As Su Wanwan stepped out of the villa, a weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. The anguish she had first felt upon uncovering the truth had faded, replaced by a serene sense of relief. Perhaps this outcome wasn't so bad after all. Discovering the affair between Su Nian and Ye Nan after the wedding would have been far worse—caught between betrayal and the torment of whether to stay or leave.
Still, that eldest young master of the Fu family... was truly a difficult man to deal with.
—
Early the next morning, Su Wanwan descended the stairs to find her father beaming, yesterday's gloom nowhere to be seen. She sat quietly at the table, eating her breakfast in silence. After all, her presence in this household had always been negligible.
"Honey, what's got you so cheerful?" Song Hui asked.
"Ye Nan just called. He said there's no need to return the betrothal gift. In fact, he's adding another five million. Says he wants to marry Nian Nian!"
Su Wanwan's hand froze midair, gripping the spoon.
Another five million?
Is Su Nian even worth that much? In the years since her return to the Su family, Su Wanwan had witnessed countless men orbit around Su Nian—and just as many seen leaving hotels with her. She truly couldn't fathom why Ye Nan would choose a woman like that.
Maybe this is what they mean when they say a fool and his money are soon parted.
"Daddy," came Su Nian's voice as she descended the stairs, catching the tail end of the conversation. A sweet smile graced her lips. "Keep your voice down, won't you? Nan-ge just broke up with my sister. If she hears about the extra betrothal money, she might get upset."
Father Su smiled, waving her over. "My precious girl."
Su Wanwan chuckled softly. "So, a daughter who brings in cash is a good daughter, is that it?"
Father Su's expression stiffened. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
She set down her spoon, her clear and luminous eyes locking onto his. "To you, Su Nian and I are just two investment accounts at China Merchants Bank. The one who yields the highest return is the one you love most. Isn't that right?"
Su Nian spoke in a gentle voice. "Sister, shouldn't you be happy for me? After all, Nan-ge is paying more because he loves me, because I matter to him."
Su Wanwan smiled back. "You seem quite content making money like this."
"A casual ten million a year—why bother filming at all?"
"Instead of cozying up to directors for nights on end just to land a measly role with barely a line, it's clearly more profitable to seduce someone else's boyfriend. Isn't that right?"
Su Nian's lips tightened, a flash of venom crossing her face. She clutched their father's arm, her voice quivering with mock grievance. "Daddy, did you hear that? How could she say such awful things about me? Every role I've gotten has been through my own hard work, and yet she assumes otherwise…"
Father Su exploded with rage, pointing at Su Wanwan's face. "You think everyone's as shameless as you are?"
"Your sister made a name for herself in the entertainment industry on her own merits—what's wrong with that?"
"She's better than you, sponging off the Su family without giving back a cent!"
Su Wanwan rose from her seat. "Then feel free to tally up how much I've cost you these past four years. I'll pay back every penny."
But she didn't expect Su Nian to follow her upstairs like a leech clinging to bone. She barged into the room, shut the door, and then saw Su Wanwan by the window, reading quietly with her makeup-free face glowing in the morning light. A clean, serene aura clung to her like moonlight on still water. Envy surged in Su Nian's heart.
Why? Why should a woman who spent eighteen years in the countryside possess such elegance?
"Sister, don't be mad. I came to apologize."
Su Wanwan flipped a page, not even sparing her a glance. "Apologize? I should be thanking you for picking up the trash I threw away."
Su Nian laughed softly. "To you he may be trash, but to me, he's a treasure."
"You have no idea how good Nan-ge is to me."
"He indulges me in everything, never refuses me anything."
"Here, take a look." She waved the exquisite bracelet on her wrist. "This is a globally limited edition, designed by the renowned master Sunshine. Only ten pieces are sold each year."
"Nan-ge pulled strings and waited half a year just to get this for me."
Su Wanwan sneered and looked away. "Don't worry. However he treated me yesterday is exactly how he'll treat you tomorrow."
"Sister, sour grapes, much?" Su Nian chuckled as she leaned closer, her deep V-neck exposing a flawless curve.
"I heard from Daddy that you're planning to return that five million just to avoid marrying into the Fu family. How do you plan to repay it, hmm?"
She tapped her red lips, gaze running up and down Su Wanwan's slender frame. "Don't tell me that wild man of yours is going to pay it off for you?"
Her alluring face was filled with mocking delight. Her limpid eyes were weapons designed to seduce.
Su Wanwan stared at her, gaze cold and distant. That look sent a chill crawling down Su Nian's spine—part fear, part contempt.
So what if she had a prettier face?
Her figure was nothing to write home about, and men wouldn't favor her. Marrying that violent Fu heir? They were perfect for each other.
"Is this entertaining to you?" Su Wanwan asked calmly.
"Of course it is." Su Nian enunciated each word with chilling clarity. "Because in this house, there can only be one true daughter of the Su family—me."
"Be grateful, Su Wanwan."
"If not for sheer luck, you wouldn't have returned to the Su family, wouldn't have spent four years burning through money like water, and you certainly wouldn't have met Ye Nan."
"Now you're taking my place and marrying into the Fu family as their young madam—that's your fortune."
She leaned in close, her smile poisonous. "They say the Fu heir is strikingly handsome. Sister, you must enjoy him thoroughly."
With that, Su Nian turned and left with smug satisfaction.
Su Wanwan gazed after her retreating figure, then calmly pulled a bank card from her wallet. Just as she was about to set it on the table, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Miss Su! Fantastic news! You won first place in the national design competition. The family head is overjoyed! And that company you invested in six months ago—the one everyone thought was doomed—it's bounced back! There's a lot more money in your account now!"
"I see."
"Oh, and the family head said, if you get a chance, try to get closer to the Fu family. They've been expanding aggressively overseas. Their influence now rivals ours. But we still haven't been able to gather intel on them…"
A flicker of emotion passed through Su Wanwan's eyes. She slipped the card back into her wallet. "Understood."
—
Since the night Su Wanwan fled, Su Nian had secretly reported to their father, increasing surveillance on her. But Su Wanwan had already given up thoughts of calling off the engagement.
Soon, the agreed-upon date to join the Fu family arrived.
She packed her things lightly, waiting for the Fu family's people to come fetch her. But just as she was placing the last item into her bag, a sharp pain exploded in her skull, and darkness consumed her.
When she awoke, her head throbbed violently, as though someone had cracked open her skull. The pristine white ceiling above her was unfamiliar. She sat up slowly.
The room was black and white, minimalist in design. She lay on the only bed, dressed in a wedding gown—one she didn't remember putting on.
Where was she?
A sense of unease rose in her chest. Instinct whispered the answer.
The Fu family.
The room of that terrifying eldest Fu heir.
Su Wanwan rose cautiously and approached the door. Just as she reached for the handle, it swung open from the other side.
She reacted instantly, switching off the lights.
Snap!
The room plunged into darkness.
The footsteps at the door halted.
Neither moved. The air seemed frozen in place.
Su Wanwan took a tentative step forward—only for her wrist to be seized by a calloused, powerful hand.
Bang! The door slammed shut.
A chill surged down her spine. The icy touch raised goosebumps along her skin.
Then came the man's voice—unexpectedly low and magnetic, with a raspy undertone.
"Trying to run?"
Su Wanwan furrowed her brows and struggled to break free.
He chuckled, cold and hollow, his laughter like frost.
"A noble lady of the Su family playing the chaste maiden? Spare me."