My mind blanked for a second before it hit me—this was Lu Yi, the heir to the Lu Corporation. Manager Li was already trying to hustle me out of the private room. In a panic, I lunged forward and grabbed the leg of Lu Yi’s trousers, my voice as loud as I could make it. “Mr. Lu, your family is powerful—you don’t need the tens of thousands of dollars my father and the others earned with their sweat and blood. Please, I’m begging you, show some mercy and let him go.” Lu Yi looked completely baffled, his brow furrowing as he turned to Manager Li. “Li Mu, what is this?” His voice, though calm, carried an unnerving weight. Panic flashed in Manager Li’s eyes. “Mr. Lu, don’t listen to her nonsense. I’ll get rid of her right now.” With that, he roughly grabbed a handful of my hair and started dragging me toward the door. My scalp screamed in protest, but I knew if I missed this chance, my father would be framed and locked away for good. Ignoring the searing pain, I lunged for the corner of the table. A cold fury lit Manager Li’s eyes. “You stupid bitch!” he snarled, drawing back his foot to kick me in the stomach. I drew a sharp breath, a wave of despair washing over me. With the old injuries I already had, a blow like that… I might never be able to have children. But there was nothing I could do to stop him. I could only brace for the impact. Instinctively, I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the pain. Crash! A bottle of fine red wine shattered across the floor, and an intimidating chill instantly enveloped the room. Startled, Manager Li flinched, pulling his foot back. “Since you’re so busy, Mr. Lu, perhaps we can do this another time,” Gu Zhizhou said. He nonchalantly wiped a splash of wine from his hand and made to leave. He was the one who had thrown it. The expressions on everyone’s faces shifted, creating a strange, tense silence. A slight frown creased Lu Yi’s brow, but his handsome face showed no other emotion. After a single, cool glance at Manager Li, he stepped in front of Gu Zhizhou, a smooth smile on his face. “Come now, Mr. Gu. We're practically brothers. I admit, Li Mu was a bit crude, and it soured the mood. Here, I’ll drink to that, as an apology on his behalf.” He picked up a full glass from the table and downed it in one go, his smile unwavering. “Besides, Ke’er will be here soon. You know how she gets when she can’t find you. Why not stay a little longer?” Gu Zhizhou's lips thinned, his handsome features tight with displeasure. But at the mention of Lu Ke'er, the tension in his face eased slightly. He looked over at Manager Li. “Since she's already here, you might as well let her finish. Don't ruin the mood.” Lu Yi raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes studying me for a moment before he addressed Manager Li. “Let the young lady speak.” A flicker of panic crossed Manager Li’s face, but he released me. He looked nervously between Lu Yi and Gu Zhizhou. “She’s just a liar. I was worried she’d spoil the evening.” The men settled back into their seats. “It’s fine,” Lu Yi said dismissively. He then turned his gaze to me, one eyebrow still raised. “Go on. What happened?” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and glanced instinctively at Gu Zhizhou. He was leaning back against the sofa, an elegant, detached observer, his gaze cool as he watched the scene unfold. A sharp pang shot through my chest. Taking a shaky breath, I explained everything—how Manager Li had withheld wages from the workers and framed my father. Lu Yi’s eyes narrowed as he shot a look at Li Mu. Li Mu’s composure broke, his face twisting into an ugly sneer as he pointed at me. “You bitch! Who put you up to slandering me?” “Li Mu!” Lu Yi's voice was low, laced with a chilling authority that commanded silence. Li Mu’s mouth snapped shut. Lu Yi then turned to me. “Tang Li. Miss Tang, is it?” I nodded, meeting his gaze without flinching. He studied me, and for a reason I couldn't grasp, he seemed to falter for a second, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. After a moment, he spoke again. “I'll have someone look into your claims. If what you say is true, rest assured—the Lu Corporation will pay your father every last dollar he is owed. And no harm will come to him.” Hearing his promise, a wave of relief washed over me. “Thank you,” I said. With the matter seemingly resolved, there was no reason for me to stay. But just as I started to get to my feet, the door to the private room swung open. Lu Ke'er walked in, dressed in an off-the-shoulder white dress, her makeup flawless.