Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 63

Over the next few days, every department of the Jiang family suffered a series of devastating blows.

Experimental data from the second round of trials at Xinghuan Biotechnology was mysteriously leaked. The project was immediately suspended, and the core Research and Development department was crippled. The group’s stock price collapsed completely, leading to a forced suspension of trading. Facing astronomical compensation claims and countless lawsuits, bankruptcy seemed to be only a matter of time.

Jiang Er, the second son of the Jiang family, was hounded by his political rival, Councilor Wang Feng. Multiple pieces of evidence regarding bribery and abuse of power were released in succession. He was forced into suspension to undergo isolated investigation, effectively ending his political career.

The artists under the Circular Vision agency, owned by the third daughter Jiang San, were hit by a string of scandals. Public relations issues were non-stop, and severe financial problems eventually dragged the company down. The stock price plummeted, and with liabilities exceeding assets, the company announced bankruptcy liquidation.

The Blood Wolf mercenary organization, upon whom they had pinned their last hopes, decisively abandoned the dangerous deal and vanished without a trace after learning their vanguard squad had been annihilated.

For a time, every major headline in New City was dominated by reports on the Jiang family’s downfall.

New City Finance published a detailed analysis titled “A Century-Old Legacy Overturned Overnight: The Reshuffling of the Business Landscape,” outlining the collapse of Xinghuan Biotechnology and the criminal involvement of various Jiang members. The report ended with a meaningful note: “Behind this corporate earthquake, one can faintly see the shadow of capital manipulation by the gray organization, Skeleton.”

Daily New City ran a front-page spread featuring a massive photo of the sealed Xinghuan Tower, with the caption: “A Wealthy Dream Shattered: Who Is Playing the Grand Chess Match?” On social media, hashtags like #JiangFamilyCollapse and #SkeletonBackstageManipulation topped the trending charts.

Some netizens dug up old news about Jiang Si, the current leader of Skeleton, leaving home at the age of fifteen, remarking, “This is the real-life version of the Return of the King.” Others expressed concern: “Now that the Jiang family has fallen, will Skeleton truly hold total power over New City?”

Among the popular posts on major forums, the most eye-catching was an analytical thread titled “Skeleton’s Ambition Seen Through Jiang Si’s Revenge.” The post detailed the recent shifts in New City’s power structure and concluded: “The Jiang family is only the beginning; the sky over New City changed long ago.”

The gray empire Jiang Si spent ten years building was no longer limited to the hidden underground. Skeleton’s hand had reached from the shadows into every corner of New City’s public sectors. At this moment, it felt as though they had officially taken over the city.

The Jiang family estate now resembled a ghost realm. Its former luxury had been replaced by a desperate, deathly silence. The servants had long been dismissed, leaving only the core family members trapped like cornered beasts, waiting for their final judgment.

Late at night, at the Jiang estate.

Smoke swirled in the study, and mountains of documents were scattered across the expensive mahogany desk. Jiang Yuan leaned back in his chair, the dark circles under his eyes so deep it looked as if he had aged ten years overnight. Jiang Yi frustratedly tore off his tie and slammed a financial report onto the desk.

“It is over! Everything is over!” Jiang Yi’s voice was hoarse. “Xinghuan’s stock price has dropped below the initial offering price. Those old foxes on the board are all preparing to withdraw their capital.”

Jiang San curled up in a corner of the sofa, her once-exquisite makeup ruined by crying. “My media company, the tax bureau seized all the ledgers this morning. They said they received a report under a real name.”

“It is that brat! It must be him!” Jiang Yuan slammed the table, causing the teacups to topple. “He wants to watch the Jiang family be completely destroyed! That lunatic!”

Jiang Er remained relatively calm, though his clenched fists betrayed his inner state. “Father, now is not the time for anger. Several of our protectors in the political world were summoned for talks this morning. Obviously, Jiang Si is working behind the scenes. We must find a way to mitigate the losses.”

“Mitigate the losses? How?” Jiang Yi laughed hysterically. “He is playing cat and mouse with us! Can you not see it? He wants to torture us bit by bit and watch our deathbed struggles!”

Just then, the study door was burst open. The butler rushed in, pale and trembling. “Master! It is bad! The warehouse, our last warehouse at the harbor has been taken!”

“What?!” Jiang Yuan stood up abruptly. “That place contained our—”

“It was Skeleton’s people,” the butler said, shaking. “They left a message. They said it was the final gift for the Jiang family.”

The members of the Jiang family finally realized that they were not facing an opponent who could be defeated by conventional means. Jiang Si was a complete monster: a madman who had meticulously planned for ten years with terrifying patience and the ability to strike with surgical precision.

At the same time, at Harbor Warehouse Number Three.

The rain poured down, washing away the bloodstains on the dock. Pei Ye shook the droplets of blood from his dagger and calmly surveyed the mess on the ground. The Jiang family’s last batch of smuggled goods had been entirely destroyed, and the remaining guards lay scattered across the floor.

Ghost emerged from the shadows and handed over a sealed file folder. “Fourth Brother, found this in the safe.”

Jiang Si stood at the warehouse entrance, the hem of his trench coat wet from the rain. He took the folder and tossed it to the Adjutant beside him without even looking at it.

“Clean it up,” Jiang Si’s voice was exceptionally clear amidst the sound of the rain.

“Yes,” Pei Ye replied immediately, waving for the team members to begin the cleanup.

Jiang Si suddenly raised his hand to stop them and walked slowly toward a Jiang family guard who was still moaning. He crouched down, ripped the family crest from the man’s chest, and toyed with it in his hand.

“Take a message to your masters.” Jiang Si’s voice was not loud, yet it made everyone present hold their breath. “At eight o’clock tomorrow night, I will visit the estate in person. Tell them to be ready.”

He curled his lips slightly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

“To greet me on their knees.”

The guard’s eyes widened in terror as if he had heard something more frightening than death itself.

Jiang Si stood up, tossed the crest into a puddle, and turned toward the black sedan parked nearby. Pei Ye immediately held up an umbrella and opened the car door for him.

“Notify all media outlets tomorrow morning,” Jiang Si instructed the Adjutant as he sat in the car. “Tell them to be at the Jiang estate promptly.”

The Adjutant understood immediately. “Understood. We will let them witness the end of the Jiang family with their own eyes.”

Killing the chicken to scare the monkeys.

The rain grew heavier, washing away all the crimes and secrets of the night. The skyline above extended continuously toward the end of the world.

The black sedan drove smoothly away from the pier, leaving the rain and the smell of blood behind. A faint scent of cedar lingered in the car, interlaced with the smell of gunpowder still clinging to Pei Ye.

Pei Ye looked at Jiang Si, who was resting with his eyes closed in the passenger seat, and reported in a low voice, “Master, the scene is clean. The Jiang family’s last financial lifeline has been completely cut.”

Jiang Si slowly opened his eyes, the flowing neon lights outside reflected in his pupils. “Mhm.”

“Tomorrow night,” he said with a hint of lazy coldness, “you are coming to the Jiang estate with me.”

Pei Ye’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “Yes.”

“Are you afraid?” Jiang Si asked suddenly.

Pei Ye shook his head, his voice firm. “I am never afraid as long as I am by your side.”

Jiang Si chuckled and rubbed the damp hair at the nape of Pei Ye’s neck. “Very good.”

After a moment, he added, “Massage my shoulders when we get back. I have been standing for a long time today.”

“Yes, Master.” Pei Ye’s ears turned slightly red. Silence fell over the car again, yet it was more reassuring than any words.

The sound of rain grew denser outside, washing away and burying everything from tonight, while also signaling the arrival of tomorrow’s finale.