Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Qiao Lian’s fingers got weak and she almost dropped her mobile.

What has she heard Doctor Zhang say?

That her partner… had brought Xiao Yi home?

He had even shown his marriage certificate…

She clenched her fists and trembled in fury.

Was he trying to make use of her brother to gain control over her?

Her head spun and darkness seemed to be closing in on her. She had been up and out in the freezing cold all night, and she was now even more agitated by this new development. She almost lost her balance.

The great shame that heavily hung in the air was so pervasive that it choked her and entirely shattered her ego.

The cold seeped into her bones.

She felt no warmth in her stiffened body on this wintry morning.

Clenching her jaw and still shaking from the cold, a thousand and one thoughts flashed through her mind all at once. But eventually she hung her head in defeat and let out a bitter and derisive laugh.

Indeed.

Although she had once been the pampered little mistress of the household, it was no longer the case. Now people could degrade and insult her.

Her retaliation would only serve to provoke him more, and she would inevitably have to bear the brunt of his anger.

Her gaze was still fixated on the hotel, but all of a sudden she felt entirely defeated. So what if she managed to get a big scoop?

He could totally and easily crush her, given his status in the entertainment industry.

The thought of it made her feel a strong sense of helplessness.

She turned and headed into the cafe. It had just opened for the day.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she held the hot soya milk. It could have been her fury, or perhaps an effect of the cold.

Even after breakfast, strength did not return to her.

She hailed a cab. After reaching home, she sat down on her bed, drawing the blanket close to her.

Desperately in need of a rest, she had decided not to go to work. But sleep now would not come to her.

She sat in that position, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the ground.

After some time, her mobile phone rang.

She picked up the call without looking at the caller id.

Chief Editor Liu Zhixing’s voice boomed across from the other end of the line. “Qiao Lian! Where are you? Has Fan Jie agreed to today’s interview?”

Had he agreed?

How would he have agreed without the go-ahead from Shen Liangchuan?

Qiao Lian could only smile derisively. She was in no mood to listen to Liu Zhixing give her a dressing down, so she immediately turned off her cell phone.

Time seemed to go by at a snail’s pace.

She simply couldn’t fall asleep.

It was one in the afternoon.

She took in a deep breath. After having lain there immobile for some time, she finally began to move.

She pushed away the blanket and got off her bed. Then, throwing a few personal belongings into a suitcase, she left the apartment.

Her leaving was swift.

She had decided. Even in the event that there was a showdown between her and Shen Liangchuan, she wasn’t going to give in.

It was just that now she was returning in such a defeated manner.

Qiao Lian felt that this whole situation was like a bad joke.

Dragging the large suitcase behind her, she made her way down to hail a cab. Once she was downstairs, she noticed that there was a familiar car parked across the road.

She was stunned for a moment, as Song Cheng got out of the car and came towards her. “Ms Qiao, Brother Shen has sent me to pick you up.”

Qiao Lian pursed her lips. She couldn’t help but feel like she had lost her freedom and was being played by someone else.

He had guessed that she would return, and in anticipation of this he had sent Song Cheng. Was this his way of showing he had the upper hand?

Together with Song Cheng, she went back into the villa. She headed to the master bedroom with her suitcase in tow. When the housekeeper heard them, she greeted Qiao Lian joyously, “Madam, you’re back from your business trip?”

Business trip?

Qiao Lian halted for a moment and decided there was no real need to provide an explanation. She went upstairs and quietly waited for him to come home.