"What do you mean, Miss Catherine?" Wei Yumeng asked, her brow furrowed as she met Catherine's probing gaze. The unease she felt intensified. This woman was far too interested in her affairs.
Avoiding any potential misunderstanding of Catherine's subtext, Wei Yumeng carefully considered her words before speaking, a flicker of inquiry in her eyes.
Catherine's eyes darted around. She looked at Wei Yumeng's innocent face and curved her red lips. "Young Master Zhan protects Madam Zhan too well. I'm truly a bit envious," Catherine whispered conspiratorially into Wei Yumeng's ear, lifting a lock of her curly hair. "Your father and stepmother are unrepentant and harass you daily. Why not resolve these two troubles once and for all?"
Catherine's dangerous words, spoken in a deliberately low voice, carried a distinct hint of temptation as they entered Wei Yumeng's ears. Wei Yumeng maintained a calm facade, her eyebrows slightly raised as she subtly assessed Catherine. She hadn't expected her to say such a thing. What was her motive?
"Honestly, I can't stand seeing you bullied like this. After all, you are the primary wife of the Zhan family now. You must punish them properly!" Catherine explained her previous words with a smile, her gaze fixed on Wei Yumeng. She believed someone as naive as Wei Yumeng would be easy to manipulate. If she could instigate Wei Yumeng to deal with Wei Anguo, not only would the Zhan family handle the aftermath, but more importantly, Catherine's hands would remain clean, and a major problem would be solved easily. Knowing the truth, Wei Anguo was like a ticking time bomb, capable of delivering a fatal blow to Catherine at any moment, a scenario she absolutely would not allow!
"It's just that the matter of my father and stepmother plotting against my mother happened too long ago, so there's no evidence to send them to jail," Wei Yumeng sighed, feigning sadness. She shook her head, appearing displeased by Wei Anguo's earlier disturbance in the hospital room.
Catherine watched Wei Yumeng's feigned distress with a blank expression, inwardly sneering at her performance. Having navigated the world of aristocratic families for so many years, she understood the intricacies involved. It was likely just an excuse Wei Yumeng had concocted to cover up the Zhan family sending her to Africa.
"Yes, why not take this opportunity to deal with them cleanly? Then you won't have to worry about them bothering you anymore. Wealth and power are the law, and you, Madam Zhan, are your own best weapon," Catherine added fuel to the fire, every word guiding Wei Yumeng to personally eliminate Wei Anguo and Yin Fang.
Wei Yumeng nodded thoughtfully, leaning back against the headboard. She gave Catherine a faint smile. "Miss Catherine, you truly worry about me!" Others might have been swayed by Catherine's cunning persuasion and taken action against Wei Anguo and Yin Fang. However, Wei Yumeng was not someone who could be easily tempted. Moreover, she had felt something was off about Catherine from the very beginning.
"It's mainly that Madam Zhan, you are such a kind woman. I truly can't bear to see you treated this way by your father and stepmother," Catherine pretended to wipe away non-existent tears with a tissue, carefully observing Wei Yumeng.
"How can I be so fortunate to have Miss Catherine care so much for me?" Seeing Catherine's tearful pretense, Wei Yumeng's eyes instantly reddened. She quickly poured a glass of warm water and offered it to Catherine, as if to comfort her.
"Madam Zhan, you need to rest. Let me get the water!" Catherine quickly took the cup and gazed at Wei Yumeng for a long moment before leaning in to whisper, "Madam Zhan, rest assured, you have the entire Zhan family behind you. I will also keep your secret!" Catherine said this, but inwardly, she was secretly pleased, believing Wei Yumeng's demeanor suggested she would likely go through with it.
"Miss Catherine, after thinking it over, I think it's best not to. And you don't need to keep any secrets." Dimples appeared on Wei Yumeng's cheeks as she shrugged. Catherine could discern a hint of sincerity in Wei Yumeng's expression.
Catherine froze for a moment, taking a while to digest Wei Yumeng's words. She forced a smile. "Madam Zhan, what... do you mean?" Now, it was Catherine's turn to ask Wei Yumeng. Wei Yumeng covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes blinking at Catherine with a gaze devoid of malice. "I don't think it's necessary. Going to such lengths would not only worry my husband but also cause you, Miss Catherine, the burden of keeping my secret. I can't be so selfish."
Catherine was utterly stunned by Wei Yumeng's words, her lips twitching. She instinctively wanted to tell Wei Yumeng that she didn't mind at all; Catherine was eager to use Wei Yumeng's hands to deal with Wei Anguo! Wei Yumeng spoke before Catherine could, scratching her cheek as if deep in thought. "Besides, my father and stepmother have already learned their lesson in Africa. Their coming here to argue is simply about Wei Jin."
Catherine was in no mood to deal with Wei Jin or Wang Jin. She frowned and said earnestly, "Madam Zhan, you can't let them walk all over you. You must show some of the mettle of the Zhan family's primary wife!"
"It's fine. Not letting them see Wei Jin is the greatest torment for them," Wei Yumeng stated firmly, shaking her head and resolutely rejecting all of Catherine's honeyed words. Her reasoning was sound, leaving Catherine momentarily speechless. She secretly glared at Wei Yumeng, realizing she should stop there. Continuing would only expose her intentions and arouse Wei Yumeng's suspicion, rendering all her efforts to approach Wei Yumeng in vain. Perhaps Wei Yumeng was not as simple as she appeared. Catherine needed to re-evaluate this Zhan family's primary wife! With this thought, Catherine made a decisive move, letting out a long sigh and reaching out to sincerely grasp Wei Yumeng's hand. "Madam Zhan, you are truly kind! If it were me, I wouldn't let them off so easily. I absolutely detest the messes created by these stepmothers and biological fathers!" Catherine gritted her teeth, a flash of ruthlessness crossing her face. Since Wei Yumeng wouldn't act, Catherine would have to do it herself!
"Miss Catherine is someone who despises evil and upholds justice. I admire that. Thank you for speaking up for me," Wei Yumeng brushed off the topic lightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, seemingly unconcerned by Catherine's actions. However, deep within, where others could not see, Wei Yumeng secretly sowed a seed of caution.