Zhao Ziling had changed, and Huo Tingshen could sense it.
From the night she returned and resisted him in bed.
She had resisted before when angry, but she would always succumb beneath him soon enough.
That night, she remained fully conscious the entire time.
By the next day, she was using an eyebrow razor to pry open the window, trying to escape—even cutting her hand and still persisting.
She feared pain the most; this wasn’t like her before.
What was the root of these changes?
He believed it was Xie Guanyan.
He had to admit, Xie Guanyan was exceptionally outstanding.
A self-made man who amassed a fortune comparable to his own in just a decade.
And yet, Xie hardly spent his wealth on personal indulgence—he donated to charities and even funded temple renovations.
His looks were top-tier too.
Countless women in the capital’s elite circles fawned over him.
Sometimes, even Huo Tingshen felt tempted to befriend him.
But he never did. His pride wouldn’t allow him to extend the first olive branch.
Especially since Xie Guanyan was so damn handsome.
He feared Zhao Ziling might meet Xie through him and fall for him.
After all, Zhao Ziling adored pretty men—he’d caught her showering handsome male models with money more than once!
Yet, despite his precautions, he couldn’t stop it.
Somehow, the two had still gotten involved.
That day, Zhao Ziling had simply run away.
Her confidence must have stemmed from Xie Guanyan’s power and influence.
All signs pointed to Zhao Ziling having a connection with Xie.
Xie Guanyan probably didn’t like Zhao Ziling enough to openly clash with Huo Tingshen—doing so would bring massive losses to both sides.
But everything that happened today shattered all his assumptions.
His eyes burned with pain, yet his mind had never been clearer.
Zhao Ziling had swung a machete at him, nearly striking him down.
After all these years of treating her well, she knew how much he loved her. He was certain she loved him too.
He was the most important person in her heart—bar none.
But that slash of the blade destroyed his certainty.
Someone else held a higher place in Zhao Ziling’s heart than him.
For that person, she had almost killed him.
And that person wasn’t Xie Guanyan—it was a girl.
That brat, Lin Mo!
Now, the situation was clear.
Xie Guanyan had stormed into the Huo Residence with his men—all for that little girl.
The girl had even slapped him, and the way he spoke afterward sounded almost… pleased.
Utterly shameless.
So many people were present. Even if it was a light slap, it was still a slap!
Xie Guanyan’s untouchable, woman-repelling image had crumbled in Huo Tingshen’s eyes.
So, that night Zhao Ziling stayed at Xie Guanyan’s villa—it really was because of Lin Mo.
The so-called "best friend" she’d mentioned.
Yet in their seven years of marriage, she had never once spoken of this "best friend."
Nor had she ever met her.
Could they even be called best friends?
How had this "best friend" suddenly reappeared after so long?
And she was so young—still in her third year of high school! Nothing like Zhao Ziling’s peer!
So many questions demanded answers.
But right now, he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
His pride had been thoroughly trampled today. The Huo family’s dignity was in ruins.
"All of you, get out."
His voice was dangerously low, veins bulging on his hands.
The butler of the Huo Residence quickly intervened, "Alright, everyone, leave now!"
A few doctors hesitated, "Huh? Us too?"
The butler rolled his eyes, "Of course you’re staying!"
Lin Mo glanced at Huo Tingshen, then at the others. "Let’s go."
Xie Guanyan placed a business card on the desk, his tone as composed as ever. "Huo Tingshen, if there are damages to compensate for, contact me."
Damages?
The Huo Residence had suffered heavy losses tonight.
The crowd and bodyguards had trampled over the front garden’s prized flowers and plants.
Several antique vases in the living room lay shattered.
But the worst was the study.
Lin Mo and Nanny Wang’s chaotic chase had toppled countless ornaments.
Climbing onto the ceiling, Lin Mo had stepped on the bookshelves, sending rare books and valuables crashing down.
Now, the study looked like it had been ransacked by bandits.
Lin Mo’s lips twitched. "I’ll pay too, but only part of it. After all, you’re the one who brought me here."
Jiang Tang promptly placed Shen Yihan’s business card on the table as well.
Shen Yihan: "…"
He paused mid-motion, fingers brushing the Buddhist beads on his wrist.
Lin Mo grinned at Jiang Tang. "Jiang Tang, you get me!"
Zhao Ziling arched a brow. "No need to compensate. Half of everything here is mine anyway."
Huo Tingshen, his eyes bandaged, let out a cold laugh. "Now you remember you own half? Where was that awareness when you were swinging a machete at me?"
Zhao Ziling smirked, her voice dripping with venom. "If I’d killed you, it would’ve all been mine."
Huo Tingshen: "…"
He trembled with rage. "Zhao Ziling, get out! Now!"
The butler wished he could shut his ears.
Madam, you can’t just say that out loud!
Murdering one’s husband for inheritance wasn’t unheard of among the wealthy.
If the elders heard this, it would be a disaster.
Zhao Ziling looked at Huo Tingshen.
His eyes were now covered in white gauze, the sharp contours of his face oddly striking beneath it.
But she no longer had the heart to admire him.
"I’ll leave, Huo Tingshen. You don’t need to remind me."
Her voice was steady, but hot tears welled uncontrollably in her eyes.
She turned to Lin Mo.
Lin Mo understood instantly. She stepped forward and grasped Zhao Ziling’s hand tightly.
"Zhao Ziling, remember—no matter what you decide, your own ass will always have your back."
"And mine too!"
Tears streamed down Zhao Ziling’s face. She knew what Lin Mo meant.
Whatever choice she made, she would be her own first supporter.
And Lin Mo would stand by her.
Zhao Zixin, still confused about the details, grabbed her sister’s other hand.
"Sis, I’ll support you too!"
She hadn’t realized her sister’s marriage was so unhappy.
Everyone envied Zhao Ziling for marrying into the Huo family—the pinnacle of luxury, living a dream life.
Huo Tingshen didn’t understand what they were supporting Zhao Ziling in.
Supporting her to chop him to death?
That was illegal. With so many witnesses, she wouldn’t get a cent of his fortune!
But the next moment, he heard Zhao Ziling speak—calm, deliberate, each word measured.
"Huo Tingshen, let’s get a divorce."
