ishment, with a two-finger-wide whip used against adult men. Even those with tough skin and iron bones would be left with open wounds. What more could be said of a pampered womanFor now, she could on...He spoke in a cold, mocking tone, "Isn't that what you meant by 'doing as I please'"

"Besides an apology." Fu Yan was unwilling to concede even an inch.

She looked out the window, trying to calm her emotions. Huo Mingzheng raised his eyes and glanced at the redness in the corners of her eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable, "I can only apologize."

"Huo Mingzheng, you're being too much!" She couldn't bear it any longer. Though she tried to restrain herself, her body trembled uncontrollably, like a porcupine bristling with spines.

Huo Mingzheng's eyes narrowed slightly, "What about that obedient attitude from last night"

Fu Yan seemed to be splashed with cold water.

Yes.

She had already gone all in, using Huo Mingzheng to retaliate against Shen Wei. If she angered him, it would be detrimental to her.

I refuse! She will not apologize to Shen Wei.

Another traffic light and then there's a fork in the road. One way leads to the old district where Fu Yan Company is located, and the other way leads to the new district where the Huo family resides.

It seemed as if this moment was destined to force her into a choice.

She endured the humiliation, her fingers turning white with clenched force, her eyes red-rimmed. Finally, she couldn't get past the hurdle in her heart, "Mr. Huo, please let me off at the front. It's out of your way."

Huo Mingzheng leaned back against the backrest, his right hand casually resting on the armrest. His deep eyebrows held a chill as he said, "Aren't you going to Huo Enterprises"

"Just remembered I forgot to bring the materials."

A cold snort escaped the man's throat. "You don't seem to value this cooperation at all. It seems that Deputy Director Fu's sincerity isn't worth much. I seriously doubt your business capabilities."

Fu Yan suddenly looked at him. The man, in a composed manner, was casually rubbing his jade thumb ring with his left hand.

He was threatening her, using the collaboration as leverage.

That day was not like that. When he woke up at his estate, he even explained that the cooperation and what happened that night were unrelated; it was a rare moment of tenderness from him towards her.

Now, the illusion has been torn to shreds by his own hands.

Ho Mingzheng's imposing aura pressed down, each word enunciated deliberately, "I ask you again, are you on the way"

Her heart pounded so rapidly it felt like it would burst, making it hard to breathe. Her vision blurred, all she could see was the man's cold and distant face.

"Out of the way," she said, her heart feeling hollow.

"Cao Yuan, did you hear"

"Yes, Mr. Huo."

The car drove along the original route, heading straight towards the Ho Group.

The car stopped in front of the Ho Mansion. Cao Yuan got out and opened the back door. Huo Mingzheng had just gotten out, glancing sideways to see a lengthened black limousine parked behind his car.

The body of the car was spotless and gleaming black. The special license plate numbers that were rare in South City were all held by the Huo family, and this car was one of them.

A shadow spread across Huo Mingzheng's eyes.

Elder Huo, supported by his personal assistant, got out of the car. He used a cane for support, while his other hand held a string of red sandalwood Buddhist beads. His azure cloud-patterned Tang suit set off his robust and energetic appearance.

"Grandpa," Huo Mingzheng stepped forward, taking over from the living assistant to help the old man, his tall figure accommodating the elderly. "How did you come here"

"Getting old, I can't sleep well. I was just going to the hospital to see Xiaowei. Since I still have some energy, I came over to the Huo family first. I didn't expect you to be here just now."

The old man took a step forward, stopped, and saw Fu Yan come down from Huo Mingzheng's car.

Fu Yan saw Lao Taiye Huo in an instant, her heart pounding like a drum.

She lowered her head and stood obediently by the car, "Grandpa."

"Hmm."

Old Master Huo's eyes, weathered by time, bore down on her with an intimidating pressure. "How did you get here" in your mind to let her off easy because of the Huo family”Huo Mingzheng stared silently at her eyes, the complex emotions in his eyes stinging Fu Yan's."Your Huo family owes her, so why should Ji Li...