The rest of Yang Mo's words were never spoken aloud. But they didn't need to be—those who were present could feel the weight of what remained unsaid. If fewer people from the Lin family stood in one's path, life would undoubtedly be smoother.
As for the familial affection that had once occupied his heart?
Yang Mo had long since let it go.
Now, he only had one home. The Yang family.
"That's right, buddy." Ji Fat clapped him on the back with a toothy grin. "If the Lin family doesn't make you happy, then screw 'em. Let's toss them aside like yesterday's leftovers."
Ji Fat clearly still had more boisterous declarations to unleash, likely something dramatic and over-the-top. But before he could continue, Yang Mo's phone rang again, slicing through the air like a knife. A deep frown settled on Yang Mo's brow. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and switched the phone off.
"It's getting late," Yang Mo said, turning to Ji Fat with a calm but firm tone. "You've gotten your dose of fresh air. I'm sure your brain isn't lacking oxygen anymore—now go back to your questions."
"No way! It's barely been any time at all!" Ji Fat protested dramatically, face contorted in exaggerated misery. "I feel like I haven't even taken a full breath yet!"
Yang Mo turned around with a sigh. "Then you can stay here and breathe all you want. I'm heading back."
Seeing Yang Mo really walking away, Ji Fat panicked. "No! No, wait! I'll follow you, okay?!"
Meanwhile, on the other end of a phone call that was never answered, Jo Yi Fang stood quietly, listening to the silence on the line. A look of loss crept across her face. Despite everything, her heart still ached—this child, Xiao Mo, still refused to accept her.
Her eyes welled up with tears she quickly brushed away.
She knew she should give him time. He needed space. But time… time was something she didn't have much of anymore.
With LY Andong's new pharmaceutical developments gaining traction, his position had never been stronger. If things continued at this pace, he might really take control of everything. And when that happened, she would lose—not just her standing, but her son.
The thought made her chest tighten with anxiety.
She had to act before LY Andong caught on that something was off.
Suddenly, the ringtone broke through her thoughts again—Jingle Bells, cheerful and mocking. Her hands trembled slightly as she fumbled for her phone, hope rising in her chest.
Was it Yang Mo, calling her back?
But when she looked at the screen, her expression turned cold.
Lin Coen.
In the past, whenever Lin Coen called, Jo Yi Fang would answer instantly. He was, after all, the man she had once trusted. But today? Today was different.
She stared at the phone, eyes unblinking, making no move to pick it up.
It rang and rang, a shrill, repetitive reminder of the past she no longer wanted to return to.
When it finally stopped, she calmly returned the phone to her bag.
On the other end, Lin Coen stood pacing like a caged beast, eyes narrowing as the call went unanswered. He circled the room several times before violently kicking a nearby stool across the floor.
"She's not answering my calls at this hour?" he growled. "It must be that brat from the Yang family again."
Jo Yi Fang's sudden change in behavior… her emotional distance… It could only mean one thing: Yang Mo.
He pictured them together—Yang Mo smiling, holding Jo Yi Fang's arm, just like how he had been so close with Jo Yong earlier. That image sent a jolt of rage through him.
Absolutely not.
The Lin family's inheritance was his. No one else had the right to it—especially not Yang Mo.
Lin Coen clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing small crescents of blood without him even noticing.
"I was going to just teach you a lesson," he muttered darkly. "But now… You've crossed the line."
The thought of eliminating Yang Mo resurfaced once again, darker and more insistent than ever.
The only obstacle was the Black Tiger Group's situation. Right now, they weren't in a position to make any moves. But once things settled, once the Black Tiger regained its strength...
There would be no mercy.
Lin Coen's eyes glinted with ruthless malice.
"You're too young, Yang Mo. You think you can take the Lin family's future from me? Keep dreaming."
By 5 p.m., the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city as the sky dimmed into twilight. One by one, the employees of the office building packed their things and left for the day.
Watching them go, LY Andong stood with his usual warm smile. Everything was in order. Business was stable. All was well.
Just then, his phone rang.
He answered it without hesitation, and on the other end came the calm, emotionless voice of Elder Jo.
"Andong, come to the house tonight."
There was no urgency in the old man's voice. No emotion at all.
Still, LY Andong was surprised. Since the day Yang Mo had returned, their family hadn't shared another meal with Elder Jo. So why now?
What was the old man planning?
Uneasy, LY Andong called Jo Yi Fang next.
But when he asked if she had spoken to Master Jo, Jo Yi Fang replied vaguely, almost evasively. She rambled a few lines, clearly trying to divert the topic.
Listening to her voice, LY Andong felt a flicker of impatience. He barely restrained it.
"Okay, I understand," he replied coolly. "But really, there's no need to drag Dad into this. He's getting old. We don't need him worrying over trivial things like this brat."
Jo Yi Fang didn't detect anything unusual in his tone. She exhaled quietly, relieved.
Since the old man had said he'd handle things himself, it would be better for her to play dumb. No need to reveal her suspicions—not now.
Still, her voice cracked slightly as she added bitterly, "Things are a mess at home right now. I'm completely overwhelmed... Xiao Mo hasn't said anything about coming back, and you're busy with the company... So I went to Dad."
LY Andong paused for a moment, then replied, "Okay. I know what's going on."