Chapter 68: I'll Help You
Ye Tianlin rose abruptly and approached Liang Xiaoluo, his cold, piercing gaze locking onto her like a predator's. His fury was palpable, as though he might kill her at any moment.
Grabbing her wrist, he demanded, "Where were you last night?"
His tone was sharp, a silent warning that she'd better not lie—otherwise, the consequences would be dire.
At that moment, Ye Lao and Ye Tianhao entered the scene, returning from their morning chess match, accompanied by Hua Lin and Ye Tianqing. They all stopped short, witnessing the tense confrontation.
"Answer me!" Ye Tianlin barked, ignoring their presence. "Where were you?"
"I… I was in my room. I didn't go anywhere," Liang Xiaoluo insisted, sticking to her story.
"Oh, really? Then how do you explain this?" With a swift, furious motion, Ye Tianlin tore open her collar, exposing the telltale kiss marks on her neck.
Gasps filled the room. The marks were glaringly obvious, and everyone's expressions changed as they stared at Liang Xiaoluo.
Her mind went blank as shame flooded her senses. Snatching her torn collar, she tried to cover the marks, her eyes blazing with fury at Ye Tianlin. Did he really have to humiliate her in front of everyone?
Ye Tianlin met her gaze, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw sadness and hurt in her eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone, making him question whether it had been real.
"Cat got your tongue?" he taunted.
In his mind, her silence only confirmed her guilt. Her betrayal fanned the flames of his wrath, and he was determined to make her suffer for it.
"What can I say?" Liang Xiaoluo's voice was laced with sorrow. No matter what she said, he wouldn't believe her. He had already decided she was guilty, and now he was using her to entertain his cruelty.
She stood tall, meeting his glare without fear. "I've done nothing wrong. Why should I explain myself to you?"
Her defiance enraged him further. Advancing on her, he seized her neck in a crushing grip. "Don't push me, Liang Xiaoluo," he growled.
Her breath hitched as his hand tightened, cutting off her air. She could see the malice in his eyes and knew he wouldn't hesitate to end her life, even in front of an audience.
But instead of pleading, she smiled bitterly, tears sliding down her cheeks. If this is how I die, so be it.
"Lin, stop! What are you doing?" Ye Tianqing's voice broke the tension as he rushed forward, prying Ye Tianlin's hand away from her neck.
"Xiaoluo, are you okay?" Ye Tianqing asked gently, concern etched on his face.
Liang Xiaoluo coughed, gasping for air. She had been so sure she was about to die. Ye Tianqing's intervention was the only reason she was still standing.
No one else moved to help her. Ye Lao and Hua Lin merely watched, their expressions cold and indifferent. Hua Lin's lips curled into a faint, conspiratorial smile, her satisfaction evident.
Even Ye Tianhao remained silent, though his face betrayed unease. He clenched his fists, recalling the events of the previous night. As long as no one knows, I can deny everything, he thought to himself.
"Do you really think violence is the answer?" Ye Tianqing rebuked Ye Tianlin angrily. "What are you even doing?"
"This is between me and her. It's none of your business," Ye Tianlin retorted coldly, his rebellious tone surprising everyone. It was the first time he had ever spoken to Ye Tianqing with such blatant disrespect.
Ye Lao stepped forward, attempting to mediate. "Lin, what's going on? Why are you fighting your brother over such an unworthy woman? Haven't I told you to break off this engagement?"
"Are you done?" Ye Tianlin's voice was icy, showing no deference to his grandfather. "Only I can decide what happens with Liang Xiaoluo. None of you have the right to interfere."
The atmosphere grew tense, thick with unspoken hostility. No one dared challenge him further.
Ye Tianlin turned his attention back to Liang Xiaoluo. "Speak. Now."
Her heart sank. What could she say? Should she reveal that Ye Tianhao had tried to assault her? Would anyone believe her?
She hesitated, recalling Ye Tianqing's protective actions the previous night. He had saved her once, and now he was subtly shaking his head, silently urging her not to speak.
Swallowing her words, she whispered, "I have nothing to say."
"You dare defy me?" Ye Tianlin's voice dripped with menace as he stepped closer.
"She's your fiancée, Lin. Treating her like this is only hurting her," Ye Tianqing intervened again, his voice calm but firm.
"Oh? It seems you know her better than I do," Ye Tianlin sneered, his sarcasm cutting.
The tension between the brothers was palpable. Before anyone could speak further, the sound of shattering porcelain broke the silence. Everyone turned toward the commotion.
A maid stood frozen, pale-faced, stammering apologies. "I… I didn't mean to! Please don't fire me. I didn't see anything, I swear!"
Her furtive glances at Ye Tianqing and Ye Tianlin made everyone suspicious.
"What's going on?" Hua Lin demanded, stepping in to handle the situation.
After a whispered exchange with the maid, Hua Lin returned, her face tight with unease. Ye Lao frowned. "What is it?"
Reluctantly, Hua Lin revealed, "The maid said… she saw Tianqing and Xiaoluo talking in the garden pavilion last night."
Her words struck like a thunderclap. Ye Tianlin's fury erupted, his gaze fixed on Ye Tianqing.
Ye Tianqing's calm demeanor wavered under the weight of the accusation. "You think I was involved with her?" he asked, his tone cold.
Ye Tianlin laughed bitterly. "How could I doubt my beloved elder brother?"
The sarcasm in his voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.
As Ye Tianlin grabbed Liang Xiaoluo's arm to drag her away, Ye Tianqing instinctively reached out to stop him. "Don't do this, Lin."
"She'll answer to me," Ye Tianlin growled. "Let go."
For a moment, Ye Tianqing hesitated, his grip tightening. Then, with a sigh, he released her arm.
Ye Tianlin smirked mockingly and pulled Liang Xiaoluo toward the stairs. Her wide eyes met Ye Tianqing's, silently pleading for help. But this time, he didn't come to her rescue.
Once inside his room, Ye Tianlin locked the door. The click of the lock sent a chill down Liang Xiaoluo's spine.
"What… what are you going to do?" she stammered, backing away from him.
"You think you can get away with this?" he said, his voice dangerously low. "You'll pay for what you've done."