Chapter 143: A Pawn Being Used
Also, once this incident broke out, Starlight Group’s stock prices plummeted drastically.
That cooperation worth tens of billions with Shen Family went down the drain.
This had a massive impact on the Lin Family.
Even if this time the Lins forgave him for being wrongfully accused, this matter would forever be a thorn in their hearts.
Qin Ruoyao, her eyes shining brightly, grabbed Young Master Lin’s arm. “Brother Li, now that the Shens have called off the engagement with you, isn’t this perfect? You’re single again, and we can finally be together openly.”
“Brother Li, why don’t we get married?”
Young Master Lin forcefully shoved Qin Ruoyao’s hand away.
Caught off guard, Qin Ruoyao fell backward, landing on the ground.
“Qin Ruoyao, do you really think I like you?” Young Master Lin looked down at Qin Ruoyao from above, his eyes cold as ice. “The only reason I was with you is because of Brother Lin Xuan.”
“Lin Xuan…”
Qin Ruoyao stared at Young Master Lin in shock.
What did Lin Xuan have to do with anything?
Young Master Lin decided not to keep up the act with Qin Ruoyao any longer and revealed everything. “Because Lin Xuan likes you! So I wanted to take over the woman Lin Xuan loves.”
“Also, do you know why I agreed to let you marry Lin Xuan? Because your background isn’t good enough, Mom and Dad would never agree to you two being together. So when Lin Xuan marries you, it will inevitably cause a huge rift between him and our parents.”
“Qin Ruoyao, think about it. Would a normal man willingly let his woman marry another guy and happily play the role of the third party? Only someone as self-absorbed and stupid as you would believe that I’d let you be with Lin Xuan!”
Qin Ruoyao’s face turned pale as she slowly processed what he said.
No wonder back then, Brother Li kept encouraging her to boldly be with Lin Xuan.
And no wonder when she told Brother Li she wouldn’t pursue Lin Xuan anymore, his expression became so dark and ominous.
She realized now, from start to finish, she was nothing but a pawn used by Lin Li.
“Brother Li, I loved you so much, how could you treat me like this?” Qin Ruoyao cried painfully.
“Love me?” Lin Li chuckled coldly. “You just saw an opportunity to use my identity as a young master of the Lin family to marry into wealth and become a high-class lady.”
Lin Li squatted down in front of Qin Ruoyao and lifted her chin.
His expression was grim. “I thought you were just a bimbo, but I didn’t expect you to secretly record our intimate moments. I underestimated you!”
“Qin Ruoyao, today you’ve made me trip big time. Once I inherit Starlight Group, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in Yundu City!”
With that, Lin Li harshly pushed Qin Ruoyao away, straightened his suit, and left.
Qin Ruoyao sat on the ground sobbing.
Everything was gone. All of it.
—
Outside the Royal Hotel, inside a Maybach car.
Su Hua, wearing a white evening gown, kept raising her left hand to check her watch.
Her brows furrowed, and the atmosphere around her grew icy.
Jiang Qing, sitting in the passenger seat, wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Sure enough, without Young Master Lin around, every moment spent with Su Zong was torture.
Young Master Lin, please come out soon!
Jiang Qing prayed silently.
“Jiang Qing, the Lins have always been bad to Ah Xuan. Do you think Ah Xuan might be suffering?” Su Hua asked, her delicate brows slightly knitted.
“Boss Su, rest assured. No one can mess with Young Master Lin. Remember last time Ye Li tried to scheme against Young Master Lin? He still beat Ye Li until his nose was bleeding!” Jiang Qing replied.
Su Hua narrowed her eyes at Jiang Qing. “Are you implying that Ah Xuan is violent?”
“No, no!” Jiang Qing sensed danger and quickly shook his head. “What I mean is that Young Master Lin is smart.”
Thinking about how Young Master Lin calmly cut off Su Hai’s head last time and beat Ye Li into a bloody pulp, anyone would know that Young Master Lin wasn’t some weak girl—no, a weak man—who needed protection. It’s just that Boss Su has the ultimate rose-tinted glasses when it comes to him.
Su Hua curved her red lips and spoke with pride. “Ah Xuan is indeed very smart.”
“Just…” Su Hua’s voice softened. “Ah Xuan promised me he’d wrap things up quickly. It’s been forty minutes already, and he still hasn’t come out. Not very obedient.”
Su Hua lowered her gaze and touched the ring on her ring finger.
Not obedient? Then there will be proper punishment.
—
Dear bosses, let’s make a promise.
Focus on sweet romance, no tragic love stories.
The plot revolves around the main characters, not elaborate sub-CP lines. Even if mentioned, it’ll be in minimal words.
No supernatural elements later on!
Most importantly, bosses, seeing how well-behaved I am, won’t you reward me with some gifts?
“You’re still trying to argue? Should I send you to the police station before you spill the beans?”
Jiang Shuqin ordered, “Yan’er, quickly call the police!”
She would imprison both Lin Xuan and this girl named Qin Ruoyao for extortion!
“Uh-huh.”
Lin Qingyan pulled out her phone and pressed the first digit.
“No! Don’t call!” Lin Li anxiously stopped her.
If the police got involved, they might find out he was lying, and how would the Lin family view him then?
“Xiaoli, what’s wrong?” Lin Qingyan looked at Lin Li curiously.
Lin Li pursed his lips and answered, “Second Sister, I don’t want to report it. If we do, Brother will end up in jail, ruining his life.”
“Li’er, after what Lin Xuan has done to you, why are you still thinking about him?” Jiang Shuqin said, exasperated.
“Dad, Mom, though he severed ties with the Lin family, he’s still your son. If he really gets imprisoned, it might affect your reputation. Moreover, there’s no evidence proving I was coerced into being with Qin Ruoyao.”
“Reporting it would only escalate the situation.”
Jiang Shuqin angrily said, “Then Li’er, are you just going to let your reputation be ruined? And are the Lin and Shen families just going to break ties like this?”
Lin Chang was furious but also knew that reporting it wasn’t the right move.
“Enough.” Lin Chang sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let’s clean up and go home.”
After saying that, Lin Chang walked out of the banquet hall with heavy steps.
“Li’er, go home too. Go back, sleep well, and everything will be fine when you wake up,” Jiang Shuqin said sympathetically.
Lin Li cast a heavy glance at Qin Ruoyao. “Mom, I want to stay here alone and settle things with Qin Ruoyao.”
“It does need to be dealt with.” Jiang Shuqin glared coldly at Qin Ruoyao.
“Li’er, if you need help, tell Mom, and I’ll handle it for you.”
Worried about infringing on Lin Li’s privacy, Jiang Shuqin sent everyone else out of the banquet hall, leaving only Lin Li and Qin Ruoyao behind.
Lin Li walked stiffly toward Qin Ruoyao.
Qin Ruoyao started explaining, “Brother Li, listen to me. I didn’t leak that video. I recorded it just in case we broke up in the future, so I could reminisce about our time together through the video.”
“I don’t know how the video leaked from my phone. Believe me.”
Qin Ruoyao was almost crying in panic.
Today’s scandal would surely spread throughout the upper class circle. If Brother Li abandoned her, she would be rejected by high society. Her dream of marrying into wealth would shatter.
She didn’t want this!
“Slap!” Lin Li slapped Qin Ruoyao hard.
Stunned, Qin Ruoyao covered half her face and slowly turned her head, looking at Lin Li with disbelief.
Brother Li actually hit her…
“Do you know how much you’ve ruined me!” The veins on Lin Li’s neck bulged, his face iron-gray.
“Because of you, my marriage to Shen Qianqian and the good image I’ve worked years to build are all destroyed!”
