Grandfather Liang Zhong's summons was never a request; it was a command, a clear sign of the patriarch's power. As Liang Chen climbed the grand staircase of Dragon Crest Manor, he felt the familiar knot in his stomach tighten. Each step echoed with centuries of family tradition and power. The grandfather's study, with its dark wood, old scrolls, and smell of old tea leaves, gave off an air of great power. Liang Chen walked in with his back straight and his face calm, even though he was ready for the fight that was about to happen.
Grandfather Liang Zhong sat behind a large, polished desk and skipped all the small talk. His sharp, piercing gaze, despite his age, went straight to the heart of the matter. "Liang Chen," he said in a low but firm voice, "it's time for you to get married. The family, the board, and even the stability of Horizon Tech itself need it. You know what the terms are." He then made it clear what the deal was: the important 20% share of the company, which would give Liang Chen full power as president, was dependent on his marriage. It was a cold, hard deal that made perfect sense.
Liang Chen listened with a tight jaw, and his inner conflict was a silent roar. He knew what this alliance meant for the company's strategy, how much power it would give them, and how much pressure his family was putting on him. But the idea of an arranged marriage, without real love and personal choice, went against his deeply held beliefs. He valued intelligence, honesty, and a mental connection over just a legal obligation. He wanted to fight back against this basic attack on his freedom, but he knew it wouldn't work. His grandfather's will was final, and so was his choice.
The conversation ended as suddenly as it started. Grandfather Liang Zhong just stared, and his silence was a strong sign of his unbreakable will. Liang Chen's already heavy shoulders were made even heavier by the patriarch's demand. This added a lot of personal stress to the corporate crisis at Horizon Tech. He left the study with the grim realization that his future, and the leadership of his empire, was now irrevocably linked to a marriage he had not chosen, and to a woman he had yet to meet.