As soon as Cheng Jia's words fell, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
The hatred in her eyes burned with a fury so intense it seemed she might tear Zhou Lin limb from limb. She knew all too well what Cheng Jia valued most—Mo Zixuan and the child in her womb—and she dared not swear upon them lightly.
Zhou Lin's face turned pale as she instinctively glanced toward Xiao Wenqing.
A flicker of contempt crossed Xiao Wenqing's gaze—this Zhou Lin was utterly useless.
Striding over, Xiao Wenqing's eyes swept coldly past Zhou Lin before settling on Cheng Jia. Wearing the kindly facade of an elder, she spoke with feigned gentleness, "Cheng Jia, don't be so agitated over this. You and Xiao Liu must not have rested well last night. Look at you—your eyes are swollen, your face haggard, as though you've aged ten years overnight. You should go home with Xiao Liu, meet his parents, and get some proper rest."
Cheng Jia trembled, her gaze sharp as blades as it locked onto Xiao Wenqing. To say such things before Mo Xiuchen—that she had spent the night with a chauffeur—was a deliberate, ruthless humiliation.
Whatever venom she had directed at Zhou Lin earlier was nothing compared to this.
She dared not meet Mo Xiuchen's eyes now, for fear of seeing nothing but ridicule and contempt. Just last night, she had dreamt of becoming his woman, of stealing him away from Wen Ran. Who could have foreseen that Xiao Liu's sudden arrival would upend everything?
But closing her eyes could not shut out his voice.
Mo Xiuchen's tone emerged, low and cool as the autumn wind. "Yesterday, Cheng Jia did invite me over, saying she had something to tell me—something she claimed was of great importance."
Cheng Jia's heart gave a violent jolt. Her eyes snapped toward him.
Xiao Wenqing's gaze darkened as she turned a questioning look toward Cheng Jia.
A cold sneer tugged at the corner of Mo Xiuchen's lips, though he spoke slowly, deliberately: "However, I was delayed by an important dinner with a client, so I sent Xiao Liu ahead to inform her. She's still recovering—it wouldn't have been good for her to wait up late."
As he spoke, Mo Xiuchen's piercing gaze landed on Xiao Liu.
Under such scrutiny, Xiao Liu turned pale and stammered in panic, "Young Master, I did as you instructed. I went to Miss Cheng's place and told her you were attending a business engagement and wouldn't be able to come right away."
"Don't be anxious, Xiao Liu," Wen Ran interjected calmly. "Why don't you explain clearly what happened last night? How did things come to this? If the two of you are truly fond of each other, then your being together is no scandal. I'm sure our friends in the media wouldn't write irresponsibly. Even if they do, it would only be to extend blessings."
This, truly, was the harmony between husband and wife.
Wen Ran's tranquil words left the scandal-hungry journalists awkward and ashamed. Moments ago, they had relished the thought of a bombshell—Mo Xiuchen spending the night with his secretary. Such a headline would have shaken the entire city.
Yet with just a few calm sentences, Wen Ran turned the tide completely. No one dared embellish or fabricate now. In fact, they didn't even dare print the truth.
All they could write was what Wen Ran had said—that Xiao Liu and Cheng Jia were in love, and their union was a tale of affection fulfilled.
No matter how much Cheng Jia wished to deny it, she couldn't refute Wen Ran's version now. Zhou Lin had already exposed her earlier. If she refused to admit a mutual affection with Xiao Liu and still claimed innocence, then she would appear as Zhou Lin had accused—scheming, manipulative, and desperate to ensnare Mo Xiuchen at all costs.
To swallow both her pride and her humiliation—this was a first for her.
Her face flushed and paled in turns, her expression shifting again and again. At last, she clenched her teeth and murmured softly, "Actually, what I wanted to tell Young Master Mo last night… was that I've fallen for Xiao Liu. I hadn't expected him to come over later, and then…"
Her voice trailed off, gentle and hushed, her eyes lingering on Xiao Liu with a tender gaze. To the unknowing eye, she looked like a woman deeply in love.
A fleeting smile brushed Mo Xiuchen's eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly. To outsiders, it was a look of approval, perhaps even relief. But only he knew—it was Wen Ran's words that had brightened his mood.
His arm around her shoulder tightened slightly. Just then, Wen Ran looked up at him. Their gazes met—and in that instant, his stern, handsome features softened into gentle affection, a moment of beauty that left everyone present in awe.
Thus, the so-called scandal came to an end.
The reporters, who had risen at dawn and rushed over for a scoop, now found themselves empty-handed. Not only did they lack a scandal, they were expected to show Mo Xiuchen due respect, avoid writing what should not be written, and return with nothing but blessings and platitudes. They were, understandably, frustrated.
Xiao Wenqing, too, fumed inwardly. She had awakened early in hopes of witnessing Mo Xiuchen's downfall, dreaming that her son would thereby secure the heirship of MS Group. Yet instead, she'd been outplayed. That useless Zhou Lin had only made things worse—her careless words might even drive Cheng Jia to turn against them and side with Mo Xiuchen.
As she departed, Xiao Wenqing's attitude toward Zhou Lin was markedly colder, tinged with suppressed anger. Zhou Lin, aggrieved, turned to Mo Zixuan, only to be ignored as he silently bent and climbed into the car.
Mo Xiuchen dismissed the reporters, then instructed Xiao Liu to escort Cheng Jia upstairs for rest—whatever needed to be discussed could wait until after she had recovered.
Cheng Jia opened her mouth as if to explain something to Mo Xiuchen, but ultimately said nothing. Her gaze icy, she shot Xiao Liu a glare and snapped, "Don't follow me!" before storming into the building alone.
Only after the crowd had dispersed did Bai Xiaoxiao and Luo Haofeng emerge from the stairwell.
"Ranran, Ranran, I heard every word you said just now! You and Mo Xiuchen really are in perfect sync," Bai Xiaoxiao teased, her tone suggestive.
Wen Ran rolled her eyes, feigning irritation. "Where did you two come from? Why didn't I see you earlier?"
Bai Xiaoxiao pointed to the apartment behind her. "We were on the first floor. One of my dad's employees lives here. Luo Haofeng and I were right by her window the whole time. Ranran, now Cheng Jia won't dare try and steal your husband again!"
Wen Ran's cheeks flushed crimson. This wicked girl—she never knew when to keep her mouth shut. If it were just the two of them, it might be fine. But with Mo Xiuchen, Luo Haofeng, and Xiao Liu still present, she quickly steered the topic away. "Since when did you two get so close?"
Luo Haofeng chuckled. "Who says we have to be close to enjoy a good show together? Bai Xiaoxiao and I made a date of it—today is all about drama!"