Chapter 80: The Lesson

Just a moment ago, Pei Susu had been thinking that perhaps she could have a proper conversation with her, not wanting to become enemies with someone for no apparent reason. But now she understood—some people simply cannot be reasoned with.

“Since you’ve investigated me, Madam Chen, you should know that I work for the Fu Group. If you keep pursuing this, I really can’t say what President Fu might do.”

At the mention of the Fu Group, Madam Chen finally fell silent for a moment. She truly couldn’t afford to offend the Fu Group. Yet, just as quickly, she scoffed at Pei Susu, convinced she was merely bluffing.

Who was Fu Zhichen? He was famously aloof, never involving himself in such affairs, and Pei Susu was just a subordinate—certainly not someone he would pay attention to.

With that thought, Madam Chen sneered. “And what of the Fu Group? You’re only one of Fu Zhichen’s employees. Even if you were his girlfriend, you’d still have to stay today and become my son’s mistress!”

She was truly being brazen, but to her, it was impossible for the woman before her to be Fu Zhichen’s girlfriend. A divorced woman could never catch the eye of a man like him—Fu Zhichen was as distant as the moon in the sky, as refined as a breeze, and would never fall for a woman who had been married before.

Pei Susu found this even more laughable.

She could see that Madam Chen had already made up her mind, convinced there was no connection between her and Fu Zhichen, and sure that he would never step in for her. That was the only reason she dared to speak so boldly…

But Pei Susu truly didn’t wish to expose their relationship—not in a place like this, and certainly not in this manner.

“There are plenty of beautiful women in the world, Madam Chen. If you dislike me so much, having your son follow me around would only bring trouble, don’t you think?”

Right now, Pei Susu wished she could leave as quickly as possible. She didn’t care if she had to paint herself in the worst light. Glancing to her side, she saw Madam Chen’s son eyeing her greedily, his gaze unwavering.

“I will never like you,” Pei Susu said, “so what good would it do to keep me by your side?”

She tried to reason with them, but it was clear that if logic had any place here, she wouldn’t have wasted so many words already.

“Does it matter if the melon is sweet or not, as long as I get to pick it?” Madam Chen snapped. “Either way, you’re not leaving.”

With her command, several attendants surged forward, grabbing for Pei Susu’s arms. They dared to lay hands on her, right here in front of everyone.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Seeing them about to seize her, Pei Susu recoiled in disgust, stepping back. But this time, they showed no restraint. Two of them seized her arms, one on either side, their grip like iron.

Pei Susu struggled, but she couldn’t break free. Madam Chen smiled triumphantly.

“I told you, young lady, high society is a deep pool, and you have no idea how important money can be. You said your monthly salary is a hundred thousand? Fine—I’ll pay you a hundred thousand every month, and you won’t need to do anything at all.”

“That should be quite a good deal for you.”

A chill crept into Pei Susu’s eyes.

“I said no. What, are you planning to force me?”

“Ha!” Madam Chen laughed as if she’d heard the most ridiculous joke.

“It seems you still don’t grasp the situation. A woman quits her job and receives a hundred thousand a month—who wouldn’t think you’re a gold-digger, looking to latch onto a rich heir?”

“If word gets out, who would ever believe you were forced?”

Hearing Madam Chen’s speech, Pei Susu understood—they’d done this sort of thing before. Every time her son took a liking to someone, they simply snatched her up, regardless of her will. Then, they’d destroy the woman’s reputation.

“You’d better let me go now, or you’ll pay the price.”

Pei Susu didn’t want to make a scene, much less cause trouble for Fu Zhichen, but she knew that if anything did happen to her, Fu Zhichen would never let these people go unpunished.

And consequences like that were not what Pei Susu wanted to see.

Madam Chen sneered again.

“Is that a threat? Then I’ll make a point to deal with you—what will you do about it?”

Pei Susu kept struggling, when suddenly her right hand broke free. At that moment, Madam Chen stepped forward, belly protruding, and as Pei Susu yanked her hand, she struck Madam Chen squarely across the face.

Stunned that she had actually been hit, Madam Chen’s face froze, her features contorted in disbelief as she glared at Pei Susu.

“You—you dare to hit me?”

It had been unintentional. No matter how heated the argument, Pei Susu would never deliberately strike a pregnant woman. She was about to protest when Madam Chen slapped her hard across the face.

A sharp buzz rang in Pei Susu’s head as her cheek burned. Madam Chen jabbed a finger at her nose.

“Do you realize I’m carrying the precious grandchild of the Chen family? If you dare harm us, I’ll see you utterly destroyed!”

With so many people watching, Madam Chen still dared to rant and rave, as if the law and justice meant nothing to her. It was hard to imagine that someone like her was an official—no wonder life was so hard for those beneath her.

Pei Susu licked the blood from her lip, the metallic tang spreading in her mouth. She fixed Madam Chen with a cold stare.

“Is that so? Someone like you deserves to have a child? Someone like you doesn’t even deserve to live in this world.”

At her words, Madam Chen was consumed with rage. She raised her hand, intent on striking Pei Susu again, but in her fury she failed to notice what was in front of her. Her belly slammed hard into the corner of a chair in the front row.

“Ah!” Madam Chen shrieked in agony, drawing the attention of even more onlookers. The organizers of the auction were alarmed, and a manager hurried over.

The bodyguards holding Pei Susu immediately released her, rushing to encircle Madam Chen.

“Madam, are you all right? Blood… Madam, you’re bleeding!”

A bright stain spread across her dress—she’d hit her stomach hard. The force she’d intended for Pei Susu had landed squarely on herself, and now her belly was in excruciating pain.

“Seize that wretch for me! She tried to kill my child!” Madam Chen screamed, her eyes wild with fury. Her bodyguards lunged for Pei Susu once more.

“What does this have to do with me? It was you—”

But the auction manager, hearing this, gave Pei Susu a shove.