The salty, metallic tang hanging in the airless room was as stifling as their illicit affair. Huo Xingzhou stood before her. With a swift tug, he zipped up his trousers, instantly reverting to the cool, distant man he always was—a stark contrast to her own disheveled state. His voice was cold. "Let me correct you on one thing. You don't have the right to end this relationship. I'm the only one who says when it's over." Wen Ying looked up at him, swallowing hard before the words would come. "But Mr. Huo... aren't you engaged to Ms. Liang?" His expression remained unchanged. "That's my business. It has nothing to do with you." "If Ms. Liang finds out about me—" "She won't." A bitter laugh almost escaped Wen Ying’s lips. She wasn't sure who was more pathetic—herself, or him. She said, "But I don't want to be the other woman." Huo Xingzhou scoffed. "Wen Ying, I know exactly what kind of person you are." Wen Ying lowered her lashes, offering no rebuttal. He was right. In his eyes, she was just a woman who would do anything for money. Huo Xingzhou turned and strode away. At the door, he glanced back at her. "Don't wear this kind of outfit again." Humiliation warred with a surge of anger in her chest. This was perfectly professional work attire, yet the way he said it made it sound sordid. A filthy mind sees filth in everything. Only when the sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the silence did Wen Ying pull some tissues from her bag. She quickly cleaned herself up and tugged down the skirt that had been bunched around her waist. As she buttoned her blouse, she felt a deeper ache inside, a searing pain at the slightest touch. Wen Ying took a deep breath, went back to the conference room to grab her things, and left as quickly as she could. Though no one was looking at her, she felt as if she were being blinded by the glaring sun, unable to face the world. ... At the Huo Group headquarters, in the CEO's office. Chen Yue knocked and entered. "Mr. Huo, I've seen Ms. Liang home." Huo Xingzhou didn't look up, merely grunting in acknowledgment. Chen Yue continued, "We just received word that the old master has found the illegitimate son. He'll be returning to the country the day after tomorrow." Huo Xingzhou still showed no reaction, only asking, "What's the word from the family estate?" "The old master wishes to formally acknowledge him and welcome him into the family. However, with the news of your engagement just announced, now isn't a suitable time for him to enter the Huo family openly. They're afraid of upsetting the Liangs." A sarcastic smirk touched Huo Xingzhou's lips. "They're not afraid of upsetting the Liangs. They're waiting for my wedding to Liang Zhiyi to add that bastard's name to the family registry at the same time." Chen Yue lowered his head, not daring to comment on family matters. After a few seconds, Huo Xingzhou's voice came again. "Today's translator. Where did Liang Zhiyi find her?" Chen Yue handed over the file he had prepared. "Ms. Wen works for a translation agency. She's young, attractive, and exceptionally competent, which has earned her a solid reputation in the industry. It was likely a coincidence that Ms. Liang hired her." Huo Xingzhou opened the file, his eyes landing on the photo on her resume. He remembered the first time he had seen her. She had been carrying a tray of drinks, passing by him, and her eyes then were just as they were in the photo: clean, clear. Over the past three years, she had shed her initial innocence and naivety, learning just the right amount of coquettish charm, learning how to please him. When Huo Xingzhou had agreed to the alliance with the Liang family, he had considered giving her a sum of money and ending their relationship once he married Liang Zhiyi. But she had the nerve to say she was in love with someone? Taking his money while her heart belonged to another man. The audacity of that woman. Huo Xingzhou placed the resume on the desk and ordered, "Have them send a male translator next time." ... When Wen Ying got home, she didn't even have time to shower before sitting down at her computer to organize the day's translation materials. She finally sent them to Chen Yue's email just before two in the morning. Wen Ying closed her laptop, stretching her neck, her mind drifting back to that phone call in the equipment room. She picked up her phone and, after a moment's hesitation, dialed Liang Zhiyi. Wen Ying held her breath as the phone rang. Soon, Liang Zhiyi's cheerful voice came through. "Ms. Wen, you got your phone back!" Wen Ying paused, forced to go along with the lie. "Yes, I just got it." "How are you feeling now? Any better?" Liang Zhiyi asked. "I was going to offer to take you to the hospital, but it looks like Xingzhou beat me to it." "I'm... I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Liang." "Don't mention it! I heard from Xingzhou's assistant that you did an excellent job with the translation today. You were a huge help. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to answer to Xingzhou." Wen Ying clutched the phone. "You're too kind, Ms. Liang. I was just doing my job." She bit her lip, then continued, "I'm sorry, Ms. Liang, but I don't think I'm suited for this job. I'd like to arrange for another translator to take my place." Liang Zhiyi sounded confused. "Why? Is the pay too low?" "No, that's not it," Wen Ying said. "It's for... personal reasons. I'm truly sorry, Ms. Liang. I won't be charging for today's work. Our company has many translators who are more qualified than I am. I'll make sure to find the very best for you." Hearing the finality in her tone, Liang Zhiyi said with regret, "Well, alright then. If you've made up your mind, I won't force you." "Thank you for understanding, Ms. Liang. And thank you for your confidence in me." "Of course, Ms. Wen. A translator as talented as you... it's not just me who's impressed. I'm sure Xingzhou likes you too. It's a shame, but that's alright. I hope we'll have another chance to work together in the future." "Goodbye, Ms. Liang." After hanging up, Wen Ying sank onto the rug, letting out a long, shaky breath. She took a pack of emergency contraception from her purse and swallowed a pill with a glass of cold water from the nearby table. All these years, Huo Xingzhou had always taken precautions. Even last night, during their final encounter, he had pulled out. But today... A sharp pain lanced through her temples. She sent a message to her manager at the agency, briefly explaining the situation, and then headed for the shower. When Wen Ying came out, a voice message was waiting for her. "I got it. The Huo Group called just now as well, asking us to send a male translator from now on. We don't have any other big jobs for the next couple of days, so just take some time off." Wen Ying's eyes fell. She texted back a simple "Okay." So, Huo Xingzhou didn't want to see her either. Wen Ying opened her laptop again, logged into her personal account, and started looking for freelance translation gigs online. The deadline for the final payment was approaching. She had calculated it before; with this big contract from the Huo Group, she would have had just enough... Now, she would have to find more part-time work to make up for it. That evening, when her friend Chi Nanxue got home from working overtime and heard about Wen Ying's day, she had a complicated expression on her face. "I don't know, Wen Ying," she said slowly. "This whole thing... it feels less like a coincidence and more like a warning shot from that Ms. Liang. A way of putting you in your place."