The fall of the Shen Family sent shockwaves through the upper echelons of society. One of the oldest and most influential families had been toppled overnight, leaving a power vacuum that many sought to fill.
But amidst the chaos, one group remained calm—the Yan Consortium.
Unlike the Shen Family, they were patient and methodical. They didn't rely on brute force or political favors. They played the long game, manipulating stocks, assets, and markets from behind the scenes.
And right now, they were eyeing Su Chen like a hunter watching its prey.
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The Yan Consortium's Meeting
Inside a luxurious boardroom, Yan Kang, the chairman of the Yan Consortium, sat at the head of a long table.
Around him were his top executives, each a master in their own field—finance, investments, logistics, and real estate.
One of them, Liu Zhen, the chief strategist, spoke first. "Su Chen's takeover of the Tianlong Family was unexpected, and his destruction of the Shen Family was even more so. But he's still young. He's powerful, but inexperienced in financial warfare."
Another executive nodded. "He relies on brute force and intimidation. But business is different. If we control his financial networks, we can strangle him without him even realizing it."
Yan Kang smirked. "Exactly." He leaned back, confidence exuding from his every movement. "We will slowly infiltrate his businesses, gain controlling stakes, and then pull the rug out from under him. When the time is right, his entire empire will collapse overnight."
"But what if he retaliates like he did against the Shen Family?" another executive asked.
Yan Kang chuckled. "The Shen Family was sloppy. Their corruption made them an easy target. But our businesses? Everything is legal, clean, and untouchable. Even if he knows what we're doing, he won't be able to stop us."
A slow, calculated plan was forming.
They would cripple Su Chen from within—without ever firing a single shot.
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Su Chen's Counterplay
Back at the Tianlong estate, Su Chen was already aware of the Yan Consortium's movements.
Sitting in his office, he looked over a detailed intelligence report prepared by Wang Jun.
"They're making small, discreet purchases of our companies' stocks," Wang Jun reported. "At first, it seemed insignificant, but once we mapped it out… it's clear they're trying to gain a controlling interest in key industries."
Su Chen smirked. "They think they're being clever."
"They are clever," Ye Meng said, sitting across from him. "If you weren't watching for it, it would've taken months before we noticed their moves."
Su Chen tapped his fingers on the desk. "Too bad for them, I was watching."
Wang Jun leaned forward. "What's our move?"
Su Chen's eyes gleamed.
"Let them think they're winning."
Ye Meng tilted her head. "Huh?"
Su Chen's smirk widened. "We'll bait them deeper. The deeper they go, the harder it'll be for them to pull out."
He turned to Wang Jun. "Start leaking false information that we're expanding into new sectors—technology, healthcare, and renewable energy. Make it look like these sectors are the key to our empire's future."
Wang Jun grinned. "They'll start buying shares in those sectors to take control."
"Exactly," Su Chen said. "But what they won't realize is that we'll be selling them poisoned assets."
Ye Meng's eyes lit up. "Fake companies?"
"Not exactly fake," Su Chen clarified. "They're real, but they'll be filled with hidden debt, liabilities, and legal traps. The moment they try to take control… they'll be the ones getting crushed."
Wang Jun's admiration for Su Chen grew. "Brilliant. They'll think they're gaining influence, but in reality, they'll be drowning in debt."
Su Chen leaned back in his chair, his smirk turning colder. "Let's see how long they can last."
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The Yan Consortium Takes the Bait
A week later, the Yan Consortium believed they were winning.
They had acquired major stakes in what they thought were Su Chen's key industries.
But what they didn't realize was that those industries were landmines—filled with legal issues, bad investments, and hidden lawsuits waiting to explode.
Yan Kang sat in his office, watching stock prices rise.
"It's working," he murmured. "He hasn't even noticed what we're doing."
Just then, his assistant rushed in, panic in his eyes. "Sir! There's a problem!"
Yan Kang frowned. "What is it?"
The assistant handed him a financial report. "Our new acquisitions… they're collapsing!"
Yan Kang's eyes widened. "Impossible!"
He flipped through the report, and his hands trembled as he read the details.
The tech company they invested in? A major lawsuit had just frozen its assets.
The healthcare firm? It was secretly millions in debt.
The renewable energy sector? The government had just rejected its permits, rendering its projects worthless.
Yan Kang's heart pounded in his chest.
"What the hell is this?!"
The assistant's voice was shaky. "Sir… this information was never public before we invested. It's like… it was set up just for us."
And then it hit him.
It was a trap.
A cold sweat broke out on Yan Kang's forehead. He turned to his executives. "Start selling off these stocks immediately before we take too much damage!"
But at that exact moment, the stock market crashed.
Su Chen, who had been quietly watching from the shadows, publicly leaked the financial weaknesses of those sectors.
Investors panicked.
Stock prices plummeted.
And now, the Yan Consortium was stuck, holding billions in worthless investments.
Yan Kang staggered back into his chair, his entire body shaking.
"He… played us…" he muttered.
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Su Chen's Victory
At the Tianlong estate, Su Chen casually poured himself a glass of wine.
Ye Meng, watching the news, smirked. "They took the bait."
Wang Jun grinned. "Not just took it. They swallowed it whole."
Su Chen took a sip of his wine and chuckled. "Yan Kang thought he was the hunter. He didn't realize…"
He placed his glass down.
"That he was the prey."
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Chapter Summary & Key Takeaways
The Yan Consortium tries to take over Su Chen's businesses through financial warfare.
Su Chen counterattacks by setting up poisoned investments.
The Yan Consortium unknowingly walks into the trap and suffers massive losses.
Su Chen cements his dominance in both business and finance.
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Next Chapter Preview: The Tianlong Family's Banquet
With the Shen and Yan Families destroyed, the Tianlong Family finally gathers for a formal meeting.
But not everyone is happy about Su Chen's rise to power.
Enemies exist even within his own bloodline.
And soon… they will make their move.