Seeing Ming Yutong's silence, Ming Yuqian pulled over and turned off the engine.
He turned to face Ming Yutong with a serious expression. "Promise me!"
It was rare to see Ming Yuqian so serious with Ming Yutong.
The only other time was seven years ago when he took her back to the Ming family.
Back then, although he was young and had not even graduated from college, he was already a pillar of support for his sister, protecting her with all his might.
Even now, Ming Yutong remembers how tall and imposing he seemed from behind.
Since then, Ming Yuqian had rarely shown such sternness, often light-heartedly teasing her and easing her worries. This was the first time in years he had spoken to her with such severity, almost as if he would turn against her if she didn't agree.
His demeanor was very much like that of a determined man.
Ming Yutong, feeling helpless, finally said, "Don't worry. I will get my diary back, and I won't let him spread false information. I will protect Fu Jingshi and myself."
Only then did Ming Yuqian look satisfied, and they drove back home.
Since Ming Yutong had no intention of going through with the marriage agreement, she didn't discuss the dowry or shares with her family.
The next day, she went to the office with Ming Yuqian.
Ming Yuqian stayed in her office, instructing Yang Minglang not to let anyone disturb her, regardless of who they were.
In the morning, Ming Yuqian had someone investigate Jia Shenli, and results came in.
Jia Shenli had been spending his days either working or accompanying Jia Mingkai in the hospital. Additionally, he had contacted a private detective agency and transferred a large sum of money from his personal account to another account.
The recipient account was untraceable, but according to Ming Yuqian's contact, such transactions were usually the work of top-level hackers, as he had encountered similar cases before.
Moreover, Jia Shenli had met with a lawyer specializing in prenuptial and postnuptial assets and divorce matters.
All the signs pointed to Jia Shenli being the mastermind.
At 9:54 a.m., Ming Yutong called Jia Shenli.
Jia Shenli, still using a voice changer, said, "You're quite punctual."
"As you said, I care deeply about Jingshi," Ming Yutong said calmly. "So I won't make mistakes at this critical time. I truly value him."
"Oh? You admit it so readily. Aren't you worried that I might use this opportunity to threaten you?" Jia Shenli raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the injured Jia Mingkai lying in bed.
Jia Mingkai's focused expression remained intense, even though he couldn't hear what Ming Yutong was saying.
"You figured it out yesterday, didn't you? Denying it now would be pointless and just a waste of time," Ming Yutong said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Alright," Jia Shenli replied, not elaborating further. "Have you considered what we discussed yesterday?"
"I discussed it with my family. My father only has fifteen percent of the Mingyu Group's shares. I have four percent, which was agreed upon to be kept when I marry, to be brought to my husband's family. My brother has six percent, and he is the only heir of the Ming family. In the future, my father plans to transfer all his shares to my brother. So, the fifteen percent you're asking for is impossible."
"Then there's nothing more to discuss," Jia Shenli said coldly. "It seems Fu Jingshi isn't as important to you as you claim."
Ming Yutong quickly responded, "Don't rush. Although fifteen percent is impossible, my father can give me an additional four percent, meaning I could bring eight percent into the marriage. While it's less than the fifteen percent you requested, you must understand that eight percent is still substantial."
Clearly, Jia Shenli knew this as well.
The fifteen percent demand was merely a starting point for negotiation, and Ming Yutong was well aware of this, so she offered a counter-proposal.
The eight percent was indeed Jia Shenli's bottom line.
Jia Shenli pretended to think for a long time before saying, "Alright, I agree."
"I've met your demands," Ming Yutong said solemnly.
"Don't be hasty, Miss Ming. You're still young, and your memory shouldn't be that poor," Jia Shenli said. "As I mentioned, these shares are your dowry, and since they are, you need to marry me. Be at the Civil Affairs Bureau at two o'clock this afternoon. As for my betrothal gift, it is that diary. If you sign the marriage certificate without any trouble, I will return the diary to you."
"What's the use of just returning the diary? You've already read it," Ming Yutong said coldly.
"True, but I can guarantee that besides you and me, no one else has seen that diary," Jia Shenli said. "As long as you sign the papers, I will give you the diary. And after the marriage, as long as you behave, I won't disclose any of the diary's contents."
In other words, everything depended on Ming Yutong's compliance, with Jia Shenli being the one to set the standard for compliance.
Once Jia Shenli decided Ming Yutong wasn't obeying, even if the diary was returned to her, he could use the knowledge he had gained from it to control her by revealing any part of its contents.
Ming Yuqian stood nearby, his face dark with anger.
Jia Shenli had clearly plotted to control Ming Yutong, making her a pawn for the Jia family's benefit and ensuring her obedience.
But Ming Yutong was not one to be easily threatened. If she could be controlled so easily, she would not be the Ming Yutong who had outmaneuvered many seasoned businessmen in the industry.