Chapter 2: In What Capacity Are You Doing Such a Thing

"Then let's continue!"

"Xiao Shen, where did you leave off just now?"

Shen Ling glanced impassively at the man's departing figure, then swiftly replaced her expression with a poised, effortless smile.

"Here, Director Wang, this glass is for you."

…

Glasses clinked and the wine flowed without pause. Shen Ling had long lost count of how many bottles she had poured down her throat, but this was already a familiar way of life for her. She drifted among all those predatory gazes, enduring the nausea and disgust, and finally secured the contract she coveted.

She needed a great deal of money—enough for her mother’s recovery.

Years ago, if Bo Jinhang hadn’t deliberately found an excuse to lure her mother out, she would never have been caught in that chain collision. Granted, he had his subordinates assemble the best medical team to save her mother’s life, but even now her mother was struggling through the slow, grueling process of rehabilitation.

He was the very source of this tragedy—all for an argument between the two of them. How could she not hate him?

Shen Ling drew a deep breath, suppressing the dizzying haze of alcohol. She gathered up the contract, then gazed at the men sprawled drunkenly before her.

"I'll call cars for you all."

Soaked for too long in wine and oil, her stomach roiled with discomfort. She forced herself to see to the clients, and was about to hail a car for herself when suddenly, a heavy arm landed around her waist.

"Xiao Shen."

The man's breath, thick with alcohol, brushed her ear, making her frown in discomfort.

Yet, maintaining her professional composure, Shen Ling forced a polite smile. "Director He, is there anything else I can do for you?"

The man grinned with a lecherous air. "I left the contract at home. If you don't mind the trouble, would you come with me to fetch it?"

She was no stranger to scenes like this; how could she not know what he meant?

"Director He, you've had too much to drink..."

A courteous, false smile hung on her lips, but her hand was already poised behind her, ready to press the emergency alarm.

In the next instant, a cold voice cut sharply through the air.

"Shen Ling, come here."

Bo Jinhang stood half-shrouded in shadow, a flashy Maybach parked at his side.

Shen Ling’s hand tightened as she glanced toward him; her expression, hidden in darkness, was unreadable.

Director He was an old hand in the business world. In the blink of an eye, he recovered his composure and quickly withdrew his wandering hand.

"It seems Xiao Shen and President Bo have matters to discuss. I won’t intrude."

He chuckled obsequiously, though he couldn't hide his disappointment inside.

Bo Jinhang truly had good taste—and Shen Ling had slipped away yet again.

Next time there’s a banquet, he thought resentfully, he’d make sure to settle things in a private room.

Still, he was shrewd enough to turn and disappear swiftly into the night.

Shen Ling silently withdrew her hand from the alarm, then brushed her waist with distaste where Director He had touched her. She was just about to speak when, in the next moment, she was lifted clean off the ground and tossed sideways into Bo Jinhang’s car.

Thud.

She sank into the leather seat, but before she could utter a sound of protest, Bo Jinhang slid into the vehicle and slammed the door.

"You—mmph!"

Shen Ling didn't even finish a sentence before his kiss, wild and feverish, crashed down upon her.

He was domineering, giving her no chance to evade.

She stared into his cold, fathomless eyes, feeling a chill spread through her heart.

How laughable—what did he take her for? A plaything to vent his lust at will?

With a sudden forceful bite, Shen Ling made him release her in pain.

In the brief moment that followed, she masked all traces of hatred in her gaze. Her crimson lips curved into an enchanting, soul-stealing smile as she looked into the man's unfathomable eyes.

"President Bo, in what capacity do you think you have the right to do this?"