C10 The Shameless Person

Inside the room, Hassie was entertaining a young man with a warmth and affection that was a far cry from her usual sharpness toward Wood.

"Come on in, Raleigh, make yourself at home. Don't stand on ceremony here," Hassie beckoned with a beaming smile.

Raleigh straightened up in his seat, his gaze sweeping the room in search of someone he had hoped to meet.

"Auntie, I don't see Qing Ya around. I've come to propose to her, actually."

"I've admired Qing Ya for a long time, just never had the chance to express it. I hope I'm not too late," Raleigh said, his smile unwavering.

Hassie's eyes lit up with excitement. "Why, Qing Ya's spoken fondly of you too."

"But we're in a bit of a pickle. There's this clingy fellow who won't leave Qing Ya alone, and she's too sentimental to push for a divorce. I'm at my wit's end," Hassie said through clenched teeth.

Raleigh was taken aback. "Qing Ya's still married?"

"Not for long, not for long. Don't fret, Raleigh. I've got a strategy," Hassie reassured him.

"Qing Ya and Selena have been inseparable for years. If we hide Selena away, Qing Ya's affection for her will surely lead to a swift agreement to divorce," Hassie revealed with a sly grin.

"That good-for-nothing Wood thinks he can keep my daughter to himself? He's just a lowly soldier, no match for us. This time, they will divorce," Hassie resolved firmly.

Without a moment's hesitation, Raleigh agreed, "Alright, I'll go along with your plan, Auntie."

They delved further into their plot when suddenly, the door was violently flung open, and an ominous figure charged in.

Wood's rage surged like a volcanic eruption.

"You two are courting death."

The wrath of a God of Soldier could lay waste to armies.

Wood's eyes blazed with murderous intent, and the room's temperature plummeted.

Hassie's face drained of color. "Wood! How did you get back here?"

"You've really outdone yourself. To drive a wedge between Qing Ya and me, you've stopped at nothing." Wood's voice was icy.

His gaze was as fierce as a tiger's, and had the person before him not been Qing Ya's mother, she would have met her end right there.

The mere thought of someone laying claim to his daughter sent a chill through Wood's eyes, colder than the harshest winter gale.

The atmosphere grew heavy, as if they were all plunged into a frigid abyss.

Hassie, flushed with fury, pointed accusingly at Wood. "You insolent man, who do you think you're speaking to?"

"You should count yourself lucky to even be under my roof. You've sullied my daughter's reputation, and now you're hounding her like a relentless pest. Have you no dignity?"

Wood's stare turned even more glacial. "If you weren't Qing Ya's mother, you'd already be dead."

Raleigh, with a dark cloud over his face, managed to quickly regain composure.

He rose and approached Wood, his lips curled in disdain. "Buddy, Qing Ya is way out of your league."

"Just like the lady said, you're just a soldier. The Empire is full of them. What joy could you possibly offer Qing Ya?"

"You're only holding up the divorce for the money, right?"

Raleigh smirked and produced a checkbook from his jacket pocket. "I won't claim to be rolling in wealth, but I've got a decent stash. Name your price."

Hassie's eyes sparkled with greed. "Raleigh, don't indulge this good-for-nothing. He'll only ask for more."

Raleigh posed with the air of a refined gentleman. "Auntie, my affection for Qing Ya isn't something that can be measured in mere money. Getting rid of this deadbeat will free her from misery."

Hassie's face bloomed with joy. "Exactly, Raleigh. With you, I won't have to worry about her anymore."

Raleigh quickly wrote a figure on the check and tossed it to Wood.

"Here's three million. Take it and vanish from Qing Ya's life." His gaze was dismissive.

Wood couldn't help but laugh in the face of such absurdity, not sparing the check on the floor a single glance. "You think three million is enough to send me packing? I'm wealthier than you can fathom."

Raleigh's face contorted with displeasure. "Three million not enough for you? That kind of cash could last a lifetime."

Wood's expression turned icy. "Unless Tella herself tells me to go, your underhanded tactics won't work on me. You're as repulsive as rats in a sewer."

Raleigh's face darkened like an ominous cloud.

"Watch it, buddy. You think you're too good for three million?"

Hassie was seething. "Wood, you should be grateful Raleigh's even offering you three million. Take the money and scram!"

"You're the ones who should be leaving," Wood shot back, his gaze piercing like a bolt of lightning. "I'll say it again: unless Tella asks me to leave, I'm not going anywhere."

"You dare to lay a finger on my daughter? Do you think you're worthy?" Wood's stare was sharp and intimidating.

Enraged, Raleigh charged at Wood, who effortlessly grabbed him and hoisted him up like a lightweight. "You really think you can take me on? You're out of your league."

Wood, the God of Soldier, wasn't one to be trifled with. To him, threats from ordinary people like Raleigh were inconsequential.

Those who dared to threaten him were no longer among the living.

"Still want to fight?"

Smack!

Wood's slap sent Raleigh flying, a vivid red handprint marking his face, the burning pain nearly driving him to madness.

"You're insane, Wood! How dare you hit someone?" Raleigh bellowed.

Hassie was livid. "If you're so tough, try hitting me too!"

Wood's reply was frosty. "Out of respect for Tella's mother, I won't touch you. But this house doesn't welcome you. Leave now."

Hassie's eyes bulged with shock.

Raleigh, humiliated, struggled to his feet, Hassie rushing to his side.

"Do you have any idea who you've just crossed, Wood?" Raleigh sneered. "Sure, you can throw a punch, but what good does that do in today's world? You're nothing but a glorified thug. How could Qing Ya ever find happiness with someone like you?"

Wood's response was icy. "What happens between Qing Ya and me is not up for discussion, especially not by an outsider like you. Take this opportunity and get out while you can."

Raleigh's face twisted in a grimace. "Alright, we'll go. But this isn't the end. Come on, Aunt Hassie, let's not stoop to this loser's level." He knew he couldn't beat Wood and ushered Hassie out.

Hassie's teeth were gritted in silent fury. Her plan to hide Selena and force Qing Ya's hand had been overheard by Wood, foiling it before it could even take off.

They were just about to leave through the front door when it burst open. Qing Ya entered.

"Oh, my dear daughter, you've finally come home," Hassie exclaimed with feigned concern. "If you had been any later, that brute Wood might have beaten me to death."

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