C48 Snooping

The sudden remark caught the other three off guard, and their gazes shifted to Gu Qinian. His lips were tightly drawn, his expression dark, as if he was suppressing something. What was this sudden outburst about?

Ye Tian was puzzled. "Why would you send Ye Ziyan home and then offer to take me?"

Beside her, Ye Ziyan's heart fluttered with unease, and she quickly clutched his arm, forcing a smile. "Exactly, Director Lu will take Ye Tian home. Qinian..."

In the midst of this, Lu Jingyue rose to his feet, his smile poised and his tone warm. "Indeed, I was the one who brought Ye Tian here, so it's only right that I escort her back."

But the more Lu Jingyue insisted, the more irked Gu Qinian became. Watching Lu Jingyue stand so naturally next to Ye Tian, he found the sight intolerable.

In a rare loss of composure, the usually cool-headed Gu Qinian let anger take the reins. "I have business with Ye Tian, and besides, isn't Director Lu aware that she's on my way home?"

His words carried a sharp edge, challenging and perhaps revealing his intentions.

Ye Tian, startled, reflexively protested, "On your way? I have nothing to discuss with you!"

Her evasion only fueled Gu Qinian's fury, and a mocking coldness played across his lips. "How can you be so certain there's nothing to talk about when you don't even know what it is?"

Without another word, he strode forward, seized her wrist, and turned to leave. Ye Tian instinctively resisted, but Gu Qinian's grip was too strong, and she couldn't break free.

At that moment, Lu Jingyue reached out and caught Ye Tian's other hand, halting Gu Qinian's departure. Gu Qinian spun around, his gaze icy.

"What's Director Lu's intention? It's just an escort home. Are you trying to compete with me?"

Lu Jingyue's smile didn't waver, and his voice remained soothing. "You must be joking, Director Gu. But surely, sending someone home requires the consent of the person in question. Moreover, Miss Ye Ziyan is still here."

When Gu Qinian spoke of Ye Ziyan, his lips tightened, and he looked up to find her standing there, her gaze fixed on him with palpable nervousness.

"Ziyan, I'm tied up with something today. You should take a cab home."

No sooner had he spoken than his attention shifted back to Ye Tian, his expression darkening, a subtle threat lurking in his eyes.

"As for you, Ye Tian, I'm merely offering you a ride and a chance to talk. Surely you're not too proud to accept a simple gesture like that?"

Ye Tian was bewildered by his behavior, still trying to grasp what he had said when she found herself being pulled along once more.

Lu Jingyue, having released her, watched the pair depart with a contemplative look, a trace of amusement in his eyes.

Turning to Ye Ziyan, he caught the anger she hadn't managed to conceal and chuckled softly.

"Miss Ye Ziyan, would you like a ride?"

Ye Ziyan, slightly mortified, managed a strained smile. "No, that won't be necessary."

She quickly grabbed her bag and hurried away.

...

Elsewhere, Gu Qinian was dragging Ye Tian out of the underground parking garage with considerable force.

Her wrist ached from his grip, and after enduring the pain, she finally snapped, jerking her wrist away so fiercely she nearly lost her balance.

"What is wrong with you, Gu Qinian? If you're ill, seek treatment, but don't take it out on me here!"

The parking lot was deserted except for their car.

Ye Tian massaged her wrist and scowled, her irritation with him growing.

But Gu Qinian's temper matched hers in intensity.

He spun around, his towering presence engulfing her, his face stormy with a premonition of brewing conflict.

"Ye Tian, have you forgotten who you are?"

She looked up into his icy gaze, her own expression sour.

"I'm well aware, thank you. There's no need for constant reminders."

"No need? It seems to me you've completely disregarded my warning," Gu Qinian retorted with a scornful laugh, his face etched with mockery.

"I'm surprised you can attract so many men. Your skills must be quite remarkable," he remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

Ye Tian clenched her teeth, finding him utterly irredeemable. She didn't bother to explain, choosing instead to offer a sardonic smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere. My methods are nothing special."

Gu Qinian's gaze sharpened as he watched her feigned indifference, feeling as though it was fuel to the fire raging within him. In a swift motion, he pressed her firmly against the car.

Startled, Ye Tian nearly let out a cry. She struggled briefly, but he had her shoulders in an iron grip.

In the next instant, Qinian leaned in close, so near that his breath brushed her face. Ye Tian was caught off guard, her back against the cold car door, his heated presence overwhelming her. Her heart pounded furiously.

"What... what are you trying to do?" she demanded, her brow furrowed.

Qinian's face hovered mere inches from hers, his lips curling into a smile. "Just ordinary? Then why not use those skills on me?"

His smile belied the chill that ran down Ye Tian's spine. She could sense the profound coldness in his words.

Before she could respond, the smile vanished from Qinian's face, replaced by a stern, chilling demeanor. "Ye Tian, I've warned you time and again not to entertain any inappropriate thoughts or actions. Have you forgotten?"

"I'll make it crystal clear once more: you are my lawful wife, and I will not tolerate any infidelity," he continued, his voice deep and biting.

"Do you understand?" he pressed, his words unyielding and fierce.

Ye Tian's frustration reached its peak. Overcome with indignation, she shoved him away, fixing him with a severe glare. "You're being absurd. Aren't you my lawful husband? Yet you accuse me of infidelity so casually?"

At her words, Qinian's expression grew even colder, though he remained silent. He pushed her into the car and then took his place behind the wheel.

As he started the car with a stony expression, Ye Tian watched him, biting back further words. Inwardly, she seethed, condemning him as nothing short of a madman.

The car quickly pulled away, and as its tail lights vanished at the parking lot entrance, Ye Ziyan emerged from the shadows, her face etched with shock and her eyes wide with horror.

Driven by a sense of injustice, she had stealthily trailed behind, only to overhear the unbelievable truth.

Ye Tian had already married Gu Qinian!

The realization ignited a fierce anger within her, blazing up from the depths of her soul to set her gaze ablaze with a crimson fury.