Chapter 8

The crystal chandelier of the charity gala cast dazzling beams as Jiang Zhinan wore the evening gown selected by Jiang Xingzhi, mingling among the guests. Early pregnancy fatigue made her steps unsteady, while the jade necklace’s camera around her neck felt like a cold snake crawling on her skin.

“Miss Jiang, long time no see.”

A familiar male voice came from behind. Jiang Zhinan turned to see her father’s former secretary, Uncle Chen. His eyes held complicated emotions—part pity, part warning.

“Uncle Chen, my father…”

“Shh—” Uncle Chen handed her a glass of champagne, lowering his voice, “Miss Jiang, some things can only be said here. The text message you received was from me. The secret passage leads to the old mansion’s underground wine cellar, where Jiang Xingzhi’s evidence of crimes is hidden.”

Jiang Zhinan’s fingers trembled, nearly spilling the champagne. She recalled the anonymous message and the words at the end, “Dad misses you.” Jiang Xingzhi’s hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to reality.

“Secretary Chen, long time no see?” Jiang Xingzhi’s smile was cold, devoid of warmth. “What, the Jiang family has fallen, so you come to cling to me now?”

Chen’s face flickered slightly but quickly regained composure. “Mr. Jiang, you joke. I’m just a retired old man here to enjoy the party.”

Jiang Xingzhi snorted and pulled Jiang Zhinan toward the dance floor. Music began—a slow waltz. Jiang Zhinan was forced to follow his dance steps, but her eyes searched the crowd for Uncle Chen’s figure.

“Looking for something?” Jiang Xingzhi’s voice whispered near her ear. “Or maybe, are you expecting to meet someone?”

Jiang Zhinan snapped back to reality and forced a smile. “Nothing, just a bit dizzy.”

Jiang Xingzhi’s grip tightened, pinching her waist. “Better be. Zhinan, don’t forget the child in your belly. He can’t take any more trouble.”

By the dance floor, Lin Wei was chatting and laughing with several wealthy businessmen. Her eyes swept over Jiang Zhinan with a mocking smile. Jiang Zhinan remembered the abortion medicine in the bird’s nest and Jiang Xingzhi’s indifferent gaze caught on surveillance.

“I’m going to the restroom.” Jiang Zhinan slipped out of Jiang Xingzhi’s grasp and hurried toward the corridor. Behind her came his warning: “Don’t try anything funny. If I don’t see you in five minutes, I’ll turn this place upside down.”

The women’s restroom was empty. Following the text message’s instructions, Jiang Zhinan pushed open the innermost stall. Behind the mirror, a secret compartment revealed a narrow passage filled with old dust. Her heart raced as she crouched and entered the tunnel, her high heels clicking crisply on the stone slabs.

At the end of the passage was an iron door. Jiang Zhinan took a deep breath and pushed it open. The scene made her gasp—a dimly lit room filled with files and photos, and on the wall hung a huge city map, marked in red pen with areas of Jiang Xingzhi’s underground empire.

“Welcome to my collection room.”

A cold female voice came from behind. Jiang Zhinan turned to see Lin Wei holding a gun, the barrel pointed at her belly.

“You think you can escape so easily?” Lin Wei sneered. “From the day you entered the Jiang family, I knew this day would come. Jiang Xingzhi loves me. You’re just a substitute.”

Jiang Zhinan stepped back, protecting her belly with her hands. “What do you want to do?”

Lin Wei advanced, her eyes full of jealousy and madness. “Get rid of what’s inside you, then make Jiang Xingzhi completely forget you. He will come back to me. We’re meant to be together.”

At the critical moment, hurried footsteps echoed through the passage. Jiang Xingzhi’s angry roar filled the tunnel: “Lin Wei, if you dare lay a finger on her, I’ll chop you into pieces and feed you to the dogs!”

Lin Wei’s face changed drastically; her finger tightened on the trigger. Jiang Zhinan closed her eyes, waiting for death. Suddenly, a gunshot pierced the silence…

Gunshots echoed through the secret passage. Jiang Zhinan closed her eyes in terror, waiting for death to come. Yet, the anticipated pain never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see Jiang Xingzhi standing in front of her, blocking her. Lin Wei’s pistol had fallen to the ground, and she was collapsed beside it, sweat beads dotting her forehead, her face twisted in pain. It turned out that Jiang Xingzhi had pulled the trigger at the critical moment, shooting Lin Wei’s gun-holding arm.

“If you dare touch her, you’re as good as dead.” Jiang Xingzhi’s voice was icy cold, like a winter’s chill wind, devoid of any warmth. He quickly took out his phone and ordered through the earpiece, “Clear this place out completely. Leave no trace.” Then he turned and tightly embraced Jiang Zhinan, as if trying to merge her into his body.

Jiang Zhinan leaned against Jiang Xingzhi’s chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. She knew Jiang Xingzhi acted to protect her, but it also made her realize more clearly that under his control, she had no chance of escape.

“Xingzhi, please let me go,” Jiang Zhinan pleaded softly, her voice choking with emotion. “I don’t want to live like this anymore. We both need to be free.”

Jiang Xingzhi stiffened, then hugged her tighter. “Impossible. Zhinan, you’re mine. Don’t ever think of leaving me in this lifetime.” His tone was firm and domineering, leaving no room for argument. “If anyone dares take you away from me, I will make them pay a heavy price.”

Despair washed over Jiang Zhinan’s heart; tears spilled uncontrollably. She touched her belly, thinking of the child inside, the future shrouded in darkness. Jiang Xingzhi noticed her movement and his gaze softened. He gently covered her hand with his own: “Zhinan, don’t be afraid. I’m here. I will protect you and the baby.”

Back at the villa, Jiang Xingzhi intensified his surveillance over Jiang Zhinan. Every move she made was under his watchful eye, with bodyguards constantly nearby. Jiang Zhinan tried to escape again, but Jiang Xingzhi always saw through it easily. Her resistance only led to harsher punishments.

Days passed, and Jiang Zhinan’s belly gradually grew, making movement increasingly difficult. Every day she thought about how to break free from this cage but found no opportunity. Just when she was about to give up, an unexpected person appeared — Jiang Xingzhi’s mother, Su Yue.

Su Yue was a mysterious woman whom Jiang Zhinan rarely saw. Her arrival brought an unusually oppressive atmosphere to the villa. Jiang Xingzhi was extremely wary of his mother’s presence, as if she were a dangerous enemy.

“What are you here for?” Jiang Xingzhi asked coldly, his eyes full of suspicion.

Su Yue looked at her son with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. “I’m here to take Zhinan away.” Her voice was calm but carried an irresistible force. “You can’t keep going like this, Xingzhi. You’re only going to ruin her—and yourself.”

Furious, Jiang Xingzhi sneered, “Take her away? Only if I’m dead.” He gripped Jiang Zhinan’s hand tightly, as if afraid Su Yue would snatch her away.

Su Yue sighed softly. “Do you think I don’t know what you’ve done? Faking the paternity test, imprisoning Zhinan — you’ve lost yourself.” She looked at Jiang Zhinan with pity. “Child, come with me. I will help you get free from him.”

Jiang Zhinan felt a stirring inside, about to speak, but was cut off by Jiang Xingzhi: “Shut up! No one is taking her away.” His eyes revealed madness and obsession. “Mom, you better not interfere, or else…”

Su Yue looked at her son, full of disappointment. “Xingzhi, you’re beyond saving.” Then she turned to Jiang Zhinan softly, “Child, wait for my message. I will definitely rescue you.” With that, she left, leaving Jiang Xingzhi and Jiang Zhinan standing there.

Jiang Xingzhi held Jiang Zhinan tightly, as if wanting to hide her away. “Zhinan, don’t trust her. No one can separate us.” His voice trembled slightly. “I only have you. If you leave me, I won’t be able to live.”

Jiang Zhinan leaned into his embrace, but a flicker of hope ignited in her heart. She knew Su Yue’s appearance might be her only chance to escape. She had to seize this opportunity to fight for freedom for herself and the child.