Chapter 18: The Crime of Disrespect

Driven by curiosity, she led Lin Feng to open the villa door, crossed the courtyard, and pushed open the house entrance, only to find several familiar figures seated inside.

Occupying the head seat was an elderly woman with a full head of white hair, leaning on a cane—Madam Su, the highest-ranking member of the Su family and Su Qingxue’s grandmother.

On either side sat Liu Farong and Su Shifeng.

The moment Su Qingxue entered, both Liu Farong and Su Shifeng flashed sinister smiles.

"Grandmother, what brings you here?" Su Qingxue asked, puzzled, approaching Madam Su with curiosity and respect.

"Hmph! Have you no idea what you've done? You still have the nerve to ask why I'm here?" Madam Su slammed her cane against the floor, her tone sharp and accusatory.

"Me? What have I done?" Su Qingxue grew even more confused.

"Su Qingxue, to avoid marrying into the Bai family, you stooped to selling your body, engaging in disgraceful acts with the chairman of Liran Group. Are you trying to shame our Su family?" Su Shifeng stepped forward and rebuked her without a second thought. "How will we ever show our faces after this?"

Boom!

Su Qingxue’s heart trembled violently.

When had she ever sold her body or committed anything shameful with the chairman of Liran Group? What tricks was Su Shifeng playing now?

Lin Feng stood to the side, watching their triumphant expressions. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he grasped their intentions: they meant to frame Qingxue, so Madam Su would punish her. This way, Qingxue would be forced to obey the family's orders and marry into the Bai family, while Su Shifeng safeguarded his position as heir.

"Su Qingxue, what do you have to say for yourself?" Madam Su’s gaze was sharp, her voice icy.

"Grandmother, I did nothing wrong. I have no connection with the chairman of Liran Group. Please don't believe their words—I am innocent," Su Qingxue said firmly, clutching her chest as she explained to Madam Su.

"Qingxue, just admit your mistake to Grandmother. I know you don’t want to marry into the Bai family, but your actions have shamed us. If the Bai family learns of this, we may face their retaliation," Liu Farong chimed in, her tone laced with sarcasm. "If you admit your mistake and hand over the contract, relinquishing this project, Grandmother may be lenient."

As Su Qingxue's mother, Liu Farong's words carried considerable weight with Madam Su.

Su Qingxue, feeling wronged, shook her head repeatedly, but seeing her grandmother’s stern face, it was clear she believed her mother. Qingxue now understood her mother and Su Shifeng’s motives—they wanted to take the contract from her.

Without hesitation, she continued to explain, "Grandmother, please trust me. I truly am innocent. I earned the contract through my own ability, not by selling myself."

"Oh, come off it. Even Father couldn’t secure a partnership with Liran Group; how could you manage it?" Su Shifeng interjected, sneering. "Your beauty and figure are renowned in Jiangcheng—no man can resist your charms. If you didn’t use your looks to get the contract, why would Liran Group collaborate with us? The only way to prove your innocence is to hand over the contract and let us handle the project."

"Su Shifeng, you’re dreaming!" Su Qingxue gritted her teeth, glaring furiously at him. "You’re framing me—fabricating charges just to get your hands on this project."

"Heh, framing you? Let’s get it straight—you’re engaged to the Bai family and have repeatedly told Mother you don’t want to marry them. So you devised this plan: first, have that boy beside you intimidate me so I won’t dare retaliate, then use your body to gain the contract, and finally earn merit within the family and impress Grandmother," Su Shifeng scoffed, then turned to Madam Su. "Grandmother, Qingxue has not only betrayed the Su family, but she’s also ambitious, plotting to claim our assets. You must not go easy on her. If she refuses to hand over the contract, you should send her to the Bai family to beg forgiveness, minimizing our losses."

"Su Shifeng, you—" Su Qingxue was both furious and anxious, unable to refute him. They had already set the trap, and no matter how she explained, it was impossible to clear her name. Even if her father were present, he wouldn’t be able to defend her.

Smack!

Madam Su slapped the sofa backrest in anger. "Enough! No more arguing!"

Silence fell instantly.

After a moment’s thought, Madam Su looked at Su Qingxue with grave seriousness. "Su Qingxue, the contract you secured will be handed over to Shifeng. You’ll stay home and rest for a few days."

"What? Grandmother, you can’t! That contract was hard-won and concerns our family’s future. Shifeng won’t be able to handle it."

Su Qingxue knew Shifeng’s abilities. If the project fell to him, things would only worsen for the Su family.

Unfazed, Su Shifeng turned and smiled at Madam Su. "Thank you, Grandmother. I promise to do my utmost and make this project a success."

"Mm, good," Madam Su nodded, quite pleased.

Su Qingxue was about to protest further when Lin Feng gently grabbed her arm and whispered, "Enough, Qingxue. Since they want the project, let them have it."

"What? Even you…" Su Qingxue turned in surprise to Lin Feng, shocked that he wouldn’t support her.

But she quickly noticed his resolute gaze, and it moved her. A strange sense of trust toward Lin Feng blossomed in her heart. Soon, she calmed herself and ceased her protest.

Her situation temporarily resolved, but Madam Su had no intention of letting Lin Feng off so easily. As soon as she agreed to hand the contract to Shifeng, Madam Su’s icy gaze shifted to Lin Feng, and she demanded sternly, "Are you Lin Feng, who has repeatedly beaten my grandson?"

"Yes, I am," Lin Feng replied without hesitation.

"Good. Since you admit to violence, there’s no need for further words," Madam Su said, her brows furrowing. At her command, a dozen black-clad bodyguards stormed in from outside, surrounding Lin Feng. They were the Su family’s top fighters, warriors of legendary caliber—few in Jiangcheng could match them.

Lin Feng glanced at these men, sensing the murderous aura emanating from them; their skills were indeed formidable.

"Madam, what do you mean by this?" Lin Feng asked, his expression grave.

"Hmph! An outsider daring to lay hands on my family must pay the price. Since you’re here today, don’t expect to leave alive," Madam Su’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent as she struck her cane and issued her order, "Take him down! Kill this brat and feed him to the wolves in the mountains, to avenge the insult to our Su family."