Upon arriving at Fanxing's studio, Gu Yining learned from the assistant that Ye Fanxing was not there. She was currently on location filming and wouldn't be back until next week.
Gu Yining felt a wave of disappointment wash over her; she couldn't hand the meticulously crafted perfume to the assistant. Memories flooded back to her of how her mother had once entrusted her own special perfume to a third party, only for it to cause a scandal that unjustly tarnished her mother's reputation. Ever since she began learning the art of perfumery at the tender age of eight, her mother had repeatedly emphasized the importance of personally delivering bespoke fragrances to the client, ensuring that nothing could go awry in the process.
With no choice but to leave without delivering the perfume, Gu Yining exited the studio and made her way to the parking lot. She slid into her white Maserati and drove through the bustling streets of the city.
Suddenly, a familiar red Porsche came into view.
That car belonged to Chen Huilan; she would never mistake it, especially with that license plate she had memorized.
The Porsche drove at a leisurely pace, not too fast, not too slow. Gu Yining maintained the same speed, following closely behind.
For years, Chen Huilan had enjoyed a life of luxury as the wife of the Gu family, constantly indulging in the wealth that Gu Tingyuan had amassed. It seemed likely she was off to indulge in another shopping spree.
Gu Tingyuan's current success with Gu Corporation was built on the foundation of lies he spun to win over Gu Yining's mother, Xie Wanxiang, by manipulating her unique perfume formula.
In Gu Yining's eyes, Gu Tingyuan was nothing more than a scoundrel, a man who deceived his stepmother while shamelessly trying to appease his ex-wife.
In the eyes of outsiders, and even in Chen Huilan's heart, Gu Tingyuan was the perfect husband.
He had divorced his first wife only to remarry; when his second wife passed away, he welcomed his first wife back into his home, lavishing her with affection.
The image he crafted of a devoted, loving husband was truly unparalleled.
Gu Yining followed the Porsche until it came to a stop in front of a luxury hotel.
Chen Huilan exited the vehicle, handing her car keys to the valet. She adjusted her form-fitting, revealing dress, put on her sunglasses, and strutted confidently into the hotel.
This hotel was renowned, a five-star establishment.
Nestled against the ocean, the hotel boasted an outdoor pool where guests could soak up the sun and enjoy breathtaking views of the azure sea through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. It was an idyllic retreat for those seeking leisure and luxury.
What on earth was she doing at a hotel in broad daylight?
Didn't the Gu family mansion provide enough space for her?
Gu Yining had been looking for an opportunity to confront Chen Huilan but had never found the right moment until now.
After parking her car, she followed Chen Huilan into the hotel.
At the front desk, she noticed Chen Huilan didn't check in; instead, she appeared to be confirming her room number before heading upstairs.
Gu Yining hesitated to follow her directly and decided to inquire about booking a nearby suite. When she heard the price—100,000 yuan per night—her resolve to rent a room crumbled.
Spending that kind of money just to follow Chen Huilan was absolutely not worth it!
With a sigh, she settled into the hotel lobby's plush sofa, flipping through a magazine as she waited.
Meanwhile, in a suite on the thirty-sixth floor…
Chen Huilan had loosened her dress and flung herself into the arms of a young man waiting on the bed.
The man, looking clean-cut but possessing a muscular physique, was clad only in a pair of shorts. As the sheets rustled, he pulled Chen Huilan into an embrace, sinking into the soft, white bedding.
"I've missed you so much, baby," he exclaimed, his voice dripping with desire.
"Oh, you naughty boy! I've missed you too! If it weren't for that old fool Gu Tingyuan being sick and at home recuperating, I wouldn't have taken so long to come see you," Chen Huilan replied, a sultry smile lighting up her face.
"Then let's not waste any more time talking. We'll have plenty of time for that later," the man said as he pulled Chen Huilan closer and captured her lips in a fervent kiss.
The room echoed with their passionate sounds, a symphony of heated exchanges that seemed to stretch on for over an hour before finally quieting down.
Meanwhile, Gu Yining sat in the lobby, her heart racing as the pieces of her mother's past and her father's betrayal began to converge in her mind. She realized this was more than just a simple affair; it was a tangled web of lies that had ensnared her family for years.
As she waited for Chen Huilan to emerge, a plan began to form in her mind. She had to confront this woman who had played such a pivotal role in her family's downfall, but she needed to be smart about it.
Determined to catch them in the act, Gu Yining steeled herself for the confrontation that lay ahead, prepared to unravel the tangled threads of betrayal that had haunted her family for so long.