C4 I Won't Marry You!

An hour later, Qiao An arrived punctually at the Qiao residence. Zhou Yun invited her to sit on the sofa and instructed a servant to bring a cup of hot tea.

However, as the tea was set down beside Qiao An, Qiao Xue seemed to casually bump the servant's hand, causing the scalding tea to spill onto Qiao An without warning.

Amidst the servant's gasps, a searing pain spread across the back of Qiao An's hand, followed by a sharp ache. Her hands shook involuntarily as she bit back a cry and rose to her feet.

The servant quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, Miss."

Qiao Xue chuckled from the side, "No harm done, she's tough."

Qiao An held back the retort that nearly escaped her lips and followed the maid to the bathroom to run cold water over the burn. The maid then applied burn ointment, and after about ten minutes of fussing, Qiao An returned to the living room.

She had been through such incidents countless times before, but with her vision and constant vigilance, she had managed to avoid Qiao Xue's schemes.

Today, she had let her guard down.

Clutching her guide staff, she asked, "What did you want to see me about?"

Zhou Yun didn't mince words. "The Huo family and the Qiao family are arranging a marriage. Xue Er doesn't want to marry, so you'll take her place."

Qiao An was stunned for a moment. "Why?"

"The groom is Huo Chengzhou, the second young master of the Huo family. He's penniless, powerless, and his legs are disabled. He's a better match for you," Qiao Xue said with a smirk. "Besides, I have Haoyan. We're getting engaged soon."

At the mention of Moo Haoyan, Qiao An's thoughts flashed back to the voice message she had overheard the previous night, and anger surged within her. She clenched her fists tightly. "Despicable!"

Qiao Xue shot her a sharp glance, her voice icy and harsh. "Who are you calling despicable?"

"The guilty party knows," Qiao An replied, her expression cold. "Stealing someone's boyfriend and sending those kinds of recordings? You're the only one in the world capable of such low actions."

Qiao Xue scoffed and folded her arms as she glared at Qiao An with a mocking tone, "Aren't you the same? Who was the man you were enjoying yourself with last night? No wonder you didn't even stay at the Qiao residence after returning from abroad. You've been out carousing with men every night..."

Qiao Xue immediately tattled to Zhou Yun, "She messaged me in the dead of night yesterday, and I heard a man's voice. Mom, isn't that odd?"

"Really?"

Qiao Xue nodded affirmatively, "Of course. Otherwise, why wouldn't she come home?"

Zhou Yun looked at Qiao An with disdain, "Before your reputation is tarnished, you'd better marry into the Huo family quickly."

"I won't marry," Qiao An declared, standing tall. "If Qiao Xue is the intended bride for the Huo family, why should I be the one to marry?"

"The Qiao family has raised you, and that alone means you owe us a lifetime of gratitude," Zhou Yun said, arms crossed. "And you still dare to refuse marriage? I'm being generous!"

"I left this house at 18 with nothing, and during my four years of college, I never once asked for money from the family," Qiao An countered, emphasizing each word. "I've earned everything on my own."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a gust of wind rushed at her. Before she could react, Zhou Yun's hand had struck her across the face.

"Don't think you can defy me now that you've grown independent! Our Qiao family will always be your benefactor! Without us, you wouldn't be where you are today!"

Reeling from the slap, Qiao An staggered, grasping the sofa armrest to steady herself as her cheek burned with pain.

She insisted firmly, "I will not marry."