Chapter 2 — Called Off Right on the Spot

This woman was acting so arrogant just a moment ago, claiming that Boss Shen was a complete nobody.

She even told Assistant Lin to get lost, threatening to deal with the entire Shen family if she refused.

I was so angry I laughed out loud. It turned out that shameless people could open their mouths and fabricate lies out of thin air without a second thought. I pointed directly at the security camera overhead:

Since you are all so dead set on your version of the story, let us check the surveillance footage.

Man's sobs instantly cut off. Yet Shen Zhihang could not even be bothered to glance up at the camera.

Miss Hsu, since things have already escalated to this point, there is no need to check the footage.

Are you saying that we should just listen to her unilateral claims and completely ignore the evidence?

Lin Man has no reason to lie.

And I do, I suppose?

Shen Zhihang finally lowered his gaze to look straight at me. You are so desperate to marry into the Shen family that you would even stoop to such despicable tricks. Is there anything you would not dare to do? It took me a full two seconds to digest his utterly absurd words. So, in his eyes, I had traveled thousands of miles all the way here simply to stage a pathetic scene and extort him.

Shen Zhihang, this marriage was proposed and begged for by your own elders right in front of my father.

Lin Man let out a sharp, mocking snort. Begged for? Miss Hsu, you certainly have a way with tall tales. Just who is Boss Shen, and who do you think you are? No matter how prominent your father is, could he possibly hold enough weight to make the mighty Shen family go begging? Shen Zhihang did not refute her. In fact, he looked as though he was silently endorsing every single word Lin Man had just uttered.

Miss Hsu, my grandfather is advanced in years and easily swayed by old sentiments. But marriage is my own personal affair. I will never marry a woman who uses the emotional blackmail of the older generation to force my hand.

I nodded slowly. Very well, I will remember those words. Since you are so vehemently opposed to this, I certainly have no desire to force myself upon you. I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone, intending to call my father and formally call off the engagement. With quick reflexes, Lin Man lunged forward and slapped the device right out of my hand. The phone crashed hard against the floor, its screen shattering into a spiderweb of cracks.

You still want to call someone to complain and play the victim? You rear-ended Boss Shen's car, and now you expect to walk away without paying a single cent in damages? Do you really think things are that easy in this world?

I looked down at the ruined phone lying on the ground, my patience completely exhausted.

Pick it up.

Lin Man acted as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world. You expect me to pick it up?

I will say it one more time. Pick it up.

Shen Zhihang stepped forward, blocking Lin Man from my view. Hsu Qinghua, that is quite enough. Lin Man was merely overwhelmed by the situation and acted on impulse; she did not mean it maliciously. You crashed into my car first, spewed insults second, and now you are even trying to resort to physical violence? I raised my head to meet his gaze. So, you truly believe this is entirely my fault?

The facts are right here in plain sight.

He lifted his chin, signaling the security guards to move closer. Take her to the reception room and wait for her family members to come and settle the compensation. I took half a step backward. Are you planning to place me under house arrest? Shen Zhihang’s voice dropped lower, carrying a chilling tone. I am merely offering you a civilized way to resolve this peacefully. If we involve the police, the only one whose reputation will be ruined is you. Lin Man immediately chimed in, eager to fan the flames. Boss Shen is far too soft-hearted. If I were in your shoes, I would have forced her down onto her knees to apologize long ago. The burly security guard reached out his arm, attempting to grab me by the wrist. I sidestepped his grasp, bent down to retrieve my cracked phone from the floor, and frantically punched in a speed-dial number. The phone rang only once before the call was picked up. A familiar, deep voice boomed through the speaker.

Qinghua, my child, have you arrived yet?

I have, Father.

I stared unblinkingly at Shen Zhihang as I bit out every single word. Father, let us call off the engagement. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Did the Shen family bully you?

They claim that I am using the goodwill of our elders to force a marriage upon them.

My father’s tone instantly turned glacial. Put the old patriarch of the Shen family on the phone right now. I had just barely started to lift the phone toward Shen Zhihang when Lin Man lunged forward like a hawk, snatched the device out of my hand, and violently pressed the end-call button.

What kind of theatrical act are you trying to pull here? Bringing up the patriarch of the Shen family just like that—who on earth do you think you are?

She rudely shoved my phone into her own designer handbag, turned around, and batted her eyelashes at Shen Zhihang with a coquettish pout. Boss Shen, she was definitely planning to summon people to come here and cause chaos. We absolutely cannot let her leave. Shen Zhihang fixed his gaze back on me. Miss Hsu, it would be in your best interest not to blow this matter out of proportion.