C10 You Bullied My Woman!

Zhou Yun's expression shifted, "Mr. Huo, what a coincidence. Xue'er left early this morning."

Huo Chengzhou remained silent, his arm propped on the wheelchair's armrest, tapping his forehead with his right index finger, betraying a hint of impatience.

Huo Feng caught on quickly. "In that case, could you please call Miss Qiao and have her return? We'll wait here."

Zhou Yun exchanged a glance with Qiao Minghui, who shot her a reproachful look for taking matters into her own hands.

Now they were in a bind. Qiao Xue was actually upstairs, yet Zhou Yun had claimed she was out. What to do?

Amidst Qiao Minghui's indecision, Qiao Xue's voice drifted down from the second floor, "If Mr. Huo wishes to see me, I'll come down..."

A woman in a pink dress descended the stairs, her makeup flawless, though her features bore subtle signs of enhancement.

"I had mentioned to my mother that I was going out, but I returned to change my outfit. She and my father were in the study and didn't see me."

That voice...

Huo Chengzhou felt an inexplicable wave of nausea and couldn't be bothered to look up, sparing only a sidelong glance as he muttered, "It appears the Moo family's second son lacks discernment."

His voice was low, yet it reached Qiao An's ears distinctly. She tensed, instinctively turning her head.

What was he implying with that remark?

Zhou Yun had already risen to usher Qiao Xue to the sofa on her side, giving her a reassuring glance. Qiao Xue nodded slightly, signaling for calm.

"What business do you have with me, Mr. Huo?" Qiao Xue inquired.

Huo Chengzhou chuckled softly. "How can I pose my question without everyone present?"

Qiao Xue wore a self-assured smile. "What would you like to ask, Mr. Huo?"

Huo Chengzhou's gaze shifted, his lips parting to ask a question that took everyone by surprise, "When did you and Moo Haoyan begin your relationship?"

The question caught not only Qiao Xue off guard but also Qiao An, whose posture visibly stiffened.

Qiao Xue's lips tightened, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face. "What does this have to do with Young Master Huo?"

"Just curious," Huo Chengzhou replied, lifting his chin. His tone was nonchalant, yet his gaze held a frosty edge. "Why? Is it inconvenient to discuss?"

Zhou Yun tugged at Qiao Xue's sleeve. Qiao Xue glanced at Qiao An before answering, "Two years ago."

Qiao An gripped her guide staff tightly, feeling a tumult of emotions within. Two years ago, right when her eyesight failed her, Moo Haoyan had already been with Qiao Xue!

And to think he had the audacity to promise he'd be her eyes in the future.

The nerve!

Biting back her anger, Qiao An fought to control the storm of feelings within her, trying to suppress the revulsion caused by these two.

Catching her expressionless reflection, Huo Chengzhou tapped his forehead once more, his lips parting slightly to deliver another bombshell.

"Since the Qiao family has pledged Qiao An to me, and the Huo family has welcomed her, am I right to assume that she is now my woman, Huo Chengzhou's?"

Qiao Minghui hastily dabbed at the sweat on his brow, responding, "Naturally."

Huo Chengzhou nodded, his voice as inscrutable as ever. "Then I'm quite puzzled. You've burned my woman's hand and slapped her face. Isn't that a direct insult to me?"

His initial remark instantly altered the complexion of everyone present, particularly the Qiao family trio, whose faces were a canvas of shifting expressions.

Yet Qiao An was taken aback. This wasn't at all what he had implied earlier.

Where had things gone wrong?