Inside the room, Huo Zhenting thought he had misheard. He looked at Xia Anran in shock and asked uncertainly, “Did you just say you want to call off the engagement?”

Xia Anran nodded calmly, her voice firm:

“Yes, I’ve decided to end the engagement. I’ve put in the effort, but since we’re not meant to be, there’s no need to force it. It’s better for both of us. I’ll find someone who only has eyes for me, and Brother Huo can find a girl he truly likes. We can both move on and live our own lives.”

Outside the door, Huo Ruiyang’s indifferent expression flickered slightly upon hearing her words. He had made up his mind to break off the engagement, even if it meant severing ties with his father.

But he hadn’t expected it to be this easy—Xia Anran was the one taking the initiative to end it. He felt a strange sense of disbelief.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling was dragged upstairs by Vet Che in a disheveled state. Her wrist throbbed in pain, and after being yanked so hard, she had stumbled and fallen. Overwhelmed with pain, anger, and fear, she cried out,

“Let go! You’re hurting me!”

Inside the room, Huo Zhenting was about to speak when he heard Ye Lingling’s voice outside and paused. He raised his voice, calling out,

“Who’s out there?”

Huo Ruiyang first ordered Xiao Wu, who was standing guard at the study door:

“Xiao Wu, take him downstairs. He’s not allowed to leave without my permission.”

Scandals should not be spread. The fewer people who knew about him being drugged, the better.

The only reason he had Vet Che drag Ye Lingling upstairs was that he didn’t want to dirty his own hands.

“Yes, sir.”

Xiao Wu saluted and sternly ordered Vet Che, “Move.”

Vet Che’s face fell. Hadn’t he already atoned for his mistakes? Why was he still being punished? Pouting, he reluctantly followed Xiao Wu downstairs.

Once Vet Che was taken away, Ye Lingling rubbed her aching wrist and pitifully looked at Huo Ruiyang. Just as she was about to speak, she saw that he didn’t even glance at her. Instead, he pushed open the door, stepped inside, and said in a low voice,

“Dad, I have something to report.”

As the door swung open, Ye Lingling caught sight of Xia Anran sitting at the desk. Her eyes flickered, and before Huo Ruiyang could speak, she rushed forward, grabbing Xia Anran’s hand and sobbing:

“Anran, Brother Huo already knows… I really had no choice…”

She stopped mid-sentence and started crying harder.

“Anran, please don’t blame me.”

Huo Ruiyang frowned and looked at Xia Anran, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Huo Zhenting also found the situation strange. He was aware of the drugging incident—his wife and son both suspected Xia Anran was behind it.

He had always thought Anran was spoiled, but he didn’t believe she had the guts to do something like that.

But Ye Lingling’s words made him waver, and he turned a skeptical gaze toward Xia Anran.

Under the scrutiny of the two men and facing Ye Lingling’s tearful act, Xia Anran remained indifferent. She pushed Ye Lingling away in disgust and said coldly,

“Cousin, the way you’re talking makes it sound like I did something shameful and you were forced to cover for me, but now that the truth is out, you can’t hide it anymore. Is that what you mean?”

Ye Lingling’s sobs faltered for a moment.

This idiot—why would she spell it out like that?

But even if Xia Anran had caught on, it wouldn’t matter. Ye Lingling still had another move to play—one that would seal Xia Anran’s fate.

With teary eyes and a face full of guilt, Ye Lingling turned to Xia Anran and said,

“Anran, the truth is out. Brother Huo has already investigated, and there’s a witness who can confirm that you were the one who asked me to buy the aphrodisiac. I couldn’t hide it any longer… Please don’t blame me—I had no choice but to tell the truth.”

Xia Anran raised a hand to stop her, her expression cold as ice.

“Enough. When did I ever ask you to buy that drug? You got caught and now you’re trying to shift the blame onto me. Do you think just because there’s no proof, you can say whatever you want?”

She figured Ye Lingling assumed that since there were no witnesses, she could fabricate the story however she pleased.

But then, Ye Lingling smirked and said,

“I have a witness.”

The room fell into a brief silence.

Huo Ruiyang shifted his gaze to Xia Anran, expecting to see panic in her eyes.

But to his surprise, she chuckled instead. Her dark eyes gleamed with amusement, and there was a trace of mockery in her voice.

“Cousin, you really put a lot of thought into framing me. Your plan is thorough—even preparing a so-called witness. Well then, let’s bring them in.”