Chapter 392: The Heir
Chapter 392: The Heir
As the door opened, Meng Shu paused briefly before entering the room. Chen Chuan noticed her taking a deep breath, seemingly unconsciously, before stepping inside. He followed her into the living room, which was bathed in warm autumn sunlight, enhancing the grandeur of the lavishly decorated space.
In the center of the hall, beneath an intricate crystal chandelier, stood a solid wooden desk, accompanied by a half-man-high celestial globe adorned with old-fashioned drawings and annotations.
Sitting on a sofa behind the desk was Meng Lei, the founder and current leader of the Fusion Frontier Corporation. Despite the company's founding sixty years ago, Meng Lei appeared to be in his eighties or older. However, he exuded the aura of a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
His handsome face was well-maintained, with firm skin and thick, black hair. He carried himself with an air of authority, as if accustomed to being in a position of power.
Chen Chuan noticed that Meng Shu's eyes resembled her grandfather's—both had slightly upturned phoenix eyes, but Meng Lei's gaze held a depth and complexity akin to an unfathomable abyss.
At that moment, Aunt Yu approached Meng Lei and leaned in to whisper something. Meng Lei smiled and nodded towards Chen Chuan before turning his attention to Meng Shu, saying, "Ah, Little Shu, you're here."
Meng Shu approached and bowed respectfully, "Grandfather."
Meng Lei nodded, "Since you're here, Little Shu, take a seat. We're still waiting for another guest."
Another guest? Chen Chuan's mind raced with possibilities. Could it be Meng Huang? It seemed likely, but the use of the term "guest" added an intriguing twist.
"Please, all of you, have a seat," Aunt Yu said.
Chen Chuan didn't hesitate and nodded his thanks before taking a seat on the nearby sofa. He glanced outside, where he could see the square parking lot and Meng Xu, who seemed to be waiting for someone.
Aunt Yu, holding the Boundary Token, spoke briefly to someone, and soon, a neatly groomed middle-aged man with a single-lens eyeglass entered the room. By his side was an elderly man with a cane, his face marked by age spots and thinning hair, being supported as he walked.
Chen Chuan recognized the man next to Meng Lei as his personal lawyer, Ma Guangming, and the elderly man was someone he remembered well.
This was Meng Lei's great-uncle, Meng Zheng Huai, the eldest member of the Meng family, now a centenarian at the age of one hundred and twenty, whose life was sustained by medication.
Aunt Yu hurried over, dismissed the attendant, and helped Meng Zheng Huai to a seat, saying, "Slow down, Great-Uncle."
"Old age catches up with you. I get breathless after a few steps," Meng Zheng Huai replied.
Once seated, Meng Zheng Huai fumbled with his hearing aid before turning to Meng Lei and saying, "Little Lei, I'm here. While my ears still work, speak your mind."
Meng Lei smiled, "Great-Uncle, you're not that old. If you wish, I can arrange an implant surgery. With current technology, your body can be rejuvenated."
Meng Zheng Huai waved his hand in refusal, "I've said it before. I won't have those messy things inside me. I fear the ancestors wouldn't recognize me. I'm content with living this long."
Meng Lei turned to Ma Guangming, "Lawyer Ma."
Ma Guangming bowed, "At your service, Sir Meng."
Meng Lei continued, "I've invited two family members as potential heirs, both of whom I've observed for a long time. Now that Little Shu has arrived, I announce my first decision..."
Ma Guangming's expression turned solemn as he took out a document and a pen from his briefcase, awaiting Meng Lei's next words.
The room fell silent.
Meng Lei continued, "If Meng Huang does not arrive within the stipulated time, it will be considered a voluntary withdrawal. I hereby declare Meng Shu as the sole heir to the company."
Meng Shu remained seated, her emotions kept in check. She couldn't be certain if this was her grandfather's final decision or just a test of her composure.
Yet, she knew how to present herself before her grandfather, maintaining the calm facade he expected.
Meng Lei seemed pleased with her demeanor, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Ma Guangming quickly jotted down Meng Lei's words on the document, then raised his head, his expression turning grave. "Sir Meng, I've recorded your words.
However, according to the agreed-upon charter, any decision regarding inheritance made by Sir Meng requires confirmation and approval from the Meng family members and must be documented in writing."
Meng Lei acknowledged with a hum, then picked up his teacup, blew on it, and said leisurely, "I will announce this at the upcoming family meeting."
"Then, that settles it," Ma Guangming replied respectfully.
Meng Zheng Huai spoke up, "Little Lei, I'm here, too. I'll witness today's events."
Action: Meng Lei and Meng Zheng Huai chatted about past events, occasionally inquiring about Meng Shu's life, like a genuine family elder showing concern for the younger generation. The atmosphere seemed more relaxed than before.
As time ticked by, half an hour passed, and the designated time approached. The clock in the corner began to chime, its sound filling the room.
Meng Zheng Huai paused their conversation and narrowed his cloudy eyes.
Yan Yi, sitting nearby, unconsciously clenched her fingers.
As the last chime of the clock faded, the living room door opened, and a man in his thirties entered. He walked in, speaking in a playful tone, "Oops, looks like I'm a bit late."
Chen Chuan observed the man, noticing a resemblance to Meng Shu. He had a handsome face, but his expression carried a sense of carefree arrogance.
In person, the man differed slightly from the photos provided by the Handling Bureau. The most noticeable difference was his height; Meng Huang was originally around 1.8 meters tall, not the towering figure of over 2.1 meters before them.
While many modern technologies and implants could achieve such effects, Chen Chuan was certain Meng Huang hadn't resorted to these methods. Moreover, genuine upper management figures in companies rarely used implants. They had superior medicines and unique methods to enhance physical qualities and prolong life.
Meng Huang wasn't alone; behind him stood a stout man wearing sunglasses. His arms were short, but his limbs were exceptionally thick. He seemed unremarkable compared to Meng Huang, easily overlooked. Upon entering, he stood still, unmoving.
Chen Chuan sensed the man's exceptional abilities and confirmed he was a Third-Level Combatant, likely responsible for Meng Huang's personal security.
Meng Huang scanned the room, his gaze landing on Meng Shu and Meng Zheng Huai. He smiled, then shifted his attention to Meng Lei. A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, and he casually sat down on an empty sofa, crossing his legs.
Meng Lei spoke calmly, "You're late, but you came."
Meng Huang chuckled nonchalantly, "To be honest, I didn't want to come, especially not to face you. Oh, and please forgive my bluntness, but when I see you, I can't bring myself to show any respect."
Meng Zheng Huai, sitting nearby, had removed his hearing aid when Meng Huang entered. He leaned on his cane, his head nodding as if dozing off.
Yan Yi stared at Meng Lei in disbelief. She couldn't believe Meng Huang's audacity in speaking to Meng Lei, the company's leader, with such disrespect and disregard for basic courtesy. Was it because he knew he couldn't be the heir, so he was acting recklessly?
Meng Huang turned to Meng Shu, "My dear sister, you don't know yet, do you?" He pointed at Meng Lei, "This person sitting before us is just a bio-substitute with an implanted Consciousness Coordinator.
Don't be fooled into thinking he's our grandfather!
I even doubt if we've ever seen the real him, and the actual him might have ceased to exist long ago. What controls the company now is just a Consciousness Coordinator.
Would you obey the orders of a Coordinator and let it decide our fates? I, for one, refuse to."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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