“You certainly have a grand presence, don’t you, Chuchu? Everyone else has already started work, yet you’re nowhere to be seen. As a leader, is this how you set an example? Now you have the audacity to blame your uncle for entering your office without permission?”

Su Hetong, ever the cunning old fox, twisted the situation effortlessly, shifting the blame onto Su Weichu.

Su Weichu’s gaze was icy. “I fell into the water yesterday and haven’t been feeling well. I informed my assistant in advance that I would be coming in late today. What’s wrong? Did my assistant fail to inform you, Uncle?”

Her assistant, Yi Qingyun, stepped in smoothly. “President Su, I was about to explain, but the vice president never gave me the chance to speak.”

Su Hetong’s eyes flickered between the two before he let out a cold snort, letting the matter drop.

Su Weichu’s patience was wearing thin. “Since you’ve come all this way first thing in the morning, I assume there’s something urgent?”

“There is.” Su Hetong placed a few documents on the desk. “Before returning, I negotiated partnerships with several foreign companies. These projects are ready to launch as soon as you sign off on them. Just sign here.”

Su Weichu frowned slightly, glancing up at him before flipping through the documents.

On the surface, the projects looked promising—exceptional, even. The Su Corporation stood to gain significantly, while the partnering companies only received a measly ten percent of the profits. It seemed almost too good to be true.

Something felt off.

These deals were practically handing money to the Su Corporation on a silver platter. Why would those companies agree to such terms?

Instead of signing, Su Weichu shut the folder and looked up. “The projects seem good, but they involve a significant amount of capital. I’ll need to speak with the partners personally. Also, I want detailed reports on the projects, including market research data. Have those prepared before bringing this to me again.”

She pushed the documents back toward him, making it clear she was done with this conversation.

She could feel a dull weight pressing against her forehead, her vision slightly spinning. The last thing she wanted was to show any weakness in front of Su Hetong. That would only invite more trouble.

Su Hetong scoffed, half amused, half irritated. “Chuchu, you must be mistaken. I negotiated these deals. I brought them to you for funding approval, not for you to take them over.”

“First of all, address me as ‘President Su.’ This is a workplace, and I expect professionalism, even from you. Second, I have no interest in stealing your projects. I am simply conducting due diligence. To be frank, I see major red flags in these deals. The financial stakes are high, and I refuse to move forward blindly.”

Su Weichu met his gaze directly, cutting through any pretense.

Su Hetong’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected her to catch on so quickly.

Still, whether she liked it or not, these projects were meant for her.

“You’re deliberately making things difficult. You claim you’re acting in the company’s best interest, but in reality, you just want these deals for yourself!”

“What nonsense! Why would I need to fight you for these projects?”

Su Weichu snapped, her frustration flaring. The room spun again, her vision doubling.

Su Hetong finally noticed her unsteady posture, his eyes narrowing with calculation.

Before he could press his advantage, the office door swung open.

Lin Huaiyu entered, his expression unreadable but the chill in his voice unmistakable. “Vice President Su, you certainly know how to make an entrance. It’s your first day back, and you’re already barging into the president’s office, throwing your weight around. Have your years abroad made you forget workplace etiquette?”

Lin Huaiyu had been outside, blocked from entering, listening to the entire exchange. When he heard Su Hetong pressing Su Weichu, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Su Hetong’s face darkened, about to retort when—

“President Su has collapsed! Call an ambulance!”

Yi Qingyun’s alarmed cry cut through the room.

“Chuchu!”

Lin Huaiyu was at her side in an instant. She was burning up, her complexion flushed unnaturally red. Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms and strode out of the office.

But instead of heading to the hospital, he took her straight to the Lin family estate.

In the grand living room, Qiao Shan was in the middle of ingratiating herself with Bai Xueping when she saw Lin Huaiyu carrying Su Weichu inside.

A flash of jealousy burned in her eyes, but she masked it with feigned concern.

“Huaiyu, what happened to Miss Su?”

“She has a fever,” he replied curtly, already heading upstairs.

Qiao Shan hurried to follow.

When she saw him carrying Su Weichu into the main bedroom, her expression twisted with resentment.

She had been living in the Lin family home for days and had never once stepped foot into that room.

But now, this woman—Su Weichu—was taken in as if she belonged there.

“Huaiyu, let me take care of her,” Qiao Shan offered sweetly.

But her offer was met with nothing but cold rejection.

Without sparing her a glance, Lin Huaiyu ordered, “Leave. I’ll handle it.”

Qiao Shan clenched her fists, trying once more.

But the moment she met Lin Huaiyu’s sharp, warning gaze, she knew she had no choice.

Gritting her teeth, she turned to leave—just as her phone rang.

The number was unfamiliar, but her face paled the moment she saw it was a satellite call.

For a split second, fear flickered across her expression.

Was it him?

With a furtive glance around, she slipped into a storage room and answered.

“Hello?”

A chilling voice greeted her from the other end.

“Miss Qiao, Su Weichu has once again been taken in by Lin Huaiyu. You must hate her, don’t you?”

Qiao Shan’s breath hitched.

It wasn’t him.

Relief washed over her—only to be replaced by unease.

Before she could demand the caller’s identity, the eerie voice continued.

“Miss Qiao, why don’t we work together? I can get rid of Su Weichu for you. In return, you’ll do something for me. What do you say?”

—

When Su Weichu finally woke, the sky outside was dark.

She took in the familiar furnishings and décor and immediately recognized where she was.

Lin Huaiyu’s room.

A deep, soothing voice broke the silence.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Lin Huaiyu stood at the bedside, watching her intently.

The events before she lost consciousness flashed through her mind. She knew he had helped her again.

A faint ripple of emotion stirred in her chest, but she refused to acknowledge it.

“I’m much better. Next time, I’d appreciate it if you took me to the hospital instead. I don’t like waking up in someone else’s home.”

She threw back the covers, intending to leave.

Lin Huaiyu’s eyes darkened. He reached out, catching her wrist.

“Chuchu, must you always speak to me with thorns?”

“Let go.”

She struggled weakly, but illness had drained her strength. She couldn’t break free.

Instead, she met his gaze, her tone turning sharp.

“Lin Huaiyu, show some respect. We are divorced.”

The words rang through the room—just as Lin Chenxi stepped inside with a tray of medicine.

His expression twisted with anger.

“Su Weichu, don’t be so shameless! My brother is the only one willing to take you in despite your sickly body. You can’t even bear children. Who else would want you?”