《Revenge of the Heiress: The Sweet Wife Turns the Tide》


 Chapter 1

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    There were many shops in the commercial district, yet the most eye-catching one was Summer, a top jewelry brand store.


    At that moment, everyone in the store was serving a mysterious guest. They presented a high-end custom ruby necklace to him.


    The man did not say a word, yet his strong aura made it hard for people to come near him. Nonetheless, the store¡¯s female employees still could not help but steal glances at him.


    This was because his distinct, delicate facial features made him seem as if he had mixed blood. He had deep, emerald-colored eyes and cool gray hair, making him look like royalty in a castle.


    Even the usually arrogant store manager was serving him with flattery. ¡°Sir, this necklace was made by the most expensive designer to meet your top requirements. May I know if you¡¯re satisfied?¡±


    A hand with distinct joints casually picked it up and looked at it. The jewel on the necklace was dazzling. It was magnificent, both in design and craftsmanship. However, its only flaw was the mild traces of impurities on its surrounding rubies.


    However, minor flaws like this were hard for any other person to see.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± The man had a deep, low voice, enough for the people around him to reminisce about it.


    Just as this deal was about to end, a lively figure appeared from nowhere and interrupted them. The store manager wanted to scold this wild girl, but he immediately silenced himself when he saw who she was.


    The girl who interrupted them had a bright smile with sweet dimples, so it was indeed hard for someone to blame her. The man on the couch also became a little more patient, quietly waiting to see what she was going to do.


    ¡°Although this necklace is great, it doesn¡¯t meet your top requirements. The third small ruby from the left has a trace of flocculent impurity. I can¡¯t let you be deceived as this would also affect Summer as a brand. In this case, let me choose a better one for you.¡±


    The man glanced at the necklace and realized that it was indeed the case. He just did not look carefully at first, so how could he realize that there was an impurity? Not only that but what was her identity? Why did no one ask her to leave?


    The girl then presented a ruby necklace from the bottom of a box as if she was performing a trick. Even the knowledgeable man could not help but be amazed at the necklace. Its dazzling jewel reflected a reddish light on the girl¡¯s cheek, making her look even more charming.


    ¡°This necklace¡¯s ruby is a pigeon blood ruby. It¡¯s unheated, has high clarity, is above five carats, and has perfect craftsmanship. It¡¯s the best choice to give to a lover.¡± Rubies were naturally small in size. Thus, rubies over three carats were already rare, while rubies over five carats were even rarer. As long as someone was knowledgeable about them, they would know that the girl was not lying.


    The man looked at the girl¡¯s sparkling eyes as she talked about jewelry. Suddenly, he said with a low voice, ¡°It¡¯s for a client. She loves rubies, so that¡¯s all.¡±


    The girl tilted her head in confusion, wondering why he explained it to her. However, she could tell that he was satisfied with it, so she asked someone to wrap up the necklace.


    ¡°You¡¯ve helped me, so I should give you a gift.¡± Although the man had already splurged on the necklace, he still wanted her to choose any jewelry she liked. However, she refused him nonchalantly.


    ¡°Thank you for your kindness, but I won¡¯t mind such a small favor!¡±


    Nonetheless, this did not mean that the man would not mind.


    Watching the girl¡¯s back as she left, the man smiled. He gently touched the ruby necklace as if he was treating a lover and thought, ¡®Little lady, I¡¯ll never owe anyone. I¡¯ll definitely repay you one day.¡¯


    The store manager reminded the girl who was still looking at the jewelry at the counter, ¡°Elder Miss, I know that you like to look around in the store, but isn¡¯t today your birthday?¡±


    That was right, she was Xia Zhiwan, the only heir to the jewelry brand, Summer.


    Xia Zhiwan patted her head and said with a flustered expression, ¡°Oh! Yeah, so I need to leave now. Next time, you guys should never try to deceive guests and pass it off as being lucky.¡±


    Remembering that it was her birthday, she could not help but get excited. She would be awakening the secret bloodline ability that night. This ability was also why the Xia family could dominate the jewelry industry for so many years!


    In the Xia family villa, many relatives and celebrities of the industry gathered in their living room. They were all looking forward to discovering the appearance and the inherited ability of the Xia family¡¯s princess.


    Near the wine counter in the living room, there were hundreds of ordinary-looking stones. Only those in the Xia family who had awakened their ability could pick out the only jewel wrapped in the stone from all the rough stones with their naked eye. Other people could only pick it out using a detector.


    ¡°Say, do you guys think that the Xia family¡¯s ability is that amazing?¡±


    ¡°The eyes of each generation of the Xia family¡¯s successor are comparable to the detectors. Just wait and see.¡±


    The guests discussed as they drank, eagerly waiting for the Xia family¡¯s successor to appear.

 Chapter 2

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    In the room, Xia Zhiwan had finished dressing up. Her shoulders were slightly exposed as she wore a gown with a layer of diamond-studded light gauze. It was extremely luxurious and beautiful.


    She was supposed to show up proudly, yet the beautiful Xia Zhiwan held a stone as she bit her lips. She then put the stone back onto the dressing table.


    Madame Xia came forward and asked Xia Zhiwan, ¡°Daughter, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan held her mother¡¯s hand with a sad expression. ¡°Mom, aren¡¯t I supposed to awaken the secret bloodline ability during my coming of age ceremony today? Why don¡¯t I feel anything? Why can¡¯t I see anything?¡±


    Madame Xia forced a smile. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s still early, so let¡¯s wait a little longer.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan looked down from the window. The guests were already getting impatient as they waited for her to show up.


    ¡°Every generation¡¯s ability would always awaken on this day, but it¡¯s already 11:00 PM now¡­ Mom, tell me honestly, am I your biological child?¡±


    Madame Xia¡¯s expression changed immediately and said confidently, ¡°I swear that you¡¯re my biological child!¡±


    Only then did Xia Zhiwan feel relieved. However, her father, Xia Dengfeng, opened the door suddenly and stated sternly, ¡°How can you leave the guests waiting for a few hours? Come out now!¡±


    Her father had always been strict and would not take ¡®no¡¯ for an answer. Thus, Xia Zhiwan could only bite the bullet and go downstairs while still maintaining a smile on her face.


    When everyone saw Xia Zhiwan walking down slowly like a fairy, all of their focus was on her. She was also bombarded with questions.


    A reporter came forward to interview her.


    ¡°After you take over Summer, how will you lead the brand?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan answered calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll give you an answer during the press conference later.¡±


    The reporter continued to ask, ¡°You¡¯re the Xia family¡¯s only daughter, so your ability will surely be strong. We¡¯d like to witness it as well, so can you please demonstrate it?¡±


    The Xia family could dominate the jewelry industry for so many years because they had awakened a secret ability. The first child¡¯s bloodline would be the strongest, while the other children¡¯s bloodline would be much weaker. Therefore, only the first child could take over the business.


    During the coming of age ceremony, the Xia family would also allow the successor to participate in the corporation¡¯s affairs in the jewelry industry.


    It could be said that it was the time of glory for them after awakening the ability during the coming of age ceremony.


    Even without the guests¡¯ requests, it was a given that the successor should demonstrate their ability. This was to convince the elites of the branch families and the corporation.


    Seeing that Xia Zhiwan was not speaking, a man in a white tuxedo suddenly appeared in the crowd. He came forward and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders like a guardian. ¡°Zhiwan must be tired after awakening her ability, so you guys shouldn¡¯t scare her.¡±


    It was He Tianhao, who was a son of a big family. He had been pursuing Xia Zhiwan since they were in high school. He appeared deliberately to propose to her on this day.


    ¡°Zhiwan, it¡¯ll be hard for you to shoulder the responsibilities of the Xia family, so we can get engaged first. We¡¯ll only get married whenever you¡¯re willing.¡±


    Seeing He Tianhao get down on one knee and protect her anxious self affectionately, Xia Zhiwan was moved and accepted his proposal.


    ¡°Thank you Tianhao, I¡¯m willing to marry you.¡±


    A round of applause sounded as everyone witnessed the birth of a couple.


    He Tianhao embraced Xia Zhiwan as he looked at the time. It was already 11:40 PM, so he encouraged her, ¡°Zhiwan, it¡¯s almost midnight, so just demonstrate your ability to them.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan, who was still drowning in love, suddenly turned pale and hesitated. She was then pushed to the counter filled with jewels and rough stones so she could start demonstrating.


    However, the daughter, who had always been cute, intelligent, gentle, and generous, seemed to become a coward. ¡°Can we continue waiting for a while?¡±


    Naturally, the guests who had been waiting for a long time would not allow it. They immediately started to complain and question, ¡°Elder Miss, could it be that you haven¡¯t awakened the ability at all?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s face was pale, and she said softly, ¡°I indeed can¡¯t tell which one of these rough stones is an actual jewel.¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ Hahaha¡­ So that¡¯s the reason!¡±


    ¡°The daughter of the Xia family turned out to be trash!¡±


    Mockery ensued¡­


    Xia Zhiwan tried to refute, ¡°I may just need some time. I feel some warmth in my eyes¡­¡±


    ¡°Never mind, it¡¯s already midnight. It should¡¯ve awakened a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°Even if she was an illegitimate daughter, she should still have some ability. Looks like the Elder Miss is just some random kid¡­¡±


    The guests who were the Xia family¡¯s business rivals kept mocking Xia Zhiwan. There were also vicious backstabbers.


    Their gossiping made the expressions of everyone in the Xia family worse. Xia Dengfeng immediately rushed to the counter, gritted his teeth, and questioned, ¡°Xia Zhiwan, have you not awakened your ability at all?¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡­¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was so frightened that she could not say anything. She was then dragged upstairs by her angry father and thrown into the room. This way, she would not continue getting mocked and lose the Xia family¡¯s reputation!

 Chapter 3

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Well, it turns out that I¡¯ve been raising someone else¡¯s trash for 18 years!¡± Once they were in the room, Xia Dengfeng insisted that Xia Zhiwan was not his biological child and slapped her hatefully.


    Madame Xia, who followed upstairs to plead, was also knocked onto the floor. ¡°Is it you? Did you cheat on me?!¡±


    Madame Xia knelt and pleaded, ¡°I didn¡¯t, I really didn¡¯t! If you don¡¯t believe it, we can get a paternity test!¡±


    Every minute and every second of waiting was torture to Xia Zhiwan. If she was not the Xia family¡¯s daughter, she must be the greatest joke of all time.


    The moment the paternity test report was out, Xia Zhiwan let out a breath of relief and sank onto the ground. It was written that Xia Zhiwan was Xia Dengfeng¡¯s biological child.


    Xia Dengfeng¡¯s expression started becoming complex. ¡°You¡¯re really my child¡­ But why don¡¯t you have the ability?¡±


    For hundreds of years, the Xia family had relied on this ability to find jewels in countless ordinary-looking stones. Thus, they could buy them at low prices and sell them at high prices. That was how they dominated the industry!


    Every leader of the Xia family had become a guest of honor in countless political and business situations because of this ability. This was a major driving force behind their huge profits!


    However, Xia Zhiwan could not awaken the ability during the coming of age ceremony!


    Xia Dengfeng knew very well that his ability was rapidly getting weaker. At this stage, he was mainly making judgments based on his experience instead of his intuition.


    At this point, the Xia family might lose their long domination in the jewelry industry. Their rivals might even come together to suppress them!


    He definitely could not let that happen!


    ¡°Father, maybe my ability will awaken a little later, or¡­ Even if I don¡¯t have the ability, I¡¯ll continue to study hard¡­ ¡± Xia Zhiwan wept and pleaded with her father to not give up on her.


    Xia Dengfeng had a dejected expression. He shook his head, sighed, and left.


    Naturally, countless people were following the Xia family¡¯s news.


    Everyone knew Xia Dengfeng¡¯s worries and became ambitious. At this moment, the Xia family¡¯s situation was very worrying as their successor turned out to be trash. If they did not take advantage to take over the jewelry industry, what were they waiting for?


    Xia Zhiwan, who was still flattered by others a few days ago, had become the main focus for gossip. Even the Xia family¡¯s ordinary employees were looking down at her and mocking her in their hearts.


    Soon, they were going to get taken advantage of, so Master Xia was busy dealing with various matters.


    Xia Zhiwan had followed her father to the company. ¡°Dad, what can I do to make up for the company¡¯s losses?¡±


    ¡°Get lost! You don¡¯t need to do anything. Just don¡¯t interrupt me.¡±


    Her father, who once loved her deeply, had only complete disgust in his eyes toward her.


    Xia Zhiwan went back home from the company in tears. She thought in her heart, ¡®As long as He Tianhao is there, I won¡¯t be afraid.¡±


    It was as if He Tianhao had heard her call. He arrived at her house almost the same time as she did!


    However, who knew that he came to break the marriage? He even said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to marry trash.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan looked at He Tianhao in disbelief. ¡°But¡­ Haven¡¯t you been pursuing me for a long time? Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ll love me forever?¡±


    ¡°I only loved you because you could awaken the ability and become the Xia family¡¯s successor. However, now you¡¯re just junk that can¡¯t become the Xia family¡¯s successor. So what use do you have for me?¡±


    ¡°From the beginning, could it be that you only wanted to marry me because of my family¡¯s company?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was never true love, so just give up.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was shaking. ¡°No, this can¡¯t be true¡­ You said that you didn¡¯t just love me because of my family¡¯s wealth. Did you forget that you¡¯ve given me a ring?¡±


    He Tianhao immediately changed his demeanor. He frowned impatiently and reached out his hand to take back the wedding ring he had previously given her. ¡°What I love is the Xia family¡¯s true daughter with the secret bloodline ability, not trash like you. So, stop bothering me.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan wanted to touch him, but He Tianhao avoided her as if he was avoiding some poisonous creature. He then pushed her onto the ground. ¡°Paparazzi have been surrounding your house to take pictures, so don¡¯t come any closer. I don¡¯t want people to misunderstand!¡±


    Seeing his back without any trace of longing for her, Xia Zhiwan sat on the ground and looked at her empty ring finger. She suddenly forced a bitter laugh, which was followed by loud, painful cries. She looked like a lunatic as she cried and laughed simultaneously. Her past glory was nowhere to be seen.


    Was a person¡¯s worth determined by whether or not they possess special abilities? Were people without any special abilities not deserved to be loved?


    Xia Zhiwan hated that she was powerless, but she also wished that someone could understand her helplessness and pain at that moment.

 Chapter 4

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    In the bar, Xia Zhiwan was like a homeless stray dog. She drank glass after glass, trying to forget the shame she had experienced.


    Although she looked spiritless, it gave her a different kind of charm. It made people want to pity her but also bully her.


    ¡°Beauty, are you heartbroken? Let brother comfort you!¡± Next to the bar, a rough, large hand touched her behind.


    ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t come over.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was so frightened that she was shaking as she held an alcohol bottle against the drunken man in defense. She thought, ¡®If he dared to come over, I¡¯ll knock him out!¡¯


    ¡°Beauty, I like that attitude!¡± The drunk man smiled wryly and rushed toward her with great strength.


    Xia Zhiwan had no way to break free.


    At the moment when she was the most afraid, warm arms appeared and wrapped around her. Not letting those dirty hands touch her at all, the drunk man was then fiercely kicked away.


    ¡°You dare to touch my woman?¡± A deep, mellow voice sounded. Xia Zhiwan then saw a beautifully shaped, sharp jawline.


    It only took a man one casual glance for several well-trained men in black to appear from corners of the bar and teach the drunk man a lesson. With every step the man took, others made way for him in panic and surprise.


    The crisis was resolved. Xia Zhiwan met those deep emerald eyes looking down at her, and her cheeks became slightly flustered.


    ¡°Little lady, looks like we meet again¡­ So you taste this sweet.¡±


    The man licked Xia Zhiwan¡¯s lips and kissed her deeply. His tongue pried open her teeth, invaded her entire month, and absorbed her sweetness.


    Xia Zhiwan had some trouble breathing as her nose was filled with the man¡¯s masculine scent. She could only watch as his slender, flexible fingers unbuttoned her shirt and teased her pink nipples. It felt as if an electric current was rushing into her body.


    She could clearly feel the man¡¯s hard thing against her belly. Xia Zhiwan blushed embarrassedly, making her look even more attractive.


    The man¡¯s eyes were deep. Although he tried his best to control himself, he still could not help but unbuckle his belt. He then pressed her slender waist against his body, rubbing against her impatiently.


    The warmth against her secret garden made Xia Zhiwan grit her teeth as she felt an unfamiliar warmth sweep over her body. She did not know whether it was because she was sweating from the heat as they intertwined or because she was also getting turned on. Nonetheless, she could feel that her whole body was getting moist.


    She clamped her legs together tightly, trying to prevent the man¡¯s hand from stroking her soft behind. He seemed to want to just tear away that last layer of fabric. Xia Zhiwan pleaded, ¡°I¡¯ve helped you before, so you can¡¯t treat me like this¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my dear. I¡¯ll take away your first time fairly. I¡¯m just taking what you owe since I helped you.¡± The man¡¯s ice-cold face showed a trace of gentleness, yet he said in a deep voice, ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to think about other men anymore.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart raced. Naturally, the person he was talking about was He Tianhao, but how did he know about her matters? Could it be that he had always been keeping up with her news? Nonetheless, she did not have time to think before she was aggressively pulled into a passionate kiss.


    The man had a strong, aggressive aura. Xia Zhiwan tried to reject him at the start but was slowly taken over by him with no way to escape. Fortunately, the man¡¯s self-control was strong enough, so he still managed to stop just as she was about to cry.


    The sudden sweetness disappeared completely the moment when Xia Zhiwan reached home.


    Seeing her father reading a financial statement, Xia Zhiwan pulled herself together and forced a smile. ¡°Father, I¡¯m home. You need to take care of your health, so don¡¯t work until too late¡­¡±


    Master Xia just glanced at her coldly. ¡°Where have you been fooling around? You¡¯re not like before anymore, so don¡¯t go out that often and bring shame to me!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re still talking about my health¡­ Hmph, I¡¯m so pissed off by you! Do you know how much your reputation has brought down the Xia family¡¯s stocks?!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan held in the sadness in her heart. She then put up a few fingers and said, ¡°Father, I swear that I¡¯ll work hard to learn about jewelry and company management. I won¡¯t bring shame to you.¡±


    At least she was still considered an obedient daughter, so Master Xia¡¯s expression became slightly better. However, he still had a regretful look on his face. ¡°It¡¯ll be nice if we have other children in the family, then at least the Xia family won¡¯t get to the point where there¡¯s no one with the ability¡­¡±


    Xia Zhiwan said goodnight to her father with a smile. However, his regretful words still lingered in her heart, giving her a complex feeling.


    She went to her room and washed up. Xia Zhiwan, who could not fall asleep, received a call from Xie Zhiya.

 Chapter 5

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xie Zhiya was Xia Zhiwan¡¯s junior high school classmate. Ever since she transferred to their school, she had always taken care of Xia Zhiwan, saying that Xia Zhiwan was like her elder sister. Thus, Xia Zhiwan also gradually opened up and regarded Xie Zhiya as her good friend.


    They were good friends, so they always shared their joys and sorrows naturally. Thus, Xia Zhiwan poured out all of her troubles to Xie Zhiya defenselessly.


    The other side of the phone was silent for a while, then a sweet female voice suddenly sounded. ¡°Come on, Sis Zhiwan, it¡¯ll be fine. Hard work is more important than talent. You¡¯ve always been smart, and everyone likes you. This is just a little obstacle.¡±


    ¡°He Tianhao had already proposed to me previously, saying that he¡¯ll love me forever. Yet, in the end, he still broke the marriage.¡±


    ¡°In this case¡­ Young Master He is also from a noble family, so let¡¯s be considerate toward him. Sis Zhiwan will definitely meet a good man in the future. No matter how bad you are, you¡¯re still the Xia family¡¯s daughter, unlike me¡­¡±


    At this moment, Xia Zhiwan still did not notice that her good friend¡¯s tone sounded weird. Thus, she did not think much about it. Being the Xia family¡¯s daughter was both a blessing and a curse to Xia Zhiwan.


    After being comforted by her good friend, Xia Zhiwan felt a little more relieved in her heart, and determination ignited within her. ¡°Though, my father still hates me. He said that it¡¯ll be nice to have another child and that it¡¯s my fault the Xia family doesn¡¯t have anyone with the ability¡­¡±


    Xie Zhiya¡¯s voice became a little louder. ¡°Really? Cough, he¡¯s just venting his feelings. If you¡¯re really feeling bad, why don¡¯t I come over to your house to accompany you for a few days?¡±


    Xie Zhiya had been to Xia Zhiwan¡¯s house once, which made her envious of Xia Zhiwan¡¯s house because of the luxurious decorations and comfortable environment. Thinking that Xie Zhiya had been comforting her so patiently for so long, Xia Zhiwan agreed as she also needed someone¡¯s company.


    However, Xia Zhiwan never would have thought that Xie Zhiya, who had been comforting her and acting as her good friend, would be in He Tianhao¡¯s bed.


    Xie Zhiya was under He Tianhao¡¯s body. They panted heavily, constantly changing their positions as her wild body rubbed against He Tianhao. Between her moans, she did not forget to ask He Tianhao excitedly, ¡°Oh, Young Master He, how did you break the marriage with her that day? Tell me about it~¡±


    ¡°I pushed her down and asked her to stop bothering me. Heh, even the Xia family¡¯s Elder Miss has embarrassing times.¡± He Tianhao pressed the woman under him roughly as he seemed to be burning with desire. Talking about Xia Zhiwan, he was full of ridicule toward her.


    ¡°Hahahaha, even she has fallen to this point today! I really want to witness it!¡± Xie Zhiya was pleased to hear about Xia Zhiwan¡¯s miserable situation. She even said confidently, ¡°I¡¯ll make her even more embarrassed!¡±


    Ever since she was forced to transfer to Xia Zhiwan¡¯s school, Xie Zhiya always lived under Xia Zhiwan¡¯s shadow. Everyone could only see the Elder Miss Xia Zhiwan¡¯s glory and would always rush to her side. On the contrary, Xie Zhiya could only force a smile as she became the accompaniment to Xia Zhiwan.


    Even during high school, Xie Zhiya¡¯s crush, He Tianhao, was also pursuing Xia Zhiwan. He even asked her to help him pass love letters to Xia Zhiwan.


    At this moment, it was time Xie Zhiya made Xia Zhiwan look up to her. She wanted to take back double of what Xia Zhiwan owed her!


    ¡°Lil Ya, I never expected you to have this identity at first¡­ We¡¯re a couple now, so don¡¯t forget me if you really take over the Xia family.¡±


    Xie Zhiya was kissed affectionately by the man. She could feel the sweetness and triumphant feeling in her heart.


    She deliberately told He Tianhao her identity, and he immediately liked her as expected.


    From that moment onward, no matter if it was Xia Zhiwan¡¯s fiance, family, reputation¡­ Xie Zhiya wanted to gradually snatch away whatever Xia Zhiwan had!


    ¡°Tianhao, I¡¯ve always liked you, so of course I won¡¯t forget you. However, you¡¯ll need to cooperate with me so we can drive Xia Zhiwan out of the Xia family together¡­¡±


    This pair of shameless lovers whispered to each other as their eyes were filled with malicious intentions. It was as if they were plotting a vicious plan.


    The next day, Xie Zhiya arrived at the Xia residence in beautiful clothing, making her seem like a rich lady.


    Just as Xia Zhiwan welcomed her, she suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s not rush back to the room and play a game. It¡¯ll also help you to revise your knowledge in jewelry.¡±


    Seeing that Xie Zhiya was all excited, Xia Zhiwan agreed. ¡°How do you want to play the game?¡±


    Xie Zhiya then casually instructed the servants to bring over a table and put some rough crystal stones on it. Her actions made her seem as if she was the owner there.


    ¡°Let¡¯s compete to see who can find the pure crystal of the highest quality the fastest.¡±


    ¡°No problem, let¡¯s do it.¡± Xia Zhiwan smiled calmly.

 Chapter 6

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Although she did not have the ability, Xia Zhiwan never gave up on learning. She was confident that she could win given her capabilities.


    There were tens of rough stones in various shapes and sizes on the table. Xia Zhiwan took a polarizer and magnifying glass to inspect the stone professionally, bit by bit.


    Seeing her confused look, Xie Zhiya smiled mockingly. She casually picked up a stone arrogantly, touched it, and looked at it. Soon, she said confidently, ¡°This is it.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan raised her head in surprise, thinking that Xie Zhiya simply chose a random stone. ¡°Lil Ya, you should continue checking it. We need to appraise them carefully.¡±


    The disdain and anger in Xie Zhiya¡¯s heart were about to gush out as she thought, ¡®You trash, who are you looking down on?¡¯ However, she just rolled her eyes, continued to force a smile, and acted cutely. ¡°Oh, come on, I want to choose this one, so get someone to cut it open quickly¡­ And ask them to bring the detector over.¡±


    After the professionals appraised it, they quickly answered.


    Once the rough stone that Xie Zhiya chose was processed, it glowed with exceptional brilliance. The pure crystal without any trace of impurities was dazzling, just like Xie Zhiya¡¯s face filled with a triumphant smile at that time.


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you so, but you didn¡¯t believe me. Who knew that yours isn¡¯t even comparable to mine although you fiddled with it for so long?¡±


    Xie Zhiya could not hold back her sense of superiority. Nonetheless, Xia Zhiwan still complimented her sincerely, ¡°Lil Ya, how did you become so good all of a sudden? You even took less time than me.¡±


    Xie Zhiya just smiled slightly and thought, ¡®It¡¯s because I¡¯m no longer who I used to be.¡¯


    During dinner, Master Xia was also present. Thus, Xie Zhiya deliberately chose a seat that was close to him. She then pretended to chat with Xia Zhiwan.


    ¡°Zhiwan, can I bring home the crystal that I appraised today as a souvenir? I¡¯ve never seen such a beautiful crystal before.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan immediately became soft-hearted once Xie Zhiya acted pity and nodded. ¡°You found it by yourself anyway, so it¡¯s natural to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°You know how to appraise jewels too?¡± Master Xia asked as he looked at the girl who kept talking about appraising jewels.


    Seeing that Master Xia finally noticed her, Xia Zhiya held in her excitement. She acted as usual and said, ¡°Yeah, after my birthday, I suddenly knew how to appraise jewels. I¡¯ve even found a crystal today even though I only looked at it casually. I also used less time than Zhiwan.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan felt a little doubtful. It seemed that Xie Zhiwan only knew how to appraise jewels after her birthday¡­ However, why did this sound like she had awakened the secret bloodline ability?


    Master Xia naturally thought about it as well, so he continued asking with an agitated expression, ¡°How old are you? When was your birthday? How did you appraise it?!¡±


    Xie Zhiya was all fired up in her heart. She then said casually, ¡°I just came of age two days ago, and I even had a fever on that day. Since then, I can see the energy glowing within the stones when I hold them, so it¡¯s easy to select them.¡±


    She deliberately exaggerated her abilities, so Master Xia got more and more excited as he heard what she said. He did not even bat an eye at his true daughter.


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart was getting heavier and heavier. She suddenly understood that Xie Zhiya¡¯s identity was not that simple. Xie Zhiya had undoubtedly awakened the secret bloodline ability, which meant that Xie Zhiya was also related to Master Xia.


    Master Xia thought for a moment. He then held Xie Zhiya¡¯s hand affectionately without any shame. ¡°I indeed knew your mother in the past. Who knew that a romantic affair in my youth would send me a good daughter!¡±


    Just as Xia Zhiwan guessed, who knew how many women her father had an affair with after getting married. These matters were very ordinary in their circle, so her weak mother could only turn a blind eye to them.


    Nonetheless, Xie Zhiya coming forward to them seemed to be a good thing at that moment. She had the secret bloodline ability, so this had coincidentally solved Master Xia¡¯s worry.


    ¡°Dad¡­ Then Zhiwan will really be my elder sister from now on?¡± Xie Zhiya showed an excited expression and called out to him sweetly. She then gave an affectionate look to Xia Zhiwan, but her eyes were filled with malicious intent.

 Chapter 7

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Oh, my dear daughter, you¡¯ll be the Second Miss of the Xia Family from now on. I¡¯ll give you a proper identity immediately and let everyone know that you have the ability!¡±


    If it was in the past, Master Xia would not care about such a child of unknown origin. However, he could only put his hopes on Xie Zhiya at that moment. To put it bluntly, even if she was not his child, he would still make her become his daughter.


    Within a short time, the Xia family had a Second Miss. Everyone in the house was busy decorating her room, arranging her registration, publishing news, and other series of matters.


    Xia Zhiwan sat in the living room waiting for a long time before she could find a chance to talk to her father. ¡°Father¡­ Congratulations on finding¡­¡±


    Master Xia could not be bothered to look at her at all. ¡°Now that Lil Ya is back home, she¡¯ll be recognized as a true daughter of the Xia family. I¡¯ll still let you continue staying in the Xia family as I¡¯ve raised you for so long. However, you shouldn¡¯t go out that often and bring shame to me.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan could only agree with him despite how bitter she felt. On the other hand, Xia Zhiya had a bright smile on her face. Xia Zhiya seemed like an arrogant princess as she pulled on Xia Zhiwan¡¯s arm. ¡°Sis Zhiwan, we¡¯ll be a real family from now on!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan smiled as she comforted herself. Her best friend becoming her real sister was not something bad, and her father¡¯s wish had been fulfilled. The Xia family would gain a new chance, so she should be happy.


    Seeing her polite, gentle smile as if she was a graceful lady, Xia Zhiya had a twisted thought in her heart. ¡®Just wait for it. Let¡¯s see if you can still smile after I snatch away everything you have and walk all over you!¡¯


    Master Xia was satisfied with Xia Zhiya¡¯s obedience. He then said gently, ¡°Lil Ya, you know that your disappointing elder sister had become a laughing stock, so her marriage with the He family was also broken. Our Xia family has to rely on you from now on.¡±


    Upon hearing his words, Xia Zhiya became proud, so she nodded confidently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m now a daughter of the Xia family. I¡¯ll definitely improve our business and bring back the reputation we lost!¡±


    Once Xia Zhiwan heard the last part of her words, she curled up her body slightly.


    ¡°The Ou family is powerful as they have many connections. If we can establish a relationship with their family, our jewelry sales will be smoother.¡±


    ¡°Dad, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The Ou family¡¯s son is Ou Ruoming, who¡¯s also at the age of marriage. However, He¡¯s not that healthy. If we can give him a marriage to counteract the bad luck, maybe the Young Master Ou¡¯s condition will get better.¡±


    Although Xia Zhiya seemed calm on the surface, she was already going crazy in her heart.


    He was not that healthy? Who did not know that the Young Master Ou was a paralyzed vegetable? He was complete trash, so getting married to him was no different from being a widow. Which young girl would be willing to do so? Master Xia was trying to sell off his daughter to gain fame. It was all to earn profits!


    ¡°Dad, that¡¯s just superstition, so it probably won¡¯t be useful,¡± Xia Zhiya said with a smile, trying to convey her actual feelings. However, Master Xia did not care about the Ou family¡¯s true motives. In any case, he just wanted to use his new, easily-gained daughter to help him establish a relationship with the Ou family and use her to the fullest extent.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ll help dad just now? You¡¯re already taking back your words?¡±


    Master Xia¡¯s cold voice made Xia Zhiya panic in her heart for a moment. She then immediately replied obediently, ¡°I¡¯ll go with whatever dad says.¡± She had just returned to the Xia family, so she could only obey his words.


    Xia Zhiwan heard what they were talking about, so she thought, ¡®That Young Master Ou was already very pitiful. He¡¯s paralyzed, but he¡¯s still used as a pawn and tool in disputes for power. Even his wife will only be thinking how to get the most value out of him.¡¯


    Nonetheless, Xia Zhiya just smiled bitterly. She was also a pawn that was given up upon.


    The next day, news came out that the Xia family¡¯s daughter was about to marry Ou Ruoming, a man in a vegetative state from the Ou family.


    In a hotel room, He Tianhao held the newspaper and threw it at Xia Zhiya. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ll help me get into the Xia family and marry me? Why are you marrying that vegetable now?¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s expression was uneasy as she grabbed her hair, feeling troubled. She then immediately hugged He Tianhao¡¯s arm, acted cutely, and explained, ¡°Tianhao, I didn¡¯t want to either, but I also can¡¯t reject dad¡¯s requests. I don¡¯t want to make him angry. Don¡¯t you know that I only love you?¡±


    The petite lady widened her eyes and looked at him pitifully. He Tianhao hugged her in silence. Suddenly, he said wickedly, ¡°Your father just wants a marriage with the Ou family, so the one that gets married doesn¡¯t have to be you¡­¡±


    The two of them had the same idea. Xia Zhiya immediately thought of a plan to push the unlucky Xia Zhiwan to replace her in the marriage. She could not help but laugh. ¡°Hahaha, trash marrying trash. They¡¯re a match made in heaven!¡±

 Chapter 8

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Master Xia had been giving Xia Zhiya special attention ever since she came. He even asked Xia Zhiwan to clean up and give up her master bedroom to Xia Zhiya.


    Xia Zhiwan comforted herself that where she stayed did not matter. Thus, she just prepared to clean up the bedroom.


    In Xia Zhiwan¡¯s luxurious, spacious bedroom, a naked man and woman were rolling around on the soft mattress. They were hogging Xia Zhiwan¡¯s private space to have sex.


    He Tianhao kept his chin up and looked at the woman under him confidently. ¡°If you marry that vegetable, Ou Ruoming, will he be able to satisfy you as I do?¡±


    ¡°Tianhao, you¡¯re the best. That Ou Ruoming is going for someone that¡¯s completely out of his league! A disabled person is only worthy of being with that trash, Xia Zhiwan!¡±


    The moment Xia Zhiya finished speaking, she heard the sound of the door opening. Expectedly, she saw Xia Zhiwan, stunned, at the door.


    Both of them were not surprised at all as this was within their plan.


    Xia Zhiya even showed an annoyed expression as she said, ¡°How rude! You¡¯ve interrupted us!¡±


    ¡°Tianhao? Why are you with her¡­ Besides, this is my room!¡± The storage box in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s hands fell onto the ground. Her legs felt so heavy as if they were filled with lead. She looked at them in disbelief as she saw them having sex shamelessly on her bed. There was also a disgusting smell in the air that made her nauseous.


    ¡°Sorry, sis, dad said that the master bedroom belongs to me now!¡± Xia Zhiya had already put on her clothes as she said with her chin up. Although she sounded sorry, she did not seem to feel remorseful at all.


    ¡°Forget about the bedroom. What¡¯s with you two?¡± Xia Zhiwan said as her voice trembled. Seeing He Tianhao smoking on her bed with an annoyed expression, she suddenly felt that the two people she once knew had become strangers to her.


    ¡°Tianhao said that he always loved me. He only proposed to you because you¡¯re the Xia Family¡¯s Elder Miss. Nonetheless, he already broke off the marriage with you, so we got into a relationship. Why don¡¯t I give you my fiance instead?¡±


    Xia Zhiya showed a sweet smile as she reached out to grab Xia Zhiwan¡¯s wrist, showing off her finger.


    On her finger was the ring that He Tianhao snatched away from Xia Zhiwan that day.


    Xia Zhiwan shook her head in disbelief, feeling devastated.


    She had always trusted Xia Zhiya, so she brought Xia Zhiya to her home to live with her. Xia Zhiya had also comforted her previously that she would find a good man who would love her. However, Xia Zhiwan did not expect her to snatch away her father¡¯s love for her in a blink of an eye. Not only that, but Xia Zhiya also betrayed her!


    Xia Zhiwan, ¡°You¡¯ve betrayed my trust, hid things from me, and used me to enter the Xia family. You¡¯ve even slept with my fiance without saying anything! You¡¯re disgusting! You thought that you¡¯ll become a noble once you enter the Xia family. But let me tell you, you¡¯re still an illegitimate daughter with despicable blood flowing in you!¡±


    Xia Zhiya hated Xia Zhiwan when she acted as the victim the most. Thus, she removed her mask impatiently.


    ¡°You¡¯re only jealous because Tianhao loves me while you were thrown away like trash! Yes, I¡¯m an illegitimate daughter, but I¡¯ve still awakened the secret bloodline ability. What about you? Not only are you trash, but you¡¯re also a b*stard! Who knows which man your mom had an affair with to produce a b*stard like you?!¡±


    ¡°Smack¡ª¡± Xia Zhiya was slapped once she finished speaking.


    Xia Zhiwan had always been an elegant, honest girl. However, Xia Zhiya had crossed the line at that moment, so she could never be unshaken.


    She did not have much strength, so that slap could not have been serious. Nonetheless, Xia Zhiya fell onto the floor and covered her face, acting as if she had been beaten up.


    ¡°Xia Zhiwan hit me! Ahh, my face is going to get disfigured! Can you even be considered as the Elder Miss?! You¡¯re just a vile woman! I¡¯ll make dad drive you out of the Xia family!¡±


    He Tianhao went to Xia Zhiya¡¯s side, touching her face pitifully with an affectionate expression. However, he glared at Xia Zhiwan in disgust and insulted, ¡°Who knew that you were so wicked?! It¡¯s your fault that you¡¯re incompetent, yet you can¡¯t bear seeing Lil Ya becoming the Xia Family¡¯s Second Miss and obtaining my love? What right do you even have to hit her?!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was shocked. She did not expect the person she once loved to do this at all. He Tianhao had once knelt in front of her in public while holding the ring and swore to love her forever. However, at that moment, he was speaking so harshly to her to protect an illegitimate daughter, who snatched away everything from her.


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s shouts immediately gained people¡¯s attention. Not only did the servants come over, but Master Xia also came to check it out.


    Once Xia Zhiya saw Master Xia, she acted as if she saw her savior. She immediately rushed over to hug him and cried.

 Chapter 9

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re finally here to save me! I¡¯ve finally managed to have my own home after living alone for so long, but sis said that I¡¯m a lowly illegitimate daughter! She even hit me and said that I¡¯m not worthy of living in her room. Sob, sob¡ª¡±


    Master Xia understood Xia Zhiwan¡¯s personality, but he also felt guilty for leaving his younger daughter alone for so long. Besides that, he still needed to take care of Xia Zhiya¡¯s reputation even if he was just making her stay to help the Xia family,


    ¡°Kneel!¡±


    ¡°Father, I¡ª¡± Xia Zhiwan still wanted to explain. However, Master Xia waved his cane and hit her knee, making her kneel immediately.


    ¡°Turns out that not only you¡¯re incompetent, you¡¯re also rude! You don¡¯t have the mannerisms of a lady at all! How shameless! Do you know what your younger sister¡¯s status is now? If it wasn¡¯t because of my personal feelings, I would have driven you out of the Xia family long ago!¡±


    The Xia family could dominate the jewelry industry not only because of the advantages of the family¡¯s ability but also because of their strictness in pursuing profits. In other words, the Xia family did not need any trash.


    Thus, Master Xia was not pleased with Xia Zhiwan at that moment. Not to mention, Xia Zhiya was also adding fuel to the fire.


    ¡°Dad, you need to help me even the score! Even now, my face still hurts. This slap was too heavy. I really don¡¯t know why sis hates me so much. If she dares to bully me again, I dare not stay in the Xia Family anymore¡ª¡±


    Xia Zhiwan tried to refute with a pale face, ¡°I didn¡¯t hit her on purpose. It¡¯s because she said that mother¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± After hearing what Xia Zhiya said, Master Xia did not want to hear Xia Zhiwan¡¯s excuses at all. He was only thinking about a way to comfort Xia Zhiya so she would stay.


    Thus, he showed a dull expression and said to Xia Zhiya, ¡°You¡¯re allowed to slap her as well. Then, just calm down and forget about this matter.¡±


    Xia Zhiya stopped crying and glanced at the dejected Xia Zhiwan. She then smiled from the corners of her lips and walked toward Xia Zhiwan slowly.


    ¡°This is the justice that dad has given me, so I can¡¯t help it, right, sis?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Xia Zhiwan raised her head. However, before she could even finish speaking, Xia Zhiya had already slapped Xia Zhiwan with all of her strength.


    The force was so strong that it made Xia Zhiwan turn her head to the side, and the corner of her mouth split a little, causing some blood to flow out. Her whole face was aching and swollen as a bright red palm print appeared. Her fair face became flustered, while her hair was so messy that she looked like a lunatic.


    A trace of satisfaction flashed across Xia Zhiya¡¯s eyes. She shook her hand, seeming to regret that she did not manage to disfigure Xia Zhiwan¡¯s face with that slap.


    Master Xia looked at his daughters and hardened his heart. He then frowned and shook his head. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll issue a statement acknowledging Lil Ya¡¯s identity. As for you¡­ you¡¯re still a child of the Xia family, so I can¡¯t kick you out either. However, giving you a position in the company will cause controversy, so you¡¯ll need to start from the bottom.¡±


    He had a generous, compassionate expression as if he had shown mercy to her. He then ignored this incident and staggered away.


    The servants who were watching were all gossiping about the incident. Some were pitying Xia Zhiwan, while some were mocking her. There were also some saying that the new Miss was favored, so they wanted to please her.


    After admiring Xia Zhiwan¡¯s embarrassing state, Xia Zhiya yawned and wiggled into He Tianhao¡¯s arms. ¡°Tianhao, let¡¯s go. Seeing her in this state is hurting my eyes~¡±


    The man laughed, embraced her affectionately, and left with her.


    In the spacious corridor of the Xia residence, only Xia Zhiwan was left kneeling on the spot without moving an inch. Her face was covered by her messy hair, and she had already burst into tears long ago. The salty, bitter tears flowed through the wound on her face, and she could not close her mouth due to the pain.


    The next day, the headlines were all about the Xia family.


    It was about Xia Zhiya, the lady of the Xia family, who had returned to the Xia family as she had awakened the ability.


    For Xia Zhiya¡¯s sake, the Xia family had officially announced that Xia Zhiya was the Xia family¡¯s only successor and daughter. On the other hand, Xia Zhiwan was announced as Master Xia¡¯s illegitimate daughter.


    In a short period, Xia Zhiya became glorious as she had awakened the ability. She was also about to take up the position as the Xia Corporation¡¯s general manager.


    The relatives who were disappointed in Xia Zhiwan and the corporation¡¯s elites seemed to have found new hope in Xia Zhiya. They surrounded Xia Zhiya like hungry flies, regarding her as the true star of the jewelry industry.


    On the contrary, no one cared about Xia Zhiwan anymore.


    Upon seeing the news, Xia Zhiwan could only smile bitterly. She thought that her father would only give Xia Zhiya an official identity. However, she did not expect that he would be this merciless to just exchange their identities.

 Chapter 10

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiwan was the proud biological daughter. However, under the temptation of profits, she was turned into the shameless illegitimate daughter. She had to carry the name of the illegitimate daughter for the sake of Xia Zhiya and Master Xia.


    Sure enough, Xia Zhiwan¡¯s mother was also greatly insulted. The previously noble lady had seemed to become a distressed middle-aged woman. She was so angry that her blood pressure rose to the point of being on the verge of death. However, she still held Xia Zhiwan¡¯s hand and said, ¡°You need to trust mom, Zhiwan, you¡¯re the real elder daughter¡­¡±


    ¡°I trust you, mom, but it¡¯s useless even if I trust you. Everyone is saying that I¡¯m the illegitimate daughter¡­¡± Xia Zhiwan was filled with bitterness and wished she could just leave the Xia family. What of the Xia family¡¯s daughter? She would rather not be the Xia family¡¯s daughter! She had to endure people rolling their eyes at her. Although she was innocent, she had to go through all that suffering. She had enough of it.


    Madame Xia shook her head and held Xia Zhiwan¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Zhiwan, you must never give up. You need to prove our innocence!¡± Once she finished saying this, Madame Xia closed her eyes with a painful expression.


    Xia Zhiwan sent her to the hospital immediately, then she waited outside the operation room anxiously.


    Knowing that her mother¡¯s poor health was deteriorating due to her matters and had to stay in the hospital for long-term treatment, Xia Zhiwan was on the verge of breaking down.


    However, upon seeing the expensive medical expenses, Xia Zhiwan¡¯s thought of leaving the Xia family disappeared.


    Although she had lost everything, she could still stay in the Xia family no matter how useless she seemed to be. However, if she left the Xia family and gave up, she would be left with nothing!


    Holding a grudge and acting on impulse were not wise choices. After Xia Zhiwan calmed down, she decided to endure this and report to the company the next day.


    What was the matter even if she had to start from the bottom? She had nothing else to lose. Thus, she wanted to continue living properly. Even if it was for her mother, she still had to keep moving forward!


    ¡­


    In the Xia Corporation¡¯s director¡¯s office, a mysterious man was sitting on a luxurious chair that previously belonged to Xia Dengfeng.


    He was dressed in a suit and crossing his legs casually as his green eyes glanced at Master Xia. ¡°If you acknowledge this Acquisition Agreement, then quickly sign it.¡±


    Previously, the Xia family¡¯s stocks fell tremendously due to Xia Zhiwan¡¯s matter, so Xia Dengfeng wanted to take advantage of Xia Zhiya¡¯s return to regain their losses. However, a strange man appeared halfway and said that he wanted to buy the Xia family¡¯s company.


    From Master Xia¡¯s experience in the business, he knew that this arrogant yet calm man was not easy to deal with. Thus, he did not get agitated so quickly. ¡°Summer is the country¡¯s number one jewelry brand. Do you think it¡¯s that easy to buy over the company?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t sign it. However, Huatai that supplies rough stones, Jiatisi that manufactures your jewelry, and Shangyi that promotes your brand will soon come together to discuss ending their collaboration with you.¡±


    The man sipped some tea calmly as if he was just saying that the weather was good. However, every single word he said was making Xia Dengfeng distressed and agitated.


    He had never failed to obtain whatever he wanted. This included Summer and her.


    Thinking about the girl¡¯s tempting, sweet lips, slender yet curvy figure, and gentle scent, the man felt excited.


    At this moment, Xia Dengfeng was already sweating profusely, trying hard to guess the man¡¯s identity. After all, the man had the right to speak with the various corporations that collaborated with the Xia family.


    He looked at the name ¡®Louis Financial Group¡¯ on the agreement and suddenly knew the answer.


    The Louis Financial Group had a huge capital and had been in the limelight abroad in recent years. They had invested in construction, catering, hotels, and other physical industries. Thus, they had achieved remarkable results and were particularly powerful. Even ten Xia Corporations could be acquired by them, let alone just one Xia Corporation.


    However, why did he choose the Xia family? Could it be that they wanted to enter the local business community or the jewelry industry?


    The man seemed to realize what the hesitant Xia Dengfeng was thinking about. He then parted his thin lips, and a mysterious expression flashed across his narrow, green eyes. ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t ask about things that you¡¯re not supposed to know.¡±


    Xia Dengfeng took a deep breath and signed the agreement with his hand trembling.


    At this moment, he was sure that this dangerous yet capable man would destroy the Xia Corporation if he could not obtain it.


    ¡°Sir, please take a look. I¡¯ve already signed the agreement.¡± Xia Dengfeng let out a smile as if he was not reluctant at all.

 Chapter 11

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°A person who understands a situation is a great man.¡±


    The man¡¯s long, fair fingers flipped through the pages of the agreement as he looked through it, hiding his enthusiasm with his indifferent behavior. He then said while tapping on the table, ¡°You¡¯re arranging for Xia Zhiya to become Young Master Ou¡¯s wife? That won¡¯t do, so arrange another one.¡±


    Xia Dengfeng only had two daughters, so he could only arrange for Xia Zhiwan to get married if the man did not want Xia Zhiya, right? Was he an enemy that Xia Zhiwan provoked? Nonetheless, Xia Dengfeng did not ask the reason and just quickly agreed. After all, he was also reluctant to send Xia Zhiya off to another family so quickly.


    Once Xia Zhiya knew that she did not have to marry that paralyzed vegetable from the Ou family, she was thrilled instantly. ¡°That¡¯s great! However, dad, why did you change your mind?¡±


    ¡°Just be happy and don¡¯t ask about it.¡± Xia Dengfeng did not want to tell others about that mysterious man, so he carefully avoided Xia Zhiya¡¯s question.


    Xia Zhiya was also obedient and did not continue asking. She was satisfied as long as she did not have to marry that trash. She even started to imagine Xia Zhiwan¡¯s bitter, widow-like life after marrying him, and a wicked smile appeared from the corners of her lips.


    ¡°Dad, then let me tell this good news to sis~¡±


    The news that the Xia Corporation had been bought over could only be announced after some time. Xia Zhiwan, who did not know what happened, arrived at the company nervously like a rookie in the workforce.


    Once she stepped into the spacious office, she immediately felt the frightening pressure there. All of her colleagues were working hard. Only a few of them glanced at her curiously and quickly lowered their heads.


    ¡°Hello? It¡¯s my first day here. May I know where I should go?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan asked the girl with short hair at the first desk politely. However, the girl rolled her eyes in annoyance. ¡°Are you blind? Or are you illiterate?¡±


    Only then did she see the desk at the corner with her nameplate.


    Xia Zhiwan did not understand why the girl would behave this rudely, but she still thanked the girl and went over to the desk to put down her things.


    The moment she sat on the chair, the chair leg broke immediately. She fell in surprise and sat on the floor in confusion.


    ¡°Hahaha¡ª Why isn¡¯t the Elder Miss going to a private office? Instead, she has to squeeze with us here?¡±


    ¡°Keep it down. She¡¯ll hear what you say. I guess she wants to pretend to be someone friendly. Don¡¯t ladies from rich families like to do that?¡±


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem to be the case. She¡¯s most likely just here to suffer because she¡¯s incompetent!¡±


    Gossip spread throughout the office, causing Xia Zhiwan to become flustered. She checked her chair awkwardly and realized that it had been fiddled with.


    She glanced at her colleagues, who were just gossiping happily. However, they were all working with their heads down at that moment, acting as if they did not see anything.


    Xia Zhiwan sneered and immediately knew who was the one who did it.


    No matter how much of a joke she was, she still did not hold any grudges against her colleagues. Therefore, they did not need to put in the effort to prank her.


    If someone was targeting her, they must have been instructed by the general manager, Xia Zhiya.


    Nonetheless, they were just a bunch of fence-sitters, so she did not need to care about them.


    Xia Zhiwan calmed down and regained her composure. She did not act like a proud lady at all. She even asked a busy-looking girl in a ponytail politely, ¡°Is there anything that I can help you with?¡±


    She did not seem to appreciate Xia Zhiwan but did not say anything rude either. She just hesitated for a moment and said, ¡°I can¡¯t let the Elder Miss help me. However, if you want to do something¡­ Help me print these documents.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan agreed immediately. Just as she was about to go print the documents, she was called by Supervisor Xie to make some coffee.


    She was a newcomer, so it was natural for her to do these trivial tasks. Xia Zhiwan adjusted herself and did all the tasks with a smile.


    However, when the coffee was served, Supervisor Xie glanced at Xia Zhiwan in disdain with her sharp eyes with eyeliner, seemingly observing her. She pretended to take a sip, then splashed the hot coffee in the cup onto Xia Zhiwan, complaining about it.


    ¡°Why does it taste so bad? You better leave soon if you can¡¯t even do such a trivial task properly!¡±

 Chapter 12

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Although her clothes covered her, Xia Zhiwan could still feel the hot, burning pain on her arm.


    She endured the pain as she held her arm, and could not help but argue, ¡°I¡¯m just a newcomer. Even if I did something that isn¡¯t to your liking, shouldn¡¯t you still respect me? You shouldn¡¯t be this unreasonable!¡±


    Supervisor Xie did not seem to show any timidity. Instead, she crossed her arms and refuted, ¡°All newcomers have to start by making and serving tea, so why can¡¯t you do it? Elder Miss, if you can¡¯t bear hardships, you should leave sooner!¡±


    Seeing that she was about to make a call and could fire Xia Zhiwan at any moment, Xia Zhiwan asked her to stop hurriedly. She then took a deep breath and bowed at Supervisor Xie. ¡°My apologies, I¡¯ll reflect on how I do things. Please advise me.¡±


    Although it was her family¡¯s company, she seemed to be under someone else¡¯s roof at that moment. If she was fired and the news agitated her father again¡­ Her cold-blooded father would not bother to give this trash daughter another chance.


    The gleeful Supervisor Xie did not expect Xia Zhiwan to have that tolerance, so she did not delve into it anymore. She just said coldly, ¡°If you make any more mistakes, you better get lost!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan walked out of the office. She looked down at her swollen wrist and quietly walked to the sink to rinse it.


    Tears finally flowed out uncontrollably, and she cried softly as the water from the faucet rushed out.


    Ever since she was young, she had always been pampered and lived a luxurious life. When did she ever have to suffer such treatment? Who dared to give her orders or criticize her?


    However, at the Xia Corporation, she was like a lowly insect that anyone could step on! Her situation at that moment was no longer the same as in the past. It was as if the road ahead of her was filled with darkness. Just as Xia Zhiwan was in grief, the girl with a ponytail, who asked her to print the documents, found her.


    ¡°What are you doing here? You¡ª What¡¯s the matter?¡± She looked at Xia Zhiwan¡¯s tearful, pitiful eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Weiwei, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Xia Zhiwan washed her face quickly and acted as if nothing happened.


    Weiwei handed her a tissue. ¡°An Executive Assistant has come over, so everyone¡¯s having a meeting now. They say they¡¯re going to make an announcement, so come over quickly.¡±


    Once she walked into the large meeting room, Supervisor Xie acted as if she did not notice Xia Zhiwan¡¯s red eyes. She mocked Xia Zhiwan in front of everyone, ¡°Looks like the Elder Miss is a big deal that everyone has to wait for!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan pressed her lips together and did not say anything. She glanced at the surroundings and saw that they did not leave a seat for her. Thus, she could only stand at the corner.


    A man in a white suit and gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose walked in with an extraordinary aura.


    ¡°Everyone, I¡¯m the new chairman¡¯s executive assistant, Executive Assistant Wen. I¡¯m gathering everyone here today to announce that the company has been taken over.¡±


    ¡°From this day onward, the board of directors¡¯ management decisions and personnel will have some changes.¡±


    ¡°Board Member Xia Dengfeng shall remain as the executive president. Xia Zhiwan shall be promoted to general manager, so the original general manager, Xia Zhiya, will be adjusted to be the deputy manager.¡±


    Executive Assistant Wen announced a series of changes professionally. The most surprising change was naturally Xia Zhiwan¡¯s immediate promotion as the general manager. She was promoted even though she was a newcomer who had just come to report herself on the first day.


    Everyone turned their heads and looked at the slender figure standing at the corner. They were just looking down on Xia Zhiwan previously, but she was already promoted to general manager on her first day?


    Even Xia Zhiwan was confused. Who on Earth bought the Xia Corporation? Who was the new chairman? Why would they allow her to be the general manager?


    Nonetheless, this was a good thing for Xia Zhiwan, who had already fallen to the bottom and had nothing to lose.


    Xia Zhiwan tried to control her emotions. She just listened carefully and patiently to Executive Assistant Wen as he explained her job. Her palms were so tense that they were filled with scratch marks from her picking at her palms.


    Xia Zhiya, who was still painting her nails in her luxurious office, was suddenly interrupted by Executive Assistant Wen as he barged in. Just as she was about to start scolding him, the man threw a document at her.


    ¡°There are personnel changes, so please give up the general manager¡¯s office.¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s smile froze as she flipped through the document in disbelief. Xia Zhiwan had become the official general manager, while she was the deputy manager?!


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s anger was immediately ignited, and her beautiful face became twisted. ¡°This is impossible! I want to meet dad! The Xia family has the number one jewelry brand, so how can we be taken over?!¡±


    Soon, Xia Zhiwan walked in casually. She looked at Xia Zhiya as if she was watching a lunatic going crazy and said calmly, ¡°Excuse me, but this is my office. Please move out within three minutes.¡±

 Chapter 13

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiya had previously snatched away Xia Zhiwan¡¯s bedroom arrogantly, right? Then, Xia Zhiwan would not mind snatching away Xia Zhiya¡¯s office as well.


    ¡°How can a b*tch like you become the general manager?¡± Xia Zhiya said while she raised her hand, trying to slap Xia Zhiwan. However, she was stopped by Executive Assistant Wen with a smile. ¡°Please show some respect. Our chairman has specially instructed that nobody can touch even a single strand of hair on Miss Zhiwan.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan thought, ¡®Who¡¯s the new chairman? Why does he seem to particularly protect me?¡¯ Nonetheless, Xia Zhiwan became sterner as she had someone behind her back. She sat on the large chair casually and gestured at the door.


    ¡°This is my office. If there¡¯s nothing else, please leave.¡±


    Xia Zhiya was so angry that her nose seemed twisted. Ever since she returned to the Xia family, she was treated well at all times. Her joy was watching Xia Zhiwan being compared to her. Xia Zhiwan was previously trash, but she managed to turn the tide on this day?!


    ¡°Don¡¯t think that you¡¯re anything great. So what if the company promotes you? You¡¯ll still have to live a widow-like life once you go home! You don¡¯t have the ability, while I have it, so you¡¯ll still be trampled under my feet for the rest of your life!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? What widow-like life?¡± Xia Zhiwan had heard way too many insults from her. However, she was very concerned about that phase.


    Seeing her turn pale, Xia Zhiya smiled coldly. ¡°Dad is arranging for you to marry that paralyzed man from the Ou family! You¡¯ll only be a tool to flush away bad luck for the rest of your life!¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s words left Xia Zhiwan dumbfounded. Xia Zhiya did not continue looking at her and just rushed out fiercely while carrying her branded handbag.


    Executive Assistant Wen reached out and waved his hand in front of Xia Zhiwan, who was in a daze. He then smiled and said, ¡°The chairman has asked you to meet him.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan shook her head and temporarily left the matter of the marriage at the back of her head. She then followed behind him excitedly and arrived at the office on the top floor.


    Once she pushed open the door, the spacious office was silent, with only a tall man sitting on the chair facing backward.


    The man¡¯s silver hair made Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart skip a beat.


    Upon seeing his handsome face with green eyes, Xia Zhiwan immediately recalled that night. She remembered how he pressed her under him to kiss and tease her body.


    She blushed and asked softly, ¡°Why are you here? Where¡¯s the chairman?¡±


    The man looked at the sweet, soft girl in front of him greedily and smiled. ¡°Dear, there¡¯s only you and I in this room, so who do you think is the chairman?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was taken aback for a moment. Her confused expression seemed extremely cute in his eyes, and he just pulled her into his arms.


    ¡°What are you thinking about? Is it the kiss I gave you that day?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Xia Zhiwan was so surprised that she seemed like a cat that had its tail stepped on.


    The man raised an eyebrow as he smiled and looked at her with his deep eyes. ¡°Oh, then you¡¯re thinking about my big and hard¡­¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, the girl covered his mouth. ¡°You pervert!¡±


    The man¡¯s expression remained the same. Instead, he licked her palm, looking as if his desires had not been satisfied. ¡°How can your entire body be so sweet? I¡¯ll eat you up sooner or later.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan pushed him away, but she was pulled back into his arms. Once again, she could feel the warmth of his hard thing. ¡°This, this is the office!¡±


    ¡°You mean that we can do it if we aren¡¯t at the office?¡± The man smiled with a trace of mischievousness.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that!¡± Xia Zhiwan denied with a flustered face. Feeling the man¡¯s delicate kisses falling onto her neck and gentle touches on her chest, she tried holding back her desire to moan. However, she suddenly thought about her arranged marriage¡­


    The sad expression of the girl in his arms made the man frown, and his cold eyes stared at her. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to get distracted in front of me. Otherwise, I can¡¯t help but think of punishing you!¡±


    His domineering kiss fell onto Xia Zhiwan as her head was supported by his large palm. She was forced to endure his actions. It was as if her petite body was about to melt.


    ¡°Mmhm¡ª Ahh¡ª No.¡±


    Her cat-like voice as she rejected him was of no avail. Her knee-length skirt was lifted by his palm. His long fingers then slipped under the thin fabric and started gently stroking her. Xia Zhiwan clamped her legs tightly with tears in her eyes as she grabbed on the man¡¯s strong shoulders helplessly.


    After the punishment, the man hugged the sweaty girl, not letting her go. He then picked up a document with a calm expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to explain the job to our new general manager.¡±


    If his large hand under the table did not continue touching her, Xia Zhiwan would have trusted his words.


    After taking a deep breath and suppressing the heat in her body, Xia Zhiwan finally questioned, ¡°Who on Earth are you? Why did you buy the Xia Corporation? Besides¡­ Why would you give me this position?¡±

 Chapter 14

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    There was a smile on that man¡¯s lips as his fingers touched Xia Zhiwan¡¯s cheek pitifully. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know who I am. You just need to know that I like you a lot now. Besides, I believe that you can take on this position.¡±


    He wanted to personally protect this bud that had not shown her capabilities, waiting for the day when she would bloom beautifully.


    His words were filled with a superior¡¯s confidence and a lover¡¯s gentleness. It was as if he had cast a spell, causing Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart to be drawn into him.


    Although the man in front of her seemed to look at her like she was a precious treasure, she knew that he was a stubborn person. He would not reveal anything else since he already said that.


    ¡°Then you should at least tell me how I should address you, right?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t mind if you call me hubby now.¡± The elegant, good-looking man seemed to be cold and domineering. However, when facing Xia Zhiwan, he always could not help but tease her.


    Seeing her face about to turn red with anger again, he teased and bit her earlobe with the corner of his mouth. ¡°Just call me Issac.¡±


    ¡°Are you mixed? Your eyes are gorgeous.¡± Xia Zhiwan stared at his deep eyes as she complimented sincerely.


    His eyes were like high-quality emeralds. His pupils were so clear and bright that her reflection could be seen.


    Issac just smiled without giving her a direct answer. He then took her hand and kissed it. ¡°In that case, I hope that you¡¯ll forever stay in my eyes.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan bit her lower lip and tried to hold back her excitement. She then changed the topic and said, ¡°The position you have given me is too high. Xia Zhiya is going to go crazy and never let me off the hook.¡±


    Indeed, Xia Zhiwan joined the Xia Corporation to gradually prove herself using her efforts and climb to the top. However, such sudden news came.


    The man¡¯s arrogant eyes seem to look down on all ordinary beings. Nonetheless, he stroked her soft, delicate hair, wrapped them around his finger, and said confidently, ¡°I¡¯ll protect you. I¡¯ll get rid of those annoying bugs sooner or later.¡±


    When Xia Zhiwan returned to the general manager¡¯s office with a flushed face, she was surprised to see her colleagues surrounding the door.


    The employees who treated her coldly and rudely in the morning had all come over to apologize to her.


    Among them, there was also Weiwei with a ponytail. Weiwei explained to Xia Zhiwan awkwardly, ¡°Please don¡¯t take it to heart. It¡¯s Xia Zhiya who asked us to deliberately target the newcomer. We¡¯re just employees with low positions, so we won¡¯t dare to refuse her. Please be generous and forgive our wrongdoings.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan already knew it from the start, so she did not blame them. Instead, she smiled and patted Weiwei¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s alright. You¡¯ll be my assistant from now on.¡±


    Weiwei was surprised as she was suddenly promoted from a normal employee to a general manager¡¯s assistant.


    The other colleagues also went with the flow and apologized. Some were sincere, while some acted hypocritically. Xia Zhiwan just sent them off with a calm expression.


    ¡°Alright, stop wasting your time here to apologize. Everyone should get back to work now.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan thought for a moment, showed a cunning smile, and said suddenly.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Supervisor Xie? Ask her to make me a cup of coffee.¡±


    Soon, the previously arrogant Supervisor Xie served a cup of coffee with a smile like a tamed kitten.


    ¡°General Manager Xia, I was a little agitated just now. I hope that you won¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan glanced at her, took a sip of coffee, and frowned fiercely. She then raised the cup as if she was about to slash the coffee at Supervisor Xie.


    Supervisor Xie closed her eyes as she awaited her punishment, thinking Xia Zhiwan would take an eye for an eye.


    However, Xia Zhiwan just smiled, took another sip, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t simply splash coffee on others. After all, I¡¯m well mannered.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan did not care about others¡¯ expressions anymore. She just turned around and walked into her exclusive general manager¡¯s office.


    In the president¡¯s office, drama unfolded.


    Xia Zhiya barged into the office in a rage. She threw her branded handbag aside, hugged Master Xia¡¯s arm, and started sobbing. ¡°Dad, why was our company sold off? Aren¡¯t we ranked first in the jewelry industry?¡±


    Xia Dengfeng looked at his naive second daughter and sighed. ¡°There are always people who are better than us. The Louis Financial Group¡¯s power is too frightening, so we can¡¯t be compared to them.¡±


    Although that was what Master Xia said, Xia Zhiya was still unconvinced. Her eyes were glaring as she said, ¡°Then how is Xia Zhiwan better than me? Why did the financial group let her snatch away my position and make me the deputy manager?!¡±

 Chapter 15

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°The new chairman¡¯s identity is mysterious and unfathomable, so nobody knows what¡¯s on his mind.¡±


    ¡°Hmph! I think there¡¯s something wrong!¡±


    Master Xia did not deny her speculation. No matter how one saw this, the way the new chairman treated Xia Zhiwan was weird. In this case, should he also rethink how he should treat her?


    Seeing that her silent father was not tolerating and standing up for her as usual, Xia Zhiya was disappointed. She had already insisted in her mind that Xia Zhiwan must have made a deal with the new chairman. Otherwise, trash like her would never gain a reputation in the company.


    Xia Zhiya still had some power and fans in the company. She felt unsatisfied and thought, ¡®I must drag her down and make her fall even worse while there¡¯s still a chance!¡¯


    After some company personnel changes, not many people were fired, and a few people from the Louis Financial Group also joined the Xia Corporation.


    Xia Zhiya contacted one of the more powerful directors and made a deal with him.


    After the other party agreed, Xia Zhiya sighed in relief. A wicked look flashed through her eyes as she looked at the sign of the general manager¡¯s office.


    This time, she would no longer make little commotions. She must utterly ruin Xia Zhiwan¡¯s reputation!


    ¡­¡­


    Ever since Xia Zhiwan took up the position, she had worked diligently and never took advantage of others. However, a particular job that day made her a little uncomfortable.


    It was said that the company¡¯s director had met an important client. However, the client had a distinguished status and liked to have fun while discussing business. Thus, if they wanted to convince this client, they needed Xia Zhiwan to entertain the client before negotiating the agreement.


    Naturally, they could not be too old-fashioned when discussing business, so people would go to entertainment venues. It was not like Xia Zhiwan could not understand this.


    However, her hesitance was caught by Xia Zhiya. Xia Zhiya tried to make her agitated and said, ¡°Well, who made me the deputy manager? I don¡¯t have the right to speak, unlike someone else here. However, she doesn¡¯t seem to want to seize such a good opportunity. What an idiot!¡±


    Xia Zhiya then turned around and left lazily. Naturally, Xia Zhiwan did not want to be looked down upon by her, so she could only bite the bullet and accept the job.


    Xia Zhiwan wanted to contribute to the company to prove her worth. She wanted to prove that she could take up the position as the general manager!


    However, once she arrived at the private room, she immediately regretted it.


    No clients were inside, and only a pervy-looking man was there. It was clear from the scene that he did not seem to want to discuss their business.


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s immediately became cold. ¡°Who are you? Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be an official business discussion?¡±


    ¡°The client came early and already had a round of fun. However, the client felt uncomfortable and had to go back. It¡¯s fine if we relax here for a while.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll go back to work overtime.¡±


    The man sneered, not believing her nonsense about working overtime at all. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t go. I¡¯m the company¡¯s director, and even though you¡¯re considered the general manager, you¡¯ve only worked for a few days. I¡¯ve worked at Louis Financial Group for ten years already, but you¡¯re not showing any respect to me at all?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan knew that he had some influence in the company, so she did not dare treat him coldly. If it was in the past, she naturally would not have to care about others¡¯ reputations, but at this moment¡­


    Her long eyelashes lowered as she said, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°The general manager sure is direct! Come on, I¡¯ll let you go after you drink these two glasses of alcohol!¡±


    The man said it boldly. He was in the same company as Xia Zhiwan, so she thought he probably would not do anything to her. Thus, Xia Zhiwan did not reject him. She just chucked down the two glasses of alcohol and prepared to leave.


    ¡°Excuse me, but I must leave now.¡±


    However, once Xia Zhiwan stood up, she became dizzy, and her legs were so unstable that they were like soft, cooked noodles. Soon, she fell onto the couch and went unconscious.


    The private room door opened, and Xia Zhiya appeared.


    She smiled wickedly, looking condescendingly at Xia Zhiwan¡¯s beautiful sleeping face. Xia Zhiya unbuttoned Xia Zhiwan¡¯s shirt, took off part of her clothes, and arranged them to seem as if she took them off willingly. Then, she took some indecent pictures of Xia Zhiwan.


    After feeling satisfied, Xia Zhiya said boldly.


    ¡°Alright, take her away. You can do whatever you want with her! You don¡¯t need to be polite!¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just want to take some pictures? Can I do that to her?¡±


    ¡°Of course! The Xia Corporation belongs to the financial group now. You¡¯ve been in the financial group for ten years already, so you can¡¯t be afraid of a general manager who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, right?¡±


    The director was tempted by her words. He looked at the attractive girl¡¯s fair skin, feeling unsatisfied. He then swallowed his saliva and finally could not help but carry her and bring her to a hotel room.


    However, once they entered the hotel, a large, strong hand grabbed his wrist fiercely and broke it without showing any mercy.


    ¡°Ahhhh¡ª What a b*stard!¡± His wrist had been dislocated. Just as he was about to swear, he met a pair of cold, green eyes. He immediately became so pale that it was as if he was in an ice cellar.

 Chapter 16

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Chairman?¡± The director called out in surprise.


    Issac snatched Xia Zhiwan away, whose eyes were tightly closed, into his arms and touched her face gently. Then, he looked at the man who was about to wet his pants in fright with a gloomy expression.


    ¡°How dare you touch her? Who allowed you to do it?¡±


    Most of the industries in the city had traces of Issac¡¯s investments. He already had an eye on Xia Zhiwan in the first place and guessed that she would be targeted. Thus, he had been paying particular attention to her recent whereabouts.


    Sure enough, there was someone who could not wait to take action on her already.


    The director knelt on the floor and sobbed while gripping Issac¡¯s pants.


    ¡°It¡¯s that Xia Zhiya! That woman said that as long as I could bring Xia Zhiwan over, then she¡¯ll ask the president to let me be in charge of a new project. I¡¯ve always been loyal to you and know that you value her a lot, so I won¡¯t dare to touch even a single strand of hair on her!¡±


    At this moment, he blamed all of his wrongdoings on Xia Zhiya. Indeed, she had asked him to ask Xia Zhiwan out. However, he could not hold in his desires upon seeing how beautiful Xia Zhiwan was.


    Issac could not bother to bat an eye at him and just carried Xia Zhiwan into a luxurious suite. He then said coldly, ¡°Nobody is allowed to think about my woman!¡±


    Soon, the director¡¯s screams could be heard from the corridor. It was clear that he had been dragged away and taken care of.


    The alcohol Xia Zhiwan drank had been drugged. Not only did it make people dizzy, but it also had some aphrodisiac effect. It would make people hallucinate, amplify their desires and show their indecent side.


    Issac looked at the little woman moving around in his arms and blamed himself for not arriving earlier.


    He could not help being furious just as he thought that her unsuspecting and seductive appearance had been seen by other men.


    ¡°Dear, wake up.¡±


    ¡°Mmhm, ah, I feel hot¡­ So thirsty.¡± The woman¡¯s eyes were half-open, and her vision was blurry. She hugged the man and leaned forward to kiss his lips before he could even say anything.


    She even used a little more strength when she kissed his cool lips. It was as if she wanted to absorb more of his sweetness.


    The man¡¯s breathing became heavier as his lower part stood upright against her belly. Her every move was undoubtedly a fatal seduction to him.


    ¡°What is this? It¡¯s so hard and big!¡± Xia Zhiwan seemed to be drunk as her lustrous, pink lips pouted a little. Once she felt his stiffness there, she even squeezed it curiously and showed a silly smile.


    ¡°Let go.¡± Issac secretly took a deep breath. He tried so hard to suppress his inner desires to just push her down and do her roughly that the veins appeared on his forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯m just playing around with it. You¡¯re so petty!¡± Xia Zhiwan pouted like a wronged child. This made Issac feel sympathetic and he could not help but soften his tone.


    He was like an experienced fisherman, laying traps to attract his prey.


    ¡°Play around? Do you know how to play with it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± The woman looked at the little tent on his lower part in confusion.


    Issac smiled as his eyes were filled with desire. His voice was hoarse and deep as he said, ¡°Then let me teach you how to play with it.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    This was what you wanted!


    Xia Zhiwan was pushed onto the bed. The man¡¯s sturdy body pressed onto her, making her unable to move.


    He bit her beaded earrings for a moment. Then, he kissed her neck, collarbone, soft chest and moved downward. Even her little belly button was not off the hook.


    It was as if a wild beast was carefully tasting and observing its prey before eating it!


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to play anymore!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan pushed him away in fear. Her heavy head was filled with the desire to sleep. However, her refusal made Issac even more excited. He immediately grabbed her thighs, spread them open, and buried his face between them.


    ¡°You¡¯re regretting it after seducing me? Dear, you¡¯re too naughty!¡±


    He kissed the confused woman all around as she hugged him obediently.


    Issac finally could not hold in his body¡¯s desires. He kissed every inch of her body as he penetrated her deeply, enjoying the pleasure as if he was wrapped in high-quality velvet.


    ¡°Ahh, be gentler¡­ Sob, sob, you bully!¡±


    Kissing away the woman¡¯s tears, a never-before-seen gentleness appeared on Issac¡¯s face as he said softly, ¡°Dear, I¡¯m just giving you love.¡±


    Low moans sounded. He admitted that he could never leave this woman who fascinated him in all aspects.


    At dawn, the bed had been utterly messed up and filled with traces of lewdness.


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s face was as red as a tomato. Her mind was filled with absurd memories of the night before. Seeing the silver-haired man who was sleeping naked by her side, she wished she could just escape at that moment.


    Just as she was about to quietly escape, a strong arm pulled her back into his embrace.

 Chapter 17

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°You¡¯re planning to escape and not admit what we¡¯ve done?¡±


    The man¡¯s voice, as he had just woken up, was hoarse yet sexy. This immediately made Xia Zhiwan recall how the man whispered to her when he was on top of her last night. She was so embarrassed that she curled into his arms like a shy kitten.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean that¡­ Thank you for saving me, but we can¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t? Do you hate me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate you¡­¡± Xia Zhiwan said as she looked away.


    The man had taken advantage of her and took away her precious first time. If it was another man, she would have fought with him. However, if it was Issac, she would not feel hateful toward him even if she felt regretful and embarrassed.


    Issac smiled slightly, and his dark eyes were as gentle as the early spring¡¯s greenery.


    ¡°That means you like me. You like me, right?¡±


    Even Issac did not realize that his usually steady heart was beating nervously as he waited for her answer.


    Just as Xia Zhiwan was thinking about a way to answer him, she met the man¡¯s confident eyes and immediately had a thought.


    Why should she tell him her thoughts so stupidly? It would be embarrassing!


    ¡°It¡¯s already eye-catching enough when you made me the general manager. Everyone was guessing if I used some dirty tactics to get the position. If you do this¡­ Then won¡¯t it make people gleeful, thinking their guesses were right?!¡±


    Issac held her against his chest casually as his long, fair fingers wrapped and played around with her soft hair. He then widened his eyes and said, ¡°Who¡¯ll dare to judge you? I¡¯ll just deal with them if they do.¡±


    He was talking about it so lightly, but Xia Zhiwan sighed wearily.


    It was her fault that she was too eager to gain quick success. She did not analyze the situation properly before going out, causing her to be caught in others¡¯ traps. If her ambiguous relationship with the new chairman was known by others, she would definitely be criticized and gossipped about again!


    Xia Zhiwan wanted to find an excuse to leave, but the man had caught on to her thoughts one step earlier. His hands were like iron handcuffs locking her onto the bed.


    ¡°You, let go of me! I¡¯ll still need to get out of bed!¡± She said as she struggled.


    Her struggling had rubbed onto Issac¡¯s sensitive area, and her warm, naked body was giving out a tempting scent.


    ¡°Please excuse me.¡± The man softly moaned as desire flashed across his eyes. He rolled over to press her down, grabbed her thighs accurately, and entered her.


    ¡°Why are you doing this again¡­ Ahh!¡± Xia Zhiwan wanted to cry as she laid under his body again aggrievedly. Her round, reddish eyes were like a bunny¡¯s, and people would feel sympathetic toward her.


    Issac smiled helplessly as he gently touched her cheek. ¡°Be good. I¡¯ll solve all your worries. All you need to do is let me love you.¡±


    His dazzling eyes seemed to hold infinite magical power. Although Xia Zhiwan had many doubts about his identity, her defense in her heart was constantly broken, wanting to trust him without any worry.


    Issac was only willing to let her go after they mingled together until the afternoon.


    Once Xia Zhiwan regained her freedom, she realized that her phone had been bombarded by Weiwei, notifying her to join the committee meeting.


    She prepared herself and rushed to the hotel¡¯s entrance without caring about anything else. However, she realized over ten people were queuing up to get a taxi.


    Suddenly, a dazzling black sports car stopped in front of her. In the car, the silver-haired man gestured to her to get into the car with his chin up.


    She was grateful for Issac¡¯s kind gesture. However, she wanted to go to the company without gaining others¡¯ attention. Thus, she sat in the back row cautiously instead of the passenger seat beside Issac.


    The man¡¯s green eyes turned gloomy as he stared at the silent girl through the rear mirror. Suddenly, he showed a cruel yet gentle smile.


    ¡®You want to keep a distance from me? In your dreams!¡¯


    Once they got out of the car, Issac immediately caught Xia Zhiwan trying to sneak away by herself. He then walked into the company side by side with her.


    No matter if it was the receptionists or the employees who passed by, they could not help but look at Xia Zhiwan and Issac.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s really the new chairman? How can he be more handsome than a celebrity?!¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that woman standing by his side? She can¡¯t be his girlfriend, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the general manager who got promoted out of nowhere on her first day!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Isn¡¯t that woman the trash from the Xia family?¡±


    Endless gossip sounded as Xia Zhiwan looked downward nervously. Suddenly, she was grasped by a warm, large palm.

 Chapter 18

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    In the fear that it would cause a misunderstanding, Xia Zhiwan hurriedly broke free from him. She then coughed lightly and rushed toward the meeting room.


    Seeing her careless appearance, the board of directors¡¯ impression of this disreputable young girl, who was serving as the general manager, became worse.


    Xia Zhiya, who had been waiting for a long time, took the chance to shout at her. ¡°Looks like the general manager is such a big deal! You¡¯ve made so many board members and shareholders wait for you! Don¡¯t you feel ashamed?!¡±


    She observed Xia Zhiwan and caught a hickey on her neck. She also realized Xia Zhiwan¡¯s tired look and sneered secretly.


    It seemed like her sister had been tortured roughly in bed last night.


    Soon, a silver-haired man with a strong aura appeared at the door casually. Everyone, who was previously sitting down, immediately stood up to greet him. This included the president, Xia Dengfeng.


    ¡°Good day, chairman!¡±


    Xia Zhiya was stunned, and she swallowed back the words she wanted to say to scold Xia Zhiwan.


    Not only was she stunned because of his delicate, handsome look but also because of his high position.


    Xia Zhiwan glanced at the man behind her and was surprised to see that even the high-level board members were afraid of Issac. It was a waste for Xia Zhiya to not continue her act.


    The thought about her miserable situation Xia Zhiya put her through the night before enraged Xia Zhiwan.


    ¡°Xia Zhiya, doesn¡¯t your demeanor make you seem more like a chairman instead of a deputy manager? No matter my age or position, I¡¯m still on a higher level than you. However, you¡¯re treating this as your turf and scolding me in front of these elders and shareholders. Isn¡¯t it you who¡¯s acting like a big deal here?¡±


    Issac smiled and cooperated with Xia Zhiwan. He took several steps with his long legs and sat on the main seat while looking at Xia Zhiya coldly.


    ¡°Like what the general manager said1, there are many board members and shareholders here, since when is it your turn to criticize?¡±


    ¡°She came with me, so do you have any comments about that?¡±


    ¡°I arrived here later than her, making me the last one to arrive, so it looks like I should be criticized by the deputy manager as well.¡±


    The chairman rarely spoke that much at once. Xia Zhiya¡¯s expression became worse with every sentence he said.


    ¡°Xia Zhiwan, do you dare to tell everyone what you did last night?!¡± Naturally, Xia Zhiya did not dare to argue with Issac, so she turned around and questioned Xia Zhiwan. She deliberately changed the topic and looked forward to seeing Xia Zhiwan¡¯s expression.


    It was a pity that Xia Zhiwan only smiled calmly. ¡°Of course, I went to discuss business matters for the company. However, I indeed met some trouble. Why does it seem like you already knew about it? Let me guess, could it be that you¡¯re the mastermind behind it?¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s expressions stiffened as she almost exposed herself. ¡°How is that possible? I just think that someone might be out flirting around. How can you blame it on me again? However, I heard that you took the initiative to offer your body last night to also gain a foothold in the Louis Financial Group!¡±


    Once Issac thought about the men surrounding Xia Zhiwan like flies, he frowned. ¡°I can testify that Zhiwan was with me last night.¡±


    What he said was right, but some embarrassing things indeed happened when they were together last night¡­ Xia Zhiwan lowered her head quietly.


    Xia Zhiya was stunned. Could it be that the director did not take her away last night? Why did the chairman keep standing up for her?


    Xia Dengfeng immediately stepped forward to calm the situation and scolded his younger daughter.


    ¡°Lil Ya! Hurry up and apologize to the chairman! Remember your position next time. Don¡¯t talk about things without any evidence! Zhiwan is your elder sister, so can you stop spouting nonsense?!¡±


    Xia Zhiya nodded continuously and smiled with a pale face. ¡°My apologies, chairman. I don¡¯t mean anything bad. Zhiwan is my elder sister, so it¡¯s all just a reminder for her own good.¡±


    Issac did not even bat an eye at her and just ignored her. He then asked casually, ¡°What¡¯s the topic of today¡¯s meeting?¡±


    Xia Zhiya held in her anger and gritted her teeth. She did not dare to show any dissatisfaction toward him and just took out a USB as if nothing happened.


    ¡°Today, I want to let everyone watch a video, so everyone can have another chance to discuss the company¡¯s personnel changes. Otherwise, some people who aren¡¯t supposed to take up a position will tarnish the company¡¯s reputation!¡±


    Naturally, Xia Zhiya¡¯s words aroused everyone¡¯s interest.


    After all, the people present were either shareholders, investors, or high-positioned people in the management. Thus, all of them cared a lot about the company¡¯s reputation.


    Xia Zhiya played a video before everyone¡¯s eyes. It was a video filled with a man and a woman¡¯s moans and sounds of their bodies rubbing against each other as they had a good time. Everyone could not help but widen their eyes.


    Xia Zhiya tried to hold back her gleeful expression. However, when she turned around and saw the naked man and woman on the screen, she was utterly shocked.


    What happened? The video should be about the director and Xia Zhiwan having an affair, right?


    Why? Why was it the video of her having an affair with He Tianhao? Who on Earth filmed it? Who was the one who fiddled with the video?!

 Chapter 19

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiya was previously filled with confidence as she planned to ruin Xia Zhiwan with that video. However, her mind was blank at that moment. She stopped the video and tried to explain hastily.


    ¡°This, this is just an accident. This video isn¡¯t the one. It¡¯s all fake!¡±


    Although Xia Zhiya was the one who played the video, she knew nothing about it.


    Did the director not take Xia Zhiwan away to rape her last night?! He even handed Xia Zhiya a shocking video about Xia Zhiwan. However, how did it turn out to be a video of her?


    At this moment, the USB had nothing else except that video, even the indecent pictures she took were not there!


    The shareholders either had mocking, disgusted, or stern expressions on their faces. The atmosphere in the spacious meeting room was frightening.


    Among them, the one with the worst expression was Xia Dengfeng.


    Realizing that Xia Zhiya would soon become a laughing stock, he immediately slammed the door and left. He could not bear to face this anymore.


    ¡°Dad, dad, trust me! This was an accident!¡± Xia Zhiya looked at his back as he left, and her heart sank.


    Issac sneered as a mocking expression flashed across his eyes. He asked someone to pull Xia Zhiya away and press the play button.


    ¡°We¡¯ll know if it¡¯s fake after we watch it again.¡±


    Lustful moans sounded again as the man and woman in the video intertwined while constantly changing positions and sweating profusely.


    Their fierce, smooth movements and their appearances could be seen clearly. Thus, it was clear this video was not faked.


    Although these scenes were shocking enough, the conversation between them caught everyone¡¯s attention even more, and their identities were also confirmed!


    ¡°Lil Ya, is this considered as you snatching away your sister¡¯s fiance?¡± In the video, He Tianhao wickedly smiled as he moved his lower body aggressively. Xia Zhiya, who was under him, was panting with her mouth wide open. Her flushed face made her seem like she was about to have an orgasm.


    ¡°I like to snatch away her things. Not only you, but her property, position, and everything will be mine!¡±


    ¡°Naughty little girl, she¡¯s the general manager now. You don¡¯t even have anything you can use against her, so how are you going to deal with her?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, even if I don¡¯t have anything, I can still make something up! I want that b*tch to leave the Xia Corporation!¡±


    ¡­


    He Tianhao and Xia Zhiya discussed gleefully in the video as their swears mixed with their moans, exposing the man and woman¡¯s ugliness.


    Xia Zhiya acted as if she was going crazy. She covered her ears and screamed, ¡°Stop talking about it¡­ Stop watching it! Ahhhh! It¡¯s all fake!¡±


    Her intentions were exposed to others, and her pride was utterly lost. She was so angry that she wished she could dig out everyone¡¯s eyes.


    Everyone¡¯s expressions toward her changed. They were all disgusted and looked at her as if she was a dirty sewer rat.


    It turned out that the usually elegant, proud Second Miss of the Xia family was this despicable and wicked.


    The meeting room was still filled with silence even after the three-minute video was done playing.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes were gathered on the person in charge ¡ª Issac.


    Issac applauded elegantly with a mysterious smile. ¡°Miss Xia Zhiya¡¯s actions have surprised me. I thought that you were going to accuse someone, but it turns out that you were exposing yourself.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for exposing yourself. I¡¯ll accept your request for the board of directors to rearrange the company¡¯s personnel.¡±


    He then turned around and glanced at shareholders¡¯ various expressions with a stern look.


    ¡°From now onward, Xia Zhiya shall be fired from her position. She¡¯ll have nothing to do with the Xia Corporation Jewelry or any brands under us, nor with the Louis Financial Group. What do you all think?¡±


    No one dared to say ¡®no¡¯ as it was personally suggested by the chairman. Not to mention, they had all witnessed Xia Zhiya¡¯s actions.


    Thus, Issac¡¯s suggestion was accepted by everyone. From that day onward, Xia Zhiya had to give up her position as the deputy manager.


    She was fired from the Xia Corporation, the top company of the jewelry industry, and done so by Issac personally. This meant that nobody in the industry would dare to accept a person with such misconduct.


    Xia Zhiya shook her head vigorously, unable to believe that she had become the loser. She then collapsed and was dragged away by the security.


    The people in the meeting room left until only Issac and Xia Zhiwan were left.


    Although Xia Zhiwan got her revenge, she did not seem as happy as she would have thought. Instead, she seemed dispirited.


    One of them was the man she had previously liked. She had once put on the ring he gave her and held hands with him in school.


    The other one was previously her most trusted best friend, whom she had played dress up and gone shopping together with.


    However, both of them saw her as an enemy they wanted to get rid of.


    Xia Zhiwan knew that Xia Zhiya did not like her. However, she did not expect that the usually kind Xia Zhiya would hate her to the point where she wanted to utterly ruin Xia Zhiwan¡¯s reputation.


    The grievances and the miserable feeling in her heart surged, causing tears to fall from the corners of her eyes. They were as clear as precious diamonds and jewels, which were then carefully wiped away by Issac¡¯s warm fingers.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t manage to succeed, nor will she ever have the chance to hurt you again, so don¡¯t be sad,¡± Issac said that he would protect her, so he had to do as promised.

 Chapter 20

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiwan shook her head, and her dispirited little face was filled with bitterness. ¡°I¡¯m such a failure. Not only do I not have the ability, but my father gave up on me, and my best friend and fiance also betrayed me. Am I not worthy of being loved?¡±


    ¡°Shh.¡± The man pressed her lips in disapproval.


    It was as if Issac¡¯s usually icy cold heart was melted into a puddle of water by Xia Zhiwan¡¯s warm tears. Nonetheless, even if it did turn into that, it would still be filled with her reflection.


    Upon seeing her belittle herself, his heart hurt as if someone slashed it with a knife.


    The person Issac held so precious was weak yet also strong. She had gone through so many difficulties that she almost lost her confidence.


    She was someone that even he could not bear to bully, but those people treated her so cruelly that they should just die!


    Issac hugged the crying woman in his arms tightly and comforted her. He used his strong, warm shoulders to support her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯ll be the one who¡¯ll love you, so you don¡¯t need to please anyone!¡±


    He then kissed her forehead as an oath.


    Yes, she did not have to please anyone, nor would she need to be sad because of those bastards! Xia Zhiwan opened her teary eyes, feeling relieved and shy.


    Issac hoped that her beautiful eyes would only cry for him.


    ¡­


    At the first floor¡¯s lobby, Xia Zhiya was escorted out by two security guards on each side.


    Everyone was shocked to see this scene, and some of them were secretly sneering. How did the elegant, proud deputy manager fall to this point?


    ¡°How can you drive me away like this?! I want to go in and see my dad!¡±


    ¡°Miss Xia, you¡¯ve already been fired. Irrelevant personnel are not allowed to enter the company.¡± The company¡¯s security guards were just doing their jobs.


    ¡®Even a little security guard dares to bully me?!¡¯


    Xia Zhiya gritted her teeth. She then pointed at them and shouted like a lunatic.


    ¡°I¡¯m the Xia family¡¯s Second Miss! This is my family¡¯s company! You guys are nothing but two guard dogs, so what¡¯s with that arrogance?!¡±


    The commotion she caused was so much that the passing employees could not help but take a look. Then, someone notified the president about her.


    Xia Dengfeng appeared with a gloomy expression and quickly took her away. It was as if any more of her appearance would make him lose more of his reputation.


    He threw her onto the couch roughly. Xia Dengfeng kept a distance from her and asked coldly.


    ¡°What are you planning to do?! Do you think that you haven¡¯t caused enough commotion in the company?!¡±


    Xia Dengfeng had left the meeting earlier because he could not take it anymore. However, he had known about the board of directors¡¯ decision for her and the shameless things she had done.


    Xia Zhiya rubbed her painful hand as she held back her anger that she wanted to vent on Xia Dengfeng.


    After all, only her father could be her support at that moment. She could no longer be stubborn.


    ¡°Dad, that video was originally a video of Xia Zhiwan using dirty tactics, but someone else fiddled with it!¡±


    After calming down, Xia Zhiya could guess who deliberately betrayed her.


    ¡®Isn¡¯t he the only one who had access to this USB and was in contact with me? However, he already made a deal with me, right? Why did he suddenly turn his back on me?¡¯


    ¡®Could it be that he was convinced by Xia Zhiwan after sleeping with her last night? Was that why he turned his back on me?¡¯


    The more Xia Zhiya thought about it, the more she was convinced this was the case. This woman, Xia Zhiwan, really was a fraud who knew how to put on an act! Xia Zhiwan seemed pure and innocent, but she was actually scheming against her!


    Facing her ¡®sincere¡¯ explanation, Xia Dengfeng sneered.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t witness what Xia Zhiwan did, so I can¡¯t give any comments. However, how could you be filmed if you didn¡¯t do such a thing with He Tianhao?¡±


    Regardless of whether Xia Zhiwan had used any dirty tactics, this could not conceal the fact that Xia Zhiya indeed had an affair with He Tianhao. She even wanted to deliberately harm Xia Zhiwan!


    After he stopped being biased toward his younger daughter, Xia Dengfeng¡¯s mind became clear. It was as if he had seen through all her thoughts.


    Xia Zhiya pouted and emphasized with a soft voice, ¡°Nonetheless, He Tianhao and I are in love! He only proposed to Xia Zhiwan reluctantly because he thought she would become the successor!¡±


    Xia Dengfeng sneered. ¡°Then do you think that he¡¯ll truly love you?¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s expression immediately worsened as she was questioned by him. Indeed, she should not have any expectations for a man who had abandoned a woman before.


    Nonetheless, they were almost the same. It was not like Xia Zhiya did not plan on taking advantage of him.


    All of this stemmed from Xia Zhiya¡¯s deep jealousy toward Xia Zhiwan and her dissatisfaction with her own identity!

 Chapter 21

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Dengfeng saw that Xia Zhiya was impenitent and shouted angrily, ¡°You spent all that time and energy to target Xia Zhiwan, so I have the need to question why did you return to the Xia family! Do you really want to ruin the Xia family that badly?¡±


    He did not really care about the small discourses between the two of them, but Xia Zhiwan was his daughter after all. If Xia Zhiya really did ruin Xia Zhiwan¡¯s reputation, then she would have damaged Xia Dengfeng as well as the Xia family¡¯s reputation.


    Not only did his lucky star not help to prosper the Xia family, but she also became a ticking time bomb that could bring potential danger to him anywhere, anytime. She brought far more trouble to the Xia family.


    Xia Zhiya kneeled on the floor out of fear and hugged Xia Dengfeng¡¯s leg. ¡°Father, please don¡¯t chase me away. I am a part of the Xia family too! I have a secret ability too!¡±


    Just because of Xia Zhiya¡¯s secret ability, Xia Dengfeng indeed could not simply chase her away.


    ¡°Scram! Don¡¯t come to the company anymore in the future! You should be grateful that your secret ability still has some value.¡±


    Right after he had finished his sentence, someone else came in to take Xia Zhiya away.


    She was shocked at her father for being so merciless. Even if she had done something wrong, was she not the daughter he had previously lost?


    However, she did not think about it thoroughly. Even if Xia Dengfeng had been pampering Xia Zhiwan for eighteen years, was she not thrown away the moment she had failed to awaken her secret ability once she had reached adulthood?


    Not to mention an illegitimate daughter such as Xia Zhiya, who had shown up at his doorstep.


    The president¡¯s office door began to close slowly, but the hatred and reluctance in Xia Zhiya¡¯s eyes continued to pile up.


    She would definitely come back once more!


    She would let her father see her value. Apart from herself, Tianhao was not allowed to love anyone else. She would let Xia Zhiwan crawl under her feet and make the new chairman see her in a new light!


    She would even acquire the entire Xia Corporation in the end!


    ¡­


    After Xia Zhiya had left, the company returned to its previous peaceful state.


    Without that arrogant deputy manager picking a fight with her every day, Xia Zhiwan¡¯s work became smoother than ever. At the very least, no one in the company would dare to cause trouble for her in secret.


    Eventually, some people began to acknowledge this conscientious young miss of the Xia family.


    Even if she did not have a secret ability, her ability to work was not bad at all! She had a good personality, and she treated others kindly. Even if she did take control of the Xia Corporation, it would not go down a road of decline.


    This allowed Xia Zhiwan to regain her confidence. At that moment, she was not that piece of trash that everyone was spitting on a moment ago. That was why she could not compromise with her father anymore. For example, the marriage with the Ou family.


    Issac might be the chairman of the company, but his appearance was pretty uncommon. He maintained his mysterious style as his whereabouts were always uncertain.


    However, once he appears, he would always appear right next to Xia Zhiwan without anyone knowing. He would flirt with her and use his scent to surround her so that she would never forget him.


    As such, his name was unwittingly engraved in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart.


    Even though he was still a dubious person, the fact that both of them slept together was undeniable. Regardless of whether she decided to be together with Issac, Xia Zhiwan did not want to disappoint that poor young master of the Ou family.


    After listening to Xia Zhiwan¡¯s request to cancel the marriage, Xia Dengfeng put on a firm attitude as if he had already predicted it.


    ¡°Marriage should be decided by the parents. There is no room for discussion.¡±


    During her second meeting with her father, Xia Zhiwan was no longer the weak and obedient girl she had been before. She said firmly, ¡°I can bring the same value that the Ou family can provide to you. Furthermore, my mother would surely not like to see me marry a man whom I have never seen before!¡±


    Once she mentioned her mother, Xia Dengfeng had the perfect bargaining chip in his hand.


    ¡°Your mother is still in the hospital. A single order from me is all that is needed to stop all these expensive medical devices from working. How long do you think your mother can last? Can you protect her for the rest of her life?¡±


    Just a simple sentence could make Xia Zhiwan feel as if she was carrying a mountain on her back. At that moment, her blood turned cold as she felt as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat.


    For her father¡¯s coldness, and also for her insignificance.


    The answer was as clear as day. As long as her mother could continue to live, Xia Zhiwan was willing to marry anyone.


    She would never have thought that her father would use her mother to threaten her. Her face turned pale, and she left the place weakly.


    Xia Dengfeng put on a complex expression as he looked at Xia Zhiwan leaving.


    Ever since the Xia Corporation had been bought by another financial group, it was no longer necessary to maintain marital relationships with the Ou family. However, Chairman Issac had already been forcing Xia Dengfeng to marry Xia Zhiwan to the Ou family no matter what.


    From his observation, the chairman was interested in Xia Zhiwan as he kept on protecting her. He had been treating her so well up to the point it felt weird. However, why would he push her into the pits of fire in an act of irony?


    He was a famous person even outside the country. Why would he spend time and effort on an ordinary girl?

 Chapter 22

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    In her extra bedroom, Xia Zhiwan grabbed her phone and opened the conversation between her and Issac.


    Issac had forced her to add the word ¡°husband¡± to the remarks section of his contact number. Once she saw that remark, a single tear dropped on the phone and blurred the screen.


    She thought that she could regain her dignity once she became the general manager.


    However, the reality was that she was still the same weak person who was unable to protect her mother. She could not even control her own marriage.


    Memories of Issac¡¯s exquisite looks and passionate kiss touching her lips flashed through her mind. She could still hear his sweet words of love in her ears. However, even amidst the sweet feelings, she could feel excruciating pain in her heart.


    Xia Zhiwan was just a despondent young miss in her family. Her family¡¯s company was still in Isaac¡¯s hands. She could not be considered to be a perfect match for someone who was blessed by the gods like Issac.


    To him, letting go was a good thing.


    Xia Zhiwan edited a text message. After thinking about it, again and again, she decided to send the message.


    [Thank you Mr. Chairman for taking care of me all this while. I will try my best to repay you.]


    [Even though we had spent a night together, please treat that as a misunderstanding. I wish you happiness in the future.]


    [I will be marrying the young master of the Ou family soon. Apart from our relationship at work, there will be nothing else between us.]


    [Sorry! I was the one who had disappointed you.]


    Xia Zhiwan then deleted his contact with those shaky hands of hers.


    Even though this did not mean that their relationship would end smoothly just like that, at the very least, she gave herself some space to avoid him.


    In the future, all she could do was to avoid bumping into him in the company.


    Issac quickly received the message.


    He grabbed his phone and stared at the words on the screen. He read the messages again and again with those deep eyes of his.


    He was on the border of constraining himself, yet he chuckled and threw his phone away.


    She called him the chairman, and that she wanted to maintain a strictly business-only relationship? She did not want to have anything to do with him in the future? In her dreams!


    Ever since she came into his world and provoked him, he had always been thinking about her.


    She no longer had the opportunity to leave him.


    ¡­


    The marriage day arrived swiftly. Xia Zhiwan received her wedding dowry, gown, and ring from the Ou family.


    The Ou family might be a big corporation, but they were only big within the industry.


    However, the wedding dowry that they had prepared had far exceeded the Xia family¡¯s capabilities. Even Xia Dengfeng was left speechless.


    Even though he did not know whether it was as reparations, or it was for other reasons.


    As the young master of the Ou family had been paralyzed in bed for many years, the standard procedure of a wedding ceremony did not exist.


    It was a miracle that he was able to open his eyes, let alone enter the wedding hall with her.


    Xia Zhiwan thought that this was a good thing. Otherwise, she did not know if she dared to say ¡°I do¡± to an emotionless man under the watchful eyes of the public.


    There was no wedding ceremony, no blessings, and no bridesmaids as well as groomsmen.


    The girl who used to be blessed by the gods had a wedding that was more tragic than a regular person.


    Xia Zhiwan was then sent to the Ou residence after marrying someone in a muddle-headed state.


    Furthermore, she suspected that she was not sent into the main mansion.


    Otherwise, why would a house be so deserted? It did not feel like people were living in that house.


    There was a thin veil of dust on the luxurious furniture as there was barely any light in the large mansion. There were only a few people in the house. It was as if the place was a haunted house.


    A middle-aged woman known as Aunty Rong looked at Xia Zhiwan and pointed upstairs.


    ¡°Chairman Ou and Madame Ou are usually outside. The young master is the only person living upstairs in this house. I am his caretaker.¡±


    ¡°Will I be living here too? Can I return to the Xia residence?¡±


    ¡°You married into the Ou family, so you are a part of this family as well. You are going to be living with the young master of course,¡± Aunty Rong rejected Xia Zhiwan¡¯s request with an emotionless face and brought her upstairs.


    There was not a single trace of light in the long corridor. Xia Zhiwan grew anxious. Once she walked into a room, she could feel chills all over her body.


    A black-haired guy was lying on the wide bed. It was as if he was sleeping. However, his pale expression and stiff body could not help but make people worry that he might pass away in silence at the very next second.


    ¡°You know about the young master¡¯s condition too. He won¡¯t wake up anytime soon. He will also be sent to the hospital for his check-up occasionally. However, as his wife, you will still need to take care of him.¡±


    Aunty Rong then left after saying that.


    Once she thought that this person was her future husband, and the fact that she would need to sleep with him on the same bed, Xia Zhiwan¡¯s heart began to harbor complicated feelings.


    Looking at the Ou Ruoming who was in a deep sleep, she found that even if he did look sickly, his exquisite looks, deep eyes, and handsome facial contours made him look like a totally hot dude.


    Furthermore¡­he looked like Issac!

 Chapter 23

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiwan shook her head and threw her thoughts to the back of her mind.


    She could not think about that Issac anymore. Otherwise, she would even mistake Ou Ruoming for Issac.


    She must not think about her ¡°ex-boyfriend¡± in front of her current husband!


    This was the first time that she saw a person who was in a vegetative state. As such, she was extremely curious. Would Ou Ruoming really show no reaction at all?


    He was her husband. So, it would be alright to touch him for a while, right?


    Xia Zhiwan used her finger to poke his cheeks. She could not help but pinch his shoulders and arms due to their delicate texture.


    His muscles were still, as expected. It was because he did not have the opportunity to exercise, right?


    At that moment, Xia Zhiwan began to sympathize with Ou Ruoming.


    ¡®Sigh, if I gave him a massage, would that help him recover by improving his blood circulation?¡¯


    As she thought of that, Xia Zhiwan then gently massaged his limbs one by one.


    She did it naturally due to her solicitude towards a pitiful patient.


    However, the man lying on the bed was struggling to restrain himself from showing any reaction while feeling the touch of a young lady accompanied with that light fragrance of hers.


    After getting rid of his disguise, Issac was actually the paralyzed Ou Ruoming of the Ou family.


    That was also why he had insisted that Xia Dengfeng should marry off Xia Zhiwan to the Ou family.


    However, Issac was puzzled. Why would the young lady who had been rejecting him all this while touch and caress a man she just met for the first time? Did she not know that this could easily invite others to commit a crime?


    Even though Ou Ruoming was also a part of his identity, Issac still felt a little jealous.


    Xia Zhiwan stopped massaging when her hands turned sore. She carefully laid down next to Ou Ruoming while maintaining some distance between them as she prepared for bed.


    To be fair, she knew that having a husband like him had its benefits too.


    She knew that a lot of young masters from many families had perverse personalities as they did things as they pleased. If she had married someone like that, she might even get bullied by her husband.


    Furthermore, she could never consummate with an emotionless man.


    Ou Ruoming struggled to survive, let alone force Xia Zhiwan to do something like that.


    However, if Xia Zhiwan knew how she would get preyed on in the future, she might not be as thankful as she was at that moment.


    She thought that she would have difficulty sleeping in a foreign environment. However, the chilling fragrance emitted from the man¡¯s body made Xia Zhiwan feel extremely comfortable.


    It was as if¡­Issac was hugging her as he comforted her gently to sleep.


    After confirming that the girl was already asleep, that stiff body began to move as it opened its breath-taking eyes.


    He was wearing a hospital gown at the time. His smooth hair turned black as it hung down his face. Those green eyes of his transformed into a common amber hue whereas his lips were still a little pale.


    If one were to say that his exquisite looks were too pretty as his handsomeness was made known everywhere, then at that moment, he seemed to be way more gentle and quiet. On such a silent night, it was as if he was a pure moon god. It had almost reached the point where people wanted to protect and worship him earnestly.


    He used his finger to touch the girl¡¯s soft lips. Issac then carefully kissed her and unbuttoned her pajamas as he fondled her voluptuous breasts.


    His cold fingers began to ignite flames everywhere on the girl¡¯s body. Even the slumbering girl could not help but moan softly as she tightened her slightly moist legs.


    The Adam¡¯s apple on the man¡¯s white neck began to move slightly as he licked her collarbones and the supple flesh on her chest. He then gently opened her legs and pushed his manhood that was about to burst into her.


    He mimicked the movements of copulation as he moved his hips up and down. The area between the girl¡¯s smooth legs had a unique feeling to it.


    She was defenseless as her slumbering expression was red in color. That caused him to feel a thump in his heart.


    He had to make her go through all of that for the time being. She did not have a wedding ceremony, nor did he consummate with her.


    However, she had already belonged to him. One day in the future, he would give her a glorious wedding to announce to the whole world that she was his woman!


    Under the hazy moonlight, there was a charming atmosphere in the room.


    When Xia Zhiwan woke up, she felt that her whole body was a little sore. There were also small, red marks on her body. However, she paid no heed to them as she thought that they were insect bites. She then washed up and rushed to work.


    However, just as she was about to walk out the door, a well-dressed stranger blocked her way.


    ¡°You are already married and yet, you would still show up at a company. Are you saying that the Ou family could not afford to take care of you?!¡±


    The lady was in her middle age, and yet she dressed up luxuriously. It seemed that she had been taking care of her body well too as she looked like she was in her thirties.


    Xia Zhiwan cautiously looked at her and realized that the lady was her mother-in-law, Madam Ou.

 Chapter 24

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Madame, I married into the Ou family, but I am not a vassal of the Ou family. I have my own work and life,¡± Xia Zhiwan answered without being too arrogant or humble.


    Madam Ou did not expect that her daughter-in-law would talk back to her this confidently. She told someone to close the door and lock it before sitting on the sofa ostentatiously.


    ¡°You won¡¯t even refer to me as your mother-in-law. I didn¡¯t even get to drink a cup of tea from my daughter-in-law. With this level of quality from the Xia family, the fact that the Ou family is willing to marry you is already an act of benevolence!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan gritted her teeth and tried to control her anger. She wanted to say that she was not willing to marry into the Ou family in the first place. She really did not care about the power the Ou family held.


    Furthermore, this place was as desolate as a haunted house. There were also a lot of insects roaming around at night. She did not want to live here at all!


    ¡°Mother-in-law, please have a cup of tea,¡± Xia Zhiwan said as she swallowed her anger while passing a cup of tea to Madam Ou.


    However, Madam Ou clearly came here to look for trouble. She flipped the teacup, which caused the tea to spill onto Xia Zhiwan¡¯s body.


    Xia Zhiwan got angry and put down the teacup. She then said respectfully, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you want to drink it or not. I am going to work.¡±


    ¡°I-is this how a daughter-in-law should act?!¡±


    Madam Ou felt gravely insulted as she saw that the young and pretty face did not fear nor respect her.


    Even if Xia Zhiwan gave herself such airs, did she not marry a paralyzed man? What was she acting so proud for?!


    Madam Ou looked down on Ou Ruoming because she was not his biological mother, but his stepmother.


    ¡°The Xia family arranged a marriage with us because you wanted a few more sales connections, right? If you give me an attitude once more, let¡¯s see what else can the Xia Corporation get?!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan paused for a while. She insisted on going to work for Xia Corporation, but if her resistance brought more harm to the company, then she would naturally need to weigh the benefits and costs.


    Madam Ou crossed her legs after she saw that Xia Zhiwan hesitated. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you giving me another cup of tea? I have been sitting here for so long. You have no manners at all!¡±


    ¡°The house is so dirty, and yet you didn¡¯t know how to clean it up. Don¡¯t ever think that you could enjoy the life of a young madam once you are married into the Ou family!¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t sweep the floor until it was clean. My shoes are dirty, come and polish them for me!¡±


    A series of orders and condemnations made it seem like it was a master-servant relationship rather than a relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law.


    Xia Zhiwan might be gentle, but she would definitely not swallow her humiliation anymore.


    She poured another cup of tea which was piping hot. She then walked towards Madam Ou and shook her hand, which caused the tea to pour onto Madam Ou¡¯s body.


    Madam Ou was scalded until the point she lost all composure. She gritted her teeth and scolded Xia Zhiwan, ¡°Did you do it on purpose?! How can a woman like you marry into the Ou family?! I will let Ou Ruoming end you!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan answered out of guilt, ¡°Oh my, I am so sorry mother-in-law. Look at how clumsy I am. This must be because I had always been a young mistress in the Xia family. As such, I can¡¯t serve anyone at all. If Ou Ruoming could wake up and get a divorce with me, then that would be the best outcome! You can let him find another daughter-in-law to be your maid!¡±


    Madam Ou definitely could not wake Ou Ruoming up, let alone let him get a divorce with Xia Zhiwan. She just wanted to scare Xia Zhiwan, but she did expect that Xia Zhiwan would not be concerned about it at all.


    ¡°Y-you uneducated piece of trash! What a sly and cunning woman! You deserve to get rejected by the He family!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was unconcerned. She then took a shoe brush and kneeled down to polish Madam Ou¡¯s white leather shoes. The expensive shoes were then covered with a layer of black shoe polish.


    ¡°Get away from me! What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°Mother-in-law, weren¡¯t you the one who told me to polish your shoes?¡±


    ¡°Scram!¡± It pained Madam Ou to see her shoes getting ruined.


    Xia Zhiwan threw the shoe brush away and took a feather duster. She then dusted the room as dust particles began to float in the air.


    ¡°Mother-in-law told me to dust the place. Let me¡­¡±


    Madam Ou covered her nose and mouth in fear that she might inhale any dust. She then fled the place in a hurry.


    ¡°You are insane! Just wait! I will let Ou Ruoming get a divorce with you!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan wiped off her sweat. She then said in her heart, ¡°Finally got rid of this menace¡±.


    As for a divorce, she was, in fact, looking forward to it! Furthermore, it was their family who mentioned it, not her!


    Who knew that Madam Ou would tell Aunty Rong, ¡°From today onwards, she is not allowed to leave the house. She should behave herself and stay at home to take care of her husband!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was grounded. As such, she could only call her assistant, Weiwei, to apply for a long-term leave.


    However, even if she could not go out, she would still need to eat and drink, right?


    This empty house was not a place that humans could live in. There were no ingredients in there. As such, Xia Zhiwan grabbed her handbag to go out to buy some food but was stopped by someone else.


    ¡°Madam won¡¯t allow you to go out. I will send you anything you need.¡±


    The servants here were like robots. They were emotionless as they all had poker faces.


    Furthermore, the food that they provided her was pitiful. They only gave her a packet of noodles and a few vegetables. It was hard for her to think that this was not intentional.


    The Ou family¡¯s wedding dowry was so luxurious, so why were they so stingy with her? Maybe it was all a part of her stingy mother-in-law¡¯s plan?


    Xia Zhiwan ate the tasteless noodles and finally realized how it felt like to be a daughter-in-law who was bullied. Furthermore, what was even worse was that her husband could not even help her at all¡­


    She could not fill her stomach. It was already hard enough to survive this disgusting life.


    Later once night fell, the Ou residence had a power cut.

 Chapter 25 - A Genius Among Geniuses

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The wide duplex mansion turned dark as the moonlight shone on the plants in the garden to project multiple flowing shadows.


    Xia Zhiwan froze in fear and looked at the man who was lying on the bed as he had both of his eyes shut tight. She felt like she had entered a haunted house. As such, she had no choice but to grope around for an exit.


    ¡°Aunty Rong, are you there¡­¡± Her feeble voice echoed round the corridor, which made it even scarier.


    She did not know if it was because she forgot to close the windows, but the wind whooshed inside the house and emitted a sound that was similar to a ghost howling. She could feel chills down her neck and accidentally fell down the stairs as a result.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Xia Zhiwan felt pain in her butt as she fell with a thump.


    The man in the room opened his clear eyes as he put on a worried expression. He could not help but want to rush over to see if that clumsy girl was injured.


    Xia Zhiwan ignored the injury caused by the fall and looked backward keenly. She could feel chills down her spine as it felt like she was being closely watched by another pair of eyes.


    She suddenly remembered that there was a flashlight in the cabinet!


    She rushed to the cabinet and groped around for a flashlight. Suddenly, she felt pain at her fingertips!


    She trembled as she turned on the power supply. She found that someone had intentionally put razor blades in the cabinet.


    It was clear that the power cut was not an accident. Someone had intentionally planned a prank for Xia Zhiwan.


    However, this was not a bad thing¡­


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s blood flowed down her fingertips and reached her wrist. It then began to emit a faint light.


    She thought that she was seeing things, so she rubbed her eyes. She suspected that she might have been hallucinating as her eyes had not gotten used to the light yet.


    Xia Zhiwan grabbed the flashlight and made sure that she could see her surroundings. She then went back to her room relievedly.


    However, she could feel her body getting heavier with every step she took.


    The minute she could touch her bed, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.


    Xia Zhiwan got a fever in the middle of the night. She also felt her eyes burning up as her head felt dizzy. She did not know if it was because of the tremendous amount of stress, or if it was because she had not gotten used to the new environment.


    In her dreams, she felt as if there was someone taking care of her meticulously. They put on a towel for her, gave her medicine and some warm water to drink.


    It must be her mother¡­Apart from her mother, no one else would love her that much.


    However, her mother was still in the hospital, right?


    Xia Zhiwan then lost her consciousness in a daze.


    The man gently sighed and kissed her on her bright forehead.


    She woke up brimming with energy. She had a clear mind as she felt unknown energy surging into her body.


    Apparently, Ou Ruoming was sent to the hospital, so he was not at home at the moment. To begin with, Xia Zhiwan was not concerned about her stranger husband.


    If that was the case, she shall sneak to work today!


    She slightly washed up and took her crystal bracelet. Just as she put on her bracelet, she was dumbfounded by what she saw.


    It was as if a scanner ray was installed into her eyes as she saw the energy and quality of the crystals. Each crystal was like a white energy ball as they lined up together.


    There were flocculent impurities in those energy balls because the bracelet was not made from top-quality materials. However, Xia Zhiwan still treasured it as it was made by her mother.


    It was clear that the more energy a crystal possessed, the purer its color. That also meant that the material had a higher quality as it was purer.


    She could not believe that she had gained an ability like that overnight. She widened her eyes to take a closer look and realized that she could see the structure of crystals. It was as if she had installed a microscope in her eyes.


    Maybe she had awakened her secret bloodline ability?!


    That thought made her extremely glad. She looked at the injury on her hand and realized that it had already healed. There was not a single scar either.


    Maybe she had a special physique that required blood to activate her secret ability?


    That prank had accidentally awakened her ability.


    A small bracelet is not enough for her experiment. She ran to her company excitedly and looked for different types of ores and organic gemstones.


    Once she touched a green gemstone that caught her attention, she could unexpectedly feel a resonance between her and the gemstone.


    The gemstone was of normal quality, and it had a rough appearance. It would require professionals to analyze and process it before it could be cut. However, in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s eyes, she could directly see the golden green light inside the gemstone.


    A thin border separated the ball of energy from the dull border of the gemstone.


    To test her insight, she carefully used a machine to cut the gemstone.


    As the machine continued to whirr, a golden green-colored gemstone could be seen as it was accurately cut apart.


    An emerald was already a rare item. However, Xia Zhiwan had managed to find a chrysoberyl that emitted light like a cat¡¯s eye. It was a top-tier item that was hard to come by!


    It had a bright golden-green color that was similar to a cup of light tawny tea. It had a perfect cylindrical texture that shone brightly under light¡¯s reflection. A gemstone of this level would usually be a collector¡¯s prized collection.


    Xia Zhiwan grabbed the scrap that was cut away and gently touched it. It was as if those scraps had possessed a magnetic field.

 Chapter 26 - Unable To Escape

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiwan gave it a gentle pull, and the black silk thread came loose. The crystal grew brighter after she pulled the thread out. The tips of her fingers were tainted black.


    A wild thought entered her mind: Was it possible for her to draw the impurities from this stone to another so that she could have the purest stone?


    In order to find out the truth, she picked a cleaner stone out of the bunch and cut it in half for her experiment. Her fingertips touched the black flocculent impurities and moved slowly, leading them to another stone.


    Then, she used the machine to cut the stone in half.


    Just as she thought, the color of the stone which she had purified became much clearer.


    This proved that her idea was possible!


    Of course, there had to be a limit to this unbelievable power of hers. Xia Zhiwan already felt dizzy just from purifying a gem the size of a pigeon¡¯s egg.


    She laid down on the sofa to rest for a while. In the meantime, she concluded all of her powers in her head.


    First of all, her eyes could recognize more than a hundred organic gems as well as their textures and degree of purity.


    That was an extremely formidable set of analytical skills.


    Not only that, but she could also extract the impurities from the stones through touch alone. The stones would then be purified, and what was once worthless would be turned into something invaluable.


    No matter how Xia Zhiwan looked at it, it seemed to her that she had more than just one superpower.


    Perhaps it is because of her dual superpowers that she needed a longer time to be awakened!


    If that was true, that meant that she was not useless for not having been awakened during her coming of age ceremony. Quite the contrary, she was the genius among geniuses!


    All of the heirs in the Xia family had only ever awakened one superpower. Even then, they would be celebrated by millions and viewed as superior beings.


    If Xia Zhiwan¡¯s dual superpowers were exposed, one could only imagine how big of a deal the world would make of that.


    That was why she sobered up right after feeling momentary delight.


    She would have been pampered like a princess if she was successfully awakened during her coming of age ceremony. There was a huge chance she would remain as complacent as she had been.


    However, now that she had been through the ups and downs of life, she felt that she could accept this astounding ability of hers with greater ease.


    Additionally, she did not want to let the public know about her powers to avoid being targeted.


    The door to her office was pushed open without a knock.


    There was only one person in the entire office who dared to behave that recklessly.


    ¡°It¡¯s work time, but this general manager here seems incredibly bored.¡±


    A cold but elegant voice was heard. Issac¡¯s tone was tinged with sarcasm.


    Issac could not sit still when he heard that Xia Zhiwan made it to the office. He waited for some time before realizing she would not come to find him, so he had to visit her on his own to interrogate her.


    His expression darkened when he thought about the ¡°breakup¡± text she had sent him.


    How dare she think about leaving him? How dare she think about cutting all contact with him?


    However, his heart melted the second he saw her pale face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, chairman. It¡¯s now 12:02 p.m. That means it¡¯s already lunchtime.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s head was in so much pain at the moment that she had no desire to try to please him.


    Not to mention¡­ She felt ashamed and embarrassed when she thought of the text she had sent him. The only thing she could do now was to pretend that nothing had ever happened, and distance herself from him.


    The sofa sank deeply. Issac was like a wild wolf on the hunt. He pressed her into the sofa, clutched her wrist tightly, and gripped her chin. Their eyes were locked on one another.


    ¡°You¡¯re not feeling well?¡±


    ¡°Thank you for caring, chairman. I would like to take my break now. Please see yourself out.¡±


    He did not like how this woman moved her eyes away from him with indifference and how she called him ¡°chairman¡± as if they were strangers. Moreover, he did not like the way she could not wait to get rid of him!


    A passionate kiss assaulted her lips. Their bodies were pressed together tightly, not allowing an inch of space to come in between the two of them.


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s face grew flushed. Although she enjoyed the kisses, she still got herself together and pushed him away.


    ¡°I¡¯ve said everything I wanted to say in my texts!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t accept it!¡± Issac pinned her under him possessively. It looked like he was going to f*ck her right then and there.


    He pushed his flaming hard shaft against her soft stomach, and said with a solemn gaze, ¡°I know you like me a lot. Why did you push me away?¡±


    ¡°I have a husband¡­¡± Xia Zhiwan¡¯s gaze shimmered.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Isn¡¯t he paralyzed? He won¡¯t know.¡± Issac leaned down and kissed her.


    Although it is true that Xia Zhiwan did not have any feelings for her husband, she still did not like to hear anyone talk bad about him. She defended Ou Ruoming in a small voice.


    Issac did not grow frustrated after hearing her retort. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Let me take care of everything. Just follow your heart.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan met his impassioned eyes that were as beautiful as emeralds. She fell for him all over again. Suddenly, she did not wish to go back to the deserted Ou residence anymore.


    She had forgotten to put away the rough stones and gems on the table when she took her break and was not wary about Issac¡¯s presence either.


    A strange glint flashed across Issac¡¯s eyes when he took notice of her ¡°experiment results.¡±


    ¡°You developed these? A golden gemstone. It¡¯s pretty¡­¡±


    There were at least ten stones lying around on the table. How did Xia Zhiwan just happen to develop such a beautiful rough stone?


    The weirdest thing was that how could one side of the stone, now cut in half, have a luminous shine to its color while the other looked inferior in quality?


    Issac¡¯s gaze grew curious. Xia Zhiwan shuddered and took his hand instinctively. ¡°I-I¡¯m hungry. Let¡¯s go to eat.¡±


    The woman¡¯s flirtatious tone and imploring gaze made Issac agree to her idea at once. He tapped his finger on her nose lovingly.


    It seemed as if his baby had a secret just like he did. Nevertheless, he was not worried. Instead, he looked forward to earning the trust of his baby and the day when she finally could be honest with him of her own volition.


    It was just that¡­ Issac pursed his lips in disdain as he held her soft and lovely hand. Why did she not wear the ring?


    Although he could not reveal his true identity and help her put that ring on in public, he still wished to see her wearing the ring that he, disguised as Ou Ruoming, had given her.


    At least everyone would know that she was married and was his wife.


    He caressed her ring finger repetitively. Even Xia Zhiwan found his action strange.


    Yet, this man was too formidable. He was clutching her hand so tightly as if he was afraid that she would run away. He held her hand in his even when they were in the car and eating their meals.


    This feeling of being treasured made her fall deeper and deeper for him without being aware of it. So much so she downed a few more glasses of red wine than she should.


    Issac carried the incredibly flushed Xia Zhiwan in his arms and put her down on her bed gently at the Ou residence. Aunty Rong stood behind him with her head down.


    He pecked her on her pink lips which still smelled like wine. Then, he put away all the tenderness he had reserved for Xia Zhiwan, and his eyes turned cold.


    ¡°Aunty Rong, who gave you the guts to bully her?¡±


    The middle-aged woman, who had always maintained a calm and inscrutable expression in front of Xia Zhiwan, looked extremely alarmed. She went as far as falling to her knees.


    ¡°That-that was madame¡¯s order!¡±


    Issac¡¯s expression turned colder at the mention of that name.


    ¡°That woman won¡¯t be pleased with herself for long. If Zhiwan is bullied again, tell madame it¡¯s time to pack her bags and go!¡±

 Chapter 27

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Aunty Rong nodded gingerly and stared at the sleeping woman on the bed. Her gaze was unreadable.


    She had served in this house for so many years. She witnessed the young master¡¯s growth as the years went by and knew about the young master¡¯s secret dual identity.


    How could the young master chase her out of the doors just for this new girl?


    She also knew about his temperament and decisive murderous tendencies due to her familiarity with him. No matter how indignant she felt, there was nothing she could do but suppress it.


    When Xia Zhiwan woke up, she found herself already lying on her bed at the Ou residence. Ou Ruoming¡¯s handsome face was right beside hers. She was astounded.


    Did Issac send her home? How did he know where she lived? He also¡­ carried her to her room.


    Did that mean Ou Ruoming saw Issac? Xia Zhiwan had this strange feeling one would only have when their ex-boyfriend met their husband.


    ¡­


    In a luxurious presidential suite, a lascivious woman with a lovely countenance knelt between a man¡¯s legs and sucked on his d*ck. Her expression was reverent and attentive.


    The man looked rough. He was tall and muscular, and his mixed-race facial features were charming and dangerous.


    His name was Lie Feng. He was the head of the Lie family and the president of the infamous Li Feng Jewelry.


    The woman that knelt before him was Xia Zhiya!


    ¡°Little b*tch, don¡¯t you have a lover named He Tianhao? I heard you stole him from your sister. Have you already gotten rid of him?¡±


    A playful glint flashed across Lie Feng¡¯s eyes. He did not think what she was doing was wrong because his personality was as overbearing as hers. He liked stealing things that were not meant for him.


    Xia Zhiya ran to He Tianhao after being chased out of the Xia residence. She had begged him to let her participate in an esteemed global summit.


    In that particular gathering swamped with celebrities, she met Lie Feng, who had visited Country A for the first time. After she had discovered his prominent reputation of having monopolized the jewelry business around the world, she found a way to get into his hotel room through unscrupulous means and hooked up with him.


    She did not care if he saw her only as his plaything who clung to him pettily. At the very least, Xia Zhiya was back into the social circle she favored.


    ¡°I was captivated by men like him during my academic years because of my ignorance. How can he be compared to you, President Lie? You are so manly and mighty~,¡± said Xia Zhiya ardently.


    Even though she used to grovel in front of He Tianhao too, she mostly did it to show how much she desired Xia Zhiwan¡¯s men.


    There was no question that men loved to be worshipped by women. Lie Feng gazed at her shy expression and tried his best to please her with his d*ck. With a wicked smile, he pinched her chin.


    This woman was pretty good-looking. He has had his fair share of blond European women. It seemed like a good idea to change his palette to something lighter and simpler. It was also very obvious with the way she had performed in bed that she was out to seduce men. He did not mind playing this game with her.


    As the top ruler of the jewelry business, he had long since been interested in legendary superpowers related to jewelry.


    One of the reasons why Lie Feng did not hesitate to visit Country A was that he wanted to find someone who had mighty supernatural abilities related to jewelry. He would have that person all to himself so that they could help him strengthen his position as the supreme leader.


    Since Xia Zhiya was hyping up her own abilities so much, Lie Feng would naturally give her the chance to get close to him. He wanted to see how powerful she really was.


    However, Xia Zhiya¡¯s ability to analyze jewelry was not astounding enough for him to move any of his capital or technology so far. It was nothing to him.


    Lie Feng had the chance to witness two former heads of the Xia family showcasing their abilities.


    He would never forget the magical ability to transform an ugly rock into a beautiful gemstone.


    If only there was someone here who wielded abilities that were truly powerful! He would surely not miss the chance to snatch that person away without a second thought!


    Some distance away at Xia Corporation, Xia Zhiwan sneezed as she practiced her powers in her office. She wondered if Xia Zhiya was cursing her again.


    Lie Feng, who was so much fiercer and definitely a hundred times more powerful, chuckled and gripped Xia Zhiya¡¯s chin.


    ¡°Okay, go to Xia Corporation then. Show them what you¡¯ve got.¡± As an astute businessman, Lie Feng was still able to come up with a good plan amidst rounds of pleasuring himself.


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s eyes brightened. She went back to what she was doing with renewed vigor.


    Lie Feng approved of the hatred he had seen in her eyes. People like this were the best kind to make use of. It also matched his merciless way of handling things.


    He did not hold back. Instead, he viewed the whole thing as a trade. Now that he had given her some substantial help, he had the right to enjoy himself.


    He dragged the woman to bed and inserted himself into her roughly. Lie Feng had a muscular and powerful physique. Xia Zhiya was basically being bullied as if she was a small chick. He only cared about his own pleasure.


    Xia Zhiya gritted her teeth in pain. Still, she pretended that she was enjoying everything by moaning loudly.


    Lie Feng was willing to give her this chance so she could return triumphantly as the true winner. After that, she could give Xia Zhiwan, that condescending chairman, and her useless father who never helped her, a satisfyingly hard slap on the cheek!

 Chapter 28

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Corporation, which had been bought by Louis Financial Group, faced some turbulence due to Lie Feng¡¯s prominent attempt to get involved.


    As Xia Corporation¡¯s parent company, Louis Financial Group used to be unendingly powerful. Unfortunately, it had attracted some trouble lately and had no choice but to hand over a part of its stakes to Lie Feng for expediency.


    Louis Financial Group might be able to have some say in the stakes, but the right to manage them had been taken away.


    No one could believe that Xia Zhiya, who had been fired and abandoned like a lost dog, had returned to the corporation haughtily.


    Apart from that, she also became the president!


    People who had not seen her in a while noticed that her outfits looked even more luxurious than before. The precious stones she wore were all custom-made by Li Feng Jewelry.


    The woman who held the trump card swept her gaze across her staff arrogantly. A vicious and calculating glint lingered in her eyes.


    Everyone knew that this woman would not miss the chance to take revenge upon everyone who had wronged her in the past now that she was back.


    Xia Corporation should know no peace from then on.


    The first victim was obviously going to be her most hated person ¨C Xia Zhiwan.


    Xia Zhiya pretended to do what she thought a leader would do by flipping through a few pages of a report. Then, she flung it right on Xia Zhiwan¡¯s face, leaving a faint red mark on her face in its wake.


    ¡°Xia Zhiwan, you are indeed useless. Your results are average at best. You¡¯ve made no significant achievement. How do you have the guts to keep your position as the general manager?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan gave a small retort in the face of her menacing and biting words.


    ¡°I was appointed by the chairman himself. If you have any issues, please go and take it up with him.¡±


    A thread of fear emerged in Xia Zhiya¡¯s heart at the thought of that handsome but indifferent man. The mention of his name startled her as if someone had stepped on her tail.


    This b*tch was trying to suppress her authority with Board Member Issac?


    ¡°The general manager position in the Xia family can only be taken over by an heir with awakened abilities. I have an ability, and you don¡¯t! How can a b*stard like you occupy this position?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan took a deep breath and blocked Xia Zhiya¡¯s hand that was about to hit her.


    Her bottom line was her mother. Xia Zhiya could hurl insults at her all she wanted, but she could not say that she was a b*stard!


    It was such a shame that she could not just showcase her dual superpowers right then and there to humiliate her.


    How on earth could Xia Zhiya¡¯s ability to analyze a few crystals be called a superpower?!


    Anyway, the day would come. She would let Xia Zhiya understand how embarrassing she was!


    ¡°Oh, how dare you stop me?¡±


    Xi Zhiya saw that she had the guts to block her slap, pointed at a few people around, and gave her orders.


    ¡°You guys. Hold her hands. Don¡¯t let her move!¡±


    Those colleagues stared at one another for a moment. Nobody moved.


    Xia Zhiwan treated her staff kindly, and Xia Zhiya was so conceited that she wanted to ¡°lynch¡± someone in public. It was obvious she was not liked by any of them.


    ¡°How protective of you! You guys ¨C get out of my sight! I¡¯ll fire you right now!¡±


    Their expressions changed when their livelihoods were threatened. They each silently took hold of one of Xia Zhiwan¡¯s hands so that she could not move. She was a sheep waiting to be slaughtered.


    Xia Zhiya grinned with satisfaction when she finally saw fear in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s expression.


    Amidst her vicious laughter, Xia Zhiya slapped her again and again. It was as if she wanted to let out all her anger on Xia Zhiwan.


    ¡°B*tch! Why do you always get better things?¡± And then there was me! Who had to sell her own body, to be played like a toy, and to use sex as a way to get what she wanted!


    ¡°I¡¯m my father¡¯s daughter! A b*stard like you have no right to live in our house!¡± She stood by the idea that she was the real daughter of the Xia family because she had awakened her ability.


    After about ten scathing slaps, Xia Zhiwan had gone from feeling a sharp pain on her cheek to nothing. Her skin had already gone numb.


    Her cheek was swollen, and her lips were cracked. Fresh blood dripped out of the wound. She looked especially rumpled with her hair all over her face.


    This felt much more violent and embarrassing than when it had happened at home.


    Xia Zhiya was beginning to revel in the pleasure of sadistic torture. She could not wait to destroy that beautiful and delicate face! It would be best if she could not use her good looks to attract men¡¯s attention anymore!


    The company resembled a blood bath. The air was stifled with hatred, but no one dared to stop the insane new female president.


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    An old man¡¯s voice boomed. Xia Dengfeng barged into the room and saw that exact scene. He immediately tried to stop it and touched Xia Zhiwan¡¯s bleeding cheek.


    Politics aside, Xia Zhiwan was still his biological daughter. If she had done something wrong, he could have punished her at home and get it over with. How could she be slapped so violently in public? That was so humiliating!


    Xia Zhiya moved her hand back and forth to shake off the numbness and looked at him coldly.


    She need not consider her father¡¯s feelings now. Her mask had been ripped away completely. She had not one ounce of respect for Xia Dengfeng.


    ¡°Father, I¡¯m now the president of the Xia family. You should retire soon. Don¡¯t meddle in my affairs!¡±

 Chapter 29

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Father Xia was used to commanding the market. How could he bear to be humiliated in public by his illegitimate daughter, a young and inexperienced girl? He fainted right away.


    Blood was thicker than water. At the end of the day, he was still her father. Xia Zhiwan could care less about herself as she went to check on him with a worried expression.


    This display of affection between a father and a daughter hurt Xia Zhiya¡¯s eyes. Her father had chased her out of the corporation but turned a blind eye and left this useless piece of trash behind.


    What did that mean for her? In her father¡¯s heart, she would always be the illegitimate daughter that no one should know about. Was she worth less than a b*stard?


    Rage gripped her heart. The fearless Xia Zhiya reached a leg out and kicked Xia Zhiwan at the back.


    Not expecting the kick, Xia Zhiwan fell forward, knocked her head on the edge of the table, and fainted.


    The father and daughter were both sent to the hospital. Issac went to the hospital when he heard the news.


    In a private medical room, the silver-haired and handsome man wore a grave expression as he sat on the edge of the bed.


    He picked Xia Zhiwan¡¯s hand up gently, put it by his lips, and planted small kisses on her skin. Isaac pursed his lips as he looked at the woman¡¯s head wrapped in gauze and her pale face, and his eyes turned terrifyingly bloodshot.


    That violent b*tch! How dare she? How dare she hurt his darling baby?!


    He wanted so badly to lock Xia Zhiya up and cut her into a million pieces.


    However, he knew very well that Xia Zhiwan was just a chess piece she had used to deliberately anger him. Xia Zhiya was also used as bait to lure him to expose his identity.


    Lie Feng and he were not new enemies. The hatred they had for one another had been accumulating for a long time. Their enmity was aggravated by bloodshed.


    Issac clenched his fist tightly when the image of his mother lying in a pool of her own blood appeared in his mind.


    They had been rivals since they started their businesses outside of the country a long time ago.


    The Ou family was expanding their businesses back then, and more and more orders were coming in from outside the country.


    On the other hand, Lie Feng had a perverse way of handling things. He had no principles and would do anything to get what he wanted. Basically, he was an overbearing mad dog.


    Should they see a new force arising, the Lie family would take advantage of its seniority in the field by using its accumulated capital and connections to subdue the new force, eventually monopolizing the entire market.


    The reason why Issac had to take on two identities, one as the Ou family¡¯s weak young master and the other as the executive of a large financial group, was to keep at least one advantage up his sleeve. He wanted Lie Feng to think of himself as nothing that would amount to a threat but only a short-lived insignificant force.


    To not compete head-on with Lie Feng internationally, Issac had been amassing resources, making investments, and buying out all of the domestic markets that Lie Feng had not exploited so that he could snatch the shares before he did.


    While all of that was going on, Louis Financial Group had been working closely with the Ou family. They even bought Xia Corporation. This move did not escape the ever astute Lie Feng.


    After all, Xia Corporation being the local jewelry business market leader, was naturally a delightful target to keep an eye on if one wanted to start a jewelry business domestically or open up new markets.


    The Lie family came for a visit this time with the intent to target the Ou family. It was to test the waters with the newbie, Louis Financial Group, who had dabbled in the jewelry business for the first time. The Lie family planned to seize the entire domestic jewelry market by buying out Xia Corporation.


    Anyhow, Lie Feng would surely try to subdue the Xia family with his usual ways even if he did not manage to buy out Xia Corporation just to avoid having to compete with them.


    His impulsive nature and wild ambitions were abundantly clear to everyone around him.


    Unlike his usual dominant behavior, Issac licked Xia Zhiwan¡¯s lips gently. He did not have the heart to disturb the sleeping woman. Regret filled every corner of his eyes, and the lethal urge to kill sneaked its way in as well.


    Even if they were not business competitors, Issac would still have sworn to himself that he would find a way to push the arrogant man from high ground and let him fall to his death, bones crushing into dust and all, just because he let his clownish woman bully his woman.


    Xia Zhiwan made a speedy recovery under Issac¡¯s meticulous care. Her face was back to its soft and pale state in a matter of days.


    She did not know why that enigmatic man changed his phone number again. He did continue to ¡°harass¡± her incessantly. Every morning, he would call and say something like: ¡°Good morning, baby.¡± or ¡°Are you being a good baby?¡±


    Not only that, but sometimes when he was in the mood, he would send her amorous recordings of him groaning and moaning, which would make her cheeks blush and her heart race. Then, he would send her pictures of his giant boner and jerk himself off while listening to her voice on the phone. All of this cheesy stuff they did made them look like a married couple.


    Xia Zhiwan did notice Issac¡¯s extreme opposition toward Xia Zhiya¡¯s return. Indeed, he did not show up at the company ever since then.


    How could he choose to stay silent when he had a competitive and dominant personality? Xia Zhiwan detected shrewdly that something was amiss.

 Chapter 30

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    After Xia Zhiwan had joined the company, she was eager to keep up with news of the industry. It was not a surprise that she knew about how influential those ten or so jewelry brands and collections under Li Feng Jewelry were to the rest of the world.


    The Lie family was nobility. They boasted about how pure their lineage had been since hundreds of years ago. Their architecture usually had a classical and aristocratic style. The profits they had made have been consistently large. It could be said that they still had many years to go.


    The head of the family, Lie Feng, maintained a high-profile life. Every detail about him was made known to the public. It was said that he was currently searching widely for anyone with special abilities, but Xia Zhiwan had no idea what his plans were.


    It seemed like she could not reveal her special abilities before she found enough resources to back her up. Or else, all hell would break loose if he got onto her.


    Xia Zhiya was still somehow capable. This powerful and reliable sponsor of hers was very difficult to deal with!


    Xia Zhiwan thought, ¡®If that¡¯s the case, I have to keep my head down and refrain from any impulsive movements. I can¡¯t give Xia Zhiya the chance to attack me.¡¯


    When she returned to the company, everyone looked at Xia Zhiwan with sympathy.


    She kept a smile on her face and pretended that nothing had ever happened before. Once again, she came face-to-face with her new boss, who harbored hatred toward her. She was also her younger sister.


    ¡°Huh, you still have the guts to come here.¡±


    Xia Zhiya seemed surprised by how brazen Xia Zhiwan was. However, a second ticked by, and a playful glint flashed across her eyes.


    Of course, Xia Zhiwan could not assume her role as the general manager anymore. Xia Zhiya had already replaced this important position at the company with a turncoat who was willing to follow her.


    As for Xia Zhiwan¡­ She had another plan set aside for her.


    The sweet and opulent woman walked toward Xia Zhiwan and glanced at her old name pin. She ripped it away roughly. The buttons on her collar burst from their seams.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re not the general manager anymore, there¡¯s no need for you to wear that pin!¡±


    The sound of fabric ripping filled the air. The name pin that read ¡°General Manage Xia Zhiwan¡± fell to the ground, and the buttons on her chest were gone, revealing her bosom.


    Xia Zhiwan was caught off guard and tried to cover her chest.


    She noticed that Xia Zhiya loved humiliating her in front of the staff in the company. Just like what she was doing at the moment. She pretended to take the name pin off so that she could rip her shirt, thus attracting the gaze of the male staff.


    However, Xia Zhiwan reimagined her composure quickly. She took her scarf off and tied a beautiful bowknot to hide her exposed chest. That bowknot made the outfit look even more elegant and enchanting.


    ¡°President Xia tormented me during your fits of rage and humiliated me in public. It¡¯s kind of worrisome to see that that¡¯s how you are treating your employees. I feel like it¡¯s better to not go to work at the headquarters if we have someone as unpleasant as you at work.¡±


    Her colleagues who had been watching giggled after hearing what she had said. They hated the arrogant and domineering way Xia Zhiya conducted herself. It was just that they did not dare to show their dissatisfaction. All that was needed to know was that no one in the entire office building really liked her.


    Xia Zhiya gritted her teeth and tried to maintain a generous pretense. She wanted to condemn Xia Zhiwan but held back.


    ¡°I think you said that because you don¡¯t deserve to work here! You should go work part-time at one of Xia Corporation¡¯s stores at the mall! I hope you will do your part in increasing our company¡¯s profits.¡±


    Instead of laying her off right away, Xia Zhiya wanted to kick her down to work at the lowest department. She wanted her to remain in an area where she had total control so she could continue to torment her.


    Who would believe that the proud general manager of a big company, whose authority was only second to the president, was now working at a random store at the mall as a salesperson?


    People would normally not be able to take the fall.


    However, Xia Zhiwan accepted it with ease. She even smiled and thanked Xia Zhiya.


    Xia Zhiya was disappointed that she did not see the pain she tried to inflict on her.


    ¡°Why are you still here? Go to the store now! If your performance doesn¡¯t pass our standards, I¡¯ll fire you just like everybody else. You¡¯ll be sent out of Xia Corporation completely!¡±


    Her last sentence sounded so much like a witch¡¯s curse that her usual lovely aura was all but gone.


    Of course, Xia Zhiwan knew that Xia Zhiya came back this time just for revenge. The more she suffered, the happier she would get. Xia Zhiwan would not give her what she wanted. The meek but impervious expression she had on at the moment would enrage Xia Zhiya the most. It was also one she could do nothing about.


    When Xia Zhiwan was still the infamous darling daughter of the Xia family, she liked to visit every store of the company in plain clothes. That was why she knew her way to the mall and the store very well.


    She bowed to a woman in a luxurious and elegant attire and asked politely, ¡°Are you the shop manager, Li Man? I¡¯m here to report for work.¡±


    The woman glanced at her once and took care of the paperwork without a word. Then, she brought her in front of a jewelry display case.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you ten minutes. Introduce ten pieces of jewelry to me.¡± This was obviously a test.

 Chapter 31

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Li Man thought that if Xia Zhiwan could introduce one or two gemstones, she would acknowledge her.


    However, Xia Zhiwan showed no intention of shrinking back. She scanned through the dozens of samples of dazzling jewelry and immediately knew what to talk about as if she knew them like the back of her hand.


    After she had awakened her secret ability, it was as if someone had installed an automatic recognition system in her eyes. She could even accurately describe a gemstone¡¯s quality, cut quality, and cutting style in cases where professional testing apparatus were needed to give a grade to the said gemstone.


    It was as if she was a living machine for appraising jewelry!


    Li Man¡¯s eyes glazed over for a moment as she looked at Xia Zhiwan explaining in such a detailed manner until the point where she could not confirm if Xia Zhiwan was telling the truth. She then sighed.


    ¡°Zhiwan, it¡¯s such a shame for you to come here.¡±


    Li Man had heard some things about Xia Zhiwan¡¯s past and assumed that she would either become a tool of revenge for Xia Zhiya or carry the burden of taking care of the young mistress who had become a social pariah.


    However, after seeing the fighting spirit and excitement in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s eyes at that moment, Li Man could not help but see Xia Zhiwan in a new light.


    Xia Zhiwan answered, ¡°I don¡¯t regret anything. Everything happens for the best.¡±


    To be fair, she had always felt unreal ever since she had become a general manager.


    She understood that a person with no experience who had not awakened her secret ability could never be a good match for this position no matter what. She had become a manager purely because of Issac¡¯s biased love towards her.


    The fact that she had become a sales employee at the lowest class was nothing more than God taking back the gift that was bestowed upon her.


    Furthermore, this was a valuable opportunity for Xia Zhiwan as she could directly interact with many customers as well as spend time with her jewelry from the frontlines.


    Back when she had held a high position, she had to take care of business related to development and management. As such, she was not close enough to the production and design of jewelry. However, she wanted to have a breakthrough in this area.


    Li Man smiled and patted Xia Zhiwan¡¯s shoulder. She then said in a slightly profound manner, ¡°If that is what you truly think, then my shop welcomes you. You shine just like the best pigeon blood ruby in the world. You can never hide that glow of yours!¡±


    If not for Xia Zhiwan¡¯s secret ability, how could she analyze those gemstones faster and more accurately than a machine? Li Man had been working in the jewelry industry for many years. It would be unlikely for her to be so short-sighted.


    Xia Zhiwan was slightly surprised. She had been mentally prepared to get picked on as well as endure hardships! Why did it seem like she was acknowledged?


    Li Man fiddled with her hair as if she could see Xia Zhiwan¡¯s confusion. She then laughed. ¡°Hah, do you think that everyone would listen to that silly little girl?¡±


    Her confident gaze as well as that derogatory nickname told Xia Zhiwan that there was more to Li Man¡¯s identity as the shop manager than meets the eye.


    Li Man was much revered in her shop. Every single employee would amicably refer to her as Sister Man. However, she was a strict person who loved to nit-pick. Her sharp tongue had rarely acknowledged anybody.


    Nevertheless, she became close to Xia Zhiwan with an excited expression. She had even secretly exclaimed over what she had seen. It was truly a big shock to the others.


    A few new salespeople began to look at Xia Zhiwan with ill gazes.


    She was just a girl who had arrived a few days ago. Furthermore, she was exiled from the headquarters. What was she capable of anyways?


    Xia Zhiwan turned a blind eye to those words and held onto her principle of not messing with others as long as they do not mess with her.


    She could not stop them from gossiping about her after all.


    However, a few days after she had officially gone on duty, Xia Zhiwan found a piece of counterfeit jewelry on the counter she was in charge of!


    That was a top-tier pink diamond necklace. The person who had made the counterfeit was highly skilled as they had managed to pass it off as a genuine necklace.


    Even so, in the eyes of Xia Zhiwan, no piece of counterfeit jewelry could escape her sight.


    Every single piece of jewelry in the shop went through strict appraisals and maintenance as each one of them had a specific barcode and license.


    That could only mean that someone had purposely swapped that piece of jewelry!


    It did not matter if that person¡¯s goal was for money or to frame Xia Zhiwan.


    If she was found guilty of accidentally selling this piece of jewelry, she would definitely get fired, and she would need to pay for it too!


    The most important thing was that her reputation would surely spread to headquarters. She could never stay in the industry ever again!

 Chapter 32

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Xia Zhiwan quickly calmed down and decided to check the surveillance footage.


    As expected, the other person was not that foolish. They knew how to clean up after doing the deed. The surveillance cameras immediately malfunctioned. As a result, Xia Zhiwan was unable to extract any footage.


    She put down the mouse with a heavy heart. Her morning shift then ended in a flash. After that, Li Man gathered everyone for their daily meeting.


    Xia Zhiwan scanned through her surroundings and took a look at her well-dressed, gracefully-posed, and pretty co-workers. Among her co-workers, a young lady who had her hair in a bun looked at Xia Zhiwan with a displeased gaze.


    She then raised her hand and told Li Man, ¡°Sister Man, after I arrived for my shift, I checked every single product in the counters and found that there was¡­something wrong with Xia Zhiwan¡¯s counter.¡±


    The girl then paused and tried to keep her words obscure. It was clear that she had her intentions.


    Li Man¡¯s gaze immediately turned sharp. ¡°Yiyun, are you telling the truth? It¡¯s not you being paranoid?¡±


    Li Yiyun nodded her head. As expected, Li Man immediately stopped the meeting and went to examine Xia Zhiwan¡¯s counter.


    She took a look and did not find anything out of place. Li Man then opened the counter to check the jewelry.


    Li Man then realized that the pink diamond necklace by the name of Blossoming Years was already swapped with a counterfeit.


    That was a top-tier piece of jewelry. Summer was also the top brand in the industry. Not only was this matter worth a lot of money, but it was also a bad influence!


    Li Man furrowed her eyebrows. ¡°Xia Zhiwan, care to explain what happened?¡±


    Maybe Miss Thief was already anticipating Xia Zhiwan to shiver in fear after getting interrogated at that moment.


    However, she did not expect that Xia Zhiwan would admit her mistake without providing a single excuse.


    ¡°The Blossoming Years that you have right now is indeed fake. It was probably swapped yesterday night. However, the surveillance camera is broken, so I can¡¯t extract any footage.¡±


    Li Yiyun smiled. ¡°You are such a brave person. How dare you steal something within the first few days of your arrival!¡±


    She then clicked her tongue while possessing feelings of pleasure. ¡°However, you are the young mistress of the Xia family. Ten million dollars should be nothing more than a hiccup. It¡¯s not as if she couldn¡¯t pay for it.¡±


    Even if Xia Zhiwan accepted that she was unlucky and used her own money to pay for it, she would still be infamous for swapping the necklace with a counterfeit.


    Li Yiyun¡¯s words immediately caused the co-workers to feel upset. She had purposely reminded them of the difference in social status between them and Xia Zhiwan.


    Xia Zhiwan was a young mistress who came to experience the life of the lower class, but they were actual workers who worked day and night to put up a smiling face in front of the customers just to sell a little more jewelry.


    The hatred between social classes had been provoked easily as everyone immediately looked at Xia Zhiwan with a loathing gaze.


    ¡°Sister Man, this is a big sin. You can¡¯t cover up for her just because you like her!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you should tell her to pay for it according to the original price. Then, you should fire her. Otherwise, we will be doomed if she swaps every single piece of jewelry in our shop for counterfeit ones!¡±


    ¡°From my perspective, she should go to other jewelry shops to ruin them! Don¡¯t come here to take away our jobs¡­¡±


    The ladies¡¯ true thoughts were displayed in its full view. Li Man¡¯s facial expression also turned sour as she had no intention to cover for Xia Zhiwan.


    Xia Zhiwan felt annoyed by the words of her co-workers, but she still asked with a smile, ¡°Li Yiyun, you said that you realized that something was wrong with the counter after you arrived this morning. However, our daily meeting began very early today. Your attendance record states that you arrived just on time today.¡±


    She then continued, ¡°There were only thirty minutes between the time of your arrival and the meeting. Why wouldn¡¯t you check your own counter first? Instead, you came to check my counter. Furthermore, our counters aren¡¯t next to each other. There is no possibility of you checking my counter incidentally.¡±


    Li Yiyun pulled a long face. ¡°Why do you care so much? The counterfeit is still here, and we have sufficient evidence. Don¡¯t you dare try to confuse us!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan sighed. ¡°This counterfeit looks just like the real thing. Even Sister Man had to open the counter to confirm that it is a counterfeit. However, you knew that this was a counterfeit within such a short period even though there was a thick layer of glass between you and the necklace. How is it that I have never heard someone possess such amazing eyesight in the shop?¡±


    She was trying to imply that Li Yiyun had already known that this was a counterfeit instead of just finding out this morning like what she had claimed.


    Li Yiyun remained stubborn despite Xia Zhiwan¡¯s suspicions. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare think that you could slander me just because you are a rich young mistress! Only you have the key to this counter. If it isn¡¯t you, who else would it be?¡±


    The security system in the shop was flawless. It could only be an inside job.


    Xia Zhiwan answered honestly, ¡°Sister Man also has the key.¡±

 Chapter 33

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Li Yiyun acted as if she got the goods on Xia Zhiwan and put on a joyful expression for Xia Zhiwan¡¯s low emotional intelligence. ¡°How shameless can you be?! How dare you insult our Sister Man!¡±


    ¡®This time, Li Man would definitely not cover up for her! Xia Zhiwan is about to meet her end! Sister Ya would surely be glad once I chase Xia Zhiwan away and let her return home disappointedly! Maybe I would even get promoted to headquarters¡­¡¯


    Li Yiyun got even more passionate as she kept on fantasizing. ¡°Sister Man, why won¡¯t you chase her away right now?! We can¡¯t allow her to spout any more nonsense!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan already knew who the thief was thanks to Li Yiyun¡¯s suppressed excitement.


    She then said, ¡°Sister Man, I am not suspecting that you are the thief. Instead, I suspect that someone has stolen your key and made a copy of it.¡±


    As Li Man was involved, she did not immediately deny it. She then explained patiently, ¡°I have always kept my key by my side. No one else would steal it. Zhiwan, you need to have evidence for your speculations.¡±


    Li Yiyun laughed. ¡°She is the thief. Why would she have any evidence? The thief is now accusing someone else of stealing!¡±


    Under her guidance, the ladies also started to laugh scornfully. Was that how a rich young mistress usually acts?


    There was a flame burning in Xia Zhiwan¡¯s chest, yet she could not lose her temper. Otherwise, those ladies would get even happier as they experience more joy from bullying and laughing at her.


    Sister Man was right. If she wanted to prove herself, she needed to bring out the evidence!


    ¡°Sister Man, if I can¡¯t find any evidence within three days, not only will I pay for it according to its original price, but I will also resign from my job!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan said in a firm tone. Li Man actually felt pity for Xia Zhiwan. As such, she did not have a reason to reject Xia Zhiwan¡¯s idea.


    However, Li Yiyun¡¯s smile immediately froze in place. Her eyes got even heavier as she was thinking about how she could not allow Xia Zhiwan to find any evidence within these three days. She could also just make Xia Zhiwan exceed the three-day time limit.


    Xia Zhiwan believed that the day has eyes, the night has ears, especially in this era of technology.


    As long as she did the deed, she would surely leave some traces. It did not matter if it was a mouthful of lies or destroying the surveillance footage. All of that was nothing more than an act of deceiving oneself.


    The thief might have been able to tinker with the shop¡¯s surveillance cameras, but she could not have dealt with the cameras outside the shop, right?


    There were a total of three routes to exit the shop. All three routes either had shops or surveillance cameras on the street. Xia Zhiwan went to each shop to investigate and told them that there was a thief nearby.


    The worried shop managers then extracted the surveillance footage and gave it to Xia Zhiwan. She then compiled the footage and recovered the thief¡¯s route of action.


    The footage showed that a girl, who was wearing a cap and a mask, had walked from the direction of the shop at around three in the morning. There was also a handbag under her armpit. Xia Zhiwan speculated that the missing Blossoming Years was inside the handbag.


    The security system of the shop was powerful. If it had not been an insider, the alarm would have sounded. However, the girl entered and exited the shop within such a short time. It was as if she was familiar with the place. It was clear that she was an employee of the shop.


    The answer for the thief¡¯s identity to this robbery was self-evident.


    It would be an easy job for anyone who knew her in the shop to recognize that the thief was Li Yiyun!


    Xia Zhiwan copied the video evidence and carefully saved it. She then let out a long sigh and thought that she could quickly prove her innocence.


    Three days had passed. It was the morning of the fourth day, which was the moment Xia Zhiwan should present her evidence.


    Everyone in the shop was waiting to see the closure to this robbery case.


    However, Xia Zhiwan still had not arrived as time passed by. Eventually, it was already time for the shop to open.


    Li Yiyun let out a sigh of relief. She then smiled. ¡°She was so confident on that day. Now, she just fled away! She is clearly the thief. How could she bring out any evidence?!¡±


    Li Man said, ¡°Maybe there was an emergency.¡±


    Li Yiyun blinked and subconsciously raised her voice, ¡°How would there be an emergency if she didn¡¯t say a single word? Sister Man, you are the shop manager. How could you take her side?! She is a lowly thief who ran away with the money after stealing!¡±


    The other salespeople did not give any thought as to why Xia Zhiwan would run away after stealing a necklace considering her family¡¯s background. However, Li Yiyun managed to provoke them as they pandered to her and began scolding Xia Zhiwan fiercely for being a shameless thief who affected the shop¡¯s business.


    Some had even suggested that they should report Xia Zhiwan together. Li Man must fire Xia Zhiwan.


    Li Man did not say a single word, but her heart had begun to sink. Is that true? A kind and talented girl like her would be a thief?

 Chapter 34

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Li Man cleared her throat and put a calm expression on her face. ¡°Focus on your work for now. We¡¯ll wait until we have finished work before we settle the other issues.¡±


    If Xia Zhiwan still did not appear before the end of work, as shop manager, Li Man could only let Xia Zhiwan go reluctantly¡­


    The door of a remote storehouse was shut tight.


    Xia Zhiwan stared at the man, who looked like a hooligan, as she was backed into a corner.


    He had yellow-dyed hair of poor quality and his actions were rough and fierce. He then threatened Xia Zhiwan with a menacing tone.


    ¡°Give me your USB!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan already knew that this person was a helper of the thief. He aimed to stop her from clearing things up.


    Her hand hesitated for a while. Her eyes then sparkled as she handed the USB to him obediently.


    As expected, the hooligan destroyed the USB in mere seconds.


    Xia Zhiwan then said, ¡°You have already gotten rid of the evidence, now can you let me go? I am still the young mistress of the Xia family and the young madam of the Ou family. It won¡¯t end well for you if you mess with me.¡±


    She managed to break that hooligan¡¯s spirit just by introducing herself. He then started to curse out loud, ¡°Crap, that woman didn¡¯t tell me that this woman is a freaking young mistress! I am now doomed because of her!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan saw that he wanted to draw back and firmly believed that he was the type of person who would only prey on the weak.


    ¡°It¡¯s such a shame that you didn¡¯t know you were being used. Didn¡¯t the woman who called you here steal a necklace that was worth ten million dollars as well? You must be her partner.¡±


    ¡°What partner? A necklace worth ten million dollars?¡± The hooligan got even more afraid after hearing these few words.


    Xia Zhiwan nodded. ¡°If you are partners, then you could be sentenced to at least ten years in jail considering that it is a robbery case that involves tens of millions of dollars.¡±


    The hooligan cursed a certain woman a hundred times in his heart. It looked like he had already completely given up on this commission.


    ¡°Crap, that damn woman. All she does is cause trouble!¡±


    ¡°Who is that woman? If you tell me her name, then I will guarantee that I won¡¯t pull you into this¡­¡±


    The hooligan said a familiar name. Xia Zhiwan wanted to ask more questions, but that man had already run away in fear.


    ¡°It has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t know anything. Stop asking!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan looked at the time. It was already afternoon.


    Sigh, it seemed that a certain someone had succeeded to stall her in the end.


    She took out her hairpin and poked open the storehouse¡¯s keyhole.


    Right at the moment when she saw the sun again, she was caught off guard as she fell into a familiar and fragrant embrace¡­


    ¡°You just keep on making me worry for you, little rascal!¡±


    Suddenly, her eyes met a pair of emerald eyes which were as deep as an abyss.


    Xia Zhiwan bit her lips and felt wronged at that instant¡­


    After asking Xia Zhiwan about the details of what had happened, there was a glint of fierceness in Issac¡¯s eyes as he looked at the USB that was destroyed. God damn it, which damn bastard destroyed the evidence that Wan¡¯er had worked so hard to find?


    Xia Zhiwan smiled mysteriously and caressed Issac¡¯s worried face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have already uploaded the backup. If I didn¡¯t go back to cancel it myself by noon, the evidence would be automatically sent to the shop manager. She should have already received it by now.¡±


    Issac raised his eyebrows and kissed her forehead. It was as if he was praising a child.


    ¡°How can my baby be this smart? You even knew to prepare a plan B. Not bad, you are indeed a woman who is worthy to stand by my side.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s cheeks turned slightly red. The man then suddenly changed the topic. ¡°However, why didn¡¯t you look for me when you were searching for evidence?¡±


    He furrowed his eyebrows unhappily. His woman should have remained in his embrace to be cared for. Why would she dig herself a hole and get into trouble?


    Was it because she did not have enough trust in him? That thought made Issac¡¯s heart sink as he hugged his woman even tighter.


    After knowing that she had been kidnapped by a stranger, his heart had skipped a beat. He hated himself for allowing her to fall into danger!


    His fiery lips then covered her lips as the insecure man decided to use affection to confirm her existence. He had also purposely done so to teach her a lesson!


    He then used his flexible tongue to lick her petite tongue as he sucked the fragrance from her mouth.


    His warm lips then moved downwards as they continued to suck and bite on the woman until there were seductive hickeys on her white neck.


    He then used his fingers to undo the buttons on the woman¡¯s chest which exposed her skin.


    Her exposed smooth white skin attracted the man¡¯s attention. His eyes were then filled with desire!


    Xia Zhiwan screamed in her heart, ¡®Oh no, it seems like the man in front of me is far more dangerous than the hooligan earlier!¡¯

 Chapter 35

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    In the silent storehouse, the sweet moans and the man¡¯s impatient deep gasps were interwoven with each other. It was mysterious yet charming, affectionate yet dangerous.


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t, ah!¡±


    The man put down his head and passionately kissed the woman¡¯s chest. As a result, Xia Zhiwan was forced to raise her head in agony as she felt like weeping.


    Her cries for mercy were as if she was flirting with him. They were soft and sweet like an aphrodisiac and it caused the man to lose his rationality!


    He then put his large hands under her skirt. Once he touched a piece of thin fabric, he immediately pulled it down and used his palms to cover it. It was slightly moist and warm.


    She was aroused too!


    The pair of pink arms that wanted to reject the man¡¯s firm arms ended up welcoming them. After that, the two bodies got closer to each other and passionately consummated as the sweet sounds of copulation lingered on.


    Xia Zhiwan bit her lips. She wanted to reject him, but she became more bewitched every time Issac got closer to her. She was scared, yet she enjoyed it. Oh, the irony.


    At last, she could only hand her body over to her mind as it continued to sink in depravity due to the pleasure she felt from every single pounding.


    In the afternoon, the tall man carried the sweaty beauty and put her in his car with a satisfied look.


    He then kissed her dazed cheeks and sat in the driver¡¯s seat. After that, he drove his luxurious yet low-profile sports car away.


    The side profile of Issac¡¯s face when he was driving was extremely gorgeous. His facial features were handsome and his serious gaze could make any woman fall for him.


    Xia Zhiwan was infatuated because the man had made love with her in a fit of anger. Now, she finally regained her rationality.


    Even if she could only lie in the car because her whole body was sore, she still decided to firmly tell him her thoughts.


    ¡°I know that you are worried about me, and I am grateful for that. However, there are a lot of things that only I could do. Otherwise, I would be a feeble young mistress once you are no longer by my side!¡±


    ¡°If¡­you really love me, then I want to be a woman who could stand by your side as your equal. I don¡¯t want to be protected all the time¡­¡±


    Xia Zhiwan was too immersed in her speech. She did not realize that she had said that she wanted to stay by his side as his equal.


    That meant that she had subconsciously thought of being together with him?


    Issac grinned happily and grabbed the steering wheel firmly just like a ship captain who was mapping out a strategy.


    He could see her soft yet strong-willed face from the rearview mirror. He then subconsciously smiled.


    Issac was indeed worried that XIa Zhiwan might have gotten hurt. That was because he had acknowledged that he was going to love her!


    However, she could only be a stronger and prettier flower once she had gone through dangerous trials. That way, she could stay by his side for a longer time.


    He decided to just give her some space to make some noise. If anything were to happen, he would always be there for her, right?


    The car slowly stopped in front of Summer¡¯s shop.


    Issac pinched her chin and gave her a loving kiss.


    ¡°Even if that¡¯s the case, can the fearless Miss Xia give me a chance to help her out when it is necessary?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan snorted proudly, but her cheeks were already red. She still had that charming aura right until the moment she got out of the car.


    Once she entered the shop, she noticed that her co-workers were looking at her angrily with loathing gazes.


    This thief is so brave. How dare she step into this place?!


    How could she have gotten off a top-tier limited edition sports car? The driver was also an extremely handsome man!


    She should have been caught like a despondent thief, but why did she still look so graceful and beautiful?!


    Xia Zhiwan¡¯s appearance had undoubtedly incited jealousy among the ladies, especially Li Yiyun.


    She rushed towards Xia Zhiwan angrily and grabbed a broom to chase her out.


    ¡°You have already been fired. Get out! You shameless thief, I¡¯ll call the police to catch you right now!¡±


    She then grabbed her phone to make a call.


    Fortunately, Li Man appeared right on time. She grabbed Li Yiyun¡¯s hand and locked eyes with Xia Zhiwan.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan did not hide anything. ¡°I was kidnapped. It took me a lot of effort to escape. It seems that the kidnapper was partnered with the thief. However, it is a good thing that I still have the evidence. When the time comes, I will throw that laughable thief and kidnapper into jail!¡±


    She seemed different from her usual gentle look. At that moment, Xia Zhiwan was surrounded by an aura that was hard to ignore.


    Li Yiyun was so scared until the point her legs started to shake. However, she still firmly said, ¡°Back then, you had only mentioned three days. You didn¡¯t arrive in the morning, so you had already exceeded the time limit! Sister Man, hurry up and chase her out!¡±

 Chapter 36

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Li Man sneered and took out her laptop. She played the video that Xia Zhiwan had sent to herself automatically after recording. Everyone huddled around to watch.


    Six or seven video recordings were lined up side by side, creating a path to the store. Although the thief in the picture had put on some disguises, Li Yiyun¡¯s colleagues had worked with her long enough to recognize that the person in the video was her!


    The store descended into chaos. Xia Zhiwan took a step back and observed the scene.


    Li Man maintained the calm and collected composure she always had while working and retrieved the employee handbook.


    ¡°According to the company¡¯s policy, the employee would need to compensate for the original price of the product which they have lost. ¡°Blossoming Years¡± is a limited edition necklace. It¡¯s also the hottest product at our Nan City Avenue store and is worth ten million!¡±


    Li Yiyun finally broke down. She abandoned the bitter and spiteful expression she was wearing and clutched Li Man¡¯s arm tightly.


    ¡°Sister Man, I¡¯ve been working here for so long. You¡¯re the one who recommended me for an internship position here. Please pity me!¡±


    Li Man tossed her hand away. ¡°I¡¯ve already pitied you enough! You didn¡¯t actually lose the jewelry. You stole it! I can call the police right now!¡±


    If Li Yiyun was willing to be subjected to the company¡¯s rules and regulations, the most she would need to do was compensate for the necklace and have her points deducted. Her job at the store would be safe. The worst she would need to bear would be laughter and ridicule. This incident had put a stain on her reputation.


    However, if Li Man were to report this to the police, she would most definitely be put in jail! Her whole life would be ruined!


    Li Yiyun thought about the huge amount of money she would need to compensate. Where would an average middle-class worker like her be able to find that kind of money?


    A person¡¯s face appeared in her mind. She must know what to do! Li Yiyun gritted her teeth and exclaimed unexpectedly, ¡°I¡¯ll pay!¡±


    Xia Zhiwan raised an eyebrow. While she was curious to find the reason behind her answer, she also felt a little indignant by the turn of events.


    That was it? Should she just let go of the fact that she was misunderstood and be done with it? Yet, if Li Yiyun really compensated the original price, she did not think it was wise to continue to make a big deal out of it¡­


    Xia Zhiwan told herself to be magnanimous. How could she take revenge on Li Yiyun when, at the moment, she was only a lowly salesperson?


    ¡ª


    In the privacy of a room, a bejeweled woman took her mask off impatiently.


    ¡°Why did you reach out to me? Didn¡¯t I tell you not to contact me before you get rid of Xia Zhiwan from that shop?¡±


    The person who spoke was Xia Zhiya.


    She preferred not to let anyone know that she had contact with a lowly salesperson from a department store.


    Li Yiyun was bawling. ¡°Sister Ya, I swear I made the necessary arrangements not to let her come back in time, but¡­ she still handed Li Man the evidence! Now she wants me to make a compensation of at least ten million! I¡¯ve done so much for you, please pity me! Help me this once! I¡¯ll go to prison if you don¡¯t!¡±


    Xi Zhiya regarded the sobbing girl with indifference. ¡°But are you worth ten million?¡±


    Li Yiyun said cautiously, ¡°Didn¡¯t you sell the necklace? Can you give me the money you earned?¡±


    Xia Zhiya gave her a look that basically said, ¡®How dumb can you be?¡¯


    Li Yiyun gritted her teeth when she saw that expression of hers that made it seem like they did not know each other at all. ¡°If I¡¯m sent to prison, I have no choice but to tell the truth¡­¡±


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s expression changed. She was afraid that Li Yiyun would expose her.


    ¡°A rabbit would bite if it was forced to do so,¡± Xia Zhiya said in an attempt to console and caution herself. Li Yiyun could continue to help her if she got to keep her job. With that, Xia Zhiya agreed to pay for her compensation.


    ¡°Thank you, Sister Ya! I¡¯ll do anything you ask me to!¡± Li Yiyun cried happy tears. Xia Zhiya had already become her idol in her heart.


    What she did not know was that everything had been a lie. Xia Zhiya promised to promote her by giving her a position at the headquarters as long as she managed to get rid of Xia Zhiwan. She only said that so that Li Yiyun would do what she wanted willingly. That condition had been a lie from the very beginning.


    Xia Zhiya bent her waist and pinched her cheek. ¡°You¡¯ll do anything I ask?¡±


    Li Yiyun nodded forcefully. A wicked smile appeared on Xia Zhiya¡¯s face. Well, she was far from broke anyway, so she could pretend that she had just paid to use a tool.


    Just when Li Yiyun was ready to compensate and when Li Man was about to forgive her for old time¡¯s sake, a few uniformed policemen appeared and apprehended Li Yiyun.


    In the blink of an eye, Li Yiyun turned mad and tried to charge toward Xia Zhiwan so she could hit her.


    ¡°You must have called the police! Old hag! B*tch! You just have to destroy me, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Xia Zhiwan stood frozen on her spot. She had no idea who called the police. Just as the slap was about to land on her cheek, a powerful hand pulled her into a pair of arms, shielding her carefully from harm.

 Chapter 37

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    A prominent silver-haired man appeared in front of the store unexpectedly. His presence made the surroundings glimmer.


    ¡°Miss Thief, you better watch your mouth. Or else, someone in prison would clean it for you!¡±


    A cold and uncaring pair of eyes swept across Li Yiyun. He tightened his arms around the woman in his arm dearly.


    What did she say about wanting to grow up and face the world on her own? Was this what she had to go through without him? Getting humiliated and bullied?


    Xia Zhiwan pursed her lips and explained in a small voice, ¡°I was going to avoid her slap¡­ Why are the police here? Did you find them?¡±


    Issac¡¯s lips tugged into a smile. A righteous expression graced his face. ¡°This is what she deserves for framing you. Don¡¯t think you can get away with it by paying them off!¡±


    Li Yiyun was escorted away by the police, still indignant about her arrest. They also took Xia Zhiwan to the station to get her statement.


    After everything had been settled, the police awkwardly asked for Xia Zhiwan¡¯s help.


    ¡°Miss Xia, the stolen necklace is now in the black market. It may have been remodeled, or the diamonds may have been removed. These possibilities have increased the difficulty in our search. This gentleman here told us you have an astute pair of eyes that can help us solve this case. Please cooperate with us.¡±


    Xia Zhiya turned to look at Issac in shock, who was pretending he had no idea what was going on. She did not know what he was trying to do.


    Did he realize something when he entered her office that time? Was he trying to test her? Or did he say that merely because he trusted her abilities?


    No matter what his intention was, she agreed without any hesitation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll definitely help you solve this case! It¡¯s because it¡¯ll prove my innocence too!¡±


    Issac¡¯s lips tugged into a small but satisfied grin. He also gave her a video so that she could have somewhere to start with her investigation.


    The video showed Li Yiyun showing up at the most luxurious hotel in the whole city, Philippe Hotel, and meeting with Xia Zhiya.


    Xia Zhiwan had a moment of clarity. Li Yiyun was only one of the many chess pieces from the game Xia Zhiya was playing.


    Li Yiyun entered the room with her purse clutched under her armpit. Her expression was solemn. She looked much more relaxed as she was walking out and held her bag in her hand, dangling by her feet.


    Xia Zhiwan made an educated guess that this was when Li Yiyun had handed Xia Zhiya the necklace.


    Everything Li Yiyun had done had been done under Xia Zhiya¡¯s orders. They were done just to hurt Xia Zhiwan.


    Xia Zhiya¡¯s gaze was chilling. There was not an ounce of sympathy in her heart.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hurt anyone who doesn¡¯t try to hurt me.¡±


    She had been oppressed time and again as if she was some kind of soft persimmon. Xia Zhiya did not let her live in peace even after she went to work at a store.


    She finally recognized that ¡°tolerance¡± and ¡°laying low¡± had no use against a ruthless woman like her!


    ¡­


    In a trade center for the black market, an elegant figure moved leisurely.


    Xia Zhiwan wore a mask that was painted with platinum. She looked mysterious and enchanting but also beautiful and elegant.


    They received intel that this was where sightings of the pink diamond were reported. Although they could not confirm that the diamond was the one on ¡°Blossoming Years,¡± Xia Zhiwan still came without any hesitation.


    After all, she would be able to clearly identify the jewelry she saw.


    All kinds of people could be found in this black market. Xia Zhiwan wore the mask because she did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble. She wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.


    What she did not know was that she had already been the target of a pair of black eyes, bright with interest.


    Lie Feng stood on the balcony and shook his wine glass. He exclaimed lightly, ¡°This woman has a great physique. Even though I can only see half of her face, I can tell she¡¯s a rarity.¡±


    An elegant man, who stood beside him and wore a white tux, chuckled lightly. ¡°Feng, this isn¡¯t a place for you to look for women. Put away some of your charisma. We¡¯re here to find the Azure Heart.¡±


    Lie Feng was a little frustrated. Azure Heart was a rare azure diamond that was worth nearly a billion. It used to be one of the Lie family¡¯s most popular jewelry. They had even held numerous exhibitions for it.


    However, Azure Heart had been stolen four years ago. It had vanished without a trace. A long-term search still yielded no news.


    They were only here to push their luck today. Lie Feng was obviously not expecting too much.


    ¡°Qin, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Azure Heart was highly popular, so it would be difficult to just sell it as it was. The thief must have cut it into pieces or transformed it into something that resembled nothing like its original form to profit.


    Just when Lie Feng was about to leave with the guy called Qin, a commotion was heard on the first floor.


    It all happened because Xia Zhiwan saw her target for tonight among the displayed products at the black market.

 Chapter 38

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The main diamond on Blossoming Years was taken from the necklace. It was now displayed as a solitary diamond. If one was not actively looking for the diamond, it was indeed a little difficult to recognize it with one¡¯s own eyes.


    Xia Zhiwan had no fear at all. She sped to the counter and begged the staff to get in touch with the seller. While doing so, she also asked them to cooperate with the police investigation.


    The staff member had seen too much to believe her right away. They put on a fake smile and said, ¡°Although a pink diamond is rare, it can be found not only on the Blossoming Years you mentioned. How can you be so sure?¡± It was evident that that staff member was just trying to muddle through their conversation and then find an interval to ask her to leave.


    Xia Zhiwan stated accurately the carat and clarity of the marquise pink diamond. After that, she added, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask someone to bring the machine here to verify.¡±


    Her lips tugged up slightly, and her smile was cunning yet charming.


    ¡°By the way, among the 13 gemstones you guys displayed for the night, four of them are fake.¡±


    Cold sweat began pouring from the staff member¡¯s head. They knew Xia Zhiwan was not someone to be trifled with and quickly directed her backstage respectfully. They were worried that she would continue to criticize their business and enrage the customers they had tonight.


    The man in a white suit smiled and joked, ¡°Is this woman some jewelry appraisal expert? How can she recognize the diamond with just one look?¡±


    Judging from the ashy expression the staff member was wearing, what she had said was most likely not a lie.


    Lie Feng remained silent. His eyes were fixed on the back of her figure until she disappeared. Then, he turned and left with a thoughtful expression.


    A lot of times stolen precious items would appear on the black market, but they were usually never reported since no concrete evidence was ever produced or the people who were searching for it did not have enough support to pursue it.


    Lie Feng thought that this woman was going to be disappointed as well, so he did not take her to heart.


    Xia Zhiya was following him today as well. She asked him for the management authority of one of Summer¡¯s stores.


    The company¡¯s division of labor was definitive. Each of their stores was managed by an experienced shop manager. The manager had complete control over the shop¡¯s operations. Lie Feng had no intention to disrupt this established management system for her.


    Not only that, she pointed out specifically that she wanted the store Li Man was managing.


    After reviewing Li Man¡¯s background and the profit she would bring to the store in the future, Lie Feng refused to take Xia Zhiya¡¯s words seriously. Rather, a thread of frustration swirled in his heart.


    This woman usually feigned a docile personality, but her greed always made her go out of line. This led to Lie Feng getting bored of her not even three months later.


    He thought he would wait and see what surprises her abilities would bring him, but it turned out that she did not have any other special merits to show.


    Distinguishing between gemstones could be done by appraisal experts and precise equipment. There was no need to have Xia Zhiya by his side. What Lie Feng wanted was someone whose special abilities could gain him significant benefits in his jewelry business.


    In terms of the ability to differentiate between gemstones, Xia Zhiya was not as good as the unforgettable woman he saw wearing a white mask at the black market that day.


    An odd smile tugged at Lie Feng¡¯s lips when he reminisced about that figure.


    Xia Zhiya felt indignant about how things had turned out. She was still racking her brains for a way to get Li Man¡¯s management right so that she could not protect Xia Zhiwan anymore.


    It was at this moment that someone knocked on her office door. A few police officers stalked right in and told her that she was suspected to have had some involvement in Blossoming Years¡¯ disposal to the black market. They were taking her back to the station to get her statement.


    It turned out that Xia Zhiwan had taken the pink diamond away from the black market and helped the police trace it back to the seller.


    Xia Zhiya was not cooperating with the police at all. Her eyes widened incredulously when she was taken forcibly away from her office.


    ¡°You low lives! Don¡¯t touch me! Blossoming Years belongs rightfully to the Xia family. The whole Xia family is under my control. You can¡¯t control what I do with it!¡±


    Lie Feng¡¯s excitement was renewed with this unexpected turn of events. After hearing the whole story, a thought struck him.


    Could it be that the mysterious woman he saw last night was the legendary Xia Zhiwan?


    She fell from being a powerful woman to an insignificant salesperson. Yet, she was still able to prove herself after having had to endure so much mistreatment and becoming the ultimate nemesis of Xia Zhiya, who enraged her on a daily basis.


    It seemed like this woman was not as useless as Xia Zhiya had said.


    However, Lie Feng obviously could not simply stand by and watch since Xia Zhiya was technically still his lover.

 Chapter 39

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The woman who was once outrageous in everything she had done was now sobbing with tears as she turned to face Lie Feng. She wanted him to help her clean up this mess.


    Unexpectedly, he laughed and said, ¡°You can have any limited edition jewelry in the world. Why did you go through so much to do this? How embarrassing. I bought the Xia Corporation. If you must know, the company¡¯s mine. When has it ever been yours?¡±


    Xia Zhiya was rendered speechless by his straightforwardness.


    She had obviously done it to pull a stunt on Xia Zhiwan. It was because of her greed that she had failed to consider the possibility that the useless piece of trash named Li Yiyun might fail in carrying out her tasks, leading to her implication in this case.


    Lie Feng asked the question when he already knew the answer just because he wanted her to realize how dumb she really was.


    He had picked her to carry the title of Xia Corporation¡¯s president. If someone had laughed at her and the stupid things she did as the president, did it mean that they would have reservations about the decisions he would make later on?


    An aristocrat¡¯s ambitions would be dashed if they had committed enough of these merciless acts.


    That was why Lie Feng allowed the police to take her away. He would bail her out after she had given her statement. It would be a great testament to her character.


    Without her nagging by his side, Lie Feng let out a sigh of relief and got on the phone with someone. A sinister smile tugged at his lips.


    ¡°Qin, a new quarterly assessment is around the corner. You¡¯ll be responsible¡­¡±


    The hardworking Xia Zhiwan did not know that she had incited someone¡¯s interest.


    As the salesperson of the store, Xia Zhiwan was the one who was going to be the closest to the customers and who was going to interact with them the most, as compared to those jewelry designers and staff working at the management department.


    It might be true that a lot of people working in sales were envious of those who were working in an excellent office environment at the headquarters and wearing fresh white-collared professional attire. In contrast, they had to always put on a fake smile for the customers and sustain their livelihoods by appealing to their every whim.


    Summer was a luxury brand. Most of the sales assistants in its outlets had to maintain a haughty demeanor to keep up with the brand¡¯s elegant image.


    Nevertheless, Xia Zhiwan thought this was a perfect chance for her to understand what the customers were thinking and to get close to the jewelry that was being put on sale.


    The aristocratic education she had received since young had taught her to move in a dignified and charming manner. She remained the most attractive one in a row of uniformed saleswomen. Customers naturally liked her suggestions more.


    Besides, Xia Zhiwan would not deliberately recommend expensive jewelry only but would try to search for gemstones that matched the customer¡¯s outlook. She knew every product in the store by heart, and everything she said was reasonable to a fault.


    She would not look down upon customers who entered the store wearing plain clothes. After all, who knew if these customers had another identity in disguise?


    Her outstanding appearance and manner of speech as well as her experienced and precise vision had led Xia Zhiwan to be crowned first place in sales in her very first month of work. This news astounded everyone.


    She was not only the champion in monthly sales, but she also broke the record for the most monthly sales in the past five years since Summer had opened its first outlet.


    Li Man was extremely pleased with her performance. She would proclaim her flagrant admiration for Xia Zhiwan during their regular meetings. This had exacerbated the envy her colleagues had toward her.


    ¡°Our store¡¯s performance has risen because of Xia Zhiwan. I hope the rest of you can keep up with her, especially now since the quarterly assessment is just around the corner. When the time comes, I¡¯ll do nothing but what¡¯s necessary if the special investigators find that your professionalism doesn¡¯t pass their test!¡±


    ¡°Quarterly assessment? When is that?¡±


    ¡°A quarterly assessment doesn¡¯t have a specific timeline. The investigators will take on different identities and disguise themselves as customers when they visit the store. They¡¯ll test you when you least expect it.¡±


    All of the store employees would usually grow anxious as that time of the year approached. They were afraid that those investigators would make things difficult for them. If they did not handle it well, they would get their points deducted, or even worse, they would be laid off.


    As the flourishing monthly sales champion, the store Xia Zhiwan was working at had attracted much attention. It was also one of the first stores that managed to lure investigators to visit.


    One day, a shabby-dressed woman walked into the store. A few of the employees pretended not to see her, thinking that she was one of those poor people who wanted a taste of the upper-class society.


    Even so, the disheveled woman lingered in the store. One could detect a rancid smell radiating from her body if they got close enough. She even used her grubby hands to touch whatever she could get her hands on. How ridiculous!


    A store employee named Wei Lin eventually tried to see her out, but Xia Zhiwan interrupted her and reminded her that she might be an investigator.


    Wei Lin¡¯s body went cold as she took in the slovenly appearance of the woman and the other grimacing customers in the stores who were covering their mouths and noses. She became impatient all at once.


    ¡°You are new here, so you¡¯ve never been through a quarterly assessment before. What do you know?¡±

 Chapter 40

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Wei Lin held on to the customers who wanted to leave and tried her best to promote Summer¡¯s products. Even then, the turnover rate for jewelry stores was not high to begin with. Not to mention, the customers¡¯ moods had been affected, so they could not help but feel irritated with the way she promoted the products. They all left right away.


    After her failed attempt, Wei Lin put all the blame on that woman.


    ¡°Are you done looking? Summer is a luxury brand. It¡¯s a jewelry store and not a farmer¡¯s market! You can¡¯t come here to beg for food!¡±


    That woman muttered haltingly, ¡°My daughter is getting married. I want to buy a necklace.¡±


    Wei Lin burst out laughing at the sound of her thick country accent. She said with disdain, ¡°Take a right after you walk out of this door, and you¡¯ll see a night market. The necklaces they sell at the stall will suit your daughter more.¡±


    Her words made Xia Zhiwan furrow her eyebrows.


    The next second, the slovenly woman¡¯s expression changed. She took out a small camera with an indifferent expression.


    Everyone blanched, especially Wei Lin. She tried at once to apologize humbly, but it was too late.


    The woman peered at her and said, ¡°The reason that Summer became the country¡¯s top jewelry brand has a lot to do with our customer service philosophy where we require our staff to offer a warm and caring welcome to everyone that walks into the store. This Nan City outlet is the champion in sales, and the executives said we should put more attention on you. I can¡¯t believe this store has such a disappointing performance.¡±


    With that, she decided to deduct Wei Lin¡¯s year-end bonus as punishment and left without another word.


    After she had left, Wei Lin blamed Xia Zhiwan instead.


    Her colleagues were trying to console Wei Lin, but she shouted indignantly, ¡°If you didn¡¯t show off, they wouldn¡¯t have kept an eye on us!¡±


    Normally, the chances of encountering an investigator were very low, considering how many outlets and employees Summer had. It was true that their store had been given special attention because of Xia Zhiwan¡¯s presence.


    Xia Zhiwan was laughing silently. She had literally reminded her that the woman might be an investigator. Wei Lin was just trying to find an excuse to write off as the reason for her failure.


    Xia Zhiwan did not glance in her direction even once and walked back to her post.


    She lifted her head and saw a handsome man in a white suit stepping into the store.


    He was tall and personable like the son of a nobleman. Every person¡¯s gaze was glued to him immediately.


    Yet, he headed straight for Xia Zhiwan and gave her an enchanting smile.


    ¡°Hi, can you recommend a bracelet to me? I¡¯m thinking of giving one to my lover.¡±


    Xia Zhiwan gladly introduced him to a ruby bracelet, a pendant with a pink diamond, and a pair of diamond earrings.


    The man in the white suit discovered, to his surprise, that he actually liked all the products that Xia Zhiwan introduced to him, especially that ruby bracelet¡­ He designed that himself.


    Xia Zhiwan noticed his interest, so she began to tell him more about the bracelet.


    ¡°This bracelet is a limited edition. It¡¯s designed by the world-famous director of Li Feng Jewelry, Gu Saoqin. It was not available for sale in the country until Li Feng Jewelry bought Xia Corporation. That¡¯s why a limited number of jewelry pieces from the international brand will be put on sale at our store too.


    ¡°This ruby has a beautiful gleam to it, and it looks crystal clear. It can be used to perfectly represent fiery love. Your outfit is modest but classy, and you have a personable disposition. You¡¯re most likely not a big fan of opulent and exaggerated styles. This bracelet has a simple yet stylish design, so¡­¡±


    Xia Zhiwan rambled on and on. Little by little, Qu Saoqin became moved by her speech¡­ He could not believe that she knew so much about the product. On top of that, her explanation echoed his design concept. It seemed like she was indeed deserving of the sales champion title.


    As he stared at her beautiful face, Gu Saoqin felt his heartstrings being tugged. Without another word, he immediately bought the ruby bracelet that was worth three million.


    After he had left, everyone let out shocking gasps. They were envious that Xia Zhiwan was lucky enough to meet a special quest that was generous with his fortune.


    Wei Lin was sobbing in a corner of the store. She was disgruntled by the fact that she had met a disheveled investigator in disguise, but Xia Zhiwan got to meet a handsome and loaded customer!


    The next day, the charming and elegant customer visited the store again.


    However, he took out a broken ruby bracelet.


    The stunning man questioned calmly, ¡°I noticed the crack on the bracelet after I brought it home. Did you sell me a defective product and try to pass it as a good one? Or is it because Summer¡¯s jewelry is just lacking in quality to begin with?¡±


    Everyone thought Xia Zhiwan was feeling guilty as she stared at the bracelet in silence. No one stood up to defend her. Instead, they waited eagerly to witness the trouble she had gotten herself into.