Under the glaring white lights, Qiao Shan could feel the condemning, disdainful gazes of those around her. Her cheeks burned with humiliation, making her unbearably uncomfortable.

But what worried her the most was Lin Huaiyu’s reaction.

“Huaiyu, that’s not what I meant just now,” she hurriedly explained, looking up at him with pitiful eyes. “I was just shocked—who would expect surveillance cameras in such a private place like a swimming pool?”

Lin Huaiyu lowered his gaze slightly, meeting hers with dark, unreadable eyes.

Then, he parted his thin lips and issued a cold command, “Qin Chuan, take Miss Qiao home.”

Though reluctant, Qiao Shan knew that staying any longer would only worsen the situation for her. She obediently followed Qin Chuan and left.

With the spectacle over, the onlookers began to disperse.

Lin Huaiyu then turned to Su Weichu, his expression grave. “I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation.”

Hearing this, Su Weichu let out a mocking laugh.

To her, his so-called investigation was nothing more than an excuse to protect Qiao Shan.

“Very well, I’ll be waiting for your explanation, Lin Huaiyu,” she said with a smirk. “But don’t just disappear once this incident blows over.”

Their eyes locked in a silent confrontation.

At that moment, Su Hetong and his family approached.

“Chu Chu, are you and President Lin having an argument?” Ji Xiaolan feigned concern, but the gloating in her eyes was unmistakable. “Oh, and I heard something about a mistress? What’s that all about?”

Though she posed it as an innocent question, her delighted expression made it clear she already knew the whole story.

Before Su Weichu could respond, Su Moli chimed in, her voice exaggerated with mock surprise. “Oh, I know! Cousin saw President Lin getting close to another woman and got jealous!”

“Chu Chu, that’s not right,” she said, shaking her head in faux disapproval. “As a man, President Lin is bound to engage in some harmless socializing outside. You can’t throw a tantrum over such trivial matters.”

“Exactly,” Su Hetong added, nodding sagely. “As the heir of the Su family, you should have the tolerance to let such things slide. Otherwise, you’ll become a laughingstock.”

Their words dripped with condescension.

Su Weichu met their coordinated performance with a cold smile. “First of all, Lin Huaiyu and I have no relationship anymore. I couldn’t care less about who he gets close to. Second, I have no tolerance for deception—unlike you, Aunt Ji, who seems to have an impressively large heart. Since you’re so magnanimous, why don’t I arrange for Uncle’s ‘close friends’ overseas to come visit him?”

“You dare?!”

Ji Xiaolan’s face darkened instantly, her chest heaving with rage.

Su Weichu raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with mockery. “What’s wrong, Aunt Ji? Weren’t you just advocating for open-mindedness? Why so angry now?”

The trio’s faces turned ugly as they once again found themselves outmatched.

However, Lin Huaiyu, who had been silent, grew displeased upon hearing Su Weichu sever ties with him so decisively. His voice turned deep and firm.

“As long as I haven’t signed the divorce papers, you are still the Young Madam of the Lin family.”

“Lin Huaiyu!”

Su Weichu whipped around, her eyes ablaze with fury.

Even after everything, this man still had the audacity to declare that their marriage was intact?

“You are utterly unreasonable,” she seethed. “No matter what, I am getting this divorce!”

“I will not agree.”

Lin Huaiyu’s stance remained unwavering.

The air between them thickened, the tension becoming almost suffocating.

Just then, a mocking voice broke the silence.

“President Lin, isn’t it a bit inappropriate to cling onto my fiancée like this? Or do you simply have no regard for the Fu family?”

From the crowd emerged Fu Wenbo, his long strides exuding an effortless dominance. Without hesitation, he pulled Su Weichu into his arms, meeting Lin Huaiyu’s gaze head-on.

Their eyes clashed like two drawn swords, electric with unspoken challenge.

As the weight of the moment settled, Su Weichu noticed the watching eyes, the way Su Hetong’s family relished the spectacle. The sheer exhaustion of it all left her weary.

She tugged at Fu Wenbo’s sleeve, her voice soft. “I’m not feeling well, Wenbo. Can you take me home?”

“Of course,” he replied without hesitation, holding her close as they turned to leave.

Lin Huaiyu took half a step forward as if to stop them, but something flickered in his eyes—an unspoken thought that made him hesitate. In the end, he did not move.

---

Later that night, back at the Su residence, Su Weichu felt her head grow heavy with exhaustion. She thought it was just fatigue and washed up before collapsing into bed.

---

The next morning, her groggy consciousness was awakened by the shrill ring of her phone.

As she reached for it, she realized something was wrong—her face was burning up. Touching her cheek, she confirmed what she suspected: a fever.

Despite this, the phone continued its relentless ringing.

She answered, her voice hoarse. “What is it?”

“President Su, you need to come to the office immediately! Your uncle is here—he’s trying to force his way into your office!”

Yi Qingyun’s anxious voice crackled through the receiver.

Su Weichu’s expression turned icy.

So soon? She had expected her dear uncle to make a move, but not this quickly.

“I understand. I’ll be there shortly.”

Hanging up, she gritted her teeth and forced herself out of bed, pushing past the fever’s weight as she prepared to leave.

Upon arriving at the company, her steps were steady, but if one looked closely, they could see the slight unsteadiness in her gait.

Inside her office, Su Hetong sat sprawled in her chair, rocking back and forth with an air of entitlement.

Yi Qingyun stood nearby, her face burning with barely restrained anger.

Su Weichu’s entrance was silent yet imposing, her dark eyes flashing with cold intent.

“Uncle,” she said, her voice deceptively calm, “barging into your niece’s office like this, openly taking my chair—don’t you think you’re being a little too blatant about your disregard for my authority?”

With measured steps, she shut the door behind her and strode forward.

In that moment, an unseen force seemed to shift in the room.

Her presence expanded, radiating power. She no longer carried the air of a mere heiress—she was a ruler reclaiming her throne.

Su Hetong, caught off guard, felt an instinctive pressure settle over him. Without thinking, he stood up.

By the time he realized what had happened, it was too late—he was already standing in the middle of the office like a subordinate, while Su Weichu sat gracefully in her rightful seat, her gaze sharp and unreadable.

His face darkened instantly.

How had he, a seasoned businessman, just been intimidated by a mere girl?

Unforgivable.

Yet, looking at her now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the game had only just begun.