Chapter 4: Pulling Each Other Apart

He had lived in the old house for over twenty years, abiding by the rules all that time. But when Lu Yao broke those strict boundaries and entered his line of sight, she sparked a flicker of interest within him.

He was not skilled at hiding his thoughts; everything was written plainly on his face.

Ye Zehong lifted his chin slightly, his gaze cold as he cast a glance at Ye Zemao, urging in a tone that brooked no argument, "I have some relevant questions I need to discuss with Miss Lu privately. You go ahead."

That indifferent look sent a chill through Lu Yao. She knew all too well—it was a prelude to his anger.

"Very well. After you finish talking with Miss Lu, be sure to bring her over so we can have tea together," Ye Zemao, ever considerate, assumed Ye Zehong simply wanted to discuss some conditions with Lu Yao privately and departed without further thought.

"Mr. Ye, if you have something to say, please speak plainly. I am currently Miss Qiao's representing attorney," Lu Yao deliberately mentioned Qiao Wan'er, hoping to irk this cold and profit-driven man before her.

Ye Zehong glanced around, making sure they were alone, before grabbing Lu Yao's wrist and dragging her into a corner.

Her back slammed hard against the wall, pain shooting through her so sharply it brought tears to her eyes. She struggled with hands and feet, desperate to break free.

Ye Zehong braced his arms against the wall, caging her in so she had no escape. His fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze as he looked deep into her clear, watery eyes. Lowering his voice, he said, "Yesterday you were still pretending to be carefree, wanting a clean break. Now you’re here trying to get close to my third brother. Are you really so unwilling to be alone?"

Lu Yao lifted her eyes, glaring at him, cheeks puffed in defiance. "If saying those things makes you happy, go ahead—I’ll listen. Besides, as someone who works for a living, I have no other choice."

He stared at her for a long moment before leaning in, his cold laughter brushing against her ear. "I'll have Xu Wenjie assign someone else to this case. You are to leave the old house immediately and never have anything to do with anyone from the Ye family again—especially my third brother. Otherwise..."

Their breaths tangled, feather-light and charged, brushing across each other's faces.

His lips, soft and so familiar, now spoke words suffocating and cruel.

Lu Yao met his gaze in open defiance and shouted, "And what if I refuse? Are you going to tear me to pieces?"

Ye Zehong's brow furrowed, his anger barely restrained as he stared, stunned, at Lu Yao's puffed-up cheeks. His voice dropped, low and menacing, "Tearing you apart would be unnecessary, but I can make you disappear from the capital."

"Mr. Ye, you’re a top graduate from a prestigious university. Is it really worth breaking the law and spending your life in prison for someone as insignificant as me?" Lu Yao stopped struggling, instead raising her chin stubbornly as she fired back.

For a moment, Ye Zehong found her current appearance—so spirited and combative—far more endearing and interesting than the three years she had endured everything from him without protest.

His gloomy mood inexplicably lifted.

"Who said you were insignificant? Zemao, for one, seems quite interested in you," Ye Zehong said with a mocking sneer. Then he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers, capturing her mouth with unyielding force.

Like a wild beast claiming a resisting prey, he devoured her lips without mercy.

Lu Yao's back was pressed against the icy wall, the biting cold a painful reminder that they had already parted ways, and he now had a fiancée.

Such intimacy, once commonplace between them, should no longer continue.

Her trembling fingers pressed against his lips, trying to stop him.

In the quiet, their ragged breaths echoed in their ears, each one striking at her heart.

After a moment's silence, she glanced at his bloodthirsty eyes, shoved him away with all her strength, her face pale and voice sharp, "What makes you think you have the right to control everything about me?"