Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 332: Consequences You Cannot Bear

Chapter 332: Chapter 332: Consequences You Cannot Bear

Chen Qian knocked on the door of Cheng Xiangheng’s office and placed the documents needing signatures on the desk.

"Mr. Cheng, these are the files for the afternoon meeting."

Cheng Xiangheng picked up the top document and casually flipped through it, asking indifferently, "What’s Cheng Qiaobei busy with these days?"

Chen Qian paused slightly, "...He should be attending interviews."

Cheng Xiangheng lowered his gaze, "Should be?"

Chen Qian couldn’t discern any shift in his mood, only sensing that Cheng Xiangheng’s demeanor was faint and detached. Thinking he could curry favor with the boss, he ventured to flatter him while disparaging Cheng Qiaobei.

"Mr. Cheng, you valued him greatly, gave him a position and opportunities, yet he didn’t appreciate it. Now, he’s carrying a resume to apply for jobs—no company will cultivate him the way you did."

Cheng Xiangheng closed the file and sharply looked up at Chen Qian, whose ingratiating smile froze on his face. Feeling awkward, he lowered his head. "Mr. Cheng, I’ll get back to work."

Cheng Xiangheng’s gaze grew increasingly fierce, and the atmosphere in the office turned suffocating. Nervously, Chen Qian swallowed hard as he heard Cheng Xiangheng rebuke:

"Who gave you the right to look down on him?"

"!" Chen Qian immediately realized he had miscalculated his flattery.

"Mr. Cheng, that’s not what I meant." He hurriedly explained, "I just think he doesn’t cherish the way you’ve valued him. I was only feeling that it wasn’t worth it on your behalf."

"Hah," Cheng Xiangheng sneered coldly, "You feel it’s not worth it for me? Who do you think you are?"

Chen Qian pressed his lips together, his head drooping even lower.

When you talk too much, you make too many mistakes. He dared not utter another word.

Cheng Xiangheng threw the files onto the desk with controlled force. "No matter how inadequate he may be, he’s my son. It’s not your place as an outsider to pass judgment on him."

Chen Qian’s face was filled with embarrassment. "I’m sorry, Mr. Cheng. I misspoke."

Cheng Xiangheng glared at him, "If there’s a next time, you can leave."

Chen Qian retreated from the office in a panic.

Looking at the mountain of documents piled on the desk, Cheng Xiangheng suddenly recalled how, back when Deng Yan was around, the workload was even heavier than now. But Deng Yan would categorize files by priority, making them easier to process. Many unnecessary items wouldn’t even make it to his desk because Deng Yan had taken care of them.

Deng Yan was capable—a good assistant.

Even before Cheng Qiaobei left, he pleaded on Deng Yan’s behalf.

He picked up his phone but hesitated to dial Cheng Qiaobei’s number.

Cheng Xiangheng’s car was parked in front of the residential complex. He told the driver, "Wait here for me."

After speaking, he got out of the car.

Ever since Cheng Qiaobei’s marriage, he had not visited the place even once.

As a father, never having set foot in his son’s home—there weren’t many fathers like that in the world.

At the gated entrance of the complex, he was stopped.

The security guard asked, "Who are you here to visit, which building and unit?"

After pondering briefly, Cheng Xiangheng gave Cheng Qiaobei’s name and the room number.

The guard scrutinized him, "Are you here to check out the property?"

"?" Check out the property?

Confused, Cheng Xiangheng clarified, "I’m here to see Cheng Qiaobei, my son."

"That’s right," the guard verified the details again, "but that property isn’t registered under his name anymore. The new owner is selling it and has barred him from residing there."

"New owner?" Cheng Xiangheng frowned—he sold the house? "Who’s the new owner?"

If not for his distinguished attire, the guard might have mistaken him for someone with dubious intentions and chased him away.

"Are you planning to buy a property here?" the guard asked politely.

The properties in this complex were not cheap, generally attracting wealthy buyers. The guard didn’t want to offend a potential future resident.

Without answering directly, Cheng Xiangheng repeated his question, "Who’s the new owner?"

"The person who registered is named... Cheng Siluo," the guard replied.

Cheng Xiangheng’s expression darkened, and he turned and left.

The guard watched him get into a luxury car by the roadside and silently admired his ability to discern wealth.

The driver glanced back at the man in the rear seat. "Mr. Cheng, where to now?"

With hostility emanating from him, Cheng Xiangheng said, "Back to the company."

Cheng Siluo was in her office reviewing the proposal for a new project when the door slammed open from the outside.

Startled, she was about to rebuke the impolite intruder when she saw a dark-faced Cheng Xiangheng entering, displeasure written across his expression. He settled on the sofa opposite.

Hastily, Cheng Siluo rose and approached him with a smile. "Dad, what brings you here?"

Remembering his love for coffee, she called her secretary to bring him a cup.

"Make it hand-ground."

After closing the door, she joined him on the sofa beside him. "Dad."

Noticing the sour look on his face, she asked, "Dad, who upset you again?"

Slowly turning to her, he said, "The house Qiaobei lived in—that was taken back by you?"

Siluo’s gaze stiffened, her lashes trembling before she lowered her eyes slightly. "Yes, but it wasn’t really taken back. He... He has a new property, so he’s not living there anymore."

Taking a sharp, heavy breath, Cheng Xiangheng’s tone grew stern, "Did he say he wasn’t living there anymore, or did you make him move out?"

Siluo pressed her lips together, her hands tightly clasping on her lap.

"I’m asking you—what happened?" Cheng Xiangheng pressed on.

Siluo bowed her head, remaining silent.

In his heart, Cheng Xiangheng already knew the answer and blurted out, "You just can’t tolerate him even a bit."

Siluo blinked, shifting into self-righteous denial. "Dad, he caused Dongchen to go to prison! I feel upset about it!"

The secretary entered with a cup of coffee, interrupting their conversation. "Mr. Cheng, the coffee machine is broken; this is instant coffee."

Siluo shot a fierce glare at the secretary. "If it’s broken, why haven’t you had it repaired?" In a silent tirade, she mouthed that the secretary was useless, a sentiment clearly understood.

Frustrated, she vented her anger at the secretary. "Get out now."

The secretary quickly left, closing the door tightly behind her.

Glancing at the coffee on the table, Cheng Xiangheng remarked pointedly, "If you don’t have the ability to clean up your mess, you shouldn’t indulge your emotions."

Siluo’s eyes flickered, comprehending the subtext of her father’s words, though her inherent pride refused to admit defeat.

He lectured her, "No matter your feelings, he’s still your brother—that’s the truth. Now, you’ve driven him away. Have you even thought about how he might return one day? The house was bought with his own money; it’s only temporarily listed under the company’s name. Do you really think he has no way to deal with you?"

Still stubborn, Siluo responded, "If it’s under the company’s name, who’s to say it’s his? How can he prove it?"

"..." Speechless, Cheng Xiangheng sighed, "Use your brain. When has that boy ever gotten the short end of the stick? I’m advising you to return the house to him and apologize—this matter should then be resolved."

Siluo widened her eyes, furious. "You want me to apologize to him? For what? My husband is going to prison because of him, and you expect me to apologize? Dad, why are you always defending him? I’m your daughter too—can’t you think about me for once?"

Closing his eyes briefly, Cheng Xiangheng thought of his son. He had raised him himself and knew him well.

When it came to ruthlessness, his son surpassed even him.

"I am thinking about you—that’s why I’m advising you. Otherwise, the consequences won’t be something you can bear."

Siluo turned her face away defiantly. "I won’t."

Frowning deeply, Cheng Xiangheng instructed, "Stop being willful. Return the house immediately."