At five in the afternoon, Sang Ning left work and headed straight back to the Nan residence.
"Young Mistress is back," Aunt Chen greeted warmly.
As Sang Ning pushed open the door and stepped into the living room, she heard Nan Siya's sobs.
"That shameless homewrecker, Zhan Yijun! She has no shame! She seduced Chen Zheng, and the Chen Family won’t even stand up for me—they even scolded me for making a scene! I’m the rightful wife!"
Wen Meiling tried to soothe her, "There, there, stop crying now."
Grandpa sat on the main sofa, the entire Nan family gathered around.
Hearing Sang Ning return, they all turned to look at her.
"Sang Ning’s back," Grandpa raised a hand, motioning for her to sit.
Sang Ning took a seat on the sofa and glanced at Nan Siya, asking in surprise, "What’s going on?"
Grandpa’s expression darkened. "Chen Zheng and Zhan Yijun got involved in an inappropriate situation. Siya caused a scene at the Chen Family."
Sang Ning was stunned. "How could this happen?"
Nan Siya glared at her through tear-filled eyes. "Stop pretending! You must be gloating inside!"
Grandpa shot her a warning look. "Enough! If you keep making a fuss, get out!"
Nan Siya flinched, biting her lip in frustration and falling silent.
Grandpa turned to Sang Ning with a grave expression. "What do you think we should do?"
Sang Ning now held power in the Nan Corporation. The Nan and Chen Families were bound by a business alliance—this was no trivial matter. Of course, they needed her input.
Sang Ning asked, "What’s the Chen Family’s stance?"
"Mr. Chen called me earlier and explained the situation. He said Chen Zheng had too much to drink and acted impulsively."
Grandpa waved a dismissive hand. "Excuses won’t help now. The Chen Family wants to settle this quietly."
After a moment’s thought, Sang Ning said, "Then we should let it go."
Nan Siya’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Sang Ning spoke earnestly, "This involves three families. If we escalate it, we’ll offend not just the Chen Family but also the Zhan Family. Can the Nan Family afford that? Right now, we still have ongoing business collaborations with the Chen Family. Should we really ruin everything over this?"
Her words resonated with Grandpa, who nodded. "You’re right."
Nan Siya stiffened, her face twisting in fury as she glared at Sang Ning. "What about me?!"
Sang Ning smiled. "You’ll go back to the Chen Family. Pretend nothing happened and continue your life with Chen Zheng."
Nan Siya nearly choked on her anger. "What kind of nonsense is that?! The Chen Family humiliated me—"
Sang Ning feigned surprise. "Wasn’t it you who insisted on marrying into the Chen Family? Now that you’ve gotten your wish, aren’t you satisfied?"
Nan Siya froze, suddenly speechless.
Grandpa also scolded sternly, "You were the one who forced this marriage. Now you come back crying and making a scene? The Nan and Chen Families still have business ties—should we burn bridges now? And let’s not forget the Zhan Family is involved too! If this blows up, the Nan Family loses!"
Nan Siya’s eyes welled up with fresh tears of frustration.
Wen Meiling could only console her, "Siya, let it go. Chen Zheng said it was just the alcohol, and Zhan Yijun is already engaged. Treat it as an accident and move on with Chen Zheng."
Nan Siya seethed, her nails digging into her palms, but she couldn’t force out a single word of agreement.
Grandpa had no patience for her tantrums. He stood up. "Enough. This matter is settled. Since Sang Ning’s back, let’s have a family dinner and discuss how to handle it later."
"Alright," Sang Ning nodded.
Grandpa shot Nan Siya a disappointed glare before heading upstairs.
Aunt Chen immediately busied herself directing the servants to prepare dinner.
Sang Ning had no interest in listening to Nan Siya’s grievances, so she got up and retreated to her room. She had a few things to gather and planned to take them with her tomorrow.
Just as she reached her door, hurried footsteps approached from behind.
"You must be thrilled to see me like this!" Nan Siya’s eyes were bloodshot, her voice trembling with rage.
Sang Ning tilted her head slightly, her tone sincere. "A little."
"You—!" Nan Siya’s face twisted in fury.
She spat out, "If it weren’t for you scheming against Chen Zhihan and making the Chen Family resent us, I wouldn’t be suffering like this now!"
Sang Ning’s gaze turned icy. "You’re the fool. You knew the families were at odds, yet you still begged to marry into the Chen Family. Now you’ve gotten what you wanted—aren’t you happy?"
Nan Siya’s eyes widened. She never imagined Sang Ning would say something so cruel so bluntly.
Clenching her fists, Nan Siya hissed, "You’re taking advantage of this! You manipulated Grandpa into settling things quietly—you just don’t want to stand up for me! You want me to suffer in the Chen Family!"
Without her family’s support, the Chen Family would only treat her worse.
"So what if I am?" Sang Ning’s lips curled, her voice cold. "Whether you’re humiliated, alive, or dead—why should I care?"
A chill ran down Nan Siya’s spine, fear flickering in her eyes.
Suddenly, she remembered Sang Ning’s warning from before:
"I’m the one in charge of the Nan Family now. Are you sure you want to cross me?"
She hadn’t taken it seriously then. Now, Sang Ning didn’t care about her suffering.
Sang Ning stepped closer, her voice a whisper of steel. "Nan Siya, you have no right to shout at me. If you want my help, you’d better beg properly."
Nan Siya stiffened but forced out through gritted teeth, "Why would I beg you?! Zheng-ge just had too much to drink! I’m still the Chen Family’s young madam—my status is higher than yours!"
"Is that so?" Sang Ning smirked, her eyes sharp as blades. "Then enjoy your life in the Chen Family. There’s more suffering waiting for you."
Nan Siya paled.
Without another word, Sang Ning turned and entered her room, slamming the door behind her.
She opened the balcony door and settled into the hanging chair, checking her phone. A message from Ji Yan:
"The Chen Family has started investigating the Nan Family. Be careful."
Sang Ning wasn’t surprised. With Nan Siya holding Chen Zheng’s affair over them, the Chen Family would naturally seek leverage too. Balance of power.
What did she have to fear? Nan Siya was the one who should worry.
Good. Let the fire burn hotter.
Soon, dinner was ready. The Nan Family gathered again, sharing a meal in forced harmony. Even Nan Siya dared not cry anymore, playing her part in the charade.
But Sang Ning felt only weariness, barely touching her food.
She had long grown used to this pretense.
That night, lying in her bed, the room felt hollow—devoid of life, just like the Nan residence itself: a façade of prosperity.
Tossing and turning until Ling Chen struck one, she finally got up, dressed, and left the house under the cover of night.
Back to Palm Bay.
