Chapter Eighty-Three: Drawn by the Rumors

Pei Susu frowned, sensing that these people had come with ill intentions.

Madam Chen had just been taken to the hospital, so how could there already be people who knew about it in such detail, even bringing the media to stir up trouble? It made no sense—no matter how quickly the reporters caught wind of things, they shouldn’t have managed to gain entry so swiftly.

This auction wasn’t some place just anyone could walk into; the reporters allowed inside had gone through special procedures and been carefully selected. The swarm of journalists now flooding in were clearly not among them. Pei Susu’s first instinct was to grab Fu Zhichen, stopping him from saying anything rash that could be twisted by others and used against them.

“Sorry, but we won’t be answering your questions,” she said calmly. “If you want to know the truth, please wait for the police investigation. I’ve already called the authorities. If you wish to pursue the matter, you can take it up with them.”

Hearing she had involved the police, many hesitated, but soon remembered Madam Chen’s status—she was an official herself, hardly someone who would fear such things.

“By refusing to answer, are you admitting guilt?”

Fu Zhichen’s expression was dark as thunder, making the group shrink back, though none dared to leave outright. They, too, had been sent with a mission and couldn’t afford to offend either side.

“Please, Miss Pei, just answer the question.”

“Yes, Miss Pei, please explain why you deliberately harmed someone, causing her miscarriage,” another pressed.

Every word was as sharp as a blade, as if they wished to tear Pei Susu apart—they knew better than to provoke Fu Zhichen, so they turned their aggression on her.

“If someone wishes to find fault, there’s never a lack of excuses. I didn’t do what you accuse me of, so there’s nothing to say,” Pei Susu replied, her voice resonant under the camera’s gaze. “If you truly seek the truth, you shouldn’t be here forcing answers from me, hoping I’ll give in.”

Her own reputation hardly mattered at this point.

But she could sense that these people were really after Fu Zhichen, not her. Their true target was the man standing by her side, unwavering in his defense.

After all that had happened, Pei Susu was exhausted in both body and mind, but she had no choice but to answer the barrage of questions with utmost care. If she said nothing and waited for the police report, it might be too late.

Fu Zhichen stood close, noticing the pallor of her face and the red marks on her cheeks—remnants of a slap from earlier.

“Thank you for your concern, but I have said all I can. Don’t believe every rumor you hear. Please wait for the official statement,” he said.

As Pei Susu finished speaking, Fu Zhichen’s people finally arrived, clearing a path through the crowd and shielding them as they made their way out.

“Please answer just one more question!”

“Miss Pei, did you do it on purpose? Did you seduce Madam Chen’s son and cause all this?”

The atmosphere was already tense, but now Fu Zhichen turned to the reporter who asked the question, pointing directly at him.

“Take down that man’s company name. Spreading baseless rumors—expect a lawyer’s letter at home.”

The crowd was packed tight, and as the reporter heard this, he lunged toward Pei Susu, only for Fu Zhichen to quickly shield her and push him away, sending the man sprawling to the ground, crying out in pain.

They’d reached the car. The driver, frowning, urged, “Get in quickly!”

Things were getting out of control. If the questioning continued, who knew what might happen? Even someone as shrewd as Pei Susu could be caught off guard.

The fallen reporter’s plight drew no attention from the others.

Pei Susu quickly got into the car, realizing there truly was no point in trying to explain herself to these people.

It wasn’t until the doors closed and they’d left the press conference behind that she finally came to her senses—

Had they just gone public with their relationship like that?

“Are you all right, Sister?”

She heard Fu Zhichen’s voice, belatedly realizing that, while she looked a little worse for wear, he had arrived just in time. A slap was hardly the end of the world.

“I’m fine, but I saw that the reporter you stopped fell over…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll have someone handle it,” Fu Zhichen replied, knowing that Pei Susu was still in a daze, forcing herself to be strong in the face of such chaos. She had done remarkably well.

Fu Zhichen’s presence was indeed reassuring; his gentle words helped ease her tension.

“So… did Madam Chen really miscarry just now?” Pei Susu still felt a chill looking back. She had done nothing wrong—if Madam Chen hadn’t tried to grab her, she wouldn’t have bumped her stomach or suffered any of what followed. Yet now, the organizers seemed to be taking her side…

Pei Susu worried about the surveillance footage.

“We should get the security tapes now, before they’re tampered with,” she said.

Fu Zhichen took her hand in his warm grasp, calming her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. The family doctor is already waiting at the villa to give you a thorough checkup. Let me take care of the rest. All you need to do is stay home and wait for me,” he said, his tone steady, though he realized he might have sounded too forceful. He softened his voice to coax her.

“Is that all right, Sister?”

Pei Susu knew she’d only cause trouble if she insisted on helping, so she nodded. “All right, I won’t do anything for now.”

“But if I’m needed as a witness, you must let me know,” she added, most worried that Fu Zhichen would shoulder everything alone. This ordeal had started because of her—if he suffered for it, she’d never forgive herself.

“Of course. You listen to me, and I’ll listen to you,” he replied, pulling Pei Susu into his arms, his gaze cold as steel as he looked out the window.

Anyone who had hurt Pei Susu—he wouldn’t let a single one escape. Every score would be settled, one by one.