Chapter 4 — Called Off Right on the Spot

She cast a sidelong glance at me, then tightly clutched the sleeve of Shen Zixing’s suit jacket. "I was driving his car today. If we make a huge scene out of this, it won't reflect well on the corporation's reputation."

This remark effectively jolted Shen Zixing back to reality. He rubbed his temples in visible annoyance, his voice dropping an octave. "Miss Xu, I will fully cover the cost of the car repairs. Let’s consider the matter settled right here."

I echoed his words, a cold smile playing on my lips. "Settled?"

"Lin Man will issue an apology to you."

"And is that all?"

Shen Zixing’s patience was visibly wearing thin. "What else could you possibly want?"

I pointed directly at the security monitor playing the loop of the incident. "She drove under the influence, ruthlessly stole my parking space, crashed into my vehicle, shattered my phone, and hurled malicious slander at me in broad daylight. Do you honestly expect a single perfunctory apology to wipe the slate clean?"

Lin Man gritted her teeth, venom dripping from her tone. "Xu Qinghe, do not push your luck and demand an inch after taking a mile."

I looked her straight in the eye, unintimidated. "Weren't you demanding that I pay for your damages just moments ago? Why has the narrative suddenly shifted to me pushing my luck?"

Shen Zixing stepped forward, physically blocking my line of sight. "Lin Man is under my protection. How this matter is handled is entirely up to my discretion."

"Then let me make something crystal clear to you as well. This car belongs to someone else. How this is ultimately resolved is not up to me to decide, either."

His gaze darkened instantly, hardening into a sharp glare. "Are you threatening me?"

"I am merely offering you a timely reminder."

Without warning, Lin Man broke down, letting out a theatrical wail. "Director Shen, I know I was wrong. It was entirely my fault."

As she spoke, she made a dramatic motion to drop to her knees right in front of me. "Miss Xu, are you satisfied now? Shall I kneel and beg for your forgiveness?"

Shen Zixing hastily reached out to catch her by the arms. "Lin Man."

Taking advantage of the moment, she collapsed gracefully into his embrace, sobbing inconsolably. "I have devoted so many years of my life to serving by your side. If I haven't earned any notable merits, I have at least endured countless hardships. Today was merely a momentary lapse in judgment. You cannot simply sacrifice me and ruin my life just to appease some outsider!"

As soon as those words left her mouth, the atmosphere in the room shifted palpably.

An outsider.

I turned my gaze slowly toward Shen Zixing. "So, in your eyes, I am nothing more than an outsider, while she is considered family?"

Shen Zixing did not answer immediately. That brief, lingering hesitation of a few seconds was more than enough to provide all the answers I needed.

I gave a slow, cold nod. "Understood."

I pulled out my phone. The shattered screen sliced into my fingertips, drawing beads of blood, but I forced myself to press the buttons through the pain. This time, I dialed the director himself.

The line connected after a single ring, and I spoke in a steady, measured tone. "My car was rammed downstairs at the Shen Corporation building, and the opposing party is refusing to resolve the matter through proper channels."

There was a brief, sharp pause on the other end of the line. "Are you hurt, child?"

"I am fine."

"Stay right where you are. Do not speak another word to them."

Shen Zixing watched me intently, his brow furrowed in suspicion. "Who on earth are you calling now?"

"The owner of the vehicle."

Lin Man lifted her head, tear tracks still glistening on her cheeks, though her tone reverted instantly to its characteristic sharpness. "You put on quite a convincing act. Xu Qinghe, do you seriously think you can scare Director Shen by summoning some pathetic old man here?"

Shen Zixing did not indulge her reckless outburst this time. "Lin Man, shut your mouth."

She froze in absolute disbelief. This was the first time he had ever raised his voice to reprimand her so harshly in front of others.

I turned on my heel, intending to walk out of the room. Shen Zixing immediately took a step forward, extending a hand to bar my exit. "Miss Xu, please wait a moment."

"What is it now?"

"Who is the owner of the car?"

I glanced at him with utter indifference. "Didn't you already run the license plate?"

The color drained entirely from Shen Zixing's face, making his expression look even more grim.

A sharp knock echoed against the door of the security office. A tall man in a police uniform strode into the room. He glanced down at the photograph of the license plate on his tablet before raising his eyes to scan the room. "Who here is Xu Qinghe?"

"I am."

His demeanor softened noticeably, turning instantly courteous. "Pardon the interruption, but we need you to step outside to complete some paperwork. The vehicle is going to be impounded pending a formal investigation."

Lin Man shrieked in panic, lunging forward. "On what grounds are you impounding the car? That vehicle belongs to Director Shen!"

The officer cast a cold, professional look in her direction. "We have strong grounds to suspect driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident. We are simply following standard procedure."

"I did not flee!"

"Then why did you vehemently object to calling the police just moments ago?"

Lin Man was instantly struck dumb, unable to formulate a defense.

Shen Zixing stepped forward, his voice low. "I will cooperate fully with the investigation regarding this matter."

The officer nodded curtly. "Director Shen, your car will also need to be towed for inspection. And as for Miss Lin, she will need to accompany us to the station for questioning."

Panic seized Lin Man entirely, her composure shattering completely. "Director Shen, please! You have to say something on my behalf!"