Su returned to the Su family residence. The light in Madam Su's room was still on.
Su Ruiyi and Emmanuel bid each other goodnight and parted ways.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Su Ruiyi knocked on Madam Su's door.
"Come in."
Su Ruiyi: "Mom."
Madam Su: "You're back? Perfect, help me take a look. Which of these necklaces looks better."
Su Ruiyi glanced at Madam Su's vanity. Several sets of jewelry were displayed, and those less commonly seen were brought out from the safe.
Su Ruiyi pointed to one at random.
Madam Su held it in her hand, then placed it around her neck to try it on. She seemed not entirely satisfied.
Madam Su: "What did you and Emmanuel talk about?"
Su Ruiyi: "Nothing much, just chatting."
Madam Su looked at Su Ruiyi in the mirror, as if seeing through her thoughts at a glance. Yet, she said nothing and asked nothing, continuing to fuss with the necklaces in the boxes.
Su Ruiyi: "What was Ouyang Chen here for today?"
Madam Su: "Work-related matters."
Su Ruiyi: "Is that so? Then why did it take so long to open the door?"
Madam Su's hand paused. The necklace she had just put on was returned to its box.
Madam Su: "In the past, I could turn a blind eye to you pestering Ouyang Chen. But from now on, I want you to stay away from Ouyang Chen."
Su Ruiyi: "Why?"
Madam Su: "He's not suitable for you."
Su Ruiyi: "How is he unsuitable? I like him!"
Madam Su: "I say he's unsuitable, and he is unsuitable. You must make Emmanuel like you and marry you!"
Su Ruiyi: "I will not marry someone I don't love. Besides, I already solemnly told Emmanuel today that I like Ouyang Chen, and I must marry Ouyang Chen!"
Madam Su: "Insolence!!!"
With a "slap," Su Ruiyi felt a stinging pain on her face.
Madam Su: "He doesn't deserve you, my daughter!"
Su Ruiyi: "Doesn't deserve? Yes, you've always been using Ouyang Chen to do your bidding. You want to reclaim control of the Su Corporation from my father. Now that Ouyang Chen has helped you establish AtL and earned you a lot of money, you're going to abandon him?"
Madam Su was stunned for a moment. She hadn't expected her daughter to know about her and Lawyer Ma's plan.
Indeed, in no long time, Madam Su would use Ouyang Chen's mismanagement as an excuse to oust him. By then, Ouyang Chen would no longer be the CEO of AtL, and without such a title, he would be even less worthy of Su Ruiyi.
Su Ruiyi: "Why are you silent? Do you need me to speak for you?"
Su Ruiyi: "You say you hate your husband. Every time I saw him hit you, I pitied you. I wanted you to reclaim everything that belonged to you from him. But now you're treating Ouyang Chen like this. What's the difference between you and that detestable Xu Shumming!!!"
Madam Su: "He brought it upon himself!!!"
Madam Su: "If he had obediently been my pawn, he could have kept his high title forever. But he didn't listen. He used AtL's convenience to enrich himself. I can't wait for him to betray me first; I have to abandon him to protect what I have!"
Su Ruiyi: "..."
Madam Su: "Yiyi, believe me, Ouyang Chen is not a man worth entrusting your life to. His kindness to you is all an act!"
Su Ruiyi: "That's not true..."
Madam Su: "He's using you. He's been working for me for so long; I know him far better than you do. Before he achieves his goals, he'll use anything, including deceiving your feelings."
Su Ruiyi: "You just want me to give up on him. Why must you speak of him so disparagingly!"
Madam Su: "I'm not lying to you. His ambition far exceeds my expectations. I was deceived by him back then. AtL won't be his destination, but his starting point!"
Su Ruiyi: "Isn't that a good thing?"
Madam Su: "What if he becomes powerful enough to swallow us whole? Like your father, must I watch you become a second me?"
Su Ruiyi: "He won't. He wouldn't hurt me."
Madam Su: "Why don't you understand yet? Everything about Ouyang Chen is a facade!"
Looking at Su Ruiyi lost in love, Madam Su saw a reflection of herself from years ago, arguing with her father, insisting on marrying Xu Shumming, and ending up in her current predicament.
Madam Su: "Don't you want to know what he came here for today? Fine, I'll tell you. But I hope you'll use your brain and think carefully: does he love you!!!"
Su Ruiyi: "..."
Madam Su: "He threatened me, demanding ten percent of AtL's shares. If I refused, he would reveal your hidden dark past to Emmanuel!!!"
Su Ruiyi was so shocked she couldn't speak.
Madam Su: "You are so foolish, foolish like I was back then. How could you tell him such an important secret!!!"
Su Ruiyi: "Did you give him the shares?"
Madam Su: "Otherwise? If Emmanuel found out, would he still like you? His family wouldn't let you in!"
Su Ruiyi felt all her strength drain away. The world spun before her eyes, and everything turned upside down.
Madam Su: "I can also tell you that many of his behind-the-scenes actions are solely for his own benefit. I recently learned he's in close contact with an AtL client to secure a place at Gulf University."
Su Ruiyi: "Gulf University?"
Madam Su: "Heard of it? Xu Shumming also applied but was rejected. The students there are all successful entrepreneurs, and those who get in become part of that top circle of influence. What kind of people are they!"
Madam Su: "If Ouyang Chen gets into that university, who knows what kind of person he'll become!"
Su Ruiyi: "Stop talking!!!"
Madam Su: "Yiyi..."
Su Ruiyi: "I'm going back to my room."
Madam Su wanted to say more, but Su Ruiyi's state was not right. As she left, she stumbled, as if she couldn't stand steady.