Chapter 143: Challenge, His Bottom Line
Bing Ya froze for a moment before saying, "Young Master, I don't know how to answer you. But I do know that, even though Miss Xiaoluo is suffering now, it's better than following us to the Dragon Empire. Adapting to life there would be much harder—common people can't survive in that place. One wrong move could cost her life."
Nan Shaojie withdrew his gaze, his sharp, narrow eyes flashing with a hint of resolve. His fist clenched tightly in silence.
"Young Master, we should go back now. Miss Xiaoluo isn't in immediate danger. Besides, Prince Hilo will catch up with her soon. If they find us here, it will only increase the risk. We can't stay here any longer," Bing Ya urged, worry evident in his tone. Every extra moment Nan Shaojie stayed outside increased the danger he faced.
Nan Shaojie prepared to leave but hesitated when he saw Gu Lingzi arrogantly striding toward Liang Xiaoluo. He leaned forward, ready to intervene, but Bing Ya stopped him. "Young Master, you can't go out there."
Bing Ya's eyes shifted toward the distance…
Following his line of sight, Nan Shaojie spotted Hilo and Ye Tianlin walking side by side, heading in Liang Xiaoluo's direction.
"Young Master!" Bing Ya called out urgently, his voice tinged with panic as Hilo and Ye Tianlin drew closer. Finally, Nan Shaojie's dark eyes hardened, and he got into the car and left the scene.
On the quiet path, Liang Xiaoluo's ears perked up at the faint sound of movement behind her. Tension coursed through her as she began running aimlessly, taking every turn she came across in an attempt to shake off whoever was following her.
Behind her, Gu Lingzi's hurried footsteps closed the distance. Her sharp eyes locked onto the fleeing figure ahead.
Panic fueled Liang Xiaoluo's pace. She darted through the crowd, bumping into strangers without noticing or caring. Her mind was singularly focused on escaping her pursuer.
"Liang Xiaoluo! Stop right there!" Gu Lingzi's commanding voice cut through the chaos.
But Liang Xiaoluo acted as if she hadn't heard, running faster instead. Her frantic escape attracted curious stares, and some passersby whispered amongst themselves.
Gu Lingzi's expression darkened. She slowed her steps momentarily, watching Liang Xiaoluo turn a corner. At the bend, Gu Lingzi's men intercepted Liang Xiaoluo and dragged her into an alley. A cold smile tugged at Gu Lingzi's lips as she approached.
Liang Xiaoluo's arm was suddenly yanked back. She turned to see who it was, but before she could react, her captor's iron grip immobilized her. She struggled desperately, pulling with all her might, but her arm wouldn't budge.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Liang Xiaoluo screamed, her voice hoarse and hysterical. She thrashed wildly, her desperation mounting. "Let me go! Let me go!"
Gu Lingzi stood nearby, her cold eyes narrowing as she observed Liang Xiaoluo's breakdown.
"Let me go!" Liang Xiaoluo's voice cracked from the strain. She stomped her feet in frustration, her entire demeanor teetering on the edge of collapse.
"Liang Xiaoluo!" Gu Lingzi's sharp voice cut through the chaos. Her men immediately released their grip, and Liang Xiaoluo turned around, startled. "Miss Gu?"
"Why are you…" Liang Xiaoluo's voice faltered. Memories of their last encounter in the alley flashed through her mind, sending a chill down her spine. She instinctively took a few steps back.
Gu Lingzi's dark eyes deepened, a glint of menace flickering within.
The atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.
Gu Lingzi still remembered how Hilo had abandoned her at the restaurant, how Ye Tianlin had never returned. As she left the restaurant, rumors buzzed in her ears: "The second son of the Ye family left his fiancée to cavort with his mistress in the women's restroom."
The humiliating whispers burned in her mind, but she had to endure the mockery and sneers from everyone around her.
Liang Xiaoluo stood frozen, overwhelmed by the tension in Gu Lingzi's gaze. The standoff left her feeling helpless and afraid.
"Liang Xiaoluo, what will it take for you to leave Ye Tianlin?" Gu Lingzi's voice was calm but carried an underlying sharpness. She forced herself to maintain an air of grace, unwilling to lose her composure as the future Mrs. Ye.
She couldn't afford to make the same mistake twice—couldn't let Ye Tianlin find an excuse to discard her.
Liang Xiaoluo bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.
"I'm sure you understand what I'm saying," Gu Lingzi pressed, her anger barely restrained. "Answer me!"
"Miss Gu…" Liang Xiaoluo took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. "I think you've misunderstood…"
She knew she couldn't provoke Gu Lingzi. Doing so would only lead to further humiliation.
"Misunderstood?" Gu Lingzi sneered. "Don't think I don't know what you and Tianlin were doing just now. I thought you had left and wouldn't stir up trouble again. I didn't want to bother you anymore. But you—this shameless woman—dared to seduce Tianlin again! Are you really so desperate to crawl back to him, even if it's just to warm his bed?"
Liang Xiaoluo's face turned pale. She bit her lip, Gu Lingzi's cutting words stabbing at her like knives. The false accusations and sharp insults made her heart tremble.
"Do you really think Tianlin loves you? Why else would you cling to him like this? Money? Is that it? Are you willing to ruin your father's reputation and degrade yourself to become someone's mistress, their plaything?"
"…"
Gu Lingzi's relentless mockery left Liang Xiaoluo struggling to hold back tears. Her hands clenched into fists as she stared at Gu Lingzi's haughty demeanor.
"You're only after money. Name your price, and I'll give it to you. I'll even help save your father's company. Just leave Tianlin."
"And if that's not enough, I'll make you disappear from this world." Gu Lingzi's icy tone sent a shiver down Liang Xiaoluo's spine.
Liang Xiaoluo trembled, her lashes fluttering as tears filled her eyes. She replied softly, "Miss Gu, if leaving were an option, I would've done so long ago. But some things… some things can't be solved with money, and they're beyond my control."