When Su Weichu returned home, she immediately realized that the USB drive containing the company’s copied data was missing.

Just as she was rummaging through her things in frustration, a message popped up on her phone from Lin Huaiyu.

“Looking for your USB? Don’t bother—I have it. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”

“Lin Huaiyu!”

Seething, Su Weichu grabbed her phone and dialed his number. The moment the call connected, she snapped, “I never thought the esteemed president of Lin Corporation would stoop to such petty thievery.”

A slightly aggrieved voice drifted through the speaker. “You left me no choice. If you’d just agreed to see me, I wouldn’t have had to resort to this.”

Caught off guard by his words, Su Weichu was momentarily speechless. Annoyed, she simply hung up.

And so, the pattern continued over the following days.

Using the excuse of returning the USB, Lin Huaiyu lingered in her office every single day.

Su Weichu had no way to chase him out, so eventually, she stopped trying.

Unwittingly, the once-distant relationship strained after the hospital incident, began to thaw.

When Fu Wenbo heard about this, he cursed Lin Huaiyu’s shamelessness.

But even his outrage did nothing to deter Lin Huaiyu’s persistence.

Frustrated, Fu Wenbo devised a plan—he contacted a media friend to leak the story.

That evening, as Lin Huaiyu accompanied Su Weichu out of the office, they were suddenly swarmed by reporters.

“Miss Su, we’ve noticed that you and Mr. Lin have been leaving together frequently these days. Have you rekindled your relationship?”

“Mr. Lin, sources claim that your divorce was due to Miss Su concealing her true identity before marriage, and that neither you nor your family approved of her back then. Rumors say you even had an affair during your marriage, leading to her fury and the subsequent divorce. Care to comment?”

“Mr. Lin, don’t you find your actions despicable? You abandoned Miss Su when she was nobody, but now that she’s the chairwoman of Su Group, you shamelessly cling to her, even resorting to underhanded tactics like leveraging business deals and collaborating with your lover to manipulate her.”

Sharp, cutting questions bombarded them from all sides.

Su Weichu merely raised a brow, folding her arms as she stood there, letting the scene unfold.

Lin Huaiyu’s expression darkened as his gaze swept over the reporters. “Who told you I’m using her?”

“But isn’t that the truth? You secured a partnership between both companies through her, exploiting her feelings in the process.”

“Not to mention,” another reporter interjected, “while you’re busy entangling yourself with Miss Su, you’re also keeping your so-called ‘first love’ close. It’s been reported that she’s currently living in your home.”

That last revelation made Su Weichu glance at Lin Huaiyu, watching him with an air of indifference.

Lin Huaiyu felt her gaze—intense, scrutinizing. His jaw tightened. He knew all too well that if he answered poorly, all the progress he had made in mending their relationship would crumble in an instant.

“Over-explaining always sounds like covering up, so I won’t bother with excuses,” he said, his voice firm. “I will only say this: I have never betrayed my marriage with Su Weichu. As for the rest of your wild theories, they are nothing but baseless rumors. If she’s willing, I would even bring the entire Lin Corporation and marry into the Su family!”

The crowd was stunned.

Even Su Weichu was momentarily caught off guard.

Never had she imagined that Lin Huaiyu would say something so outrageous in front of all these reporters.

She couldn’t deny that, for just a fleeting moment, a crack formed in the walls around her heart.

But only for a moment.

She had been hopeful before—too many times. Each time, disappointment had followed.

Unless this man proved himself with actions, she would never believe his words again.

“Talk is cheap,” she said with a cold smirk. “Lin, I’m not that naive little girl anymore. I’ve outgrown fairytales.”

With that, she turned and walked away, ignoring the frenzied reporters.

Lin Huaiyu instinctively wanted to chase after her, but the reporters blocked his path.

Helplessly, he could only watch as she drove away.

Halfway through her drive, a sudden jolt rocked the car—her tire had blown out.

Frowning, Su Weichu pulled over and stepped out to inspect the damage. One look told her the tire was beyond saving.

Sighing, she leaned back into the car to grab her phone.

That was when she felt it—someone behind her.

Before she could turn around, a sharp pain struck the back of her head.

Darkness engulfed her.

She had no idea how much time had passed.

Her consciousness stirred, but her eyelids felt unbearably heavy, refusing to open.

Then, voices—muffled but familiar—reached her ears.

“Draw the blood now. She’s waking up.”

The voice sent a jolt of recognition through her.

Qiao Shan?!

Shock and confusion warred within her.

Why would Qiao Shan need her blood?

As she wrestled with that question, another voice joined in.

“Any progress from staying by Lin Huaiyu’s side?”

“That man still doesn’t trust me completely. I haven’t gathered any valuable intel yet.”

Su Weichu’s mind reeled.

So Qiao Shan’s return wasn’t a coincidence—she had deliberately approached Lin Huaiyu with an ulterior motive.

Before she could process further, a sudden sting shot through her arm.

A chilling realization dawned.

Her blood was being drawn.

No. She refused to be helpless.

Panic and determination surged through her. Summoning every ounce of strength, she forced her eyes open.

The sight before her made her breath hitch.

Qiao Shan stood beside a man dressed impeccably in black, exuding a gentleman’s air—like a refined but dangerous butler.

Su Weichu recognized him immediately.

Mei Feng.

Despite his youthful appearance—looking no older than thirty—he was well past fifty. His demeanor was composed, his every move calculated.

A cold sense of danger settled in her gut.

For a moment, she merely stared. Then, without hesitation, she yanked the needle out of her arm and pushed herself upright, glaring at them with unwavering vigilance.

“Qiao Shan, you have some nerve,” she hissed. “Kidnapping me? Really?”

As she spoke, her eyes flickered to Mei Feng, assessing him.

Everything about him screamed refinement, yet the underlying menace was palpable.

Qiao Shan and Mei Feng exchanged a brief glance, as if surprised she had regained consciousness so soon.

Recovering quickly, Qiao Shan smirked and sauntered toward her.

“So what if I did? Right now, you’re completely at my mercy. I’d suggest you drop the attitude—unless you want to suffer for it.”

Mocking amusement flashed in her eyes as she reached out, lightly tapping Su Weichu’s cheek in an insultingly condescending manner.

Su Weichu’s gaze turned razor-sharp.

Without hesitation, she lunged—teeth sinking hard into Qiao Shan’s hand.

A sharp, pained scream tore through the room.

“You dare bite me?!” Qiao Shan shrieked.

Furious, she raised her other hand, prepared to slap Su Weichu across the face.

But before the blow could land, a strong hand intercepted her wrist.

A low, silken voice hummed, “A face this beautiful—would be such a shame to ruin it.”