The memory card was inserted into the card reader, connected to the computer, and video files appeared on the screen in the living room.
In the footage, the Chairman's mental state seemed fine. He said clearly, "Today is January 31, 2022. I have decided to make my will, with Lawyer Cai and Lawyer Wang as witnesses."
Lawyer Cai and an elderly female lawyer appeared on screen to witness that this will was authentic and valid.
The living room was silent as everyone stared tensely and uneasily at the screen. Jian Jing glanced over them, but no one noticed her gaze.
They were all...very much in awe of the Chairman.
Looking again at the elderly man on screen, he was quite advanced in years, with white hair, and his body also seemed extremely weak from chemotherapy. But his expression was resolute and tone commanding - the very image of a dictator.
The Chairman was indeed not just the leader of the group, but the undisputed authority in the family as well.
"My will has two conditions: First, all my children must be present. I have six biological children - Jiang Lian, Jiang Qi, Jiang Ou, Jiang Yue, Jiang Xun, and Jiang Xue. Anyone missing is unacceptable; Second, you must have come to a consensus among yourselves regarding the cause of my death."
The Chairman spoke very calmly, not avoiding discussion of matters after his own death: "In my final days, I will tell you that I plan to revise my will, but in truth, there has only ever been this one will and I never planned to change it."
This remark shocked the room.
The blood drained from Jiang Lian's face and she almost stood up in shock, momentarily forgetting her father had already passed away. She blurted out, "What do you mean?"
As if anticipating his children's questions, the Chairman calmly revealed the answer on screen: "Even blood siblings might become sworn enemies over money. Let alone the lot of you born to different mothers. After my death, it's impossible for you to work together peacefully managing group affairs - and this is what I least want to see."
"Unfortunately, as your father, I failed to show equal care and attention, especially since Jiang Xun and Jiang Yue were seldom by my side. I barely fulfilled my duties." His tone softened, a rare display of warmth.
But in the next moment, the illusion shattered. The corners of his mouth pressed flat again, exerting immense pressure: "So I can only resolve everything this way."
Pausing briefly here, seemingly to gather his strength, while offscreen the atmosphere had tensed to a standstill.
Even Jian Jing, an outsider, couldn't help but unconsciously lower her own breathing.
The Chairman said, "I know that once I say I plan to revise my will, someone is bound to try preventing me from speaking again - most simply by killing me."
Though prepared, those present still couldn't conceal their shudder hearing the deceased blatantly admit this.
"Who made a move? I don't care." A hint of frigid laughter played at the Chairman's lips. "Since you've already reached a consensus, Lawyer Cai can now announce the contents of my will."
"All right." Lawyer Cai appeared on screen, taking out a document already signed, and began to read it: "The will of Mr. Jiang Guangze is as follows:
"Should the party die of natural causes, the estate will be distributed as such: real estate split evenly among spouse Yin Meng and the children, based on market price; shares of Jiang Shui Group and subsidiaries split evenly among the six children; Water Company split evenly among Jiang Xun, Jiang Yue, and Jiang Xue; Communications Company wholly owned by Jiang Qi; Energy Company split evenly between Jiang Lian and Jiang Ou. The remainder of moveable assets and jewelry are bequeathed to spouse Yin Meng."
Jiang Madam hooked a mocking, frigid smile.
It all went as she expected - the Chairman's true assets were destined for the children. As his spouse, she could only get things of high value but little future.
But this wasn't the final outcome.
On screen, Lawyer Cai turned another page and pursed his lips tightly offscreen, straining not to reveal any emotion whatsoever.
"Should the party die an unnatural death, among the inheritors by consensus the individual or individuals deemed responsible for the Chairman's murder will forfeit rights of inheritance, excluding real estate. The remainder of the estate will be distributed per the above."
Lawyer Cai paused the video to explain, "To use an example - if someone loses inheritance rights, then shares of Jiang Shui Group will be split evenly among the remaining five people, and so on."
Everyone was stunned, then swiftly exchanged glances.
Jiang Baiyan received the most stares, yet betrayed not an ounce of joy. Instead, he seemed lost in thought.
Just then, the Chairman spoke again on video: "I suppose someone might argue otherwise at this point, so you may choose another method - investigate what truly happened. I will install surveillance cameras in my room that livestream footage. However--"
He meaningfully said: "After viewing the footage, if the accused is confirmed the killer, he forfeits inheritance rights. If not, he will receive the entirety of my estate."
Not waiting for any reactions, he tacked on: "But reviewing the footage requires unanimous consent from all parties."
At first Jian Jing didn't understand, thinking what contradictory terms these were. But on second thought, she instantly grasped it.
She understood now.
The Chairman likely didn't anticipate her nearly solving the case. In his plans, the accused killer had a high probability of not being the real murderer.
The investigative process was actually a pact-forming process. That's why it mentioned "reaching consensus."
The group could choose to frame a scapegoat, causing him to lose most inheritance rights save for keeping the real estate as livelihood backup.
Meanwhile, the rest would become accomplices.
What alliance is firmest? Partners in crime.
So even children of different mothers would have to "get along" for the inheritance, keeping mutual blackmail material so none would truly turn against another.
Either way ensured the group's protection.
As for the other method, it functioned as insurance, the most brilliant part of this scheme.
The accused, if not the true killer, would surely try clearing his name by demanding to see footage. But the others would never permit it.
Having a common enemy keeps alliances together and prevents in-fighting and fragmentation.
In other words, the Chairman leveraged his own death to force bonds between his discordant children, clearing obstacles from his company's future path.
Likewise, if the accused could somehow under these circumstances turn the tables through compelling means, it proved he had what it took to wield control over the others.
Entrusting his life's work to this person wouldn't be a bad outcome either.
Either way, the group was assured.
Jian Jing sighed ceaselessly.
In truth, the Chairman cared not for the truth nor who ended his life and whether they'd be punished.
What he truly cared for was only Jiang Shui Group.
These were his real children it seemed.
But now things appeared beyond his calculations - the Chairman cared not for truth, yet truth had surfaced nonetheless.
Jiang Lian asked, "So in this situation, Lawyer Cai, who bears responsibility?"
The lawyer was also very troubled, weighing his words: "Based on earlier deductions, Jiang Lian or Jiang Madam both have motive regarding the Chairman's death. Jiang Ou, Jiang Yue, Jiang Xue and Jiang Qi failed to provide, or were able to yet failed to provide, lifesaving aid. This constitutes a crime of inaction for which they should share partial responsibility."
He paused then added, "Jiang Xue isn't of age so her circumstances differ."
"Yet after all this talk only one person is completely blameless?" Jiang Ou said coldly. "Or we can check the footage - let's see if he really did nothing wrong."
Jiang Baiyan sneered, "You think I'm stupid?"
Jiang Qi asked, "Did Father leave any other message?"
Lawyer Cai said, "After confirming the will, the Chairman left one additional letter for the inheritors."
Having stayed silent this whole time, Jiang Yue finally spoke. "So how exactly does this get distributed in the end? Give us a definite word, Lawyer Cai."
The lawyer took a deep breath. "Unless the cause of the Chairman's death can be conclusively pinned on someone - for example, by proving he had already died before Jiang Yue arrived, so she bears no responsibility - otherwise she will be considered an accomplice."
Jiang Yue opened her mouth as if to say the man was already dead.
But Jiang Madam swiftly spoke up, "He still breathed when I was there."
Jiang Madam couldn't help but look at her, full of regret - if they could give them a little time, the two of them would only need to align their stories, and things would be simple.
As if seeing through her thoughts, Jiang Madam sneered coldly: "Do you think I would help you cover up? Why should I, when you framed my daughter!" She looked at Jiang Qi, lifting her chin, "And there's him too."
A flash of gloom crossed Jiang Qi's face.
At this moment, he couldn't be sure if he would expose them. If an agreement could be reached, his involvement could be exonerated.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
He didn't understand his father's intentions. From beginning to end, the truth was never important. What was important was how much ability they could demonstrate in this test.
The inheritance amount was actually decided by themselves.
His father was still his father after all, and the Chairman was still the Chairman.
He sighed lightly, shook his head, but asked: "Jiang Xun, did you really not make a move?"
"Second brother, don't you think it's very strange that I disappeared in this matter?" Jiang BaiYan asked in surprise.
Jiang Qi said lightly: "Isn't that so."
Jiang BaiYan bent his eyebrows in a smile, smiling as sweetly as when he was little. But his tone was no longer like a pathetic little puppy.
"Not strange at all. I have always been the invisible person in the family." He asked, "You never saw me before, so why can you see me now?"
Jiang Qi was silent.
"Because of money, right? You didn't want to see me, but now you have to." Jiang BaiYan smiled again. He had always thought this second brother was above worldly affairs, but in the end, everyone was just ordinary.
What does it matter if I'm a bastard? When it comes to money, brotherly affection can still be discussed.
How ironic. Money can even buy love.
"Little Xun." Jiang Lian softened her tone, playing the family card, "No one will recognize this result. You haven't spent a single day in the group. The company's people don't even know who you are. You won't get anything."
"Sister, I just starred in an incredibly popular movie. How could people not know who I am?" He looked aggrieved, asking back innocently.
Jiang Lian held back her anger: "You know that's not what I meant. I'm talking about the company..."
"That's enough." Jiang Ou interrupted her sister's words with a cold laugh, "Let him take it. I want to see how much he can take."
Jiang Xue looked at her mother involuntarily. Jiang Madam watched the show expressionlessly.
Cai Lawyer rubbed his forehead and said with difficulty: "There is a document here. Please sign here if you all agree―of course, it doesn't affect the validity of the will if you don't sign."
The three Jiang siblings didn't move an inch, protesting with their actions.
"Lawyer Cai," Jiang Madam spoke. "It's very late today. Can we talk about it tomorrow and let everyone digest it, think about it. What do you think?"
Cai Lawyer quickly agreed: "Of course, no problem. Then I'll come tomorrow mor... afternoon at 1 pm."
No one asked him to stay.
"You guys slowly discuss it. I'm going to bed." Jian Jing, also tired of watching the drama, yawned and went back to her room to sleep.
None of the Jiang family moved.
They were all very clear that next was time for negotiation.
