Su Heng stood in the shadowed frame of the villa's entrance, his tall figure elongated by the dying sun. His right hand still rested on the door handle, his left held his briefcase – he'd clearly walked in on the tail end of the scene.
Su Wan's fingertips curled slightly, then smoothed almost instantly. She met Su Heng's gaze calmly, offering neither explanation nor retreat. Her eyes, in the dim light, were like twin pools of fathomless, icy water.
Su Heng's sharp gaze swept over the still-struggling Cook Wang being hauled away by security, then snapped back to Su Wan's pale yet unnervingly resolute face. His eyes, hawk-like, held assessment and a trace of barely perceptible surprise.
The hall was tomb-silent. The servants stood frozen, heads bowed, not daring to breathe.
"Brother." Su Wan spoke first, her voice level. Gone was the earlier glacial command, but so too was the habitual timidity.
Su Heng gave a curt nod and stepped inside. The sharp click of his polished shoes on the marble floor echoed unnaturally in the hush. He stopped before her, looking down, his gaze lingering for a fraction of a second on her bloodless lips.
"You're not recovered. Move less." His voice was its usual low, unyielding baritone, revealing nothing.
"Mm." Su Wan's soft acknowledgement was accompanied by a slight dip of her head, her long lashes casting shadows that veiled the emotions beneath.
Su Heng's gaze shifted past her, fixing on the cowering servants. His voice dropped several degrees colder. "What are you all gawking at? Get back to work."
The servants scattered like startled birds granted a reprieve.
Only then did Su Heng turn his full attention back to Su Wan, his eyes sharp with renewed scrutiny. "What happened with Cook Wang?"
Su Wan lifted her gaze, clear and composed. "She was cursing the Su bloodline behind our backs, stirring trouble. I dismissed her." Simple. Direct. No elaboration, no trace of her former subservience. This version of Su Wan caused Su Heng's brow to twitch almost imperceptibly.
"Hm." His response was unexpected. No further questions, just a flat statement. "You were right to. Su family matters are not for outsiders to slander."
The words, an unspoken endorsement, sent a faint flicker of warmth through Su Wan's core. She gave a small nod. "Thank you, Brother."
Su Heng seemed about to say more, but instead glanced at his wristwatch. "I came back for a file. Go and rest." He strode past her, taking the stairs two at a time.
Su Wan watched his back disappear around the landing, only then allowing the tension in her shoulders to ease slightly. She hadn't anticipated Su Heng witnessing that confrontation, yet surprisingly, he hadn't seemed… displeased by her actions?
The realization sent a tiny ripple across the frozen surface of her heart.
She made her way slowly back to the third-floor study, her body's exhaustion pressing down more heavily. The dull ache in her abdomen was a persistent reminder of her post-operative frailty. Rest was necessary, but more pressing tasks demanded her attention.
The door had barely clicked shut behind her when her phone vibrated. An encrypted message:
[Investigation complete. Hongda Construction was previously Hongfa Construction (West City). Last year, due to substandard materials, caused a resettlement building collapse. 3 dead, 7 injured. Original company dissolved. Legal representative Ma Qiang (brother of Ma Yong, actual controller of Jinding Earthworks) re-registered as 'Hongda'. Jinding Earthworks repeatedly implicated in violent loan shark collection cases. All charges dropped due to insufficient evidence. Both companies' current quotes inflated by approx. 18%-22%. Difference laundered through linked companies. Final destination: Wei Guang Culture (90% controlled by Lin Weiwei). Evidence chain complete. Backed up.]
A cold, satisfied curve touched Su Wan's lips. Exactly as expected. Lu Zeyu and Lin Weiwei, your greed knows no bounds. Once the Nan Cheng project launched, billions would flow steadily into their pockets through precisely this method of layered subcontracts and inflated pricing.
Her reply was swift: [Deepen investigation into all linked companies and funds flow, especially direct links to Lu Zeyu. Simultaneously monitor all accounts under Lin Weiwei's name for recent activity.]
Message sent, she moved to the window. Outside, night had fully claimed the sky. City lights blinked on like countless cold, watchful eyes.
Lu Zeyu would be late tonight, surely? His "carefully prepared" subcontract signings abruptly halted, he'd be scrambling, desperate to confer with Lin Weiwei.
The imagined image of the treacherous pair's current panic and fury sent a pulse of grim satisfaction through her.
This is only the beginning.
Turning from the window, she walked to the desk and pulled a thick folder from a drawer. Inside were her meticulously compiled notes from the past days – every suspicious detail concerning Lu Zeyu and Lin Weiwei. Hotel records, financial transfers, fragments of potential evidence.
She opened it, her finger circling a name in red ink on one page: 'Stellar Advertising' – another shell company under Lin Weiwei. Registered barely three months ago, it had already secured two modestly-sized promotional contracts from the Su Group, both approved by Lu Zeyu.
Su Wan's fingertip tapped the company name, her eyes glacial. In her past life, she vaguely recalled this company vanishing after pocketing a hefty Su Group advance payment, causing significant losses. Lu Zeyu had feigned remorse then, claiming "oversight in vetting." Now, it was blindingly clear: another scheme concocted by him and Lin Weiwei together.
She picked up her phone again: [Add: Investigate background & funds flow of 'Stellar Advertising'. Focus: Disbursement of payments for signed Su Group projects.]
As she set the phone down, a soft knock sounded at the study door.
"Miss, your supper." It was Sister Zhang's voice, hushed with newfound caution.
"Come in." Su Wan closed the folder, casually covering it with a book.
Sister Zhang entered with a tray bearing a carefully prepared invalid's meal: a light congee, delicate side dishes, and a steaming bowl of nourishing broth. Her movements were excessively quiet, her deference palpable – clearly shaken by Su Wan's earlier display of power.
"On the table, thank you," Su Wan said, her voice regaining its usual softness, though her eyes remained cool.
Sister Zhang placed the tray down gently, hesitated, then murmured, barely audible, "Miss… when Cook Wang left… she was shouting… cursing you… Said… said she'd go to Miss Lin…"
Su Wan's gaze sharpened instantly. "She said that?"
Sister Zhang nodded nervously. "Y-yes. She also said… said Miss Lin would see justice done… make you regret this…"
Su Wan gave a short, mirthless laugh. Of course. The connection between Cook Wang and Lin Weiwei was undeniable. She should have realized it in her past life – a mere servant wouldn't dare antagonize the mistress so brazenly without powerful backing!
"I see. You may go." Su Wan's tone was dismissive.
Sister Zhang practically fled.
Su Wan picked up her soup spoon, stirring the broth slowly, her expression unreadable. Cook Wang running to Lin Weiwei? Perfect. She was curious to see what waves Lin Weiwei could possibly stir now.
She took a few sips, then paused, remembering something. Picking up her phone once more: [Monitor movements of Cook Wang (ex-Su servant). Focus: Contact with Lin Weiwei. Document all evidence.]
Message sent, she resumed her meal, her movements deliberate and graceful, as if the intricate web of vengeance being spun had nothing to do with her.
---
It was nearly eleven when Lu Zeyu finally returned. His face was thunderous. His suit jacket was slung over his arm, his tie loosened, radiating suppressed frustration.
Su Wan, "coincidentally," descended from the third-floor study just as he entered the hallway. She wore a soft robe, her face still pale, the picture of delicate harmlessness.
"Zeyu? Why so late?" she asked softly, her eyes perfectly calibrated with concern.
The sight of her instantly transformed Lu Zeyu's expression. Concern washed over his features, the shift unnervingly swift. "Wanwan? Why aren't you asleep? The doctor insisted on complete rest!" He hurried forward, reaching to support her.
Su Wan subtly evaded his touch, feigning adjustment of her robe sleeve. "Couldn't sleep. Came down for a book. You look… exhausted?"
Lu Zeyu sighed, rubbing his temples with Oscar-worthy weariness. "Don't ask. Problems with the Nan Cheng project. The key subcontract signings scheduled for today were abruptly suspended." He watched her reaction closely. "Seems Brother got wind of something… questioned the companies' credentials."
"Oh?" Su Wan's eyes widened with believable surprise. "How? Didn't you vet them thoroughly?"
A flicker of venom crossed Lu Zeyu's eyes, swiftly masked by exasperation. "Exactly. Utterly unexpected. Probably malicious rumours from competitors. But don't worry," he assured her, reaching again to caress her cheek. Su Wan turned it into a cough.
"Cough… Zeyu, I'm feeling unwell. I'll go back to bed. Don't stay up too late yourself." Her voice was faintly weak. She turned and started up the stairs.
Lu Zeyu watched her slender, retreating back, his expression darkening, unreadable. He felt something different about Su Wan tonight, but couldn't pinpoint it. Probably just the illness, he reasoned. He loosened his tie further, deciding a shower was needed to clear his head. Today's events were too bizarre; he needed to contact Lin Weiwei immediately to strategize.
Upstairs, Su Wan closed her bedroom door. The fragility melted from her face, replaced by an icy, calculating stillness.
She walked to the window, gazing out at the thick, impenetrable night. Her eyes were darker than the night itself.
Lu Zeyu's frustration. Lin Weiwei's panic. Cook Wang's venomous resentment. All of it… unfolding precisely as she had calculated.
The net was cast. The prey was thrashing. And she… needed only to wait, with glacial patience, for the perfect moment to draw it tight.