Sean Snow’s mind suddenly went blank with a loud buzz. He turned around just in time to see the servants anxiously running out to find a doctor. He could vaguely hear someone calling his name, but the voice felt distant and muffled. His legs felt as heavy as lead.

He rushed into the room belatedly. Old Master Xue sat weakly on a stool, his clothes still stained with the fresh blood he had just coughed up. Sean Snow trembled all over, staring at him in shock and confusion.

"Grandpa, wh-what’s wrong?" His hands hovered helplessly, not knowing where to put them as he gazed at his grandfather.

With his last bit of strength, Old Master Xue gripped Zeyang’s hand tightly. "Zeyang, promise me—don’t turn yourself in. Live out your life well. The future of the Snow family depends on you."

Panic finally settled over Sean Snow. His grandfather seemed completely drained, his voice faint and lifeless.

He couldn’t hold back a choking sob. "Grandpa, I promise you. Whatever you say, I’ll do it."

Hearing these words, Old Master Xue seemed to relax. Sean Snow was the Snow family’s hope—how could he bear to see that ruined?

"You must hold on. The doctor will be here any second…" Sean Snow’s voice was tinged with tears, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"It wasn’t easy for the Snow family to get where we are today. Don’t ruin all your father’s and my life’s work. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace."

With his last breath, Old Master Xue exhorted Sean Snow to safeguard the family, no matter what…

By the time Mandy Snow and Xue Qiang arrived, Old Master Xue had just passed away.

The doctor checked his pulse, then shook his head with resignation. "My condolences."

Xue Qiang collapsed at the old man’s side, sobbing. "Dad, you were just fine a minute ago! How could you be gone in the blink of an eye?"

Mandy Snow looked at Sean Snow meaningfully. "Zeyang, what did Grandpa say to you?"

Old Master Xue’s death meant little to her. For years, he had always disliked her. His passing was almost a relief.

Sean Snow’s face was wet with tears as he clung to the old man, mumbling repeatedly, "It’s all my fault. I killed Grandpa—it’s my fault…"

"What did you say? You killed Grandpa?" Xue Qiang’s gaze grew dark. He grabbed Sean Snow, who sat slumped on the floor, and hauled him up, landing a heavy punch.

"You ungrateful brat! I’ll beat you to death!"

Sean Snow didn’t fight back. He let himself be hit over and over until Zhao Juan rushed in and stopped Xue Qiang just in time.

Seeing Sean Snow’s bruised and battered face, her heart ached.

"The family is already in chaos—do you really want to make things worse? Just how much trouble do you want to stir up before you’re satisfied?"

As the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhao Juan still commanded a measure of authority. The moment she spoke, Xue Qiang’s momentum faltered.

Sean Snow sat on the floor in utter despair, completely out of sorts. Zhao Juan instructed the servants to help him up and take him away.

—

The new year had only just passed when the Snow family was plunged into mourning.

They kept the funeral very low-key. Other than a few people in their circle whispering behind closed doors, outsiders knew nothing.

After the funeral, Sean Snow arranged to meet with Yancy Shaw.

In just a few days, Sean Snow had lost a lot of weight. His chin was shadowed with stubble, exhaustion etched into his features. The bruises on his face were still barely visible. He looked utterly spiritless.

There was no sign left of the carefree young master he once was.

Sitting across from him, Yancy Shaw couldn’t help but sigh. Not long ago, they were still laughing and drinking together, yet within days, everything between them had changed beyond recognition.

Suddenly, Sean Snow stood up and fixed Yancy Shaw with a solemn look.

"The reason I asked you here today is to apologize to the Shen family on behalf of my father and grandfather. I’m sorry."

Yancy Shaw’s eyes were icy. "That apology shouldn’t be coming from you."

What good are apologies now? No one or nothing can be brought back.

Sean Snow wasn’t bad by nature—it was just that being a Xue left him with no real choice. After losing his loved ones, he finally understood the breakdown Yancy Shaw experienced watching his own grandfather die so horribly. He couldn’t blame him for hating the Snow family.

"I’m leaving for abroad tomorrow. I… probably won’t be coming back."

His eyes were apologetic—he didn’t expect the Shen family to forgive the Xues, but he didn’t want to become enemies with Yancy Shaw either.

He’d thought a lot about it these last few days. He didn’t want to inherit anything from the Snow family. Come what may, he refused to let himself be trapped in an endless cycle of hatred.

A flicker of emotion crossed Yancy Shaw’s face, but his tone stayed cool. "Take care."

With those two words, he got up and left. Sean Snow remained seated on the bench for a long, long time…

—

Two weeks later, the trial was held.

Xue Wenchang was sentenced to life in prison for ordering and instigating murder.

Uncle Lu and Qian Peng also received prison terms.

When the Shen family learned the full extent of Xue Wenchang’s crimes, Mrs. Chen was furious.

"That family is completely insane! Xue Wenchang did so many wicked things—don’t tell me Old Master Xue didn’t know? Serves him right to die!"

"And Mandy Snow—if I had known what her family was up to, I never would have let her off so easily!"

Shen Wenting cut her off. "What, you want her to pay with her life?"

"Of course! She deceived Nanfeng for eighteen years—doesn’t she deserve to pay the price? Should we just let her go that easily?"

The more Mrs. Chen thought about it, the more indignant she felt. Even Bryce Shaw's car accident had been orchestrated by the Xues. The thought made her seethe with rage—if she could, she’d kill Xue Wenchang herself.

"There are plenty of ways to punish the Snow family. Yours is the worst possible way."

This was a society ruled by law now—impulsiveness would only bring hurt, in the end, to themselves.

The Shen family had already begun targeting the Snow family’s business.

With Old Master Xue gone, Sean Snow heading abroad and unwilling to involve himself anymore, and Xue Qiang being utterly clueless about business, the Snow family had become a scattered mess—on the brink of collapse.

—

The day after Xue Wenchang’s sentencing, Yancy Shaw visited the detention center.

Wearing prison clothes, Xue Wenchang entered the visitation room. When he saw who was waiting for him, his expression twisted.

"You? Why are you here?"

Yancy Shaw’s gaze was cold and venomous. "Surprised to see me?"

Trying to compose himself, Xue Wenchang sneered, "Feeling happy seeing me like this? No—even if I die, you won’t get your grandfather back."

So what if he was in prison now? Yancy Shaw couldn’t touch him any further—besides, his fate was sealed; there was nothing left to worry about.

Yancy Shaw remained silent, simply staring at him.

Embittered, Xue Wenchang’s eyes grew fierce, a murderous glint shining through. "I should never have let you live. You should’ve gone to hell with your grandfather. And as for Bryce Shaw—he was just lucky, or he would’ve met the King of Hell (the god of the underworld in Chinese folklore) long ago."

"Oh, and your older brother too—he raised someone else’s kid for eighteen years. Ha, the three Shen brothers—look how thoroughly I played you all!"