Chapter 28 Part 2

Zhu Ran laughed out of anger.

Huo Boyan claimed he wasn’t one to indulge in vulgar desires? So everything they’d done was just playacting?

What a noble sacrifice, throwing himself into the fray!

Though Zhu Ran told himself he’d only been swayed by Huo Boyan’s looks and hormones, with no deep emotions involved, he hadn’t expected Huo Boyan to be even more cold and ruthless.

“Fine. Very good.”

Zhu Ran sneered coldly. Without another word, he tossed the jacket aside and stormed out.

He was angry at Huo Boyan’s secrecy, but even more at his own blindness. There were so many choices, yet he’d foolishly picked Huo Boyan.

Huo Boyan didn’t react until Zhu Ran reached the door. Then he said, “Your father contacted me.”

Zhu Ran didn’t care. “With Mr. Huo’s discerning eye, my father’s project probably isn’t worth your attention.”

Huo Boyan: “I invested.”

Zhu Ran froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Huo Boyan had already suspected his ulterior motives, and Zhu Yanqing’s maneuver had only confirmed it.

Zhu Ran wanted to retort but felt there was no point. He was suddenly glad he hadn’t tried to explain earlier—Huo Boyan wouldn’t have believed him anyway, because it was true.

His dad was far more capable, effortlessly securing a huge investment.

But why had Zhu Yanqing and Huo Boyan decided this on their own, leaving him to take the blame?

Fuming, Zhu Ran spun back, grabbed Huo Boyan’s tie, and demanded, “Huo Boyan, are you insane? You suspect me, yet you invest in Zhu Yanqing?”

Huo Boyan looked up at him calmly. “For me, this investment is nothing.”

Zhu Ran sneered coldly. “Mr. Huo is so generous.”

“Zhu Ran.” Huo Boyan seized his wrist, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. “I just…”

“Oh,” Zhu Ran suddenly remembered, interrupting coldly. “Also, please remove this bracelet for me.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Huo Boyan finally said, his tone serious. “I know your father approached both me and Huo Zhixiao at the same time. I invested to keep him in my camp.”

Zhu Ran sneered. “Mr. Huo isn’t afraid I’m a corporate spy anymore?”

“I’m not,” Huo Boyan said, looking up at Zhu Ran. The mild facade peeled away, revealing his innate pride and desire for control. “Whatever others can give you, I can give double—ten times over. As long as you stay by my side, I’ll never mistreat you.”

Zhu Ran wasn’t moved. He calmly studied Huo Boyan’s expression. The man had exceptional looks, unmatched background, and had seized family power at a young age. The world was easy mode for him—nothing he couldn’t achieve.

He didn’t care if Zhu Ran was a spy or sincere, because he had endless ways to buy loyalty and ensure devotion.

And Zhu Ran finally confirmed once more: he hated Huo Boyan’s superior attitude, that air of effortless mastery.

“Sorry,” Zhu Ran pulled his hand back, his tone icy. “I’ll leave Hong Kong Island tomorrow. I’m done playing your games.”

Only then did a crack appear in Huo Boyan’s calm expression.

“Oh, right,” Zhu Ran lowered his eyes, adding coolly, “The project is my dad’s. Since Mr. Huo likes it, I’ll have him come keep you company later.”

With that, Zhu Ran walked out without looking back.

Chen Jiaming stood guard outside with a group of bodyguards. Whether he’d overheard the conversation with Huo Boyan or not, his expression was awkward and hesitant.

Chen Jiaming had always been polite and attentive to him, but in reality, he’d treated him as a corporate spy too?

The thought made Zhu Ran feel nauseous.

Did these people ever show a shred of sincerity in their interactions? If they suspected him, why pretend to be so genuine? Knowing this, Zhu Ran never would have gotten involved with them at all.

Chen Jiaming approached hesitantly and called his name.

“Does Mr. Chen have more business?” Zhu Ran said coldly. “Do I need to let you search me before I can leave?”

Chen Jiaming shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t know you and the boss had that kind of relationship…”

“We have no relationship.” Zhu Ran cut him off.

Chen Jiaming was convinced otherwise. “The boss had no choice. He’s lived in danger since childhood, with countless people out to get him. He was poisoned by a nanny as a kid, nearly died in a car accident abroad, betrayed by his most trusted friend. A year ago, he survived a plane crash—the aircraft veered off the runway on landing, half the fuselage plunging into the sea.”

Zhu Ran’s pupils contracted sharply, his icy facade cracking.

Thinking Zhu Ran was softening, Chen Jiaming continued, “That incident made the news; you can still find it online. Since then, the boss bought his own private jet, always with two full crews on standby, and never flies with anyone he doesn’t trust.”

It was a remarkably sincere explanation. Chen Jiaming believed he’d done all he could in his position.

But after hearing it, Zhu Ran simply asked calmly, “Are you finished?”

Chen Jiaming blinked, nodding blankly. “Yes.”

“Then can I leave now?” Zhu Ran said.

Chen Jiaming hadn’t expected such hard-heartedness. Thinking Zhu Ran hadn’t understood, he tried again. “Zhu Ran, the boss is just…”

“I know,” Zhu Ran stopped and met Chen Jiaming’s eyes. “I sympathize with Huo Boyan’s experiences and admit he’s truly pitiable. But his issues aren’t my fault, and they’re no justification for how he treats me. Mr. Chen, I’m just an ordinary person caught in the crossfire. I have no obligation—or intention—to accommodate Huo Boyan’s paranoia.”