Chapter 74: Chapter 74; Su Wan
He rested his fingers briefly against the edge of the report, then looked toward the security director still standing near the doorway.
"How many people currently monitor the Lu Residence internally?"
"Twelve confirmed assets."
"Double it," Chairman Su ordered. "And move two people closer to Lu Shaohan’s movements specifically."
The director straightened. "Are we prioritizing the succession situation now?"
"No," Chairman Su replied, lowering the report. "We’re prioritizing uncertainty."
The office fell quiet again. Uncertainty was far harder to control than enemies. Enemies acted predictably. Uncertainty destroyed structures from within.
Chairman Su closed the folder. "And locate the remaining watch fragments."
The room stilled. Even the security director’s expression shifted slightly. Very few people inside the organization knew the watch had been broken apart years earlier.
Chairman Su’s voice grew colder. "If someone stole the map, then eventually they’ll start searching for the sequence too." His gaze drifted once more toward the city beyond the windows. "And if they find the mine before we do..."
The unfinished sentence hung heavily in the air. No one asked what was inside the mine. No one needed to. Whatever required secret routes, hidden maps, political protection, drug funding, buried money, and years of silent excavation was already dangerous enough.
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Lu Residence
Su Wan set down her utensils after only a few spoonfuls and a quiet sip of tea. She had lost all interest in breakfast. More pressing matters outside the Lu Residence required her immediate attention.
She picked up her napkin, folded it neatly, and rose from her seat. "I’m done with breakfast," she said evenly, her gaze sweeping across the table. "Have a lovely morning, everyone."
Without waiting for replies, she turned and walked out of the dining hall. Li Chen and Mo Chen fell into step behind her at once. Their close, attentive presence no longer resembled ordinary assistance; they moved like shadows, guarding every step she took.
Just as she reached the doorway, Lu Shaohan’s voice stopped her.
"Su Wan."
She paused and turned slightly. The entire dining hall fell quiet again.
Lu Shaohan remained seated, one hand resting beside his untouched teacup, his gaze fixed on her. "I made arrangements for you to return to the Su Mansion today. Prepare yourself."
Several people at the table glanced instinctively toward her. A visit to the Su family at such a tense time was no simple matter.
Su Wan’s expression remained unchanged. "You’ll have to go alone," she replied calmly. "I don’t have the time or the plans to."
Her direct refusal surprised even Lu Meiqi. Very few people openly rejected Lu Shaohan in front of others. Yet Su Wan sounded completely unconcerned.
Lu Shaohan simply looked at her for a moment, his gaze steady and measuring. Then, without pressing the issue, he lowered his eyes and returned to his tea.
The silence in the dining hall deepened as Su Wan turned and continued on her way, Li Chen and Mo Chen following closely behind her.
Outside the dining hall, the corridors were quieter. Servants moved carefully through the hallways while faint morning sunlight spilled across the polished floors.
Just ahead, Second Madam approached from the opposite direction. The moment the two women crossed paths, the air between them tightened.
"Good morning, Second Madam," Su Wan greeted her warmly, offering a small smile.
Second Madam returned a polite, controlled smile. "Good morning."
The exchange was brief, perfectly civil, and entirely false. Both women continued past each other without another word.
Only after stepping outside the mansion and onto the stone pavement leading toward the estate gates did the faint smile fade from Su Wan’s face. She exhaled softly, then glanced at Li Chen and Mo Chen.
"We need to move the money," she said quietly. "The sooner, the better."
Both men understood at once.
"Go retrieve everything," she instructed. "And be careful. We’ll leave quietly."
Li Chen and Mo Chen separated immediately, heading toward the lower service corridors. Su Wan continued alone toward the outer estate gate.
The morning air felt cooler outside the mansion. A taxi had just slowed near the roadside beyond the gates. Su Wan raised her hand slightly, and the vehicle stopped a few steps away.
Moments later, Li Chen and Mo Chen reappeared carrying ordinary-looking black bags that revealed nothing from the outside. They approached calmly, drawing no attention from the estate guards. Within seconds, all three entered the taxi, and the vehicle drove smoothly away from the Lu Residence.
Back inside the dining hall, the atmosphere grew noticeably heavier after Su Wan’s departure.
Lu Meiqi stared at the empty doorway for several moments before turning to Lu Shaohan with open dissatisfaction. "Cousin, look at her," she muttered. "Look at the way she treats you." Her gaze shifted deliberately toward the three pregnant women still seated at the table, her implication unmistakable.
Lu Shaohan’s expression cooled. "That isn’t your concern," he said flatly.
The sharpness in his tone silenced her instantly.
At that moment, Second Madam entered the dining hall. Servants straightened as she approached the table.
"Good morning, everyone," she greeted calmly. Her gaze flicked briefly toward the entrance. "Where is Su Wan going?"
"Going?" Lu Shaohan frowned faintly. Only then did he realize Su Wan had never actually told him her plans.
Old Master Lu slowly lowered the documents in his hands. "You don’t seem to know how to manage your wife," he said coldly.
The comment sharpened the atmosphere at once.
Lu Meiqi seized the opportunity. "Grandfather, I think Cousin really should consider another wife," she said quickly. "Someone capable of becoming a proper matriarch. Su Wan is far too cunning and scheming."
The words landed heavily across the table. The three pregnant women glanced instinctively toward Lu Shaohan as a strange unease rose inside them. For the first time, the possibility of Su Wan being replaced felt real.
Yet somehow, none of them fully believed it anymore.
Lu Shaohan slowly lifted his eyes to Lu Meiqi before returning his attention to his teacup without a word. That silence felt more dangerous than anger. Even Old Master Lu noticed it.
