Hiro frowned, the last thing he wanted was for his own brother to compete with him. Fortunately, he wasn't particularly threatened.
Raising his hand, he calmly spoke. "Apart from this contract, there's actually another matter. Dad intended to bring it up himself, but unfortunately his condition prevented him from doing so."
Hiro deliberately glanced at Shin. The look in his eyes practically screamed: 'You're done for.'
Then he handed a sealed envelope to the Head Elder.
"This is merely a copy obtained through our own investigation. However, I can assure everyone of its authenticity."
The Head Elder frowned before opening the envelope. As his eyes scanned the document, his expression froze.
"What is it?" one elder demanded.
Before the Head Elder could respond, Hiro spoke.
"It's a share transfer agreement. According to this contract... Yeri Zhi owns three percent of KGG's shares."
For a brief moment, nobody reacted. Then the meeting room erupted, and the uproar this time was even greater than before.
If the previous contract involved Shin's personal assets, then this agreement directly involved KGG itself.
As the scene descended into chaos, the Head Elder stared at Shin with utter disappointment before slowly closing his eyes.
"You know that once you've given away that 3% share, your authority within the company will become unstable," the Head Elder reminded him.
"Who said that share came from my holdings?" Shin replied amusedly. "You might as well learn where it originated and why I gave it to my fiancée."
From the back corner of the room, Serenity stood up and leisurely placed a stack of documents on the table.
"Serenity, what are you doing?" Hadi snapped. "Stop embarrassing yourself by getting involved in matters that don't concern you."
Serenity merely raised an eyebrow.
As the elders began reviewing the documents, she calmly explained that on a certain date, Shin and his fiancée, Yeri, had been hunted down and nearly killed by hired mercenaries.
The subsequent investigation led to Bryce Gate. Although Bryce had orchestrated the attack, the mercenaries had actually been hired by Hadi.
Hadi "...."
The moment he realized where this was heading, all the color drained from his face, and his entire body began trembling.
The elders were equally shocked.
An attempt on the life of the current family head was a grave crime worthy of severe punishment.
"Shut up!" Hadi sprang to his feet and pointed at Serenity with open hostility. "How dare you betray your own husband? What the hell are you colluding with Shin for? What benefits did he offer you? Or are you hoping to become his side chick?"
"Hadi Keir, watch your filthy mouth!" the Head Elder roared, striking his cane against the floor once more.
Hadi immediately shrank back, but his eyes still burned with rage and resentment as he glared at Serenity, looking as though he wanted to pounce on her.
"Is it true?" the Head Elder demanded.
Hadi's eyes darted around nervously.
"I... I'm a victim too!" he stammered. "That bastard Bryce tricked me. He told me he only wanted to scare Shin a little. How was I supposed to know that wasn't his real intention? Besides, I've already paid a heavy price for it when Shin took away my company shares!"
At that moment, everything clicked into place. The 3% share now registered under Yeri's name had originally belonged to Hadi.
Hadi continued babbling in self-defense, but most of the elders had already stopped listening.
The Head Elder, in particular, looked at Shin with a complicated expression.
It was not disappointment, but rather astonishment.
And beneath that astonishment was a flicker of fear.
Inwardly, he realized this had never been about Shin losing his judgment because of a woman.
It was about the frightening level of cunning and ruthlessness hidden beneath Shin's calm exterior.
Because even if Shin transferred shares to Yeri, once they were married, wouldn't those assets naturally become part of their marital estate?
The family had thoroughly investigated Yeri Zhi.
She was intelligent and highly skilled in programming, but she knew virtually nothing about business operations.
In the end, Shin would still be the one managing everything.
Now the alarming and more pressing question is: Why was Shin systematically transferring his assets into Yeri's name?
"Head Elder!" Hadi called out anxiously.
The Head Elder shot him a warning glance, silently ordering him to stop talking.
Regardless of Shin's hidden motives, if news about the shares became public, it would have a significant impact on the company.
After all, while Hadi was undoubtedly in the wrong, they could hardly expose the family's shameful affairs to the outside world.
Just as the Head Elder was considering postponing the matter concerning Hadi, Serenity respectfully spoke up.
"Head Elder, according to clan law, an attempt on the life of the family head warrants expulsion from the clan registry, even if the offender is a member of the Keir family, provided there is sufficient evidence."
"You bitch! What are you implying?!" Hadi roared, his fear barely concealed beneath his fury.
"Not to mention," Serenity continued calmly, "during his time at KGG, he committed numerous workplace violations, abused his authority while using the Keir surname, and despite being manipulated by Bryce Gate, he continued maintaining contact with him and became involved in several of his businesses. With the massive case currently surrounding Bryce Gate, wouldn't that inevitably affect the Keir family as well?"
Serenity knew exactly what mattered most to the elders.
More than anything, they valued the reputation and image of the clan. That was why she deliberately brought it up.
Before Hadi could interrupt, Serenity's expression suddenly changed. Her eyes reddened, and she looked deeply aggrieved.
"Besides his countless affairs, years of domestic abuse, and violence toward me, I can't endure it anymore..." she said softly. "Not only did he recently go viral because of the incident involving his two mistresses nearly killing each other, but now he has also entangled himself with Calin Ricci."
Before Hadi could begin cursing, Master Keir, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"I also investigated my mother's sudden coma. According to the medical staff, Hadi had repeatedly harassed and pressured her, causing her immense emotional distress."
Recalling what had happened at the hospital, Hadi felt a chill run down his spine.
"It's not my fault!" he shouted desperately. "Uncle, you're only holding a grudge against me because of what I said about Shin earlier!"
The elders all wore exhausted and stern expressions.
Although none of them had openly acknowledged it before, they were well aware of the countless troubles Hadi had caused over the years.
One of the elders gently patted Serenity's shoulder and sighed.
"Serenity, you are a virtuous wife and have been remarkably patient and understanding all this time. If there is anything we can do to help, don't be afraid to speak your mind. What do you suggest should be done in this matter?"
"Virtuous?" Hadi barked hysterically. "You're all being deceived by that poisonous woman! She's the vicious one who beats me all the time. If anything, I'm the one who should sue her for abuse and violence!"
Serenity lowered her gaze as tears rolled down her cheeks, hiding the contempt and malice within her eyes.
"I endured everything for so many years," she said quietly. "But after learning that he attempted to harm the family head, I can no longer turn a blind eye. I may have tolerated countless things before, but I believe this matter should be handled according to clan law."
Indeed, she had waited a very long time for this moment.
The instant she learned about the clan meeting, she had immediately contacted Shin and asked whether he would allow her to deal with Hadi personally.
Shin could hardly be bothered with Hadi. Naturally, he agreed.
Serenity looked at Hadi quietly. Hadn't he always taken immense pride in being a Keir?
The Keir surname was the very foundation of his arrogance, the source of his authority, and the shield that had protected him all these years.
And now, she would personally rip him away from that foundation.
She would uproot him from the very thing he cherished most, dismantling the backbone that supported his entire existence.
In the end, with both past and present offenses piled up like a mountain of evidence, the elders held a vote.
Hadi was to be temporarily removed from the clan registry.
Should he commit another serious offense that damaged the clan's interests or reputation, he would be permanently disowned.
"During your temporary expulsion, under no circumstances are you permitted to use the Keir surname, whether in business or personal affairs..." the Head Elder announced solemnly.
As the words fell, Hadi looked as though his entire world had collapsed.
The strength drained from his body. He slumped into his chair as if every bone within him had suddenly disappeared.
He was a Keir.
No...
How could this happen? Why was everyone siding with outsiders instead of him?
"What do you mean I can't use my surname?" Hadi demanded.
Serenity sniffled softly before speaking. "You can always use your mother's maiden surname instead."
The moment her voice sounded again, the last thread of Hadi's composure snapped.
He shot to his feet and screamed hysterically.
"Serenity, you stupid bitch! If I get removed from the clan, then as my wife, won't you get kicked out too? Hahaha! What exactly are you acting for?"
The elders immediately frowned.
One of them looked at him as though he were an idiot.
"Hadi, what nonsense are you talking about? Didn't you learn the clan rules growing up? To ensure fairness, only the individual involved receives punishment. Innocent family members, including spouses, do not share the same penalty."
That was also why Elder Madam Keir had remained the clan matriarch even after becoming widowed.
Watching Hadi's increasingly desperate behavior, Serenity lowered her head and pretended to be frightened.
"Husband," she said timidly, "I believe you still care about me and wouldn't allow me to suffer injustice outside. Besides, there are still our marital assets that need proper management. Don't worry. I'll continue fulfilling my responsibilities and take good care of everything."
Hadi "...."
Several elders nodded approvingly.
To them, Serenity remained the picture of a devoted and understanding wife.
However, Serenity herself knew.
Even if Hadi's expulsion was merely temporary, she knew his character better than anyone.
With his temper, arrogance, and lack of self-control, there was no way he would change. It was only a matter of time before he committed another offense and was permanently expelled from the clan.
Hadi was so enraged that he looked ready to lunge at her.
However, the elders had long exhausted their patience.
With a wave of the Head Elder's hand, security personnel entered and forcibly dragged Hadi out of the room despite his furious struggles.
The gathering that had originally been convened to discuss far more important matters had completely derailed because of him.