Qin Guan stormed out of the rundown house seething with rage.
Had he not outsmarted Zeng Demei, he'd have fallen for Qi Min's scheme—losing three million while she mocked him as a fool. Worse, she'd hold this over him forever, extorting him whenever she pleased.
He couldn't believe his once-obedient mistress—so devoted in bed and out—had orchestrated this. How dare she?!
Though Qi Min had begged forgiveness as he left, Qin Guan would never reconcile. She'd crossed his line.
But thoughts of his wife and daughter tempered his fury. He wouldn't report this—jailing Qi Min would expose their affair. Xu Ruyi's reaction terrified him. Despite her gentle demeanor, she had principles. If she discovered…
Sunlight baked the streets, yet Qin Guan felt icy dread. Checking his phone, he saw routine work calls and a text from Xu Ruyi: What's for dinner? He replied normally. She sent a photo of their daughter painting—peaceful, unaware.
Relieved, he inhaled deeply. This scandal must stay buried. First, he needed to discreetly deal with Qi Min.
Hailing a taxi to the supermarket parking lot where his car waited, Qin Guan froze—Li Yang lurked by his vehicle.
Spotting Qin Guan, Li Yang leaped from the shadows, phone in hand, and grabbed his arm. "You're not escaping! I called the police!"
"Psycho!" Qin Guan tried shaking him off as a patrol car arrived. An officer stepped out—one who'd investigated Qi Min's disappearance.
Li Yang wailed, snot and tears staining Qin Guan's shirt. "He killed my fiancée! Strangled her, stuffed her in a suitcase, dumped her in the lake!"
A crowd gathered. Qin Guan, mortified at being recognized, snapped at the officer: "He's delusional! Qi Min's alive! We just met at an old house near Yongchun Road's new park. Here's her number—call her!"
Li Yang bolted to the address. The officer took the number, promising to verify.
Alone at last, Qin Guan slumped into his car, AC blasting cold relief. The nightmare was over. He'd focus on work and family. As for the 300,000 yuan—if Qi Min stayed silent, she could keep it. If not, he'd bury her with extortion charges.
Starting the engine, he reached under the driver's seat for the incriminating stockings—only to freeze.
The bag was gone.