Chapter 24: Heartache
Liang Xiaoluo adjusted herself, suppressing all emotions as if nothing had happened. As she descended the stairs and passed through the hall, she noticed the disdainful stares of the maids at work. Their gazes carried a strange judgment that made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
Friendship Shattered
Spotting Suxin in the distance, Liang Xiaoluo decided to greet her before heading home with the five million yuan. But as she approached, Suxin's icy tone cut her off:
"Xiaoluo, I never thought you'd be such a woman. You've disappointed me."
Confused, Liang Xiaoluo frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Suxin sneered, her disgust evident. "Using your body to seduce Young Master Ye for money? How dirty. I'm ashamed to call you my friend. From now on, we're done."
Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in disbelief. Watching Suxin's expression, she quickly pieced things together.
"You saw…?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Suxin wrenched her arm free from Liang Xiaoluo's grip, her face filled with scorn.
"Xiaoluo, I saw everything. Don't even try to deny it. Are you going to claim that Young Master Ye, with all his wealth and charm, forced himself on you? Don't insult my intelligence."
Every word struck like a dagger. Liang Xiaoluo opened her mouth to explain, but the words felt hollow before they left her lips. The truth was too ugly to be understood, let alone forgiven.
"Suxin…" she murmured weakly.
"Don't. Just don't. You make me sick, Liang Xiaoluo." With that, Suxin stormed off, leaving behind an unbearable silence.
Unwelcome Escort
Alone amidst a sea of judgmental eyes, Liang Xiaoluo made her way to the courtyard. A car was already waiting for her. The driver approached respectfully, saying, "Miss Xiaoluo, the young master instructed me to take you home."
"I can go by myself," she replied curtly, unwilling to be further entangled with Ye Tianlin.
The driver hesitated, then added, "If you refuse, the young master ordered me to retrieve the check you're holding."
Her grip tightened instinctively around the five-million-yuan check. With no other choice, she reluctantly agreed.
"Fine. Let's go."
As she got into the car, she felt the piercing stares of the maids burning into her back. Her humiliation deepened.
A Painful Return
The ride home was quiet, filled only with the sound of the car engine and the storm of thoughts in Liang Xiaoluo's mind. She stared out the window, trying to reconcile her shame with the desperate hope that her sacrifice would save her father. Her fists clenched tightly. This is the price I have to pay, isn't it?
When they arrived at the dilapidated apartment complex, the driver opened the door with a polite smile. "Miss Xiaoluo, I'll wait for you here and take you back later."
Liang Xiaoluo nodded weakly and walked into the building. She didn't notice the sleek Lamborghini parked discreetly nearby, its window rolled down just enough for the man inside to silently watch her every move.
Family Fractures
As she ascended the creaky wooden stairs, Liang Xiaoluo heard panicked voices from behind the apartment door.
"Lock the door, Liang Hui! Hurry! The loan sharks are back!" Lin Meiling's shrill voice echoed through the hallway.
Liang Xiaoluo's lips curled into a bitter smile. Serves you right. You're the reason we're in this mess.
Knocking on the door, she called out softly, "Dad, it's me. Open the door."
The door creaked open, revealing Liang Hui's haggard face. Relief washed over him as he saw his daughter.
"Xiaoluo, where have you been? Are you okay?"
Before Liang Xiaoluo could answer, Lin Meiling's screech interrupted.
"You've finally decided to come back, you ungrateful brat! I thought you'd run off and left us to fend for ourselves!"
"Enough, Meiling!" Liang Hui scolded, his voice weary. "Xiaoluo has been trying her best for this family."
Liang Xiaoluo ignored Lin Meiling's insults and turned to her father. "Dad, today's the deadline. If we don't repay the debt…"
Before she could finish, Liang Hui interrupted, his voice firm. "Don't worry. I'll take responsibility. None of this is your fault."
Her father's selflessness stung more than any insult. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the check, her voice trembling as she handed it over.
"Dad, look at this…"
Liang Hui froze, staring at the piece of paper in disbelief.
"This… is this real?"
From the other room, Lin Meiling darted out and snatched the check. She scrutinized it before breaking into a wide grin.
"Five million! We're saved!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with greed.
Liang Xiaoluo said nothing. She had paid the price to save her family, but no amount of money could heal the cracks in her heart.