The VIP ward was spacious.
Zhou Sheng was tied up and thrown into a corner.
The wounds on his legs and face had already been treated by the doctors—just enough to keep him alive but ensure the pain remained.
The director and assistant director had seen their fair share of the world.
They knew exactly how deep the waters of the entertainment industry ran.
Zhou Sheng was practically the top agent in the industry, yet who knew he was this rotten behind the scenes?
Watching him howl in pain was… well, downright satisfying!
But after the satisfaction came worry.
Rumors said Zhou Sheng’s backer was the Huo Family, one of Beijing’s oldest and most powerful elite families.
Recent news had surfaced about the head of the Huo Family, Huo Tingshen, and Xie Guanyan.
One was old money, the other a rising powerhouse.
They’d coexisted peacefully before, but lately, many had noticed the two had become rivals.
Xie Guanyan’s legal team had gone head-to-head with Huo Tingshen’s in a divorce lawsuit—and won.
Huo Tingshen lost his wife and a considerable chunk of his assets.
No doubt he hated Xie Guanyan to the core. This time, he’d pull out all the stops to help Zhou Sheng!
Qiao Yinyin sat in the ward, hands clenched together, anxiety gnawing at her.
Could Xie Guanyan really send Zhou Sheng to prison under the Huo Family’s influence?
If not, her beautiful older sister was in danger!
Suddenly—
The half-open door was slammed open with a loud bang!
Qiao Yinyin flinched and whipped her head toward the entrance.
It was Shen Sizhan, being shoved inside!
Had the head of the Huo Family brought an army?
Qiao Yinyin immediately grabbed a fruit knife.
If it came down to it, she’d use Zhou Sheng as leverage to force Huo Tingshen to let her sister go!
The director jumped. “Holy shit! Are we throwing hands? Peng-ge, grab something and fight!”
The assistant director, Sun Peng, was a few years older, so the director called him “Peng-ge” in private.
At the director’s words, Sun Peng immediately bolted into the bathroom.
Director: “…”
Shen Sizhan quickly explained, “It’s fine, it’s fine! My sister pushed me in.”
Sun Peng promptly emerged from the bathroom.
The director smiled. “Sister Yueyue.”
Sun Peng: “…”
Shen Sizhan craned his neck back toward the door, confused. “Sis, why’d you push me?”
Lin Mo was at a loss for words.
The world was just too small!
Who could’ve guessed Zhou Sheng’s cousin was Huo Tingshen? Jiang Tang had only mentioned Zhou Sheng left no evidence—never his connections.
Huo Tingshen had also been there the day she confessed her feelings.
Even though he’d been knocked out, if he found out later, he’d definitely realize it was meant for Xie Guanyan.
The moment he opened his mouth, Lin Mo shoved Shen Sizhan into the ward.
Thankfully, she acted fast—Shen Sizhan hadn’t heard a thing!
Huo Tingshen watched Lin Mo’s actions, a mocking glint in his eyes.
Guilty conscience, huh?
This was the consequence of Xie Guanyan’s indulgence. Served him right!
Then he heard the silver-haired young man call Lin Mo “sis.”
A flicker of awkwardness crossed his rigid expression.
This was Lin Mo’s brother?
He knew about her situation—three brothers, an eleven-year coma after a car accident, and once the best friend of Zhao Ziling.
No wonder they hadn’t been in touch all these years.
Lin Mo, afraid Huo Tingshen might say something revealing, pressed Shen Sizhan’s head back inside. “This guy’s dangerous. Stay hidden!”
Huo Tingshen: “…”
She knocked him out twice. Who was the dangerous one here?
Shen Sizhan’s eyes reddened with emotion. “Sis, I’m not a kid anymore. I’ve grown up! I can protect you now!”
Zhou Sheng, bound and immobile, heard the commotion and yelled, “Cousin! Cousin, save me!”
Now Lin Mo realized she was in trouble?
Too late!!
Huo Tingshen turned toward the ward at Zhou Sheng’s cries.
Lin Mo thought for a second, then looked at Shen Sizhan. “It’s safe here. Go buy some milk tea.”
Listening to his sister was as natural as breathing.
Shen Sizhan took off immediately. “Got it~”
The moment Huo Tingshen stepped inside, he saw Xie Guanyan lying on the hospital bed and nearly laughed. “CEO Xie, are you sick?”
Xie Guanyan replied coolly, “Disappointed? I’m not sick. Your cousin drugged me.”
Zhou Sheng hurried to explain, “No, no, cousin! I didn’t drug Xie Guanyan, I—”
Huo Tingshen shot him a frigid glare.
This was his mother’s nephew.
He’d long recognized his twisted nature and barred him from the Huo Family’s businesses.
Zhou Sheng switched to playing the victim. “Cousin, look what they did to me! They beat me up, stabbed my thigh! They’re not just attacking me—they’re slapping the Huo Family in the face! Especially this Lin Mo! How dare she talk to you like that? You can’t let her off!”
Lin Mo rolled up her sleeves.
Huo Tingshen instinctively took several steps back.
Zhou Sheng: “…”
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Was his cousin seriously backing away like that?!
Lin Mo had held back earlier, but now she strode forward and kicked Zhou Sheng’s wounds repeatedly.
“I’ll beat you right in front of your cousin! Drugging people, filming videos—you’re a monster! Not killing you makes me a saint!”
Zhou Sheng’s screams were bloodcurdling, pain threatening to knock him out.
Thankfully, the VIP ward had excellent soundproofing.
Lin Mo exhaled sharply and turned to Huo Tingshen. “I’m sending him to prison!”
Huo Tingshen looked annoyed. “Hurry up. He’s noisy.”
Lin Mo: “…”
Zhou Sheng: “…”
Zhou Sheng’s voice trembled. “Cousin… you have to save me! If you’re not here for me, why come?”
His cousin valued sleep above all else at this hour.
Yet he’d shown up—didn’t that mean he cared?
Huo Tingshen glanced at him. “Not for you.”
Zhou Sheng’s mind went blank.
What? For Lin Mo?
On the phone, Huo Tingshen had only reacted to Lin Mo’s voice.
Lin Mo was stunning, and she was from Beijing too…
Zhou Sheng’s pupils shrank. “Cousin! You just got divorced! You—”
BAM!
Before he could finish, a fist slammed into his face, knocking him out cold.
Huo Tingshen retracted his hand, eyes icy.
That was the last topic to bring up.
Lin Mo blinked. “Is he really your cousin? You hit pretty hard.”
Harder than her or Shen Sizhan.
Anyone would think they had history!
Only Xie Guanyan knew the truth—it was fresh resentment.
Mentioning divorce around Huo Tingshen was a death wish.
Even Xu Zunlong got snapped at sometimes.
Huo Tingshen swept his gaze over the others. “Everyone, out.”
The commanding presence of a top-tier elite family head was undeniable.
The director and assistant director scurried out.
Qiao Yinyin hesitated for two seconds before following.
Only three remained in the ward: the unconscious Zhou Sheng, Xie Guanyan on the bed, and Lin Mo.
Huo Tingshen straightened his tie, tone solemn. “He is my cousin. I can’t ignore this.”
Xie Guanyan’s slender fingers peeked out from the blanket. “Get to the point.”
Huo Tingshen nearly rolled his eyes but restrained himself for the sake of dignity.
Still, he shot Xie Guanyan a glare before turning to Lin Mo.
“Tell Zhao Ziling to cancel her male model party.”
Lin Mo was baffled. “She’s throwing one? How do you know?”
Huo Tingshen’s expression darkened. "The entire upper-class circle in Beijing knows about it. She seems to be campaigning for some show, saying anyone who votes can screenshot it and receive an invitation in return."
"Plenty of people have already voted. Her villa can’t accommodate such a large party, so she’s renting a luxury yacht now!"
Lin Mo sat on the edge of the bed. "You’re already divorced. This has nothing to do with you."
The moment the word "divorce" was mentioned, Huo Tingshen couldn’t take it.
He punched Zhou Sheng again.
"It does matter. I have my pride!"
Lin Mo said earnestly, "I can’t interfere in this. If Zhao Ziling wants to throw the party, there’s nothing I can do."
Huo Tingshen’s expression was rigid and stern as he stared at Lin Mo. "You want to go too."
