Lin Xiyue was processing documents in her office when she suddenly heard the playful voice. Her delicate body shuddered as if shocked, and she froze.

"You're... Cao Hong?"

She looked up toward the office doorway, her beautiful eyes trembling.

How did this monster suddenly come back at this time? Was he discharged from the military early?

Lin Xiyue realized Cao Hong had also changed a lot in the three years she hadn't seen him. If not for his scarred face, which was as repulsive as ever, she might not have recognized him at first glance.

The current Cao Hong was enormous. He looked to be at least two meters tall and was incredibly robust. Dressed in a camouflage uniform, he stood there like a bear; his presence alone was oppressive.

"What, don't recognize your husband after only three years apart?"

Cao Hong swaggered into the office and circled the desk to stand beside Lin Xiyue. He leaned in, draping an arm around her shoulder. With his other hand, he lifted a strand of her hair to his nose and sniffed it, his actions utterly lewd.

"Get lost!"

Her face contorted with disgust, Lin Xiyue shot to her feet and backed away, grabbing a pen and stabbing it toward Cao Hong's shoulder.

She knew all too well what this monster wanted to do!

However, without even looking, Cao Hong casually shot out a hand and firmly grasped her pale wrist.

Lin Xiyue gritted her teeth, struggling to break free as she quickly retreated several more steps.

"Cao Hong, what are you trying to do?"

Cao Hong grinned, his gaze falling on Lin Xiyue's sultry figure, his eyes filled with unabashedly lecherous intent.

"What's the matter? I just got back. Can't I get a little close to my wife?"

"Get out!" Lin Xiyue ordered sharply.

Cao Hong shrugged, his demeanor nonchalant as he slowly advanced on her.

"Look at you, still so cold. I don't like it when you're like this, you know."

Lin Xiyue's body trembled as she continued to back away.

She didn't know why, but just having Cao Hong standing before her now made her feel afraid.

But she refused to surrender without a fight. When she was backed into a corner, she suddenly lashed out, lunging toward Cao Hong and throwing a punch.

Cao Hong tilted his head slightly, dodging with ease.

Lin Xiyue didn't give up. She quickly created some distance, then lifted her right leg high, the sharp heel of her shoe aimed straight for Cao Hong's temple!

Cao Hong chuckled in disdain, effortlessly grabbing her slender ankle.

"Hmm... These glossy stockings you're wearing today are quite nice."

He toyed with her ankle, then suddenly yanked hard, pulling her off her feet. He swiftly caught her by her slender waist, pulling her petite body tightly into his embrace.

He inhaled the scent of her hair, a look of intoxicated bliss on his face.

"Ah, Xi Yue, don't embarrass yourself with all these showy little moves. You'd be better off saving your energy to serve your husband properly."

Lin Xiyue struggled with all her might, but Cao Hong's iron-like body held her fast. No matter how much she fought, it was useless.

RIP!

Suddenly, Cao Hong grew vicious. With one hand, he tore the blazer from her body. Then, his large hands wrapped around her waist, and he lifted her as if she weighed nothing, setting her down on the desk.

At that, Lin Xiyue stopped struggling.

She knew struggling and screaming would be futile.

She just stared at Cao Hong with cold eyes.

If looks could kill, Cao Hong would have died many times over.

Cao Hong gave a cold smirk and bent his tall frame, placing his rough palms on each of her knees. He gently stroked them, enjoying the smooth sensation of the glossy black material.

Suddenly, he exerted force, brutally prying her legs apart.

RIP… RIP…

Then, he crudely tore her black stockings to shreds.

But Lin Xiyue just watched him quietly, her clear, proud eyes showing a trace of disgust and a hint of helpless resignation.

But just then, Cao Hong stopped.

He pushed her flat onto the desk with one hand, then took a few steps back, shaking his head with a laugh.

"Forget it. This is no fun. It's like being with a dead fish."

"Besides, I don't like to force things. There's no fun in that."

"Lin Xiyue, I heard you married some country bumpkin?"

Lin Xiyue slid off the desk and picked up her jacket from the floor. Her expression was cold as she unhurriedly put it on.

"Who I marry is none of your business."

Cao Hong looked at the tattered stockings on her slender legs and sighed, "What a shame. To think my proud goddess, my dream girl, is now just damaged goods."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue pressed her lips together but said nothing.

Cao Hong watched her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Do you think I'll let you off just like that?"

"Listen to me, Lin Xiyue. I'm back now. It won't be long before I have you obediently and willingly crawling into my bed."

He stepped forward and pinched her chin, lifting her stunning face. He smiled faintly and said, "I just came today to give you a heads-up, so you can be mentally prepared."

He let out a loud laugh, then turned and strode nonchalantly away.

In the silent office, Lin Xiyue stood frozen for a long time before she suddenly sank to the floor, hugging her knees and starting to cry.

At this moment, she was overwhelmed by a crushing sense of injustice.

Since she was a child, she had been the treasured princess of the Lin Family.

She was always top of her class in school. Her strong business acumen had elevated the Lin Family from a third-rate family to a second-rate one.

In the eyes of others, she was cold and proud—a new generation of empowered woman, the greatest beauty in Sea City, a goddess on a pedestal.

But beneath that glamorous exterior, all she had was pain and helplessness in the face of her reality.

She was afflicted with a terminal illness, her days numbered.

Her family was forcing her to marry a worthless man she despised.

She wanted to fight back, but she was stuck in a mire.

When she was bullied, she could only endure it in silence, with no one to lean on.

She had finally met a man who brought a sliver of warmth into her life, but he had gotten mixed up with another woman.

I'm so tired…

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

An untimely knock at the door shattered the cocoon of sadness around her.

She stood, walked to her chair, and sat down, using the desk to hide her disheveled state and the "coldness" others saw in her to mask her pain.

She said flatly, "Come in."

The door opened.

Luo Xiu strode in boldly.

"What happened to you?" Luo Xiu asked, his curiosity piqued when he noticed Lin Xiyue's red, swollen eyes.

"It's none of your business."

Luo Xiu shrugged. "You're right, it's not. By the way, I recorded a video with Lin Fei last night. Want to see it?"

At his words, Lin Xiyue's brow furrowed. "What kind of video did you two record?"

Luo Xiu raised his eyebrows and said meaningfully, "Something good. I think you should take a look."

A short while later, after watching the video on Luo Xiu's phone, Lin Xiyue was trembling with anger.

All of her previous suspicions were confirmed. The winery fire had been orchestrated by Lin Fei!

Luo Xiu took his phone back. "I'll send you the video. I'm heading out."

"Wait."

Luo Xiu turned back. "Something else?"

Lin Xiyue asked, "So you went out with Lin Fei last night... just for this video? Nothing else?"

Luo Xiu retorted, "What else? Do you think I'd be interested in a woman like that?"

Lin Xiyue let out a soft "oh," a sudden sense of relief washing over her.

In the endless darkness, a glimmer of light had finally appeared. Faint as it was, it brought warmth.

Luo Xiu studied her, frowning. "Speaking of which, did something happen? If you need help, you can tell me."

Lin Xiyue looked up at him. "I thought you didn't want to get involved in my affairs?"

Luo Xiu smiled. "I'm not that heartless. Our relationship is... complicated, but we've been intimate, after all. If it's something small, I'll help if I can."

"Forget it." Lin Xiyue shook her head gently. "You can't solve this."

Thinking of Cao Hong, that harbinger of doom, she felt helpless and didn't want to involve Luo Xiu.

"Alright then." Luo Xiu didn't press the issue and turned to leave.

"Wait, Luo Xiu."

"Hmm?"

"Tomorrow… let's get a divorce. I'll return the Jade Pendant to you. After that, we'll have nothing to do with each other and can go our separate ways."

…

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