Chapter 69: The Struggle Intensifies
"I didn't do anything!" Liang Xiaoluo shouted, her voice trembling with desperation.
Ye Tianlin's expression darkened. "This is your last chance, Liang Xiaoluo. What happened last night? Who was it?"
His voice was ice-cold, but there was a flicker of vulnerability behind his furious gaze. He wouldn't trust anyone's explanation except hers.
Cornered against the wall, Liang Xiaoluo clenched her fists. There was no way to escape.
"I'll say this one last time: nothing happened last night. I went to bed early," she replied, her defiance rising to meet his aggression.
"Oh?" Ye Tianlin sneered, grabbing her chin and forcing her to meet his penetrating gaze. "Then prove it to me. Show me that nothing happened."
"What—" Before she could react, he pulled her waist toward him and captured her lips in a searing, forceful kiss.
His actions were as aggressive as a storm, leaving no room for resistance.
Liang Xiaoluo closed her eyes tightly, clenching her jaw. Summoning all her strength, she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
Ye Tianlin winced in pain and pulled back. A bead of blood trickled from his lip. His dark eyes locked onto hers with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"Stay away from me! Or else…" she warned through gritted teeth, her body trembling.
"Or else?" Ye Tianlin chuckled bitterly. "And what exactly will you do? Something like this?" He raised his hand and, with a single swift motion, ripped her blouse open.
"You should be grateful, Liang Xiaoluo," he hissed. "For someone as filthy as you, having me touch you is an honor."
Liang Xiaoluo's heart clenched, but she refused to let him see her fear. Instead, she met his gaze with a cold smile. "Do you think you're any cleaner? You're just as filthy as I am."
Her words hit him like a slap. For a moment, Ye Tianlin froze. Filthy. The word echoed in his mind like poison. It struck a nerve, dredging up memories he had buried long ago.
His expression grew even colder, shadowed by a darkness that made Liang Xiaoluo shudder.
As her words lingered in the air, she suddenly realized the implication of what she had just said. Her heart sank. "You're no better than… than Gu Lingzi," she stammered.
The mention of Gu Lingzi was a mistake—a misstep born of frustration. She immediately regretted it, wishing she could take it back. What was I thinking? Why am I acting jealous?
Her accidental confession of jealousy didn't go unnoticed by Ye Tianlin. His anger dissipated like smoke in the wind, replaced by something warmer and more playful. A smirk curved his lips as he leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her cheek.
"You saw us, didn't you?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
"No! I didn't see anything," Liang Xiaoluo blurted, shaking her head. Her lie was painfully transparent.
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. "Lying again, Liang Xiaoluo?"
Her heart pounded in her chest. His proximity, the heat of his body, and the intensity in his eyes made her feel like a cornered prey. She wanted to vanish, to sink into the floor and escape his piercing gaze.
Once again, Ye Tianlin claimed her as his own. His kiss was fierce and demanding, a show of dominance and frustration. But just as he sought more, Liang Xiaoluo's stomach twisted violently.
"Stop… Stop!" she gasped, pushing him away and bolting for the bathroom.
She barely made it to the toilet before vomiting violently. Her entire body convulsed as her stomach emptied itself, leaving her gasping for air.
Ye Tianlin stood frozen at the bathroom door, watching in stunned silence. He had never seen her like this before.
As she straightened up, her pale face meeting his confused gaze, he spoke coldly. "Do I disgust you that much?"
His words cut through her, but Liang Xiaoluo couldn't muster the strength to reply. She didn't understand what was happening to her body. Was it just her nerves, or something more?
When she remained silent, Ye Tianlin's frustration boiled over. Without another word, he stormed out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Left alone, Liang Xiaoluo leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath. Her mind was a swirl of emotions—fear, exhaustion, and confusion. She returned to her bed, curling up under the covers, her body and mind drained.
The next morning, a frantic knock on her door jolted her awake.
"Miss Liang, wake up! Something's happened!" a maid called urgently from the hallway.
Groggy and disoriented, Liang Xiaoluo stumbled to the door. Before she could ask what was going on, the maid grabbed her hand and began pulling her through the hall.
"What's happening?" she asked, her heart pounding with dread.
"It's the Young Master and the Eldest Master," the maid stammered, her face pale.
"What about them?" Liang Xiaoluo demanded, panic creeping into her voice.
The maid didn't answer. By the time they reached the courtyard, Liang Xiaoluo was breathless and filled with unease. A crowd had gathered, their murmurs punctuated by Ye Lao's commanding voice: "Stop this at once!"
Liang Xiaoluo pushed her way to the front, her eyes widening in shock. In the middle of the courtyard, Ye Tianlin and Ye Tianqing were locked in a brutal fistfight. Their usually composed, elegant appearances were marred by bruises and bloodied faces.
"Stop it! Both of you!" Ye Lao shouted, but his words fell on deaf ears. The brothers were too consumed by their rage.
Before Liang Xiaoluo could process the scene, Ye Lao grabbed her arm and shoved her toward the fight. "This is all your fault! If you can't stop them, don't expect to live peacefully in this house!"
Stumbling forward, she found herself in the middle of their clash. She barely had time to react as Ye Tianlin's fist came hurtling toward her face.
She closed her eyes, bracing for impact. But the blow never came.
Opening her eyes cautiously, she saw Ye Tianlin frozen mid-swing, his fiery gaze locked on hers. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Move," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Liang Xiaoluo's presence only seemed to fuel the tension between the brothers. Ye Tianqing stepped forward, his tone firm but calm. "This isn't what you think, Lin."
Ye Tianlin scoffed, his sarcasm razor-sharp. "Oh? And what is it, exactly? Are you going to lecture me about love and loyalty now, dear brother?"
The scene in the courtyard was tense, chaotic, and filled with accusations that hung heavy in the air. Liang Xiaoluo stood in the eye of the storm, her heart sinking as she realized she was at the center of their bitter feud.