In a cemetery on the outskirts of the capital, a funeral was underway.
Jiang Wanqing, dressed entirely in black, stood beside her father's portrait with hollow eyes, accepting condolences from his old friends on his behalf.
"Ms. Jiang, please accept my deepest sympathies," someone whispered softly.
Wanqing's eyes reddened as she thanked them hoarsely.
Over a month ago, the Jiang Corporation had collapsed entirely, and her father had suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, leaving no chance for recovery.
The Jiang family, once a towering presence in the capital's business world, had fallen overnight, a tragic tale that left many sighing in regret.
Yet, Jiang Wanqing's status remained one to be revered.
She was not only the eldest daughter of the Jiang family but also the wife of Huo Yan, the formidable CEO of the Huo Corporation, whose name had recently become synonymous with power in the business world.
Huo Yan's ruthless business tactics were the stuff of legends. In just a few short years, the Huo Corporation, which he had built from the ground up, had risen like a thunderstorm, becoming an unparalleled force in the capital's elite circles. No one dared underestimate Huo Yan's influence.
The funeral lasted until the afternoon, and though some discreetly scanned the crowd, Huo Yan's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Just as the ceremony was about to conclude, a black sedan finally pulled up at the cemetery entrance, unhurried and deliberate.
The driver stepped out and opened the rear door. Huo Yan emerged, his polished shoes clicking coldly against the ground. His chiseled, handsome face was devoid of emotion, carrying only a faint chill.
He had actually come!
This was the first time Wanqing had seen Huo Yan in three years of marriage, and it was at her father's funeral, no less.
How utterly ironic!
While everyone else had come bearing flowers to bid her father farewell, Huo Yan arrived empty-handed, unprepared.
"Huo Yan."
To everyone's surprise, the door on the other side of the car opened, and a beautiful woman in a red dress stepped out. With a radiant smile, she walked over to Huo Yan and linked her arm with his. "Should I accompany you?"
At the sight of her, Huo Yan's expression softened, and even a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. "No need. It's not a pleasant place. Wait for me here."
"Alright, then come back quickly."
The woman, her eyes sparkling like stars, stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The scene struck Wanqing like a slap to the face, humiliating her in front of everyone.
Today was her father's funeral! Not only was this woman dressed in a bright red dress, but she had also kissed her husband in front of everyone.
Wanqing clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm. Meanwhile, Huo Yan was already striding toward her, his shoes clicking ominously against the steps.
He stopped before her, his icy gaze piercing her like a needle.
Huo Yan's towering height and overwhelming presence made it hard for Wanqing to breathe.
"Three years apart, and you've gone mute?"
"Why are you here?"
She stiffened, knowing from the start that Huo Yan's intentions were anything but good.
"Why am I here?"
Huo Yan smirked, the chill in his eyes intensifying. "I'm here, of course, to pay my respects to my suddenly deceased father-in-law."
The woman before him paled.
It had to be admitted that Jiang Zhenfeng's daughter was stunningly beautiful. After three years, she had grown even more radiant, her sparkling eyes glaring at him with anger, tears glistening in their depths, effortlessly tugging at a man's heartstrings.
If she weren't the daughter of his enemy, perhaps they could have shared a beautiful marriage.
No.
If it weren't for that, he would never have married Jiang Wanqing in the first place.
He had married this woman solely to exact revenge on Jiang Zhenfeng, that ungrateful scoundrel.
"Everyone, leave."
Huo Yan casually loosened his tie, and with his command, the surrounding crowd quickly dispersed, not daring to provoke him.
Soon, only Wanqing remained.
She was about to ask what he intended to do when a sharp pain shot through her wrist. Huo Yan yanked her into a nearby room.
More than an hour later, Huo Yan casually straightened his suit, discarded the now-ruined tie, and walked away without a backward glance.
The woman who had been waiting outside hurried over, linking her arm with his and asking softly, "Huo Yan, is everything settled?"
"Yes."
Huo Yan nodded, taking her delicate hand as they descended the steps. His cold voice grew even more chilling in the wind.
"It's all settled."
Li Xi'er shivered slightly at the icy tone in his words, not daring to press further.
She hoped, truly, that this was the end.
Inside the small room, Jiang Wanqing endured the pain as she adjusted her clothes.
Her fair skin was marked with traces that silently declared what had just transpired. Even the offerings on the table had been knocked over.
In this very setting, Huo Yan had pressed her down, taking her as if it were a form of torture.
Right in front of her father's portrait!
Even though her father was gone, Huo Yan still refused to let her go.
Wanqing looked up at the black-and-white photo of her father, recalling Huo Yan's words, and felt a sharp ache in her heart.
"Jiang Wanqing, I married you only to torment your disgusting father! Now that he's dead, you'll bear the rest of it!"
Exhausted in both body and mind, tears streamed down her face. "Dad, I'm sorry… It's all my fault…"
The news of the Jiang family's overnight collapse quickly topped the headlines on major platforms, becoming the talk of the town.
The next day, an entertainment news story quietly climbed to the top of the trending list.
Before Wanqing could recover from the grief of her father's passing, a group of people barged into her villa early in the morning, boldly hauling out everything inside.
The commotion downstairs continued for over ten minutes, forcing her to get up with swollen, tear-streaked eyes to see what was happening.
As she descended the stairs, the housekeeper, Auntie Yang, rushed over. "Madam, it's terrible! These people came out of nowhere and started moving everything out. I couldn't stop them!"
Wanqing finally grasped the situation and stepped forward to block one of the movers. "This is my home! What are you doing? Do you want me to call the police?"
"Why call the police? Isn't the owner of this house Mr. Huo? He sent us here to clear everything out. We'll be done soon, so bear with it."
Wanqing froze.
She had almost forgotten.
When her father had gifted her the villa as a wedding present, she had insisted on transferring it to Huo Yan's name, saying that since they were married, what was hers was his—a gesture of her love.
So, what did this man mean now?
Wanqing pulled out her phone to confront Huo Yan, but her eyes caught the news notification sent to her phone in the early hours.
[Breaking News! Huo Yan, CEO of Huo Corporation, announced yesterday that he will soon marry rising star Li Xi'er. Sources reveal that Mr. Huo and Jiang Wanqing, heiress of the Jiang Group, have already divorced.]
Wanqing's mind exploded with a deafening "buzz." She had no idea when she had gotten divorced.
"Madam, what should we do now?" Auntie Yang finally realized the gravity of the situation, her voice trembling with panic.
Huo Yan had blocked every path for Wanqing! After all they had shared, why was he being so cruel? Did he have to drive her to the brink?
"Call the police."
After a moment of contemplation, Wanqing finally made her decision. It was likely the only way out now.