"It seems Uncle has misunderstood," Di Mingjue said, deliberately letting his gaze skim past Di Dongsheng's face. "What did Dongsheng tell you? Why don't you tell me what he said, so I can hear if it's the truth?"
How could they possibly be Di Mingjue's match? What was meant to be an interrogation of him had, in the blink of an eye, turned into one of Di Dongsheng.
Di Jiancheng was stumped for a moment, unsure of what to do next.
"Disrespectful and unbecoming! What kind of behavior is this?" the Third Uncle exclaimed, hitting the table and looking displeasedly at Di Mingjue.
He had always disliked Di Mingjue's way of doing things, yet he enjoyed the benefits brought by his exceptional abilities.
"Facing your elders, is that the attitude you just displayed?"
"I am foolish and do not understand why Third Uncle is suddenly saying these things to me."
Facing their onslaught, Di Mingjue remained unruffled. He had anticipated what might happen at the family dinner the day before.
The old lady picked up her chopsticks and spoke to change the subject, "Family dinners are not for discussing messy affairs. Don't spoil the mood. Come on, everyone, start eating."
The Third Uncle maintained his previous stance. He didn't pick up his chopsticks, and the younger relatives behind him dared not reach for theirs.
Seeing the somber atmosphere, the old lady looked at the Third Uncle. "Today is Jiancheng's welcome banquet. If there's anything, let's sit down and resolve it properly after the banquet is over."
"Since we are all gathered here, some matters should be clarified," the Third Uncle said, pushing his bowl and chopsticks forward, clearly intending to continue.
Having been publicly rebuffed, the old lady's mood also soured. Since they weren't eating, she waved to the servants. "Take all of this away!"
The dishes had just been served, all still steaming hot.
The butler saw the servants standing there hesitantly, afraid to move, and stepped forward to advise, "They will get cold if we wait."
"Take them down!" the Third Uncle commanded angrily.
He was directly confronting the old lady.
Although the old lady was a woman, she was also a formidable one, her presence not inferior to any man.
She watched as the servants removed the plates and then said to those below, "If anyone has any grievances, speak up directly!"
Except for Di Jiancheng's family, no one else dared to open their mouths.
Those who should have stayed quiet remained so, while others continued with their tasks. Not a single person dared to step forward and speak.
"The company doesn't belong to him alone. Why are the younger generation of the Di family not allowed to join the company?" the Third Uncle questioned again.
Seeing the Third Uncle, who clearly knew what Di Dongsheng had done, still insisting on him joining the company, Di Mingjue knew that no amount of talking would be useful.
"Embezzlement of charity funds, falsification of company accounts, and speculative investment projects. Are these reasons enough?"
He didn't mention Di Dongsheng's name in any of his sentences, yet every word alluded to him.
Di Dongsheng's face turned ugly. He felt immense humiliation.
"Didn't you force him into this?" Di Jiancheng spoke up in his defense. "He worked hard for the company for three years, and as soon as you woke up, you took possession of the company. Now you want to drive him out of the country. Do you want our family to be abroad forever and never return?"
Di Ruihe, standing nearby, feigned friendliness, constantly tugging at Di Jiancheng's arm. "Dad, don't be like this. Cousin isn't like that."
He was currently still employed by the company. If he angered Di Mingjue, he might not even be able to continue working at Di Jue Group.
Di Jiancheng glared fiercely at him, impatiently shaking off his arm. He continued to demand an explanation from Di Mingjue.
With them all ganging up on him, Di Mingjue looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but laugh. "Uncle means that everything my cousin did was because I forced him?"
"Isn't that so?" Di Jiancheng blurted out without thinking.
But as soon as he said it, he realized he had fallen into Di Mingjue's trap. It was too late to retract his words.