Chapter 373: Chapter 373: On What Grounds Do You Plead for the Lin Family?
Mo Ke recalled briefly: “Yes. Aside from Du Ruo, Du Zhenxiong has two sons, the second being Du Shaoheng, and the youngest, Du Li.”
Huo Tingdong said, “Oh.”
Mo Ke asked, “Mr. Huo, shall I let him in?”
Huo Tingdong replied, “Let him co up.”
“Yes.”
Soon, the executive office called the secretary desk, granting clearance.
Ten minutes later.
Du Li stood at the door of the executive office.
Mo Ke opened the door, walked over, gave him a quick once-over, and asked, “Are you the Third Young Master of the Du Family?”
Du Li hesitated and asked, “And you are…?”
Mo Ke replied, “I am the executive assistant of the President’s Office. My last na is Mo. I serve as Mr. Huo’s administrative assistant.”
Upon hearing that he was Huo Tingdong’s administrative assistant, and catching the respectful “you” in his tone, Du Li’s vanity swelled with imnse satisfaction: “I have sothing to discuss with Mr. Huo! Is he available now?”
Mo Ke smiled, “So, what is the matter?”
Du Li said, “A pressing issue—I need to discuss it face-to-face with Mr. Huo!”
Mo Ke replied, “You can tell first. Anybody wishing to see Mr. Huo must report through regarding the specific matter. After all… as you know, Mr. Huo is very busy. Not every matter or every person is worthy of his personal audience.”
Huo Tingdong wasn’t particularly inclined to et this Third Young Master Du.
After all, the Du Family’s current powerholder was Du Zhenxiong, followed closely by his eldest daughter, Du Ruo.
As for the Third Young Master, who held no practical authority, what could his purpose be?
Du Li furrowed his brows, grumbling inwardly: This Huo Tingdong sure puts on airs!
He said, “I’m here regarding the Lin Family!”
Hearing this ntion, Mo Ke showed slight surprise: “Third Young Master Du, what connection do you have with the Lin Family?”
Du Li replied, “The eldest daughter of the Lin Family, Lin Qianqian, is my fiancée! I’m not sure why Mr. Huo is suddenly targeting the Lin Family for acquisition, so I’ve co today to plead for the Lin Family!”
Mo Ke remained expressionless, briefly rubbing his nose bridge.
This Third Young Master Du—what an amusing character!
He resembled a naïve prince grown up within an ivory tower, completely unaware of the treacheries of the world and the intricacies of human dealings. If he understood that Huace had acquired the Lin Family, then why would he not know that so irreconcilable conflict must have occurred between Lin Family and Huace? Yet here he stood, daring to plead for the Lin Family.
Given the significant business dealings between Intercontinental Group and Huace Group, alliances considered strategic partnerships, did this Third Young Master not fear that standing up for the Lin Family might antagonize the Huo Family and undermine their cooperation’s very foundation?
From behind the door, Huo Tingdong’s voice sounded, “Let him in.”
“Yes.”
Mo Ke stepped aside: “Third Young Master Du, please?”
Du Li puffed out his chest and pushed open the door.
The mont he walked in, he was imdiately stunned by the scene before him.
A 300-square-ter office with a soaring ceiling height of 6.5 ters; the space emanated an air of majesty and grandeur.
Minimalist black-and-white decor featured a floor-to-ceiling curved panoramic window—its stark elegance dominating the room. Huo Tingdong reclined steadily against the chair behind a stately desk, his long legs casually crossed atop the solid wooden surface.
The man’s strikingly handso face held an air of frosty indifference and aloof detachnt: “Third Young Master Du, have a seat.”
Du Li inexplicably felt a pang of nervousness.
While cautiously surveying this majestic and luxurious office, he seated himself opposite Huo Tingdong.
Huo Tingdong asked, “What matter compels the Third Young Master Du to go out of his way to seek at Huace?”
Du Li stamred, “I… I know my visit is abrupt, even sowhat presumptuous… but… Mr. Huo, do you know my elder sister? Du Ruo—the Du Family and the Huo Family previously engaged in extensive business collaborations! Du Zhenxiong… Du Zhenxiong is my father!”
Clearly nervous, he invoked his father and elder sister in an effort to cultivate rapport with Huo Tingdong.
Huo Tingdong thought briefly: “I recall your sister’s na is ‘Du Ruo’?”
As for Du Zhenxiong, he left little impression.
Du Li nodded repeatedly: “Yes! Du Li… oh no, Du Ruo—she’s my eldest sister! She currently oversees the general operations of Intercontinental Group. She is…”
Huo Tingdong interrupted, “I’m aware. So what?”
Under his ambiguous scrutiny, Du Li felt increasingly uneasy: “I heard that recently you acquired the Lin Family…”
Huo Tingdong responded with a soft “Mm,” his fingers brushing lightly against his lower lip before gazing upwards slowly: “So?”
Du Li said, “I wish to ask, why are you targeting the Lin Family?”
Huo Tingdong chuckled lightly, “Isn’t this just typical business conduct? What guidance does Third Young Master Du wish to offer?”
Though his tone remained calm and composed, it sent chills down Du Li’s spine, who quickly waved his hands in retreat: “No… no, that’s not…”
Huo Tingdong swiveled his chair slightly to face Du Li head-on: “Third Young Master Du, there’s no need to hem and haw. Speak plainly; my ti is precious, and I detest having it wasted.”
Du Li’s breath hitched. Though Huo Tingdong’s tone carried little overt tension, he could still discern the underlying irritation: “It’s like this… Lin Cheng, Lin Family’s head, his daughter Lin Qianqian is my girlfriend. We’ve reached the stage of discussing marriage. I’ve already t her parents and plan to introduce her to my own by year’s end.”
Huo Tingdong said, “Get to the point.”
Du Li gritted his teeth: “Mr. Huo, Lin Cheng is essentially my future father-in-law. I hoped… you might consider the Du Family’s reputation and show rcy to the Lin Family.”
Huo Tingdong asked, “Do you sit here today as a representative of the Du Family?”
Du Li froze montarily before faintly nodding: “Yes…”
Huo Tingdong asked, “So you’re here advocating for the Lin Family?”
Du Li furrowed his brows slightly and nodded.
Huo Tingdong said, “To my knowledge, Du Family’s current decision-making authority lies with Du Ruo. May I ask: what standing do you possess to represent the Du Family?”
Du Li found himself unable to answer.
Huo Tingdong continued, “Furthermore, my acquisition of the Lin Family is non-negotiable. You coming here as a Du Family representative, appealing on behalf of the Lin Family—are you attempting to oppose Huace?”
Upon hearing this, Du Li leapt up in alarm: “I—I didn’t an that…”
Huo Tingdong smirked: “There’s no need for Third Young Master Du to be so perturbed.”
His gaze gradually lowered, noticing Du Li’s trembling legs—a sight he found genuinely amusing: “Why is Third Young Master Du so terrified? Am I truly that intimidating?”
Du Li stamred, “Mr. Huo… I… I…”
His words faltered under the suffocating pressure emanating from Huo Tingdong, evidently compounded by the man’s remarkable intensity—an impact further aggravated by their relatively close ages. Yet, a single glare from Huo Tingdong carried such formidable weight that Du Li dared not et his eyes directly.
Huo Tingdong uncrossed his legs, rose slowly, and approached him: “So let ask you again, Third Young Master Du—are you advocating for the Lin Family on personal grounds or representing the Du Family? These are two entirely different matters, differing in essence.”
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