CHAPTER 289: SEBASTIAN FAMILY

Seeing the obsequious manner of this person in authority, Luis felt a surge of satisfaction, which was suddenly mixed with a pang of guilt.

This man had absolutely no connection to him, and it was only because of the System that he was acting this way. In truth, Luis genuinely lacked familial warmth and a father’s protective love.

Just as he stood up, Luis thought for a moment and said, "I need to tell you something!"

"What is it? Please, tell me!"

Ye stood up, feeling incredibly flattered. This was the first time Luis had initiated a conversation with him.

"My wife is pregnant!"

Luis stated it matter-of-factly. "I don’t care what you plan to do, but you are not allowed to appear before her, and you cannot show up at my Mother In Law’s house. You must not affect her emotional state."

"Your wife... my daughter-in-law... is pregnant..."

Ye was completely dumbfounded, feeling both shock and a sense of disbelief.

"Remember this, I am a live-in son-in-law. You cannot disrupt my life."

After saying this, Luis pulled the door open and hurried out, only to freeze momentarily upon opening it. The area outside was full of people, yet no one dared to stop him.

The room remained in a heavy silence for a while before Ye emerged, his expression now composed.

"He resigned. Do not make things difficult for him."

Ye couldn’t remember the last time he had spoken words like these. Dominic and Bella naturally agreed immediately, but the confusion on their faces only deepened.

In the car, the shrewd and capable Waller received a phone call. "President Ye, he has already left. All the procedures were handled in advance."

Ye narrowed his eyes, remaining silent, clearly deep in thought. Waller didn’t even dare to breathe heavily; his own bewilderment was greater than anyone else’s.

Given the situation with Tiger Real Estate, President Ye’s presence wasn’t actually necessary. Waller himself could have handled it. The two families were locked in a struggle, barely resembling leading enterprises anymore.

After all, this was an enterprise President Ye had personally nurtured. Letting it become a complete mess would be a joke. But after years by his side, Waller already understood that this matter was no longer important.

Back at the hotel where they were staying, just as Waller was about to leave, Ye shook his head, signaling for him to stay.

"Father, I met him."

"Him? The older one, correct?"

Waller, who was listening to the call, felt a chill run to his very marrow. He silently lowered his head, not daring to make a sound. He knew he was being exposed to private family matters, a sign of great trust.

But, conversely, if even a whisper of this were leaked, death by a thousand cuts would be a fitting punishment.

"How is he?"

The voice on the other end, which normally carried a natural authority that could make one kneel without even trying, now held a trace of gentle, kind concern.

"He was begging me. He knelt down and begged me not to disrupt his life. That little bastard cried in front of me."

Ye let out a sigh. The man usually so full of vigor and pride now looked lost and confused.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before the voice spoke again. "A cursed fate. I will not involve myself in your personal affairs, but he is, after all, a child of our family. What is his situation now?"

"I have already looked into it. The child has become a live-in son-in-law. He has no money, no car, and no house, but his wife’s family is very fond of him."

"That is good. Do not disturb him further. You understand the child’s feelings."

The authoritative elderly voice spoke lightly. "Ye, you handled this with considerable grace. The other younger members of the family can all advance further now. Your concession was a move of great wisdom, a very shrewd play."

"Those old fossils are unanimous in their praise for your methods, your perspective, and your foresight."

"He said it’s for the best that he keeps our surname out. I know it pains you that he doesn’t acknowledge us, but he should serve as an example to the others."

"An illegitimate child can live a life of wealth, but they can never truly belong to the same circle. One must have that awareness. Yet, this child is unwilling to bask in our reflected glory."

There was another prolonged silence on the phone before the voice asked, "Does he... does he still despise you? Did he make any requests of you?"

"No..."

Ye gave a bitter smile. "Father, he has only ever asked one thing of me: not to disturb his life. That little bastard actually got on his knees before me."

The formidable voice on the other end was quiet for a long moment. "You probably no longer harbor feelings for that woman, but he is ultimately your own flesh and blood. You cannot be indifferent."

"Perhaps it’s better for him to live as an ordinary person."

"Let him keep his surname... Having one more person officially in the family would just complicate things."

"Ye Sebastian!!"

This was the first time his father had ever addressed him by his full name—not a nickname, not a term of endearment, but his surname and given name together, signifying a matter of grave importance.

"Your inner turmoil, your offspring... that is your concern."

The aged voice on the phone stated very clearly, "You are not to use any underhanded methods. Even a vicious tiger does not devour its own cubs. Besides, he has always hidden from us, already terrified enough."

"He is your bloodline, yet he must always remain in the shadows!"

"But he strives to live his life, you bastard... Telling me all this, are you seeking my approval for something?"

Ye was startled and quickly explained, "No, I merely wished to tell you that when your great-grandchild is born, even if they do not carry the Ye name, they will still be of our bloodline."

The elderly voice was silent for a long time. "He is right. From now on, you are forbidden from disturbing his life."

"But when my grandson is born... surely I can at least lay eyes on him once?"

Ye responded with a bitter laugh.

"You’ve seen more than enough of the troubles caused by illegitimate children... haven’t you? He doesn’t even wish to be considered an illegitimate child anymore. Why would you create complications for your own child?"

The aged voice continued, "If not for the chance encounter today, he would not have wanted to see you at all. For you to entertain such thoughts now... is that not being overly domineering?"

"Father, I understand how to handle this."

After hanging up the phone, tear tracks were visible on Ye’s face, his expression filled with resentment and unwillingness.

"Waller, you’ve been with me for about fifteen years now, correct?"

Ye leaned back in his seat and let out a weary sigh.

"Fifteen years and eleven months, sir!"

Waller replied, his voice trembling with caution.

He did not dare to utter a single extra word or pose any question. After fifteen years, suddenly learning this secret, he understood it represented the ultimate trust from his superior.

"You heard the phone conversation just now. You understand the situation, don’t you?"

Waller nodded slightly, not daring to speak a single syllable.

Ye raised his head, lost in thought for a long while, before sighing deeply. "You have witnessed the nature of my family’s shame."

"President Ye, I’m afraid I don’t know what you are referring to."

Waller was acutely perceptive. He knew that Ye had intentionally taken that call in his presence, signaling that he was now completely considered part of the inner circle.