Qin Jinchuan lay on the bed, his face pale, a thick IV needle inserted into the back of his hand. The fluid entering his body did nothing to improve his complexion. Glancing at his wristwatch, it was already half-past eleven! That woman completely disregarded my threat. She really didn’t come! Suppressing his rage, he closed his eyes and said in a chilling tone, "Start negotiations on the Gongshan project!" Every word seemed to be squeezed from between Qin Jinchuan’s teeth. Ji Nan, standing by the bed, was startled and nodded. "Yes." This Boss Ye is truly remarkable! Just a small studio, a tiny one, yet she dares to confront the Young Master head-on. Hasn’t she learned her lesson from the Blue Island and Xifeng projects, realizing she’s at a disadvantage? Or does she think she can turn things around just like she did with Xiao Shuo? If that’s what she thinks, then she’s really too naive! But then, remembering the earlier phone call, Ji Nan couldn’t help but ask, "Xiao Lin mentioned she’s very cunning, didn’t he? We’ve already sniped two major projects from her. If we move against Gongshan too, she might be driven to desperation." "Hmph, she is cunning, but those are just petty tricks," Qin Jinchuan retorted. Indeed, even though she managed to land the Young Master in the hospital tonight, it was ultimately just a petty trick. And the tactic seemed quite juvenile! Ji Nan thought. But Ji Nan still felt compelled to say, "Xiao Lin’s warning must be because he suffered losses at her hands." "He suffered losses because he’s too merciful!" Ji Nan’s eyelids twitched. Merciful? Is he talking about Xiao Lin? In no time, the name Xiao Qiye swept across the entirety of Upper City. Someone capable of such measures hardly seems merciful. Qin Jinchuan closed his eyes briefly. "Tell her, if she doesn’t come tonight, I’ll shut down her studio!" He’s still not cooled off? Ji Nan wondered. Considering the dirty tricks Ye Yuning played at dinner tonight, she must be the kind of person Xiao Lin was talking about. If she were truly cornered, perhaps it wouldn’t just be petty tricks! Worried, Ji Nan glanced at Qin Jinchuan. "Should we just let it go? She seems very proud!" Even after all these threats from our side, she hasn’t reacted at all. She’s definitely not afraid. Hearing Ye Yuning described as proud, Qin Jinchuan snorted coldly. "Just an adopted daughter. All that pride is nothing but a façade. How tough can she be?" Fresh chapters posted on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁 Xiao Lin didn’t mention she was faking it; it seemed he genuinely suffered at her hands, Ji Nan thought. He couldn’t help but wonder aloud, "Could she possibly have strong backing?" Qin Jinchuan raised an eyebrow. "Backing?" Ji Nan nodded. "Yes. As you said, she’s just an adopted daughter. Her audacity must stem from some kind of support, right? Could it be her husband..." As soon as Ye Yuning’s husband was mentioned, Qin Jinchuan’s complexion visibly darkened. Undoubtedly, Ye Yuning marrying that unknown man was a profound humiliation to him. She had the right to reject the Qin Family’s marriage alliance. But to flaunt a marriage certificate with another man on her wedding day—she had committed an unforgivable offense! No matter how strong her defiant pride was, or what its source, Qin Jinchuan now wanted to shatter it completely! He sneered, "Her husband? Ha, find out everything about him!" The sudden dangerous tone sent a shiver down Ji Nan’s spine. Miss Ye is really done for this time! Having been by Qin Jinchuan’s side for so many years, no one knew better than Ji Nan how terrifying the consequences of his vindictiveness could be. "Yes," Ji Nan nodded. Qin Jinchuan ordered, "Call her." Ji Nan pressed his forehead. Still calling! I have a hunch that no matter what threats we use tonight, Ye Yuning won’t come to the hospital. Perhaps she really does have strong backing! After all, to build a studio to that level in Upper City couldn’t solely be due to so-called pride! That night, Ye Yuning was kept up by Xiao Linye until midnight. Her mobile phone, left on the coffee table outside, kept flashing with messages and incoming calls. However, even though she was too exhausted to move, she managed to drag herself to the bathroom the next morning before Xiao Linye woke up. When Xiao Linye awoke, he found her lying beside him, her face covered in a rash. His movement as he got out of bed woke Ye Yuning. She asked in a weary voice, "What time is it?" Xiao Linye replied, "It’s eight." Hearing it was eight, Ye Yuning suddenly snapped awake. Xiao Corporation starts work at half-past eight! If I arrive just on time, I’ll face scornful glares from everyone. If I’m late, their words alone could probably drive a person to jump off a building. She quickly sprang out of bed. "Then we need to hurry." "If you’re too tired, why not take the morning off?" Xiao Linye suggested. He knew he had been quite rough with her the previous night. Speaking of taking leave, Ye Yuning remembered yesterday’s call to Manager Zhang from the Qin Family’s side. Even through the phone, she could sense his displeasure! "No need, I can handle it," Ye Yuning said, enduring the aching in her thighs as she slid off the bed. Yesterday’s leave might have already caused trouble for Xiao Linye. If I take leave again today, the matter will probably be reported directly to Qiye!