"As you just saw, my stepmother is not to be trifled with. She wanted to test if I was really paralyzed, so she drugged my food. You happened to barge into my room then. Under those circumstances, did you think I would refuse?"
Only, her mind was too muddled at the time to see clearly, nor did she know who she had slept with.
Wei Yumeng found it hard to accept, "Then why did you give me money back then?"
"Didn't you ask for it yourself? Since I slept with you, and I couldn't possibly be responsible for you, isn't giving you money the right thing to do?"
Zhan Mohan felt his logic was sound; he couldn't just sleep with someone for nothing.
Wei Yumeng's shoulders sagged, her entire being like a frostbitten eggplant, utterly dejected.
She had never imagined her life would be so dramatic. In the end, she couldn't escape Zhan Mohan at all. Even her first time, so accidental, she still ran into Zhan Mohan.
Did they have some karmic connection in their past lives?
"Then... then why did Wen Yulan try to harm you? The last time she insisted on forcing medicine on me, it was because she was worried that if this child was known to the media and spread, it would affect your reputation. If you consider her a stepmother, she's actually been quite good to you."
She didn't understand why Zhan Mohan had to clash with her so openly in front of Wen Yulan in the living room today.
Zhan Mohan turned around, pulled up a chair, and sat down. The intense darkness in his eyes receded, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness and a frigid detachment.
"Perhaps she already guessed that the child in your belly is mine. Think about it, if I were to investigate and find out, would I still let you get rid of the child?"
Wen Yulan had started investigating Wei Yumeng from the moment she entered the house.
That woman's scheming was not simple. It was normal for Wei Yumeng not to have had much contact with her.
Wei Yumeng listened, a chilling realization dawning on her. If Zhan Mohan's words were true, then Wen Yulan was truly terrifying.
Women from wealthy, influential families were indeed not simple characters.
Well, there was no point in dwelling on it now.
"Since you're standing now, I should be of no further use to you. Find some time to explain things to Old Master Zhan, and let's get a divorce."
She didn't want to be entangled in any more disputes. All she wanted was to live a peaceful life with Gu Shuyi. These past few months alone had worn her out completely.
However, when Zhan Mohan heard her mention divorce, his entire being became as still as a thousand-year-old frozen mountain, radiating an unnerving chill.
Seeing that Zhan Mohan remained silent, Wei Yumeng was about to turn and press him again when he suddenly appeared before her. Wei Yumeng stared at him in surprise. His eyebrows were sharply arched, and his deep, piercing eyes held a dangerous, devilish glint.
She blinked uneasily, "You..."
"Wei Yumeng, even if I can stand now, the days I was paralyzed were all thanks to you. You think you can just walk away and leave? You're thinking too much."
She had dismissed his words as nothing before. It was one thing that she was out all night, but to dare mention divorce in front of him was another.
"I told you, it wasn't me!"
"Then wait until I've thoroughly investigated the truth, and we'll discuss divorce. Or, you can investigate yourself. As long as you provide evidence that convinces me, I'll let you go. Otherwise, you'll be a sinner of the Zhan family forever. Does a sinner have the right to negotiate terms with me?"
His voice was natural, possessing an irresistible aura.
Wei Yumeng opened her mouth, but her gaze met his cold, abyssal eyes, and the words caught in her throat. She dared not speak.
She knew Zhan Mohan's methods. He was not someone to be angered easily. From the matters involving Xin Ran and Gu Shuyi, she had already experienced it thoroughly.
For now, she could only stay here temporarily. Once the truth was revealed, she would explain it to him. By then, what reason would he have to keep her?
"Alright, I agree. But once I've investigated, you must let me go!"
Zhan Mohan let out a cold snort, "We'll see about that once you've finished your investigation."
Wei Yumeng's face flushed crimson with anger, but she was powerless against Zhan Mohan. After staying in the Zhan family for so long, she felt like a clown, toyed with by Zhan Mohan, all the while living in constant fear that he might find out about the mysterious man and accuse her of adultery.
In the end, it turned out to be the same person.
She should have guessed it sooner. Besides those within the Zhan family, who else could be so familiar with the place and dare to sneak directly into Zhan Mohan's room? It could only be him.
There was just one thing she still didn't understand.
"I clearly saw you beside me before. Then how did you send me text messages and make phone calls?"
He couldn't possibly have a doppelganger, could he?
Zhan Mohan's gaze slowly fell upon her. On her small, delicate face, her eyes shone with a piercing intensity, a light that was both captivating and intimidating.
She actually possessed such a gaze.
"Don't you know there's something called a voice changer in this world?"
Wei Yumeng gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Zhan Mohan, for so long, have I always seemed like a fool in your eyes?"
At night, she lay awake, tormented, unable to sleep, fearing the mysterious man might reappear. During the day, she had to tread carefully, afraid of making a mistake and giving Zhan Mohan another reason to pick a fault.
Wen Yulan's attitude towards her had been evident from the very first day she arrived at the Zhan family.
Zhan Mohan turned his face away, not wanting to look at her anymore. His entire presence exuded an elite, aloof, and unattainable aura of restrained desire.
"Wei Yumeng, have you never lied to me? You let Xin Ran help you escape. You lied to me about the car accident. And about the mysterious man, didn't you also keep that from me?"
She had no idea how furious he had been when he heard from Wei Jin that she had been desperate to escape him. She didn't know that she had already received his greatest leniency.
If it were up to his original nature, she would probably be wishing for death by now, how could she still be living so peacefully?
How much he had helped her behind her back, and how little she knew of it. To talk to him about deception now, didn't she find it absurd?
Ultimately, he had been too kind to her.
Wei Yumeng's emotions suddenly flared up. She clenched her fists tightly and roared, her neck stiffened.
"If my father hadn't forced me, if they hadn't pinned Wei Jin's crime on me, why would I have married you!"
Her aspirations in this life were few; she only wished to live a simple life with Gu Shuyi. But now, look how terrible her life had become. Gu Shuyi was imprisoned in the hospital by Zhan Mohan, and Xin Ran was still locked up because of her.
"What, you feel like you've been wronged by marrying me?" His voice was cold and murderous, his brows furrowed, the immense pressure making Wei Yumeng break out in a cold sweat.
Deep down, she feared Zhan Mohan. It was just that the circumstances today had forced her innermost grievances to erupt.
At this moment, Fang Xun knocked on the door from outside.
"Mr. Zhan, there's something you need to attend to."
"Get out!"
Zhan Mohan roared, startling Fang Xun outside.
Wei Yumeng was also greatly frightened, her face growing even more grim. When this man was angry, he was like a tempest, impossible to withstand.
Fang Xun didn't leave, as it was indeed an urgent matter.
He took a moment to compose himself and then, gathering his courage, knocked again, "Mr. Zhan, it's really urgent. It's about the Golden Bay project. There's a problem that needs immediate resolution."
If it weren't an emergency, he wouldn't dare to disturb Mr. Zhan even if he had a hundred lives.
At this point, there was no sound from inside. Fang Xun's heart was in his throat, fearing that as soon as Mr. Zhan opened the door, he would be thrown out.
The door eventually opened, but Zhan Mohan didn't throw him out. However, his handsome face clearly showed his displeasure.
Fang Xun lowered his head.
"Mr. Zhan."
"Let's discuss it in the study."
"Yes."
The door closed again. Wei Yumeng breathed a sigh of relief, and even Fang Xun relaxed. Fortunately, Mr. Zhan hadn't lost his temper.
Back in the study, Fang Xun handed over the documents, his voice trembling slightly.
"The person in charge of the Golden Bay project said they seem to have discovered someone taking kickbacks on this project. Now the project funding is insufficient."
He irritably rubbed his temples, "Why is this only being discovered now? What were they doing before?"