money. If Zecheng doesn’t listen to her, she will empty her social media page and embarrass him. Sigh, my Zecheng is really unlucky. Why did he marry such a jinx?”

The old lady never not left the house; she was not well-informed and was surrounded by a few daughters-in-law every day. She would do whatever they said and would not distinguish right from wrong.

As soon as she heard that her granddaughter-in-law, Qiao An, was causing trouble for her grandson, she said angrily, “A woman who despises the poor and favors the rich is not worthy of entering our Li family. Go and tell Zecheng not to spoil her. If he really can’t, we’ll find him a new wife.”

Third Madam knew that the family’s financial power was in the hands of the old man, but it was far from enough to gain the support of the old lady. She wanted to use the old lady to blow pillow talk to the old man. “Mom, Zecheng wants a divorce, but he’s afraid that it won’t be easy to explain to the old man. As you know, the old man hates family discord the most.”

The missus said, “I’ll talk to the old man about that.”

“Speak of the devil.”

Old Master Li really did return at this time. As soon as he sat on the sofa, the old lady ratted on Qiao An.

“Qiao An caused so much trouble for Zecheng. What do you want to do with Qiao An?”

Unexpectedly, the old man’s heart was as clear as a mirror. He glanced at Third Madam and reprimanded with a dark expression, “Deal with Qiao An? Whose rotten idea is this?”

Both women immediately hung their heads.

The old man said indignantly, “What’s Qiao An’s fault? She married into the Li family, obeyed her elders, respected Zecheng, and lived a low-key and simple life. She even took the initiative to do charity work so that Zecheng’s business could carry on smoothly. If that brat Li Zecheng hadn’t gone too far and hurt Qiao An’s heart, how could she have treated Zecheng like this?”

The old lady was afraid of the old man, so she did not dare to say anything else.

However, Third Madam always felt that Li Zecheng had suffered a huge loss after marrying Qiao An, a Cinderella. She wanted Li Zecheng to divorce Qiao An.

He gathered his courage and said, “Dad, it’s really not Zecheng’s fault this time. It was Qiao An who threatened Zecheng to give her three million dollars. Zecheng was short on money, so Qiao An thought of this method to take revenge on Zecheng.

The old man wasn’t someone who was easily fooled. He said angrily, “They’re husband and wife. Not to mention that Qiao An wants three million dollars, even thirty million dollars is a legitimate request. As his mother, don’t keep covering up for your son. Let me get this straight. The reason I’ve been willing to give Zecheng so many opportunities to advance in the past two years is because I think he’s married a good wife. Qiao An is kind-hearted and smart and capable. He will definitely be able to help Zecheng reach the peak of his career. If he and Qiao An divorce, I won’t hesitate to take back his shares.”

Third Madam was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat. She wanted to test the old man’s opinion of a possible divorce between Li Zecheng and Qiao An, but she didn’t expect the old man to be completely on Qiao An’s side. In that case, Li Zecheng couldn’t easily divorce Qiao An.

Thus, she quickly stopped thinking about forcing Qiao An to get a divorce. She said shakily, “Dad, Zecheng belongs to Qiao An. Don’t worry, they’re very close. They won’t get a divorce. I just feel that Qiao An has been causing trouble recently, so I want them to get a divorce.”

Third Madam took all the blame because she was afraid of implicating her son.

The old man said, “Hmph, you’d better. Go back and tell Zecheng that if he dares to divorce Qiao An, he can get out of the Li family.”

Third Madam trembled. “They won’t get a divorce.”

After leaving the Li family manor villa, Third Madam came to her son dejectedly.

Li Zecheng opened the door for her personally, but he did not look too good either.

Third Madam asked with concern, “You don’t look well. Did Qiao An provoke you again?”

Li Zecheng said, “It’s the company’s shareholders’ meeting. Recently, all the shareholders have been targeting me and ostracizing me. If this continues, I won’t have a place in the company.”

Third Madam was stunned for a moment before she understood the reason.

The shareholders of the shareholders’ meeting were all the old man’s trusted aides. Their decision-making power was based on the old man’s pace.

Frustrated, Third Madam sat on the sofa, her expression dark. “Son, you should spend some effort to coax Qiao An.”

Li Zecheng looked at Third Madam in shock. “Mom, haven’tyou always hate her?”

Third Madam said, “Your grandfather holds Qiao An in high esteem. He also asked me to tell you that if you divorce Qiao An, he will take back your shares. He also said that he gave you the opportunities for the past two years on account of Qiao An’s intelligence and ability. If you lose Qiao An, you won’t be able to survive in the Li family.”

Li Zecheng’s face was as pale as paper.

He was very indignant. “I clearly earned my career these past two years with my own hands. What does it have to do with Qiao An? Why doesn’t Grandpa believe in my ability?”

Third Madam said, “Your grandfather is the authority in this family. As long as he’s still breathing, you have to listen to him. If you don’t, you’ll end up like your uncle and leave with nothing.”