She kept her marriage a secret for three years, then divorced and was forcefully pampered by a power

However, Huo Xiao did not hesitate for a second, and slowly knelt down in front of Qu Ao with his knees bent.

His actions caused Shao Yan to break down in tears, but Lan Yan couldn't believe her eyes no matter what.

That man, who refused to yield even in the face of death and was beaten until his body was covered in wounds, stubbornly held his back and endured nearly 100 lashes. It's truly a miracle he's still alive.

She thought that was just Huo Xiao's personality; no man would easily kneel down for a woman, so Lan Yan could understand.

However, when Qu Ao held onto Shao Yan this time, Huo Xiao knelt down before him without even considering it, in order to beg him to let Shao Yan go. It was extremely ironic.

Not only were Lan Yan and Shao Yan shocked, but even Qu Ao couldn't help but smile.

"My son, whom I raised with such care, is willing to do such a despicable thing for this woman. It seems you're not very strong."

Since this woman is so useful to me, how could I let her go so easily? Guards, take them both away!

The two people Qu Ao was referring to were Lan Yan and Shao Yan. As for Huo Xiao, he was about to stand up and fight back when someone pressed a gun to his temple.

Shao Yan's head was covered, and she couldn't see anything in the pitch black. She was also forced into a car with a gun pointed at her head.

When the cloth covering her head was removed, they found that she and Lan Yan were locked in a room. The room was simply furnished, with almost no furniture. But it wasn't a dark and hopeless prison.

Lan Yan sat on the sofa opposite her, her face gloomy. Her once beautiful, fox-like eyes now looked somewhat somber.

"Where is this place? What will Huo Xiao's godfather do to him?"

Lan Yan just looked at Shao Yan, and after a long while she said sarcastically, "Why did you come? If you hadn't come, the two of us would have been on a plane back to China long ago and have already landed."

You're such a jinx! You know Huo Xiao doesn't love you at all, yet you still insist on coming here to humiliate yourself.

Do you really think that what he did was out of love? And do you know that you ruined all our plans? Because of you, we might all die.

Shao Yan wasn't easily intimidated; she didn't believe a single word Lan Yan said.

She had told so many lies before, including claiming that the child in her belly was Huo Xiao's, but Huo Xiao himself admitted in front of his godfather today that the child was bought from the sperm bank by Lan Yan through trickery.

She even learned from Qu You that the child in Lan Yan's belly wasn't Huo Xiao's, so this woman was full of lies and Shao Yan had no reason to believe her anymore.

She gave a very faint smile, a smile that was both sarcastic and tinged with pity as she looked at Lan Yan, who instantly broke down.

She hadn't expected this woman to be so difficult to deal with. So she changed her tactics.

"Why did you shamelessly follow me all the way here? Let me tell you, Huo Xiao isn't going back."

Shao Yan stared coldly at Lan Yan, remaining expressionless no matter what she said, until Lan Yan finally broke down and became somewhat hysterical.

"Are you fucking mute? Say something!"

Shao Yan finally spoke.

"Didn't your parents teach you manners? You've only been away from your homeland for a few years, and you've already forgotten all your Chinese?"

"You've told me so much, so can you tell me why you went and smashed a violin in my and Huo Xiao's apartment last time?"

Her question stumped Lan Yan, because the reason she smashed the violin was that it was a gift from Huo Xiao to Shao Yan.

What she knew and least wanted to mention was that Shao Yan's name was engraved on the back of that violin.

In other words, Huo Xiao bought that violin many years ago so that he could give it to Shao Yan someday.

This is something she has never dared to admit, or even wanted to admit, and it is very likely that the woman Huo Xiao has been thinking about is Shao Yan.

Shao Yan stared at her.

"Why are you afraid to answer me?"

Lan Yan was stunned for a moment, feeling that Shao Yan was provoking her.

"Miss Shao, if you want to steal my man, you'll have to have my methods. I don't like that violin, so what if I smash it?"

I just don't like you. I don't like you impersonating me to seduce Huo Xiao. Now that the real me has appeared, you imposter should have scurried away with your tail between your legs long ago.

Shao Yan looked at him calmly, showing no anger at her provocative words, but instead lowered her head and chuckled softly.

At this point, Lan Yan's anger intensified.

"What are you laughing at?"

Shao Yan shook her head: "I laugh at you for deceiving yourself. Miss Lan, I've actually investigated your background; you're not an unknown woman."

You have a good family background, attended a good university, and received a good education, but I never expected your life to be so tragic.

That violin was bought by Huo Xiao specifically to give to me, wasn't it? You've always wanted to know who the woman in his heart is, and now you finally see.

I suddenly remembered why you insisted before that I was your substitute. Now that I think about it, is it possible that you are my substitute?

Shao Yan revealed the most terrifying thing in Lan Yan's heart, and her beautiful face became extremely distorted.

"You're talking nonsense. I'm not your substitute. Gu Xiao has always loved me."

After she finished shouting, she looked at Shao Yan with an indescribable ruthlessness and cunning in her eyes.

"Let me tell you, I am Qu Ao's legal wife, and I can leave here anytime, but you can't. If you like being so stubborn and arrogant, then keep being arrogant."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly swung her fist and slammed it into her stomach, shouting for help as she did so.

"Help! This woman is trying to kill me! She wants to kill the baby in my belly! Help!"

Lan Yan pounded her stomach with one hand, making a loud noise, and looked at Shao Yan with a wicked look and a strange smile on her lips.

Lan Yan stared at her without moving an inch.

It's a real shame; this woman seems to have gone completely mad. Only she could come up with such a terrible idea.

As expected, no matter how much noise Lan Yan made, no one outside came to check.

However, due to her emotional agitation and excessive force, she collapsed to the ground, barely breathing.

"What a pity, Miss Lan Yan, you act but have no audience."

Lan Yan was still making a last-ditch effort.

"No, Qu Ao will release me soon. He won't watch me die. He loves me."

At this moment, Shao Yan realized that Lan Yan really did have some mental issues.

How could someone who climbed to his current position through ruthless means be controlled by such sentimental feelings, especially since Lan Yan is not carrying Qu Ao's biological child?