C15 The Man Has a Little Grudge

You're asking for humiliation!

Qiao Xue couldn't fathom how Qiao An managed to ensnare Huo Chengzhou, convincing such a man to come to the Qiao residence to defend her.

She suddenly realized she had sorely underestimated this woman!

Seething with rage, Qiao Xue felt an overwhelming urge to tear Qiao An to pieces.

Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number. The call connected, and a man's gruff voice answered, "Hello!"

"What exactly happened last night?" Qiao Xue demanded in a hushed tone, "I want a detailed account of everything you witnessed!"

"Oh, my dear lady."

The man's voice shifted to resignation, "Haven't I explained already? After administering the drug, I got a call about an urgent matter and had to step out. By the time I returned, there was already a man in her room. Was I supposed to stick around and get caught?"

"What did you hear?"

"What do you think?" The man scoffed. "The sounds of their affair. Quite thrilling, I must say!"

Qiao Xue's eyes narrowed. "Email me the audio file. I'll transfer the remaining balance to you."

"Sure thing, will do immediately."

"Let's consider this matter closed. Keep it to yourself; don't mention it to anyone."

"I get it," the man replied. "I'm paid to solve problems, and I take my professional ethics seriously."

Qiao Xue acknowledged and promptly ended the call. What did it matter if Huo Chengzhou didn't care? Surely the Huo family would.

She was determined to find the perfect moment to leak the file, ensuring Qiao An and Huo Chengzhou's marriage became an utter joke!

As the car merged onto the highway, Huo Feng cheerfully inquired, "Mr. Cheng, are we heading to the Civil Affairs Bureau now?"

"No," Huo Chengzhou responded coolly. "We're going to the hospital first."

"I'm alright," Qiao An interjected. "A little concealer will hide the marks on my face..."

Huo Chengzhou's lips curled into a smile. "Are you that eager to marry me?"

Qiao An's cheeks flushed visibly. "That's not what I meant..."

"If we show up at the Civil Affairs Bureau looking like this, the staff might think I've coerced you, and having the police involved would just be a hassle."

Qiao An raised her hand to scratch her head, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "Okay, I'll follow your lead."

The stark red burn on her hand caught Huo Chengzhou's attention once more, his gaze turning icy.

"I'll find an opportunity to settle the score for that burn later."

Qiao An instinctively shielded her hand, "It's okay, really. It was just a careless mistake on my part..."

"Huh," Huo Chengzhou scoffed. "Miss Qiao, your 'carelessness' has lost all credibility with me."

Qiao An hesitated, "...At first, I didn't mean to deceive you. I just thought some things were too difficult to discuss, considering they're family matters..."

She had intended to clarify why she had previously concealed the cause of her injury, but she didn't expect him to respond with another pointed remark.

"Yes, I understand. Particularly the part where you were pressured into agreeing to marry me."

Qiao An couldn't help but wonder why the man seemed to have such a sharp tongue and a long memory.

"Hehe..." Qiao An laughed nervously, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. "About earlier, what did you say to Qiao Xue? Why did she suddenly..."

Her face fell as she spoke. In her rush to change the subject, she had forgotten about the matter Qiao Xue had brought up. How would she explain it if he pressed for details?

Being in the same room with another man in the dead of night and the incident that followed...

Huo Chengzhou's eyes rested on her face, clearly noticing her bitten red lips and the conflicted expression she wore.