Chapter Thirty-Seven

“Mu Jinghuai? What’s wrong with him?” Shen Huaijing raised her brows, feigning ignorance.

Let’s see how long you can keep pretending, Fu Chen sneered softly, a hint of mockery in his smile. “No idea, huh? That’s best.” He suddenly leaned close to Shen Huaijing’s ear. “Otherwise, if you knew, you’d be heartbroken. After all, he might…” His voice was deep and resonant, magnetic.

Shen Huaijing’s heart skipped a beat. With all her strength, she broke free from Fu Chen’s “prison of arms,” lowering her head to rub her reddened wrists. Her mood was now at rock bottom.

“Might what? He’s one of the most famous models at our magazine. Don’t go too far—I still need him to make money.” Shen Huaijing’s eyes were cast downward, thick lashes perfectly concealing the worry beneath.

Fu Chen slipped his hands in his pockets, gazing at Shen Huaijing as she tried to hide her emotions. He let out a derisive laugh. “Don’t worry. Lin Yu’s family owns an entertainment company. They have all kinds of models for you to choose from.”

He paused, then added, “As for Mu Jinghuai, forget it. He probably doesn’t have many days left.”

Shen Huaijing kept rubbing her wrist, the force increasing as if she wanted to peel away a layer of skin.

“What did he do to deserve this from you?” Her eyes were hollow, the action of her hands mechanical.

Fu Chen knew Shen Huaijing’s defenses were crumbling. He had to press his advantage. Nothing had been coaxed out of Mu Jinghuai that day; he couldn’t leave empty-handed again.

This chessboard, this game—Fu Chen had to be the one in control.

He drew closer to Shen Huaijing, each step thudding heavily on the floor, pounding in her heart.

“Do I need a reason to ruin someone? Besides, why I do what I do—you should know better than anyone. What secret lies between you two? What is he covering up for you?” Fu Chen’s words were sharp and relentless.

“Shen Huaijing, Mu Jinghuai’s fate is all your doing.” Fu Chen leaned in, staring at her, enunciating every word.

Shen Huaijing knew how much Mu Jinghuai had suffered to keep the secret. If she confessed to Fu Chen now, everything she’d done would be in vain.

She was determined to find a way. Not a single word could slip—Fu Chen had no real evidence, only suspicions. If she spoke, all she had would dissolve like foam.

She wouldn’t be able to protect the ones she wanted to protect.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Do as you please. Just give me a model as good as Mu Jinghuai.” Shen Huaijing raised her eyes again, full of indifference. Her brown pupils were like stagnant water, devoid of emotion.

Fu Chen scrutinized her from head to toe, his gaze shadowed and cold. “Fine. Tomorrow, go to Lin Yu’s company and pick someone. From now on, don’t mention Mu Jinghuai in front of me.”

“He’s bad luck.” Fu Chen straightened, dusting off his hands, face full of disdain.

Shen Huaijing pulled a tissue from the table and wiped her hands, her eyes colder than ice. “I find it filthy too. Don’t touch me with the hands you’ve used on Lin Yiqing.”

“Fu Chen, I once thought we couldn’t achieve perfect harmony, but at least we could be respectful to each other.”

“Today, I realized I was wrong. Your usual tricks—hit with one hand, give candy with the other. Sorry, I’ve had enough of these games. From now on, apart from necessary business, we are strangers. You don’t embarrass me, and I won’t make you or Lin Yiqing suffer. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

If Shen Huaijing had ever felt attracted to Fu Chen, everything that happened today severed those feelings completely.

Whether or not she had feelings for Mu Jinghuai, she utterly despised Fu Chen’s way of manipulating others’ fate.

There are no gods in this world, nor does anyone need to play one.

Every time Shen Huaijing spoke of drawing boundaries, Fu Chen felt a surge of irritation. He couldn’t quite understand the emotion, but he didn’t want to hear those words.

Fu Chen stared coldly at Shen Huaijing, a faint anger in his eyes. “Fine. You can treat me like this, but how I treat you—that’s my decision.”

“Suit yourself.” Shen Huaijing refused to meet his gaze, turned away and left.

The two parted in discord.

Switzerland. Inside a villa.

“Young master, these are the photos and details sent from home.” The butler respectfully handed a tablet to the man sitting by the window.

The man, addressed as young master, had jet-black hair, bold and angular brows, sharp eyes concealed under tousled locks, thin lips pressed tight, and a chiseled profile. He was like a lone eagle in the night—cold, proud, and imposing, radiating a force that looked down on the world.

On closer inspection, his features bore an uncanny resemblance to Fu Chen.

But this man sat in a wheelchair.

“My dear brother Fu Chen, having marital discord with his new wife?” The man scrolled through the photos, a contemptuous laugh escaping his lips.

Each photo showed Fu Chen and Shen Huaijing in different places, some even at home. Unseen, an eye was always on them.

The butler kept his head bowed, speaking cautiously. “Yes, it seems the situation is quite serious. Second young master appears to have another woman…”

He hadn’t finished when the man spun his wheelchair and slapped him, sending him sprawling to the floor, silent with fear.

The man’s face was deathly pale, lips drained of color, expressionless. “Second young master? Fu Chen deserves that title?”

“What now? You see I’m sick, and with Fu Chen’s growing power back home, your loyalties are shifting, is that it?” The man’s expression twisted, becoming sinister under the cold white glare of the lamp, making him appear even more uncanny.

Terrified, the butler trembled, not daring to get up, stammering, “No, it’s just that the master instructed us to use that title. I haven’t changed the habit—please forgive me, young master.” His head was nearly touching the floor.

“Fine! Father! Even you are favoring that bastard!” The man screamed, pounding his unfeeling legs in uncontrollable rage.

Seeing this, the butler scrambled up, rushing to restrain the man's hands. The man, seeming possessed, refused to stop, fists raining down on the butler’s head.

The butler buried his head between the man’s legs, grimacing in pain, but did not move away.

“I hate it! I hate it! Why is it me? I’m nothing but a discarded pawn, cast away by the family!” The man roared in unwillingness, his gaze growing ever more vicious.

“Fu Chen, your arrival brought father hope. I won’t let you take my place.”

“I’ll be back soon. Just wait.”