Chapter 10: Obsession

"Make yourself clear."

"Stop pretending. Xin Chun almost lost her baby because of you—you're the one hurting her," Li Jingbai accused, and with their reactions, Li Jiuwei understood.

She laughed softly. "Two people mess around in their room and get into trouble—how is that my fault? Should I have stood by their bedside and instructed them to be careful while they were at it?"

The three were momentarily stunned. Li Jingbai was the first to admonish her. "Watch your mouth. Have you no shame?"

"The one without shame is Li Xinchun. Since you all want them together so badly, let me officially inform you: I am breaking off the engagement!"

Li's father held back the furious Li Jingbai, his tone gentle. "Jiuwei, marriage is no child's play. It's fine to talk like this among ourselves, but never mention it in front of Huai Ting. He's already dissatisfied with the engagement. If he breaks it off in a fit of anger, you'll regret it when it's too late."

"We're doing this for your own good!" Li's mother looked at her with clear disapproval.

Li Jiuwei clapped her hands, and the butler entered from outside. She said coldly, "See the guests out."

No matter how displeased the Li family trio was, they didn't dare say more at that moment. After they left, Li Jiuwei went upstairs to rest.

The next day, as soon as she opened her eyes, she met Jiang Huaiting's gaze. She pushed him away in annoyance. "You almost scared me to death!"

"A woman as venomous as you can feel fear?"

Li Jiuwei adjusted her silk pajamas and glanced at him indifferently. "With a heart as cruel as mine, why not just end the engagement?"

Once again, she brought up breaking off the engagement. Jiang Huaiting looked at her coldly. "You have a lot of little schemes, don't you?"

"Suit yourself. Believe it or not, but sooner or later, I will call off this engagement."

"You want out? Fine. Hand over your shares of the Jiang Corporation."

After getting out of bed, Li Jiuwei grabbed Jiang Huaiting by the collar and studied his face closely, laughing softly. "Ambitious, aren't you? Too bad you don't deserve it."

The man before her immediately darkened.

Li Jiuwei released him and went to wash up.

Jiang Huaiting had the ambition but lacked the ability. If Old Master Jiang hadn't made arrangements in advance, Jiang Huaiting would have been kicked out by the board long ago. He wanted to take control, to gather enough shares to become the largest shareholder, and the five percent in her hands was crucial!

When Li Jiuwei left her room, Jiang Huaiting was nowhere to be seen.

As soon as she descended the stairs, she heard him shouting in frustration, "Liu Ruyan, are you crazy?"

"I'm not the crazy one—you are, you brainless mutt! I'll beat you to death!" Liu Ruyan swung her high heel at him.

Jiang Huaiting, enraged, pushed her away with all his strength. He gritted his teeth. "Crazy woman, touch me again and you'll regret it."

"Idiot! For a woman, you're putting the Jiang Corporation at risk. That lunatic Li Xinchun must be fired."

"And why is that?"

"Because I’m the vice president!"

"Well, sorry to disappoint you—I'm the president, and what I say goes. Liu Ruyan, don't think I won’t deal with you just because you’re my cousin. Whatever schemes you and Li Jiuwei cook up, that's your business. But if you dare lay a hand on Xinchun, don’t blame me for turning on you."

He snorted coldly.

A housemaid handed him a food container. "President Jiang, the herbal soup for pregnancy protection is ready."

He turned and left Mount Zhao Villa.

Liu Ruyan cursed him roundly.

Li Jiuwei handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink some water and soothe your throat."

"Jiuwei, you really can keep your cool."

Of course she could—otherwise she would have been driven mad long ago. Liu Ruyan massaged her temples and suddenly asked, "What herbal soup for pregnancy protection?"

"His child."

Liu Ruyan was briefly stunned, then sat up straight. "He has an illegitimate child? That woman... don’t tell me it’s Li Xinchun?"

"You know?"

She shook her head repeatedly. "Of course not. Most of my contact with them is at work. Other than Jiang Huaiting always favoring her, I thought it was because of you that he was partial to Li Xinchun..."

Li Jiuwei chuckled. "Then you thought wrong. Jiang Huaiting doesn’t like me."

Liu Ruyan opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't find the words. Having a child behind his fiancée's back with her own younger cousin—Jiang Huaiting was truly beneath contempt.

"Jiuwei, don’t be sad. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you."

She patted Li Jiuwei on the shoulder, encouraging her.

"Ruyan, you really understand me."

"We're friends. Even if you were wrong, I'd take your side. Besides, my best friend could never be wrong."

They exchanged a smile, and the gloom in Li Jiuwei’s heart eased a little. That wretched fiancé of hers could go to hell for all she cared.

No man could compare to a loyal girlfriend.

After seeing Liu Ruyan off, Li Jiuwei went to meet Fang Tiantian, contract in hand, though Fang had arranged to meet at a billiard hall.

Li Jiuwei’s arrival drew many admiring glances.

She wore a crimson mermaid dress, her voluminous curls cascading loosely over her shoulders, every step a swaying display of poise.

Her refined features radiated brilliance, and her smile was captivating.

"Sis... can I add you on social media?"

Li Jiuwei smiled.

Suddenly, a strong arm encircled her waist. She turned to see Feng Su, his handsome face cold as he pulled her close in a show of possessiveness. The young man hoping to add her retreated awkwardly.

"What are you doing here?"

"If I weren’t here, would you have added him? Is he more handsome than me?" Feng Su looked down into her eyes.

She tilted her head and laughed. "Jealous?"

"Yes, I am. You’re mine, and no other man is allowed to touch you." His eyes were possessively intense.

Li Jiuwei shifted her gaze, scanning the room. "Where’s Fang Tiantian? I’m here to sign the contract."

Getting no answer, Feng Su bit her earlobe in dissatisfaction, sending a jolt through her.

He was doing it on purpose—her earlobes were one of her sensitive spots.

Catching the smug look in Feng Su’s eyes, Li Jiuwei pinched a spot at his waist, twisting it back and forth. His body went rigid.

Now there was fire in his gaze, but Li Jiuwei broke free just as she spotted Fang Tiantian and walked toward her with poise.

Feng Su, his desire aroused, forced himself to calm down.

After signing the contract and shaking hands, Li Jiuwei was about to leave when Fang Tiantian warmly invited her, "Jiuwei, how about a game?"

"I—"

"Such a country bumpkin—does she even know how to play billiards? Li Jiuwei, don’t embarrass yourself by pretending you do."

A mocking voice cut in.

Li Jiuwei looked at the approaching woman, sizing her up. "And you are?"

"Don’t play dumb, Li Jiuwei. I’m Yu Ruonan, your old college roommate."

"Oh, I remember." Li Jiuwei smiled coolly. Yu Ruonan was left with a lump in her throat; this wretched woman was toying with her.

Yu Ruonan looked at Fang Tiantian and the others. "She doesn’t even know how to hold a cue. Playing with her is a waste of time."