"You cheated on me on our wedding day? Mu Beiyin, how shameless can you be!"
Mu Beiyin stared blankly at the obscene photos on the big screen.Before she could react, her fiancé, Song Lingqian, slapped her hard across the face.
Her half-sister, Mu Qianrou, wept pitifully beside them."Big sister, how could you treat Brother Lingqian like this? He's such a good man!"
It felt like something exploded inside Mu Beiyin's mind.
Today was supposed to be her wedding day with Song Lingqian. But the moment she stepped into the banquet hall, she saw him holding Mu Qianrou in an intimate embrace.
She had rushed forward to confront them, only for the big screen to suddenly start playing scandalous photos of her "cheating" with various men—on repeat.
The guests began murmuring and pointing.
"Shameless! Sleeping with so many men—how could she compare to Miss Qianrou's purity?""Who knew Mu Beiyin was such a wild one in private? Total bumpkin!""Young Master Song's not marrying her anymore? What happens to the wedding?"
Her father, Mu Yaohui, put on a face of righteous indignation."This wedding concerns the reputation of both our families. It can't be canceled. I've decided—Qianrou will take Mu Beiyin's place and marry Young Master Song."
Song's father nodded grimly."So be it. The Song family will never accept a disgraceful woman."
Mu Beiyin trembled, but forced herself to stay calm. Her gaze swept over everyone present.
So this was their plan.
As long as she remained Song Lingqian's fiancée, Mu Qianrou would forever be a homewrecker.So they had to destroy her first.
The Mu family lived off her—off the inheritance her mother had left behind, supporting a mistress's daughter.Song Lingqian owed her his life. He used her money to start his company and rise to power in Ancheng.
And now, they wanted to crush her?
"A few fake photos to ruin my name, just to let your precious daughter climb up—what a brilliant plan."
Her stepmother, Lin Ru, sobbed dramatically."Beiyin, how could you say that? Are you really accusing Qianrou of framing you? What has my daughter ever done wrong?"
Mu Qianrou looked aggrieved, her face full of false humility."Sister, I know you hate me. I'm sorry… I'll give Brother Lingqian back to you."
Song Lingqian's expression twisted in anger and hurt."Mu Beiyin, you're the one who slept around and now you want to slander Qianrou? Look at that ugly scar on your neck—you don't deserve me!"
That scar… the one she got saving his life.And now it was the reason she was no longer "worthy."
The light in Mu Beiyin's eyes faded. She lifted her head and sneered.
"Fine, I don't want this engagement anymore. Since my dear sister is following in her mother's footsteps, continuing the role of the mistress, how could I not give her my blessing? I wish you two eternal happiness—and thank you, sister, for taking out the trash I no longer wanted."
Song Lingqian's face darkened with rage."Can't you be reasonable for once? You're the one who cheated first, and now you dare insult Qianrou… Qianrou? What's wrong?!"
Before he could finish, Mu Qianrou suddenly collapsed backward, her face pale as she gasped weakly:"My heart… it hurts… Brother Lingqian, am I going to die? Please don't blame my sister… it's all my fault…"
Song Lingqian became even more furious. Grabbing Mu Beiyin by the hair, he slammed her head against the railing."You knew Qianrou had a heart condition, and you still insulted her as a mistress? Let me tell you something—we've been in love for a long time. You're the one who came between us!""If anything happens to Qianrou, I swear I won't let you off!"
A sharp pain seared through Mu Beiyin's temple, coldness spreading through her entire body.
Song Lingqian carried Mu Qianrou away in his arms, ignoring the guests pointing and whispering all around her.
Mu Beiyin slowly closed her eyes. For years, she had been too soft.Song Lingqian had sweet-talked her into transferring her shares while secretly hooking up with Mu Qianrou behind her back. And now this pair of scumbags thought they could trample her to rise higher?
If their love was so undying, she'd send them a wedding gift they'd never forget.
She pulled out her phone and made a call.
Moments later, Lin Ru let out a hysterical scream."Mu Beiyin, what did you do?!"
Lin Ru had just received a message. Enraged, she raised her hand to slap Mu Beiyin.
"Who said my daughter slept with her sister's fiancé? What kind of filthy nonsense is that? You've already hurt Qianrou, now you want to slander her too? You little tramp—I'll kill you!"
Mu Beiyin suddenly let out a cold laugh. This woman called her a tramp at the drop of a hat, and she had tolerated it all for Song Lingqian?
She grabbed Lin Ru's wrist mid-air and slapped her clean across the face.
"Can't even take a few words, can you? You and Mu Qianrou have been living off my mother's inheritance—who gave you the audacity to yell at me?"
At the mention of "inheritance," Lin Ru forgot all about the slap and shrieked in panic:"Mu Beiyin, what are you trying to do?! You only get the inheritance if you marry into the Song family! Now that Lingqian doesn't want you, the inheritance belongs to us!"
Mu Beiyin's brows furrowed slightly.
That… was indeed a problem.
Her mother's will clearly stated: the inheritance would only be fully hers once she married into the Song family.
Suddenly, Lin Ru looked smug. She sneered viciously:"If you're willing to get on your knees and beg me, maybe—just maybe—I'll help you..."
"The Song family doesn't only have Song Lingqian, you know."
Not far away, a stunningly handsome profile caught Mu Beiyin's eye.
She had seen this man before at the Song house—Song Lingqian's uncle. Young, accomplished, and still unmarried.
A bold idea flashed across her mind, and a glimmer appeared in her eyes.
"Ms. Lin, we'll see who wins in the end."
After watching the drama unfold, Huo Shiqing withdrew his gaze indifferently."Send Miss Lu home."
The bodyguards escorted the hysterical woman away. At the side, the assistant braced himself and cautiously reminded:
"Sir, the Madam gave strict orders—you must get married today. Miss Lu, she..."
Huo Shiqing lowered his gaze slightly. His voice was cold, distant, and laced with aristocratic aloofness."I don't like women who think they're clever."
The assistant instantly fell silent. That Miss Lu had loudly announced to the world that she was Mrs. Huo—clearly, she had overplayed her hand and angered the boss.
"But without Miss Lu, where will you find a bride now?"
"Pick any other debutante from the socialites. You have half an hour."
Before he could finish his sentence, Huo Shiqing spotted the woman who had just been publicly dumped walk confidently up to him.
"Sir, if you're looking to pick a random woman to marry..."
Huo Shiqing raised an eyebrow.
Mu Beiyin's red lips parted with a slight smile:"How about me?"
The surroundings fell into stunned silence. The assistant was dumbfounded—Did this woman know who she was talking to?How could she be so bold?
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a low, husky murmur."Miss Mu, are you proposing to a man you just met?"
His gaze was as cold as a still lake, and behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes glinted like glass.
Being stared at like that, Mu Beiyin instantly felt the pressure, but steadied herself.
"So what if we just met? Some people know they've met 'the one' at first sight. Others—well, even ten years together can't change their scumbag nature."
Huo Shiqing's lips curved with amused interest."There are countless socialites who want to marry me. Miss Mu, why should I choose you?"
Mu Beiyin hesitated.How was she supposed to answer that?What—was she supposed to pitch herself to this man?
She racked her brain—and suddenly, a spark lit in her mind. Her eyes brightened."Because I have a quality no other socialite can match!"
Huo Shiqing's gaze dropped to the scar on her forehead. He paused, interest flickering in his eyes.
"Oh?"