Chapter 653 - Unsettling

The peaceful summer breeze and the scent of fresh leaves depicted a calm and refreshing morning. It enshrouded the storm that had passed around a week ago in the upper circles of the society. 

The news of death of the head of the Guan family circulated fast and caused great changes in the power balance of the three factions competing in the succession trial of the Guan Empire.

Many eyes were watching. With the old man gone, who would control the power of the Guan family when the fight for succession was not over yet?

However, not only a day had passed, but the news containing the details of the former headmaster's last will was leaked outside as well. 

The people who were paying attention to the matters of the Guan family were dumbfounded when they heard the news. 

There was already an appointed new head even before the succession trial concluded?!

However, the more shocking thing was, the old man actually already decided on a candidate to support for the succession trial among his grandsons!

And it was none other than Guan Gao Huan!

People had begun to speculate. 

With the former headmaster's show of support through his will for Guan Gao Huan, the Third Young Master Guan might gain the upper hand and get voted as the successor. 

But with Guan Gu Ri as the head, coupled with the elders' efforts in these seven days, the battler over the successor position was not concluded yet.

Before, it was a close fight between Guan Xixin and Guan Gao Huan, with Guan Gu Ri's chances plunging behind them. But with the last will of the old man, the tables were turned. 

It was now a battle between Guan Gu Ri's and Guan Gao Huan's factions.

If the outsiders could realize this fact, the board of directors could naturally do the same as well. 

Guan Xixin's power weakened as a result of many people leaving his faction through various means and switched to support either Guan Gu Ri or Guan Gao Huan.

Now, the Guan Empire and the people who were watching the fight were giving close attention to these two factions.

And now the day to conclude the trial had finally come.

....

Guan Gu Ri stepped out of his car. 

The employees from the Guan Empire lined up and greeted the new family head.

"Greetings, Headmaster!"

On his usual gentle face was a frown. His dry and tired voice turned to his butler. 

"Have you contacted Xixin?"

"I am still trying to contact him, Headmaster. But he is still out of reach."

Guan Gu Ri massaged his forehead. 

His face carried a lot of exhaustion. He had not had a good sleep for the past week. As the newly appointed headmaster, he took care of the funeral rites of his grandfather, looked over the backlogged workload of the family head, and gave appreciation to the figureheads and powerhouses who paid their last respects to his grandfather.

Guan Gu Ri also had to constantly watch over the other branches who were trying to gain power during the seven-day period of mourning. What was more, he must also pay attention to the elders who might go overboard in supporting him. 

....Most importantly, he had to worry over his second brother's and third brother's rocky relationship. 

All of these added a lot of pressure to the mourning man.

"Send people to his mansion and check on him personally. He has not been in the best frame of mind since the day of grandpa's death. I worry that he might do something reckless in that state of mind."

"Yes, Headmaster."

"How about Gao Huan?"

"I spoke with the third young master's butler over the phone. The third master is on his way to the presidential floor. I think the third faction is already with him."

"The third faction? They came together?"

"Yes. They maintained close contact ever since the start of the funeral rites."

"..." 

Guan Gu Ri was silent. When he heard that, there was a strange feeling in his heart. 

Apparently, his third brother was already preparing for the succession during these seven days. He did not expect Guan Gao Huan to recover so soon.

If it was Guan Gu Ri who had seen their grandfather's very last moment... He would not be able to recover so fast in seven days or even if he was given a month.

Did his third brother, who was initially a s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e and weak boy, turned into a rational and cold-hearted man?

There he met Guan Gao Huan's entourage and the man himself.

"Eldest Brother."

Guan Gu Ri halted when he saw Guan Gao Huan. Because he was very busy during the mourning period, he had not personally exchanged words with Guan Gao Huan since that saddening day.

Unlike him who looked like he had aged a lot in the past week, Guan Gao Huan's face was bright and energetic. No one would know that this man had just come from a funeral. 

The report of his butler suddenly came to Guan Gu Ri's mind. 

For some reason, Guan Gu Ri suddenly felt uncomfortable seeing his third brother's lively appearance. However, he killed any negative thoughts in his mind and spoke gently with a forced smile.

"It's you, third brother. I am glad that you came right on time."

"Of course, I have to. Grandpa supported me well to look after the Guan Empire. I must live up to his expectations."

"...." Guan Gu Ri's smile stiffened a bit. 

Guan Gu Ri froze at this thought. 

Was he feeling bitter about it? No way... He must be feeling tired.

Guan Gu Ri forced another smile. "That's right. The Guan Empire will be depending on us."

Guan Gao Huan smiled back. 

But he caught that word ' us'.

He was expecting this Guan Gu Ri who always encouraged his brothers to inherit the Guan Empire to cater to his words like the man usually did. 

But at this moment, he could sense that the man was a bit...unwilling?

It could not be that this man was trying to fight him over the heir position, could he?

Guan Gao Huan's eyes flashed darkly. He did not like it when a variable appeared just before the important moment. 

Guan Gao Huan looked at Guan Gu Ri's exhausted face. 

"Eldest brother, the moment we come out of this elevator and enter the meeting room, we will become rivals. I wish eldest brother good luck."

Guan Gu Ri returned a smile. "Me as well." He then looked at the front. 

He was silently scolding himself. 

Why couldn't he say the same thing he did before? He felt like saying the words of support to his third brother now would be like empty words.

Meanwhile, Guan Gao Huan's eyes darkened.

Silence fell as the elevator rose.

Then, Guan Gao Huan spoke.

"Eldest brother, do you still remember your promise?"

"Promise?" Guan Gu Ri distractedly repeated, still unable to shake off the unusual vibe that unsettled him.

"Eldest brother, you told me before that you will support me and second brother for the position of successor. Do those words still count?"

Ding.

The elevator opened. They have arrived at the designated floor.

Guan Gu Ri looked back at Guan Gao Huan . "My words still stand. However, I am still mourning for our grandfather, so I cannot really sincerely give any of you the words of best wishes. Grandpa just died."

When those words left, Guan Gu Ri regretted them. 

Was it not the same as saying that his third brother was not mourning for their grandfather's death? 

However... That was what he really felt in his heart.

Guan Gao Huan took a step out of the elevator. His back was at Guan Gu Ri. 

"I never have forgotten that fact even for a moment, brother." 

He then left.

"....."

Guan Gu Ri sighed heavily and shook his head with bitterness.

What was he thinking? Venting his anger after seeing that his third brother was doing better than them, his eldest and second brothers? All of them received emotional wounds at their grandfather's sudden death... Yet here he was, wanting his brother to grieve more and wallow in depression.

He was really... unbefitting for the family head's position.

****