Su Qianrou shot to her feet as if someone had stepped on her tail. She stumbled back several steps, putting as much distance as possible between herself and Li Chong.
"What nonsense are you spouting? I have nothing to do with you!" she snapped. "My father is Chairman Su Changrong. Who do you think you are?"
Li Chong gave a humorless laugh."Qianrou, if I'm nothing, then what does that make you? Whether you admit it or not, we're connected by blood. I am your biological father."
"I don't understand a word you're saying! Get out, or I'll have security throw you out!" She spun on her heel to leave.
But Li Chong stepped into her path."As expected of my daughter—you're just like me. When it comes to living the good life, you'd cut ties with your own blood without a second thought. Hah."
Qianrou's stomach churned. Just standing this close made her feel as if his filthy blood were staining her skin, seeping into her bones. She wanted nothing more than to erase every trace of it.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly.
"Qianrou, you're the pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Meanwhile, your real father is scraping by without a single coin to spend."
"How much?" she demanded.
Li Chong held up five fingers.
"Five hundred thousand?"
"No," he drawled, savoring the moment. "Five million."
Her eyes widened. "Five million? Why don't you just rob a bank, Li Chong?"
"Five million is nothing for you," he sneered. "Don't tell me you can't afford it. I hear you're doing a TV interview today. If I tell the world who you really are… what do you think will happen?"
The threat was plain.
Qianrou's face darkened. She wished, with every fiber of her being, that she could make Li Chong vanish from the earth. But she couldn't—not yet. She had to keep him placated until she figured out how to bury this secret for good.
"Fine. I'll give you the five million. But in exchange, you have to send Celia back to the countryside where she belongs."
A crude smile spread across Li Chong's face."Don't worry. I've had my eye on that girl. I'll take her back myself… and keep her there."
Qianrou understood the filth behind his words instantly. A flicker of malicious delight lit her eyes."Her face might not be much, but she's twenty—a young girl. That's a bargain for you. Besides, two businessmen have already shown interest in her. That means she's got her charms. Take her back to the countryside, and… enjoy yourself."
Father and daughter reached a tacit agreement.
"Qianrou, don't worry. Once you give me the money, I'll make her my property. From now on, you'll be the only daughter in the Su family. No one will dare challenge you again."
"Good. Send me your account number. I'll transfer the money right away. Now get out—don't let anyone see you."
"Alright."
Qianrou smoothed her skirt and turned to open the door, ready to return to the set and resume her interview.
But the moment the door swung open, she froze.
A crowd stood in the hallway—the host, the director, the assistant director… all with cameras rolling.
They had recorded every word.
And it wasn't just them.
Su Changrong and Li Lan were there too.
The air seemed to hiss as dozens of eyes locked onto her… and onto the disheveled, greasy figure of Li Chong.
Her blood turned to ice. For a moment, her mind went completely blank. Then she felt it—the stares, sharp as knives, dissecting her as though she were some grotesque creature.
"Stop filming! Stop filming right now!" Qianrou lunged toward the camera.
A clear, pleasant voice cut through the tension.
"Su Qianrou, it's useless. This is live—everyone's watching."
Qianrou whipped her head around.
Standing just a few steps away, calm and composed, was Celia.
Celia had arrived.