Chapter 653 - Unsettling (1/2)

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.”