What to Do If I Become the Villain's Daughter

20.

Inside the study,

Old Master Huo sat at the desk, while Huo Xiaozheng lounged on the master chair to the right, leisurely pouring himself a cup of tea.

Although the Huo Family wealth was built upon accumulations of past generations, maintaining it proved to be more difficult than building it. By the time it reached Old Master Huo's generation, the family unity was not as strong as it once was.

Old Master Huo exhausted all his abilities, barely managing to maintain the existing fortune of the Huo Family.

Yet, this was far from sufficient.

Old Master Huo had the intention to mentor his eldest son, but Huo Yanqin went into the civil service early.

After Huo Yanqin entered service, he brought considerable benefit to the Huo Family.

But it was still not enough.

His old age would inevitably come one day.

Thus, Huo Xiaozheng became the definitive choice.

As expected, his judgement was impeccable.

Even in his youth, Huo Xiaozheng displayed wits and maturity surpassing his peers, and his means grew increasingly decisive and ruthless with time.

The family matters that Old Master Huo couldn't resolve due to old affections, Huo Xiaozheng dealt with them directly, without sentimentality.

Old Master Huo felt deeply relieved.

Until recently.

"Have you looked into the background of that little girl?" Old Master Huo asked with a voice carrying inherent authority.

Huo Xiaozheng nonchalantly set down his tea cup, "Yes, she's my daughter."

A gleam flashed in Old Master Huo's eyes, "I heard you've already registered her under your name."

"Yes."

"That's fine. The Huo Family can manage to raise another little girl," Old Master Huo said, "Let's register her under your elder brother's name."

Huo Xiaozheng remained composed, "No need, I will raise my own daughter."

It was rare for Huo Xiaozheng to defy him like this, leaving Old Master Huo momentarily startled, his countenance darkened, "The Jiang and Qin families are about to form a marital alliance. You should know what this implies, without me having to spell it out for you, right?"

Huo Xiaozheng remained unperturbed, "They won't stir up much trouble."

"Bang!"

A tea cup flew past Huo Xiaozheng's cheek, smashing against the bookshelf and shattering.

"Not stir up trouble?" Old Master Huo was enraged, "Do you really think I'm senile? You and that youngster from the Jiang Family have been at odds for years, you just won a fight using the case of that little girl. That Jiang boy made a few remarks and redirected the blame towards his own family branch, taking the opportunity to clean out internal traitors."

"Now that the Jiang and Qin families are getting married, the Huo Family stocks are consistently dropping, what's your countermeasure?"

Huo Xiaozheng showed no expression, only a slight twitch in his brows when he heard about 'winning a fight using the case of the little girl'.

"Father, the Huo Family has been in my hands for so many years, you should trust me."

Huo Xiaozheng maintained his composure throughout, which seemed to ease Old Master Huo’s worries.