Take these two slaps, and bear them as you should!

As soon as Wen Yao finished speaking, a resounding slap landed on her face!

Wen Shuang’s expression was cold and impassive. “If you say one more word, I’ll slap you again, until you can’t utter a single syllable.”

Wen Yao screamed, clutching her cheek. “What right do you have to hit me?!”

The force of the slap was tremendous—Wen Shuang hadn’t held back in the slightest, and her own hand was left stinging. She shook out her numb fingers. “Didn’t you just say I’m your elder sister? As your sister, isn’t it only right that I teach you a lesson? You’d better take it and learn.”

Aunt Chun rushed forward, ready to stand up for her daughter, but as soon as her hand was halfway raised, Wen Shuang intercepted her. The woman glared at them, but an inexplicable aura radiated from Wen Shuang, making Aunt Chun falter and pause.

“Wen Shuang, who do you think you are to discipline Yaoyao? That’s not your place!”

She herself didn’t understand why—by name, Wen Shuang was her daughter, but sometimes the force she exuded made even her stepmother afraid.

Aunt Chun raised her hand and sneered, “Whether it’s my place or not, I’ve already done it. Wen Yao, I didn’t expect you to have such a thick skin. Have you forgotten who brought the Wen family to ruin? And now you’re seducing Qin You? Do you even know what shame means?”

Wen Yao froze, stunned that Wen Shuang had learned of this.

But she wasn’t afraid—not in the least. She lifted her chin defiantly. “Yes, I slept with Brother Qin. So what? Wen Shuang, are you regretting now that you’re with that greasy old man?”

Before she could finish, Wen Shuang slapped her again.

“That one was from our father! Wen Yao, as a daughter of the Wen family, not only do you not despise Qin You, you chase after him and become his mistress. You’ve brought utter disgrace to our family. Cut ties with him immediately.”

The very thought of it left Wen Shuang feeling as though she’d swallowed a fly—sickened to her core.

“Brother Qin treats me so well, he’s so gentle and caring. Why should I break up with him? Wen Shuang, you’re just jealous and regretful, aren’t you? You were the one who refused Brother Qin out of your so-called pride, so why meddle in my business?”

Wen Yao seemed almost proud of herself.

“Are you insane?” Wen Shuang retorted. “Qin You is already engaged to Xia Anran—he’s just toying with you! Are you really so willing to be used? And if Xia Anran finds out, she’ll never let you off.”

“Who cares about Xia Anran? Brother Qin is only with her for her family’s power.” Wen Yao had always been confident in her own allure. “Sister, you’d be better off looking after your new boss instead of worrying about me.”

Aunt Chun clung to her daughter’s arm. “Exactly, our Yaoyao has a bright future ahead of her. With Young Master Qin, she’ll live a life of luxury. It’s only a matter of time before he dumps that Xia Anran.”

“If your life is really so good, why do you keep coming to me for money?”

Wen Shuang’s gaze was icy with understanding. Since the mother and daughter were both so shortsighted and unwilling to listen, she didn’t bother with further words, only sneered and turned to leave.

When Tang Yan found out why Wen Shuang had resigned, she was furious.

“Those two women must have been pigs in their past lives—so shameless! They didn’t care when you were kidnapped, but the moment they need money, they come running. There’s no one more brazen in this world! Shuangshuang, you did the right thing—don’t give them a cent!”

Tang Yan also promised to help her investigate the IP address behind the online posts.

After hanging up, Wen Shuang lay on her bed, exhausted.

—

Xia Anran brought a bowl of freshly stewed bird’s nest to Qin You, gently massaging his shoulders. “Brother Qin, you haven’t left the company for nearly a week. If you keep going like this, your body won’t be able to take it.”

Qin You stared at the computer screen and replied that it was nothing.

Recently, the company had been suddenly attacked by the Ji Group, leaving them scrambling. It was his own grandfather, yet he showed no mercy.

His eyes were bloodshot from sleepless nights, but finally, he’d managed to stabilize the stock prices.

“Brother Qin, your eyes are all red. Come home with me and get some proper rest,” Xia Anran coaxed, holding his hand. Qin You, truly weary, let her lead him away.

Lowering her head, Xia Anran glanced at her phone.

A message popped up: [Miss Xia, we’ve posted everything to Weibo and the official accounts. The coverage will be extensive. Wen Shuang’s reputation will be utterly ruined in the next couple of days—she won’t be able to stay in Jinghai!]

Without a word, Xia Anran transferred a hundred thousand and deleted the message permanently.

She looked up, a radiant smile on her face.

Qin You asked what made her so happy.

“It’s seeing you, of course.” She leaned softly against his shoulder, a look of satisfaction glinting in her eyes.

Wen Shuang, you dared to seduce Brother Qin—now you’ll learn the agony of being besieged on all sides!

Qin You’s mind drifted to Wen Shuang’s delicate, beautiful face.

He wondered how she’d been lately.

It hadn’t been long, yet he found himself yearning for her with an almost unbearable ache.

—

Wen Shuang was utterly exhausted these past two days.

Everywhere she went, she heard people gossiping.

After enduring the ordeal with her spiteful stepmother and sister that night, she was drained—body and soul. She didn’t even shower upon returning home, collapsing on the sofa and falling into a deep sleep.

She was abruptly awakened by a call from an unfamiliar number.

“Wen Shuang.”

The sound of Qin You’s voice made her scalp crawl with revulsion.

“Don’t hang up yet. I’m only calling to tell you that I’ve gathered new evidence against your father. If I hand it all to the police now, he’ll be sentenced to at least thirty-five years.”

Having finally resolved the recent mess with his conglomerate, Qin You was now turning his attention back to Wen Shuang.

A chill ran down Wen Shuang’s spine. “Qin You, stop trying to scare me!”

Qin You sent her a USB drive.

Inside was a recording of Wen Fanhai signing documents with another party.

“And what does this prove?” she demanded.

“On its own, not much. But combined with the previous incriminating evidence, it’s absolutely damning.”

A cold dread seeped into her very bones.

“What do you want, Qin You?” Wen Shuang’s voice was hard yet trembling.

“I thought you understood. My demand has never changed. Wen Shuang, become my mistress! I’ll withdraw all accusations against Wen Fanhai and guarantee his acquittal.”

“You’re going too far, Qin You!” Her voice quavered with fury. “We broke up long ago—why are you still haunting me? Besides, you already have Wen Yao now!”

“Wen Yao is nothing but a bedmate. She’s not worth the dirt under your fingernail,” he replied coldly. “My patience is limited, Wen Shuang. You have one day. If you don’t agree by then, I’ll hand the evidence to the police. Your father will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Wen Shuang hung up, her hands trembling.

A moment later, another message came from Qin You:

[If you’ve made up your mind, meet me tomorrow night at the Rose Hotel. Darling, I’ll be waiting. If you don’t come, we’ll never see each other again.]