Chapter 88: Alone in the World

Under the astonished gazes of the others, Lu Yao returned to the law firm with Qiao Wan’er and arranged for her to wait in the VIP reception room.

Xu Wenjie, terrified, pulled Lu Yao into his office.

As soon as the door closed, he said anxiously, “Don’t tell me you’ve taken on Miss Qiao’s scandal case?”

Lu Yao’s lips curled into a slight smile. “You guessed right.”

“What are you after?”

“The attorney’s fees are substantial,” she replied.

Xu Wenjie rubbed his forehead in worry, trying to persuade her. “Yao, I’ve noticed you’re getting bolder lately. Not only do you dare snatch food from the tiger’s mouth, now you’re even riding on its back. Aren’t you afraid of failing and being pelted with rotten eggs?”

Lu Yao was using Xu Wenjie’s computer to prepare the materials she’d need shortly. Hearing herself described this way, she lifted her lips in a faint, serene smile.

Then she patted Xu Wenjie’s shoulder reassuringly, comforting him, “Didn’t I say, I’m aiming to become a senior partner by the end of the year? Then I’ll be fighting side by side with you. From the way you’re talking, are you hoping I don’t make it?”

“You’re twisting my words. I’m just worried you might be in danger.”

“Don’t worry. I’m alone and have nothing to fear. After all, since ancient times, who hasn’t died?”

Xu Wenjie wanted to say more to dissuade her, but Lu Yao was already out of earshot, heading to the reception room with the printed documents.

He could only sigh helplessly, a vague sense of unease growing in his heart.

Inside the VIP reception room, Lu Yao handed the clothes Zhang Xiaoxin had prepared to Qiao Wan’er, her voice calm. “Miss Qiao, I’ll be taking you to a specialized institution shortly to document and examine your injuries and any evidence of assault. Then we’ll apply for an arrest and file a lawsuit.”

Qiao Wan’er took the clothes and, heavy with worry, went to the changing room. When she emerged in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, the hostility in her expression had softened, replaced by a touch of gentleness.

Her fingers were tightly interlocked, as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

Lu Yao, seeing her hesitance, guessed she was hiding something and probed gently, “Miss Qiao, do you have any concerns?”

“I was too panicked at the time, it happened so suddenly—I didn’t get any evidence. The people who assaulted me were all wearing masks and strange clothing. Aside from the man who assaulted me, I have no idea if the other three were men or women.” As Qiao Wan’er recalled the events, her head throbbed painfully. She clutched her aching head, her expression one of agony. “Most importantly, the man who assaulted me took precautions and left no evidence.”

Lu Yao was not surprised; she had anticipated such a dire situation.

She said calmly, “Then we’ll have to use manpower to check the surrounding surveillance footage.”

“Those people are clearly repeat offenders; they wouldn’t leave traces so easily.”

“As long as something was done, a trace will remain. The net of justice is vast and may seem loose, but nothing escapes it.”

Lu Yao didn’t let Qiao Wan’er sink further into self-pity. She took her to the forensic center.

Once all the examinations and documentation were complete, she personally escorted Qiao Wan’er home.

Before leaving, Qiao Wan’er clutched her hand anxiously. “How long will it take to find those four who assaulted me, and the mastermind behind it all?”

Lu Yao could see how desperately Qiao Wan’er wanted to find the culprit.

She could guess Qiao Wan’er’s purpose for doing all this—nothing more than wanting to prove her innocence, to recast herself from the protagonist of a scandal into a victim.

If she could do that, she might have a chance to escape the mire of scandal and perhaps persuade the Ye family not to call off her engagement to Ye Zehong.

Lu Yao sighed softly to herself…

Why must women make things so difficult for each other?

(End of chapter)