Cheng Du’s face was stiff with barely suppressed rage as he scanned the conference room.

He paused, leaned back, and propped his chin on his hands, eyes sweeping over the others. Slowly, he spoke:

“I hear it now. Each of you is brimming with hidden talents… and utterly loyal.”

“But the company’s losses are real. Our future strategy is shattered. What does that mean?”

“There’s a traitor among us—and that traitor is sitting right here.”

“Am I right?!!!”

Bang—

Cheng Du’s fury erupted. He slammed a fist onto the table. The sharp crack and his roar plunged the room into dead silence.

Second through Sixth Brothers snapped their mouths shut. Sensing the mood, they stopped laughing—giving Big Brother a sliver of face.

Silence hung thick. Only the fading echo of Cheng Du’s shout lingered.

Tap… tap…

Fingers drummed the table. All eyes turned to Second Brother.

His fingertips tapped steadily. He pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket, flicked out a smoke with one hand, and offered it to Cheng Du.

“Have one. Calm down.”

“Get serious! I said—no smoking during meetings!” Cheng Du swatted the cigarette away, face darkening.

*These damn guys respect me less and less as their Big Brother!!!*

If he hadn’t given these scoundrels their positions years ago—if he hadn’t let them profit alongside him—would they be where they are today?

Now they even dared to show him attitude!

The losses had to be their doing. Leaked secrets. Rival attacks. Overnight, profits dropped nearly 25%. The thought made Cheng Du’s chest ache unbearably.

Last time it hurt this bad? When his second daughter, Cheng Musan, pulled a fast one behind his back. That memory still stung.

His expression tightened. His glare toward Second through Sixth Brothers burned hotter.

“Tsk. If you won’t smoke it, I will. Anyone else?”

Second Brother shrugged, undeterred, and turned to the others.

“Pass me one. I remember your brand’s good.”

“Yeah, Second Brother—where’d you get these?”

“Name your price. Fourth Brother’ll buy a pack.”

“I’ll pass. Can’t handle smoke. Thanks, Second Brother.”

Second Brother chuckled, lighting cigarettes for his brothers, pointedly ignoring Cheng Du’s stormy silence.

Cheng Du didn’t stop them. He sat rigidly, gaze drifting to Sixth Brother—a faint flicker of relief in his eyes.

*Looks like Sixth Brother’s still the honest one…*

Smoke curled into hazy wisps as the others lit up.

“Hah…”

Second Brother exhaled slowly, a wistful look in his eyes as he faced Cheng Du.

“Big Brother, I was at the company all day yesterday. No time for shady schemes. For years, I’ve given everything to this company. I was there from the start—one of Cheng Ye’s founding members.”

“I might clash with anyone… but why would I betray myself?”

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, voice low, eyes distant with memory.

Cheng Du froze. Memories surfaced—building Cheng Ye Company from nothing, Second Brother standing by him through every hardship, even during disagreements.

A trace of guilt stirred in his chest.

“Big Brother, I’m a founding member too! I poured my heart into this company. Back when we had no name, no influence—who ran everywhere making deals? It was me, Third Brother!”

“Would I betray the very company I helped build? I… sigh…”

“I’m just an honest guy… Life’s too hard…”