C12 She Was Played by Someone

Left with no other option, the two of them could only clutch their swollen cheeks and slump back onto the sofa. Qiao Xue's eyes, filled with venom, bore into Qiao An as if trying to scorch her with her gaze.

The Huo family held an exceptional position in Jinghai City. Even though Huo Chengzhou wasn't the favored son, he still wielded the Huo family's influence, and the Qiao family was not on good terms with Huo Jingzhou's faction of the Huo family. Consequently, the Qiao family dared not provoke even Huo Chengzhou.

Qiao Minghui's face took on a sycophantic smile. "Young Master Huo, Qiao An has actually agreed to marry into the Huo family. She's been a sweet and smart girl since childhood. Although she's temporarily blind, we've already scheduled a corneal transplant surgery for her, and we're confident she'll regain her sight soon."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, Qiao Xue is indeed in a relationship with Moo Haoyan, the second young master of the Moo family. The Moo family has even suggested an engagement in the near future. Both the Huo and Moo families are distinguished lineages, so why should we let a trivial matter cause discord? So, Young Master Huo, your thoughts..."

Huo Chengzhou's icy gaze swept over him. "Are you threatening me?"

Qiao Minghui, startled, hastily replied, "Not at all, not at all."

Aware that Huo Chengzhou was still fuming, Qiao Minghui understood all too well that the root of his ire was Qiao An's injury—it was as if it was a slap to his own face. Therefore, the crux of the matter still rested with Qiao An.

With this in mind, Qiao Minghui turned to Qiao An and coaxed, "Qiao An, please speak up. This concerns your future."

Suddenly put on the spot, Qiao An immediately grasped Qiao Minghui's intent. If she remained silent now, she feared the inheritance from her biological parents might never be returned to her.

Qiao An lifted her chin and angled her head towards Huo Chengzhou. With a soft and deliberate voice, she asked, "Does Young Master Huo really want a woman who has been toyed with by Moo Haoyan?"

Upon hearing the words, Qiao Xue abruptly lifted her head, but Zhou Yun's grip on her arm was unyielding, forcing her to grit her teeth and suppress the urge to lash out.

Huo Chengzhou's eyebrows lifted subtly, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth. He appeared quite pleased with Qiao An's demeanor at the moment. Gently patting her head, he said, "You truly are my woman, Huo Chengzhou's. You get me."

Qiao An, momentarily taken aback, was still processing when she heard his voice, tinged with a hint of tenderness, "If that's the case, how can you still let others bully you?"

He shook his head, as if without any other option, "Next time something like this happens, you need to strike back immediately. Understand?"

"I understand," Qiao An responded, her voice soft.

Even the slowest to catch on, the Qiao father and daughters, could see through the exchange. It was clear that Huo Chengzhou had staged the whole scene to defend Qiao An.

Their complexions fluctuated between red and white before Qiao Minghui finally spoke up, "Although Qiao An is not my biological daughter, since she joined our family, we have all treated her like the Qiao family's little princess. Even the servants refer to her as 'Miss.' How could she possibly be bullied?"

Turning to Qiao An, Minghui inquired, "It was all just a misunderstanding earlier, wasn't it, Qiao An?"

Qiao An offered only a slight smile, neither confirming nor denying.

The Qiao family's eldest daughter? The one time she truly felt like the Qiao family's eldest daughter was on her 18th birthday, when their idea of a coming-of-age present was to send her away with nothing.

At that moment, Qiao Xue let out a cold laugh, "Young Master Huo, you're probably unaware, aren't you? Last night, Qiao An was with another man. Could it be that she's just leftovers?"