Chen Ze had an overwhelming urge to pull this woman into his arms, but as memories of her past misdeeds flooded back, the burning rage in his chest was abruptly extinguished.
"Rest assured," he said coldly, his voice laced with mockery, "I didn't come here to insult you. You're not even worth the effort." His eyes gleamed with contempt, as if he could see straight through Du Yue's carefully masked facade. "The reason I'm here is simple—I've come to take you back."
He gripped her chin firmly, forcing her gaze to meet his. Her pupils widened in shock, and with a faint curl of his lips, he continued, "Du Yue, two years ago, you went to great lengths to force me into marrying you, dreaming of becoming my wife. Today, I'll grant your wish. I'll take you back—to be the mistress of the Chen family."
Du Yue's eyes flew open, her hands clutching the doorframe as though it were the only thing keeping her upright. A suffocating lump rose in her throat, making it impossible to breathe.
What had she just heard? Chen Ze… wanted to take her back?
Panic washed over her face like a tidal wave. She shook her head violently, shrinking back against the cold wall, her mind reeling.
"No!" she cried out, her voice trembling.
"Don't bother struggling," Chen Ze said coolly, releasing her chin with deliberate slowness. A cruel smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Do you really think I don't know where your father is buried? If you push me, I won't hesitate to dig up his grave and bring his ashes to you myself."
Du Yue froze, her expression one of sheer disbelief.
Chen Ze's smile turned even colder as he pushed open the iron door of the examination room and strode past her without a second glance.
It was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head. All strength drained from her body, and she collapsed onto the floor.
So… she had fallen back into hell once more.
When Du Yue finally stepped out of the mental hospital, Chen Ze was seated inside his Maybach, cigarette smoke curling lazily from between his fingers. The white haze drifted upward, obscuring his dark, unreadable eyes. His thin lips pressed lightly against the cigarette before exhaling a perfect ring of smoke, momentarily blurring his striking features.
Chen Ze was still Chen Ze—even something as mundane as smoking seemed imbued with artistry.
Du Yue stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. Li Zheng, who had long served by Chen Ze's side, approached her with practiced politeness. "Miss Du, please."
Li Zheng always mirrored his master's sentiments, which was why he never referred to her as "Madam." To Chen Ze, she was nothing more than "Miss Du"—even now, when he had personally come to retrieve her.
Du Yue hesitated, glancing uncertainly between the front passenger seat and the space beside Chen Ze. In the end, she chose to walk around to the front.
But just as she reached for the car door, Chen Ze's voice cut through the air, calm yet cutting. "If you're not afraid of death, feel free to sit in the front."
Her entire body stiffened. She turned to meet his piercing gaze, his face showing no emotion—no anger, no amusement. Yet she could feel the storm brewing beneath, triggered by her mere movement.
"Miss Du," Li Zheng interjected smoothly, "it's safer in the back. The front isn't convenient."
Though her heart rebelled against it, Du Yue had no choice but to reluctantly slide into the seat beside Chen Ze.
As the car engine roared to life and the windows sealed shut, the heavy scent of cigarette smoke enveloped her. Du Yue, hypersensitive to the smell, instinctively turned her head away.
Pressing her lips together, she took a deep breath, preparing to cough, when suddenly, a strong hand clamped down on her jaw.
His grip forced her face toward him, bringing her within inches of his dark, unyielding eyes. His chiseled features, flawless and sharp, were framed by tendrils of smoke that curled around her cheeks. His voice was low, almost teasing. "I thought you'd changed completely. But it seems your nose is still as delicate as ever, unable to tolerate even the faintest trace of smoke."
Whether intentional or not, the smoke he exhaled drifted directly into her nostrils. Her face flushed red as she fought to suppress a cough, but her restrained demeanor only seemed to infuriate him further.
Chen Ze's eyes darkened, narrowing dangerously as he took another drag from his cigarette. Without warning, his lips descended upon hers, sealing her mouth shut.
Du Yue's eyes widened in disbelief, but before she could react, he forced the lit cigarette into her mouth!
The acrid burn spread rapidly through her throat. Overwhelmed, she shoved him away and erupted into a fit of violent coughing, clutching the car window for support as tears streamed down her reddened cheeks.
Before she could recover, her hair was yanked back mercilessly, forcing her head upward.
She met his mocking gaze, his lips twisted into a sneer. "Do you know why I brought you out of that asylum, Du Yue?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're lucky, really. Your identity as a former mental patient works perfectly for my plans—to craft the image of a 'good man.' So thank your own scheming ways for giving me another chance to torment you."
Scheming ways…
Du Yue felt her heart shatter into pieces. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Deep down, she had always believed that Chen Ze harbored some feelings for her. If only she'd known then that Shen Ya already held his heart, she, so proud and untouchable, would never have resorted to such despicable tactics…
"I'm sorry…" she whispered hoarsely, her scalp burning as he pulled harder. Pain shot through her skull, her face pale with agony. "Please… Mr. Chen, just let me go. I promise I'll disappear forever. I'll never return, never let you see me again!"
Begging him? The once-renowned socialite, reduced to pleading? And promising to vanish forever, never to cross his path again?
Chen Ze's eyes grew icy, flames of anger igniting in his chest.
Why was she groveling like this? Where was the Du Yue who used to hold her chin high, radiating superiority, declaring, "Chen Ze, I'm the only one in this city capable of helping you, the only one worthy of standing by your side"? Or the Du Yue who, faced with evidence, had calmly retorted, "The innocent will prove themselves"?