Lu Xinran’s sobs were ragged with grief. She clung to Fu Shenyan, utterly broken, like a lost child, both pitiful and helpless. Fu Shenyan pulled her into his arms, trying to soothe her. "Xinran, you're not alone. You will never be alone. Just calm down!" Her eyes, already red and swollen, fixed on him. "Don't let her have the baby. Please? I'm begging you, Shenyan. Don't let her have this child, or I'll die!" She said it with a chilling finality. Anger clouded Fu Shenyan’s deep-set eyes as he stared at her. "Xinran, stop this nonsense!" At his words, she shoved him away. In a flash, she snatched a fruit knife from the nearby table and dragged it across her wrist. It all happened so fast. I never imagined Lu Xinran would go to such extremes, and from the look on his face, neither had Fu Shenyan. A chilling frost seemed to envelop him as he fought down his panic, scooping her up to rush to the emergency room. But Lu Xinran fought him, her hand gripping the bed's railing in a death grip. Staring at Fu Shenyan, her eyes bloodshot, she pleaded, "Don't let her have the baby!" I was frozen. How desperately did she want this child gone? I looked at Fu Shenyan, but this time, I didn't wait for him to speak. "Lu Xinran," I said, my voice steady, "you can rest easy. This child…" I swallowed down the pain tightening in my chest and took a slow breath. "I won't have it." "Shen Shu!" Fu Shenyan roared, his dark eyes turning crimson with fury. "She'll be in more pain if she dies because you didn't get her to a doctor," I shot back, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. Fu Shenyan’s lips pressed into a thin line. He gave me one last look, his gaze as deep and unreadable as the night sky, then swept Lu Xinran into his arms and stormed out of the room. In the empty room, my eyes were fixed on the pool of blood Lu Xinran had left behind, a stain both glaring and cold. My fever had broken, but the doctor wanted me on an IV for nutrition. I was in no mood to stay in the hospital, so I refused the drip and checked myself out. After a night of torrential rain, the entire city of Jiangcheng seemed washed clean. I didn't go back to the villa. Instead, I went straight to the Fu Group headquarters. As I walked into the lobby, the receptionist spotted me and hurried over. "Director Shen, Director Lu's wife from the People's Hospital is waiting for you in your office. She’s been here for about fifteen minutes." I nodded and pressed the elevator button. "Have Han Shuang prepare a gift for Mrs. Lu," I told her. "Something thoughtful, but not too extravagant, for me to give her when she leaves." The receptionist nodded. Inside the elevator, I dialed Cheng Junyu's number. It rang twice before he picked up. "Shen Shu!" I was surprised he used my full name. I frowned slightly. "Are you free tonight? I'd like to meet." He seemed taken aback. After a pause, he said, "Alright. When and where?" "I'll text you," I replied as the elevator doors chimed open at my floor. I hung up and sent him the details. Then I ducked into the restroom to touch up my makeup before heading to my office. My two years with Fu Shenyan hadn't been for nothing. I may have failed to make him love me, but I had gained a great deal professionally. I’d grown from a clueless newcomer into someone who could navigate the corporate world with confidence. In my office, a middle-aged woman in an elegant, simple cheongsam with a peony print sat on the black leather sofa, her attention on her phone. I knocked lightly on the ajar door before pushing it open and walking in with a smile. "Mrs. Lu, I'm so sorry. The traffic was terrible. I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long." Seeing me, Mrs. Lu stood and extended her hand for a shake, smiling warmly. "Not at all, not at all. I just arrived myself." After a moment of pleasantries, she cut straight to the point. "Mrs. Fu, I do apologize for dropping in at this hour and interrupting your work. But as you know, my husband, the director, recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Fu Group. With everything that's suddenly happened… I was wondering if you might be able to speak with Mr. Fu about pushing back the start date for construction? It would give my husband some breathing room."