Chapter 12: A Display of Loyalty

"His surname is Bo," Shen Ling announced, seeing that more and more people were gathering and some had begun to notice the commotion. She offered his identity of her own accord.

Zhou Bin's face turned deathly pale in an instant as the realization struck him. Bo Jinhan—the mogul of A City's business world, a man who dominated the industry with his every word, whose decisions were final. Who would have thought that the man backing Shen Ling was him? The disparity in power was so great that Zhou Bin's earlier defiance now seemed nothing short of ludicrous.

Humbled and defeated, he dared not repeat his previous threats. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Shen Ling once more, gritting his teeth as he spat out a warning: "With his status, you're nothing but a plaything to him. I'll be waiting for the day he casts you aside!"

Shen Ling maintained her composure throughout. "Thank you for the reminder," she replied with poise.

Striking out, only to meet softness, Zhou Bin found his anger stifled and unspoken. He shot her a venomous glare and stormed off, unable to swallow his humiliation.

The minor disturbance caused by the raised voices subsided, and in the vast banquet hall, the gentle strains of music resumed. Shen Ling turned her head, a deep, knowing smile lighting her features.

"Mr. Bo, were you satisfied with how I handled that just now?"

Bo Jinhan caught the sly glimmer hidden in her eyes and instantly realized her actions had been deliberate.

"Is this your way of showing loyalty?"

"Of course. After all, you're the one who spends more," Shen Ling replied offhandedly. She casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing tray and gave it a gentle swirl.

Bo Jinhan's dark, fathomless eyes betrayed no opinion. "Impressive tactics."

He had planned to put her in a difficult position, but instead, she had turned the tables on him. Though irritation simmered within him, he would never let it show on his face.

Shen Ling raised her glass in a light toast, her smile as radiant as spring blossoms. "Likewise."

Clever people understood each other's intentions; there was no need to spell things out.

Bo Jinhan gazed at her, her expression calm and unruffled. He should have been pleased by her decisiveness, yet her cool detachment only confirmed her readiness to sever ties without hesitation.

He was about to speak when a gentle, refined voice sounded behind him.

"Mr. Bo, so this is where you are."

It was Ning Qian. Today, she wore a sleek black suit dress over a crisp white blouse adorned with ruffled trim. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, wisps tucked neatly behind her ears, giving her a look of composed sophistication.

"What is it?" Bo Jinhan's icy demeanor softened, revealing a rare warmth.

"There's an issue at the company," Ning Qian replied, casting a fleeting glance at Shen Ling. Clearly, she felt it was inconvenient to discuss business in the presence of an outsider.

Bo Jinhan nodded slightly and walked a few steps in her direction.

Ning Qian followed at his side, but before leaving, she threw a meaningful look at Shen Ling.

Curious, Shen Ling glanced their way. The atmosphere between the two seemed unusually harmonious—less the air of business and more of private conversation.

Yet, Bo Jinhan could not help but steal a glance back, only to find the woman utterly unperturbed.

Heh, she really did understand her place.

Just as he turned to walk away, as if suddenly recalling something, Bo Jinhan deliberately said to Ning Qian, "The banquet will end late. I'll drive you home afterward."

Ning Qian was momentarily stunned; never before had she received such treatment. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Bo."

Her gaze shifted to Shen Ling, probing as she asked, "Miss Shen, will you be joining us?"

Before Bo Jinhan could reply, Shen Ling interrupted, "No need to worry. I won’t intrude on your business discussions."

Ning Qian was taken aback, perplexed by Shen Ling's presence at Bo Jinhan’s side. But fearing Bo Jinhan’s displeasure, she dared not press the matter and managed only a sheepish smile. "That’s not what I meant."

The host’s opening speech had concluded, and the guests had mostly arrived. Soothing, grand symphonic music filled the air, providing a graceful backdrop to the mingling and the clinking of glasses.

Ning Qian seemed to be responsible for a particular project. Spotting the head of the partner firm, she knew she had to exchange a few words and extend some courtesies. Whispering something to Bo Jinhan, she quickly made her way through the crowd.

Just then, Mr. He, having finished his own conversation, caught sight of Shen Ling. Picking up two glasses of red wine, he strode briskly toward her.

Unlike Zhou Bin, who only knew a life of indulgence, Mr. He was a seasoned player in the business world. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize Bo Jinhan. Yet seeing Bo Jinhan standing beside Shen Ling left him uncertain about her role.

Sensing a golden opportunity slipping away, he was loath to let it go. He pressed a glass of wine into Shen Ling's hand. "We left in a hurry the other day and never finished our business. Since we've met again, shall we continue our discussion?"