Chapter 14: This Marriage Must End

Zhang Liping was stunned when she heard these words. Her face immediately twisted in anger, and she cursed through gritted teeth, "That damned fellow! The birthday banquet isn't even over, how dare he leave? He simply doesn't regard our Su family at all!"

"Not only does he disregard us, he wants to sever ties with the Su family altogether!" Su Tianming, rubbing his right arm as he rose from the floor, spoke in a mocking tone.

Su Tianming’s right arm was only now slowly regaining feeling, able to move again, but the thought of Jiang Hao’s ghostly methods still filled him with dread. Where on earth had Jiang Hao learned such skills? It was simply bizarre!

"How audacious! Not severing ties with him is already letting him off easy, yet he dares to take the initiative to cut off relations with the Su family? He’s turned the world upside down!" Zhang Liping spat as she cursed, but her voice gradually faded. Her shortsightedness finally allowed her to sense that the atmosphere in the banquet hall was off, so she hurried over to her daughter Su Qingli and asked in a low voice, "Qingli, what exactly happened?"

Su Qingli sighed and explained everything that had just transpired.

Upon hearing it, Zhang Liping was furious, her teeth grinding audibly.

Old Lady Su suddenly let out a long breath and looked at Su Qingli. "Qingli, I don't blame you. What happened today has nothing to do with you. It's entirely your useless husband’s fault! I can see it clearly now—he only came to my birthday banquet to stir up trouble... cough, cough, cough..."

Her words ended abruptly as Old Lady Su began to cough heavily, her aged body trembling.

"Grandma, are you alright?" Su Tianming hurried forward, his tone full of concern.

Old Lady Su waved her hand, coughed a few more times, then said, "It's nothing, perhaps my old illness hasn't quite left me, and I was just agitated by that scoundrel, so it flared up again..."

Hearing Old Lady Su’s words, everyone present began cursing Jiang Hao, wishing they could tear him to pieces.

Old Lady Su silenced their curses, called Su Qingli to her side, and spoke to her, "Qingli, you witnessed that brute’s actions just now. What do you think the Su family should do with him?"

Su Qingli lowered her head and remained silent. Deal with him?

How should they deal with him? Jiang Hao was already ready to sever ties with the Su family—what more could the Su family do to him? Kill him?

For a moment, Su Qingli found her grandmother’s words arrogant and laughable. The Su family was indeed a prominent clan in Maple Leaf City, but not the most elite, and yet Old Lady Su spoke with an air of absolute supremacy, which was frankly absurd.

Unaware of Su Qingli's thoughts, Old Lady Su continued, "I know you dated him in college, married him after graduation, and have lived together since, so you have some feelings for him. But look at what he did today, what he said—are those the actions and words of a decent man?"

"Exactly! This Jiang Hao is not fit to be called human!" Su Tianming clapped his hands.

The others echoed their agreement, fully supporting Old Lady Su and Su Tianming.

Old Lady Su went on, "So, Qingli, why not take this opportunity and divorce him? He himself said he wants to cut ties with the Su family, didn’t he? As soon as you divorce, you’ll still be the Su family’s good girl. As your grandmother, I’ll make sure you find a husband a thousand, ten thousand times better than Jiang Hao!"

As soon as Old Lady Su finished, Su Tianming chimed in with flattery, "Grandma, you’re so thoughtful—I really want to thank you on Qingli’s behalf..."

He then turned to Su Qingli, "Did you hear Grandma’s words? Seize this opportunity, divorce Jiang Hao as soon as possible, kick him out of the Su family, and let him fend for himself! Without us, Jiang Hao is nothing—a useless man destined to starve on the streets!"

Would Jiang Hao really starve on the streets?

Su Qingli didn’t think so. Jiang Hao had suddenly become assertive, his methods mysterious, and had unexpectedly driven a Bugatti Veyron. Clearly, he was no longer the person he used to be.

Even without the Su family, Jiang Hao would live well—perhaps even better than before.

But that wasn’t the point.

Su Qingli was filled with deep guilt toward Jiang Hao, for she already knew her mother, Zhang Liping, had conspired with the surgeon Wang Jun’an to seize Jiang Hao’s kidney, even plotting to kill him.

Any man would be furious if faced with such a thing!

So, she felt apologetic to Jiang Hao and wanted to explain everything.

After a long hesitation, Su Qingli shook her head. "Grandma, Jiang Hao certainly behaved badly today, but I think he has his own difficulties..."

"Difficulties? He disrupted my birthday banquet and assaulted my beloved grandson—what difficulties could he possibly have!" Old Lady Su stamped her foot in anger.

"Grandma, please let me explain..." Su Qingli had only begun when Zhang Liping cut her off, "Enough! Qingli, so many people are thinking of your best interests, why can’t you see clearly? That scoundrel Jiang Hao—what part of him is worthy of you? Just listen to Grandma and me, hurry up and divorce him. Young Master Pan is waiting for you. As soon as you divorce, he’ll marry you properly and welcome you into the Pan family. You’ll become the young mistress of the Pan clan!"

"Exactly, Qingli, your mother is right—you must listen!"

"That Jiang Hao is worthless—what could you possibly see in him?"

"If I were you, I would have kicked him out long ago!"

One by one, the Su family members urged Su Qingli to divorce Jiang Hao.

But throughout, Su Qingli never agreed.

Seeing her obstinacy, Old Lady Su sneered coldly, "Very well, Qingli. Since you’re too embarrassed to divorce Jiang Hao yourself, we’ll go find him now! We’ll make him divorce you! He’s already said he wants to sever ties with the Su family, so let’s see what he says now!"

With that, Old Lady Su strode toward the door, and the rest of the Su family hurried after her. More than ten people marched out of the Su residence together, like a swarm of hornets leaving their nest.

Zhang Liping seized Su Qingli’s hand, "Come on, we’re going too. That brat Jiang Hao must have gone home—let’s go find him, get the divorce done, and throw all his belongings out of our house!"

"Let’s just forget it, Mom—it was our fault to begin with..." Su Qingli had only spoken halfway when Zhang Liping glared fiercely at her.

"What do you mean, our fault? If you don’t look out for yourself, heaven and earth will punish you! I’m telling you, everything I do is for your own good!"

With that, Zhang Liping gripped Su Qingli’s hand tightly and dragged her out the door.