C8 No Compromise!

Su Mingyuan had put his full force into that slap. Gu Xiangyun's face quickly swelled, yet she dared neither to cry nor to cause a commotion.

Holding her cheek, she stood to the side, her eyes brimming with indignation, but her voice remained remarkably respectful. "It was my fault."

Su Mingyuan gave her a scornful glance, still unsatisfied in his anger. He turned to Su Nuo and commanded, "You are not to leave the house without my permission these next few days. Take this time to reflect on your actions."

"Father!" Su Nuo called out to Su Mingyuan in a panic, her chest heaving. Clutching at her heart, she collapsed softly to the ground.

"Second Miss, what's wrong with you?" a servant shrieked, witnessing Su Nuo's fall.

Su Mingyuan strode over quickly, catching her in his arms. "Daughter, what's happened to you?"

Chaos ensued as no one had anticipated Su Nuo's sudden illness.

"Get her to the hospital, now!" Gu Xiangyun urged, fraught with worry.

Su Nuo was lifted onto a stretcher and rushed to the hospital.

Once everyone had departed, Gu Xiangyun approached Su Jin, her hand raised to strike Su Jin's face. "This was your doing, wasn't it?"

Her demeanor was domineering, her eyes glinting with malice.

She longed to beat Su Jin to death, to extinguish the rage burning within her. But as her hand hung mid-air, Su Jin caught it. "Mother, what are you saying? How could my sister's condition be related to me?"

"You still dare to deny it?" Gu Xiangyun's eyes bulged with fury. "You shameless little wretch. Don't think I didn't see you making eyes at Fu Siyan earlier. You'd best abandon any such thoughts immediately. You're nothing but a dog kept by the Su family. If you know your place, I might let you live. But if you continue down this path, you'll end up disgraced. Don't blame me for being heartless."

Gu Xiangyun's threatening tone was unmistakable; she had always looked down on Su Jin.

Su Jin was just a young girl, and Gu Xiangyun was not the least bit concerned that she could stir up any real trouble.

Gu Xiangyun had only grown wary upon noticing Fu Siyan's budding interest in Su Jin.

Yet, Fu Siyan hadn't whisked Su Jin away, nor had he shown her any tenderness. That changed the equation.

"What are you standing around for? Seize her," Gu Xiangyun commanded with venom, "If Nuonuo suffers the slightest harm, I'll flay you."

The servants, not daring to defy Gu Xiangyun, reluctantly addressed Su Jin, "Third Lady, if you would."

Each time Su Jin displeased Gu Xiangyun, she was thrown into a tiny, dark room—devoid of food, water, and visitors.

Her release hinged solely on Gu Xiangyun's whims.

The servants cast pitying glances at Su Jin, hoping her confinement wouldn't be prolonged.

Defying expectations, Su Jin didn't meekly comply. She fixed Gu Xiangyun with a chilling smile, her eyes glinting with a sharpness that sent a shiver down one's spine.

"Dare to punish me, and I'll ensure everyone hears about it." Su Jin brandished her phone, playing back the recording.

Gu Xiangyun's malicious threat echoed out, "If anything happens to Nuonuo, I will skin you alive."

Gu Xiangyun's face paled; she hadn't anticipated Su Jin's bold move.

If Su Jin went public with the recording, it could spell disaster for Gu Xiangyun's reputation.

Watching Gu Xiangyun fume in silent rage, Su Jin couldn't help but revel in the moment—it was a catharsis for past injustices.

"Mother, why must you insist on this hostility? My sister is in the hospital, awaiting your visit," Su Jin said with a serene smile.

She was not yet ready to burn bridges with Gu Xiangyun, a formidable adversary. Without being fully assured of victory, Su Jin was reluctant to confront her directly.

Gu Xiangyun huffed hatefully, casting a menacing glance at Su Jin. "You'd best hope I don't discover your vulnerabilities."

With that, she strode off, her entourage of servants in tow.