The one who could make the Lei family suffer such a great loss was likely the Wen family.
No wonder the head of the Wen family appeared tonight; it seemed they were indeed after the treasure map.
It was only natural, regardless of who won the treasure map, that a bloody storm would follow.
Not to mention the sudden appearance of the Lu family.
The Miao and Tang tribes would not stand by and watch the treasure map fall into the hands of outsiders.
And these two tribes had always been locked in a deadly struggle, irreconcilable.
It was normal for the head of the Wen family to not want to see this situation.
But with the head of the Wen family acting this way, it was a complete breakdown of relations with the Lei family.
Although they hadn't participated in the blind bidding, they estimated that whoever wrote their bid on the paper wouldn't have offered less than a billion, possibly even two billion.
And yet, in the blink of an eye, it became a cost price of sixty million.
Even if there was some manipulation, it was still a significant blow to the Lei family!
Those who enjoyed watching the spectacle, though not wanting to escalate the situation, couldn't help but sympathize with the Lei family.
But there was nothing they could do; no matter how powerful the Lei family was, they couldn't contend with the Wen family.
Moreover, the demand for public return was clearly to prevent the Lei family from keeping the treasure map and passing off a fake!
The head of the Wen family certainly knew how to handle matters, leaving the Lei family no face or room to maneuver.
As they silently shook their heads, their exchanged glances with others revealed a hint of sympathy.
After Master Lei left, the female auctioneer was visibly awkward but maintained her composure with professional grace. Standing on the stage with a dignified smile, she announced, "Now, we invite the representatives from the Lu, Miao, and Tang families to come forward. The Lei Corporation will publicly return the treasure map."
The representative for the Miao family, pushed forward with apprehension, was Miao Sang. The representative for the Tang family was Xia Qing Tian, and accompanying her was Gu Yao Yang.
Observing Gu Yao Yang holding Xia Qing Tian's hand, occasionally whispering intimately, their affectionate display.
"Disgusting," Gu Yao Qing disdained, "They'll do anything for attention! Afraid others won't know he's going to be a live-in son-in-law, living off a woman!"
"Hmph," the Gu family head's eyes were also full of disdain. Xia Qing Tian was merely representing the Tang family, and Gu Yao Yang, out of place, trailing after Xia Qing Tian like a clown, was laughable.
Still pretending to be a romantic?
Utterly ridiculous!
"What a joke!" Gu Yao Qing seemed intent on highlighting Gu Yao Yang's pathetic nature, deliberately raising his voice. "What business is it of his? Trying to get attention at a time like this? Good thing we cut ties with him earlier; our Gu family would never do something so shameless!"
The people around, hearing Gu Yao Qing's words, did not respond, but they were also curious as to why Gu Yao Yang was going up there.
To accompany Xia Qing Tian?
But Xia Qing Tian was also representing the Tang family? There was no need for him to accompany her.
Following this, the female auctioneer smilingly stated, "Mr. Miao Sang, Miss Xia Qing Tian, Mr. Lu, on behalf of the Lei Corporation Auction House, I officially return the treasure map to the three of you."
Mr. Lu?
The crowd was bewildered. There was no Lu on the stage...
Wait!
All eyes focused on Gu Yao Yang.
Lu?!
Mr. Lu!
Isn't that Mr. Gu?
Recalling the commotion at the Gu family before the auction, the crowd gasped, a bold thought dawning in their minds.
Could it be!
The Gu family head was also stunned. What!
Gu Yao Yang is...
Gu Yao Qing's expression was the most grim. He could no longer maintain his decorum and abruptly stood up, exclaiming in disbelief, "You've made a mistake! He! He's Mr. Gu, right? He's Gu..."
"Mr. Gu, I haven't made a mistake. This is indeed Mr. Lu of the Lu family," the female auctioneer said with a smile, looking at Gu Yao Qing. "According to the intelligence held by our Lei Corporation, Mr. Lu is the sole surviving heir of the Lu family who met with misfortune years ago, Mr. Lu Yao Yang."
Although the crowd had an inkling of this possibility, hearing the female auctioneer confirm it personally, they couldn't help but gasp.
"You're... lying..." Gu Yao Qing muttered in disbelief.
How could that bastard Gu Yao Yang be the sole surviving heir of the Lu family!
He was just a mongrel kicked out of the Gu family! He... why him...
While Gu Yao Qing was still in shock, the female auctioneer had completed the return of the treasure map.
The crowd watched, dumbfounded, as Gu... no, it should be Mr. Lu, extended his hand to accept the treasure map valued at billions. Each of them struggled to decide if they felt more shock or envy.
If it were only this, it would be difficult for them to judge, but what happened next confirmed it: they were indeed more envious.
After the treasure map was returned to the representatives of the Lu, Miao, and Tang families, the head of the Wen family stood up from his seat and walked onto the stage. He said to Lu Yao Yang, "Earlier, to protect you, I sent you away. Now that you have returned to the Lu family, all assets that originally belonged to the Lu family should also be returned to you.
After this auction concludes, you will accompany me back to the Wen family to retrieve all property deeds, shops, and storefronts belonging to the Lu family, which will be handed over to you. Any assets that have been demolished or sold will be compensated to you at their current market value." Having said this, the head of the Wen family looked at Xia Qing Tian and raised an eyebrow: "Are you satisfied now?"
Xia Qing Tian also raised an eyebrow: "Moderately satisfied~"
Lu Yao Yang noticed the subtle exchange between the head of the Wen family and Xia Qing Tian and merely smiled. He casually handed the treasure map to Miao Sang beside him, then extended his hand to the head of the Wen family, saying, "Thank you for your care."
This was the family fortune his Qing Tian had helped him reclaim, and it would be the capital for him to support his future wife and family. He would manage it well.
The head of the Wen family shook hands with Lu Yao Yang, then turned and glanced in the direction of the Gu family head.
That single glance struck the Gu family head like lightning, freezing him in place. His face turned pale, then flushed, and his thoughts immediately flashed back to that afternoon when people from the Wen family had handed Gu Yao Yang over to him.
Gu Yao Yang was young at the time, and the people from the Wen family had claimed he was the orphan of a deceased friend.
He had thought it was the orphan of a martyr from the Wen family army. After taking him in, he had intended to raise him well.
After all, being able to establish a connection with the Wen family was something all prominent families longed for.
Their Gu family had a cooperative project with the Wen family at the time, and it was only due to their honest business dealings that they had managed to catch the eye of the Wen family.
When Gu Yao Yang first arrived at the Gu family, he seemed to have fallen seriously ill and remembered nothing of his past. The Gu family was happy to have it easy, raising him as their own child.
Later, the Wen family did provide some convenience in business, but no one ever came to visit Gu Yao Yang, nor did anyone inquire about his affairs.
He hadn't thought of Gu Yao Yang's background as complicated.
If Gu Yao Yang had been an ordinary, mediocre person, things wouldn't have escalated to this point, but now...
The Gu family head felt as if the end of the world was nigh, sitting there with the world spinning around him.