Chapter 25: You Hurt Someone, and Still Won't Apologize?

Shen Ling’s expression froze upon hearing these words. She had always been indifferent to whatever happened to herself, but Bo Jinhan was now dragging an innocent person into the mess, and that was something she could no longer tolerate.

With righteous indignation, she gritted her teeth and declared, “He and I are merely university classmates.”

Bo Jinhan, enraged, let out a mocking laugh. Watching their closeness stabbed at his eyes. The two truly stood together, defending one another.

“University classmates? Ha! Which company does he work for?”

His words were clearly directed at Xu Shengye. Shen Ling’s brows furrowed deeply as she met Bo Jinhan’s gaze with unwavering conviction, her lips paling from how hard she pressed them. “Mr. Bo, I am simply speaking on the matter itself. Besides, he has nothing to do with this. What needs to be resolved is between Ning Qian and me.”

As she spoke, her sharp gaze swept toward Ning Qian, and the force of her presence made Ning Qian shudder.

It was clear that at this moment, Ning Qian was feeling guilty. If Bo Jinhan bothered to look at her, he would surely recognize her unease.

Yet Bo Jinhan’s attention was wholly fixed on the relationship between Shen Ling and Xu Shengye, his sneer ridiculing them. “Shen Ling, can you really say those words without any shame?”

Shen Ling stared coldly at him, refusing to back down.

Even in such circumstances, she would rather defend Xu Shengye, and her attitude only fueled Bo Jinhan’s anger. He demanded icily, “You hurt someone and still won’t apologize?”

Ning Qian stepped forward, her cheek swollen beneath her palm.

Shen Ling was fiery and proud; even if she wanted to quickly settle the dispute, she refused to bow her head in this matter. “It wasn’t me. I will not apologize.”

Bo Jinhan’s gaze grew ever deeper and colder.

Xu Shengye could sense that more and more people were gathering, their curious eyes openly fixed on them, and Shen Ling stood at the very eye of the storm, unable to escape. He took her hand, his tone gentle and steady, striving to offer her some sense of safety.

“I’ll take you away from here.”

Shen Ling hadn’t even had time to react before he was already pulling her toward the exit.

Bo Jinhan saw Shen Ling instinctively take a step forward, assuming the two were leaving together, and whatever composure he had left was shattered in an instant.

He strode forward, blocking their path, and seized Shen Ling’s wrist, his questioning gaze locked on Xu Shengye.

“Where do you intend to take her?”

Xu Shengye was gentle in demeanor, slow and deliberate in speech and action, bringing a sense of calm to those around him. Yet faced with the situation, he showed no fear, steadfastly standing between them, meeting Bo Jinhan’s gaze without flinching.

“That’s none of your concern.”

Bo Jinhan’s brows furrowed deeply, his icy stare laced with unmistakable threat. “Let go of my woman. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

That was a declaration of ownership. At those words, the other three people in the room were stunned.

Xu Shengye hadn’t expected such history between them, but seeing the pallor on Shen Ling’s face, he remained resolute beside her, undeterred by the looming threat.

Ning Qian was even more shocked that Bo Jinhan would admit this so publicly. She bit her lip hard, casting a vicious look at Shen Ling.

Shen Ling, caught between the two men, was pulled painfully. Anger began to rise within her. “Let go of me. I am not your plaything.”

Xu Shengye was determined to take her away from the storm of gossip and would not let go. Yet Bo Jinhan remained relentless, his fierce gaze fixed on Shen Ling, his voice low and oppressive. “Are you sure you want to leave with him?”

Shen Ling’s face turned starkly pale.

To say such a thing in this setting—wasn’t he trying to humiliate her?

She pushed Bo Jinhan’s hand away with force, avoiding his threatening gaze.

“Enough. Don’t say another word.”