After divorcing my celebrity wife, I became the world's richest person

Zhao Hai panicked instantly, stuttering and unable to articulate a reason.

"Grandfather, in any case, we absolutely cannot agree, or else our Zhao Family might risk..."

"Shut up!"

Zhou Zhongde's knuckles made a snapping sound in his grip; now, besides cooperating with the Edward Family, he had no other way out.

"I am still the head of the Zhao Family! Have someone start preparing for negotiations with the Edward Family immediately, and if necessary, enter into full cooperation.

The others present didn't dwell on the matter. Since the elder had given his command, they had no choice but to execute it, and some were already anxiously heading to the door.

Zhao Zhongde didn't say much more, treating Zhao Hai's behavior as foolishness.

At Xiangyun Restaurant in the Imperial City, Chen Yu and Tong Ya ordered some specialty dishes and took a seat in a private room.

Xiangyun Restaurant was the largest comprehensive restaurant in the Imperial City, with a history of over three hundred years.

Nearly all the well-established brands in the north had branches here.

As a result, the customer flow was ceaseless every day.

Within dozens of miles around it, apart from some fast-food eateries and simple breakfast and dinner shops, one could hardly see any other large-scale restaurants.

This line of business was almost monopolized by Xiangyun Restaurant.

If one wished to open a branch in the Imperial City, the first obstacle would be Xiangyun Restaurant; one would either need to acquire and reform it, or simply open one opposite to it to compete.

But to defeat a well-respected brand with more than three hundred years of history, even if Chen Yu had the secret recipes of the world's finest foods in his head, it would be nearly impossible.

With over three hundred years of tradition, their flavors and business practices had been perfected, and the connections they had amassed were a formidable force.

If the taste was similar, people would naturally subconsciously choose Xiangyun Restaurant.

Chen Yu took a bite of the scallion braised sea cucumber on the table and then put down his chopsticks.

It wasn't that the dish didn't taste good, but it had reached a level that even surprised him.

Scallion braised sea cucumber might seem simple, but to perfectly prepare the sea cucumber and let it absorb the flavors is not an easy feat.

This was a great challenge for a chef!

Just based on the taste, the chefs at Xiangyun Restaurant were undoubtedly no less skilled than Chen Yu.

"Ya Ya, what do you think of this place?"

Tong Ya peeked through the crack of the door at the bustling hall.

"It's quite nice, but to take it over, I'm afraid..."

"If we can't take it over, we'll cooperate!" Chen Yu leaned back in his chair, "You won't find a better location than this anywhere else in town."

As they spoke, a waiter hurried in and placed a plate of shumai on their table.

"The two of you, this is a new product complimentary with the reservation of a private room. Please enjoy!"

Chen Yu was slightly taken aback; the shumai was divided into four parts, using an extremely strict golden ratio.

Average chefs didn't have this level of skill.

"Could I meet the chef here?" Chen Yu suddenly called out to the waiter.

The waiter laughed as if he had heard a joke, covering his mouth and giggling twice.

"Sorry, our chefs don't see visitors. If you really like our dishes, just leave your opinion."

This waiter sure had a way with words. By asking for an "opinion," he meant he wanted Chen Yu to leave a good review.

"If they won't meet, then forget it!"

Chen Yu smirked lightly and continued to eat without looking up.

After the waiter left, Chen Yu suddenly grabbed Tong Ya's wrist.

"I need to meet with someone, and after thinking it over, I still have to see them with you."

"Fang Yuan?" Tong Ya asked indifferently.

Chen Yu wasn't the least bit surprised, as Tong Ya had read his business plan and cooperation with the Edward Family was inevitable.

Naturally, she would have to interact with Fang Yuan.

"The additional conditions that were agreed upon during our partnership in Europe must now be fulfilled!"

Tong Ya didn't say much, she just nodded obediently.

In the western suburbs of the Imperial City, there's the Ireland Castle Western Restaurant.

It's a private property of the Edward Family and one of their few strongholds in the Imperial City.

Fang Yuan had emptied the entire restaurant early in anticipation of Chen Yu's arrival.

But when Chen Yu appeared at the door, Fang Yuan was startled.

She hadn't expected that Chen Yu would actually bring Tong Ya along.

"Miss Fang, aren't you going to invite me to sit down?"

The term Miss Fang felt extremely distant, making Fang Yuan's already silent heart grow even colder.

"Please, come in!"

Feigning elegance, Fang Yuan responded and then led Chen Yu and Tong Ya to the private room.

As soon as he entered, Chen Yu didn't say much; he simply took out the business plan he had prepared.

"The Zhao Family's assets in the Imperial City are scattered all over, and it's impossible to strike at once; we can only break them down one by one. I need the Edward Family to help me take over the Zhao Family's energy industry."

Fang Yuan didn't reach for the business plan. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and casually lit a lady's cigarette.

"Mr. Chen, are you ordering me around? Don't forget, our current relationship is cooperative, on equal terms," she said.

Chen Yu was blunt, "We have never been equals from the very beginning. The Edward Family is something I hold in the palm of my hand. If I wish, I can dismantle it immediately. My assistance against the Zhao Family now is simply to fulfill previous conditions."

Fang Yuan's body trembled violently, shocked by Chen Yu's blatant disrespect.

But upon reflection, she realized the Edward Family had already been infiltrated by many people installed by William and Charlie.

Although she was the nominal head of the Edward Family, the power and assets she controlled were minimal.

"If the dock transportation is cut off, it will disrupt the construction of the energy industry. This is something the Edward Family alone probably can't manage..."

"Tang Long, the elder, will meet with you later to discuss the details!"

Chen Yu interrupted her directly and handed over another business plan.

"After dealing with the Zhao Family, all import and export business will belong to the Edward Family, and the rest will be divided among the major families in both the Imperial City and Magic City."

Fang Yuan's pupils trembled slightly, as this was not a negotiation but an order.

Chen Yu had set all the details long ago, and his meeting with her was just a formality.

"Mr. Chen, the Edward Family is based overseas, and it already has import and export trade with the major families of the Imperial City. Your doing this is essentially excluding the Edward Family!" Enjoy exclusive content from empire

Chen Yu tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Then what else do you want?"

Fang Yuan's expression was dull as she finally understood that Chen Yu had controlled everything from the start, and she was nothing more than a puppet.

It wouldn't be long before even the last bit of power she held would be stripped away by Chen Yu.

As she was about to retort, Tong Ya suddenly stood up.

"Miss Fang, since all the plans have been set, please carry them out in the order listed!"

"The plans my husband makes never go wrong. Besides, in the current situation, you only have to listen to him if you want the Edward Family to survive!"