Chapter 38: You Have No Right to Terminate the Contract

Wen Ruqin had no intention of letting her off easily. Her gaze was wary as she looked at her, "I'm just letting you know—you can't destroy our relationship. If you dare to interfere, you'll be branded as the shameless mistress everyone despises."

Shen Ling didn't need her warning; she had never entertained such thoughts. Her reply was cool, "I'm not interested in the position of Mrs. Bo."

She tried to break away, but Bo Jinhang suddenly appeared, having tracked them down. Through the glass doors, he saw the scene unfolding between the two women and had already made up his mind. His angry eyes locked onto Shen Ling.

"Shen Ling, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Shen Ling frowned slightly, used to Bo Jinhang's prejudices, and responded with indifference, "What does it have to do with me?"

Wen Ruqin was initially worried, but seeing Bo Jinhang take her side emboldened her. She feigned frailty and nestled into his arms, her voice dripping with grievance.

"Jinhang, I merely heard Miss Shen is the fiancée of Young Master Zhou and wanted to make her acquaintance, but who would have thought she'd be so rude?"

Mentioning that identity irritated Bo Jinhang even further. He cast a cold glance at Shen Ling, his teeth clenched, "If you have any grievances, bring them to me. Why take it out on her?"

A chill spread through Shen Ling's heart, but she didn't let it show. Instead, a perfect smile curved her lips, her gaze laced with distant mockery.

"Since President Bo is so protective of his delicate wife, you'd better keep a close eye on her—never let her out of your sight. Otherwise, if she gets hurt, it will be blamed on me."

Her words were sharp and barbed. Bo Jinhang, furious, snapped, "Watch your mouth."

Of course, he wouldn't change his opinion because of her sarcasm. He was convinced she was at fault and became even more attentive as he supported Wen Ruqin, leading her away from the terrace.

Wen Ruqin was surprised and delighted by his favoritism. With the look of a petty victor, she cast a provocative glance at Shen Ling.

Left alone on the terrace, Shen Ling watched the breeze stir the flowers and branches. She smiled self-deprecatingly, unable to suppress the bitterness welling up within her.

Bo Jinhang never bothered to clarify the facts; he always assumed she was at fault, fiercely loyal in his own way. Once inseparable lovers, now reduced to mutual disdain—it was truly ironic.

She leaned on the railing, letting the wind steady her mood, then pushed open the door and entered the banquet hall.

Scanning the sea of faces, she quickly spotted Mrs. Zhou and hurried over, lowering her voice, "Aunt, I have something to attend to and will be leaving first."

"I'll have someone escort you," Mrs. Zhou replied, not trying to detain her, but her concern was clear. She could tell Shen Ling's complexion was poor.

Shen Ling smiled, gently declining, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I've called a car already, so there's no need to trouble anyone. I'll be off now."

Once Mrs. Zhou nodded in agreement, Shen Ling finally left.

Away from the heart of the banquet, her mood gradually began to recover.

She descended the steps and glanced around. Her car hadn’t arrived yet, but unexpectedly, she saw Bo Jinhang.

He was here alone, with no sign of Wen Ruqin nearby.

On the vast, empty steps, nothing could escape notice.

Bo Jinhang saw her and strode over, demanding, "Where are you going?"

Shen Ling couldn't be bothered to respond, treating him as if he were invisible, passing by him with a blank expression.

Bo Jinhang's thick brows furrowed nearly together. Ignoring her wishes, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the parking lot.

She hadn't expected him to use force. Her body tingled with shock, and she struggled fiercely. "Let go of me! Can't we talk like civilized people?"

Surprisingly, Bo Jinhang stopped, releasing her wrist, his face impassive and his voice flat.

"Wen Ruqin is unwell. You’d better be careful around her."

Rubbing her aching wrist, Shen Ling frowned deeply and looked up at him, her clear eyes tinged with disbelief.

"What do you mean? Are you afraid I'll harm her?"

Bo Jinhang's gaze was deep and unreadable. "I never said that."

Shen Ling's gaze was icy as she interrogated him, "Is that all you want to say? With you protecting her, what could I possibly do? If you're so afraid, just break things off with me."

Her anger drove her words, but she knew her own position and refused to stoop to jealousy.

Bo Jinhang’s expression darkened, his voice harsh, "Don’t think your little tricks behind my back will make me marry you. Remember your place."

"No need to remind me." Humiliation surged within Shen Ling. She smiled wryly, refusing to back down, her gaze steady, "I've never thought that way, so you needn't worry about me scheming for a position. Since you like her so much, hurry up and marry her. But I trust you won’t mind giving me a breakup fee, will you?"

Bo Jinhang’s presence had already left indelible marks on her. She doubted she could ever wash them away, so let things get worse—if there’s already a swarm of troubles, what’s one more?

Bo Jinhang’s intention had been to warn her, but hearing her speak so frankly, even asking for money, left him fuming.

He finally exploded, his voice cold enough to freeze, "You have no right to terminate the contract."

Shen Ling looked at him blankly, her lips pressed so hard they turned white. "You’re willing to let the woman you love suffer? If this continues, and Miss Wen’s heart breaks, don’t blame me."

Bo Jinhang glared at her, "As long as you keep quiet, no one will know. So don’t resort to such despicable methods."

Shen Ling’s anger flared, and words spilled out without thought, "Don’t worry—I’d rather no one knew."

In an instant, Bo Jinhang’s gaze grew chilling, terrifying in its intensity.

He angrily yanked Shen Ling, dragging her toward the car.

She struggled with all her might, but how could she match a man’s strength? She was shoved roughly into the car, the door locking with a crisp click, and he pressed in close.

Furious, Shen Ling refused to let him touch her and fought desperately.

Her fingers, in the struggle, suddenly scraped across his face. Her long nails traced a line of blood on his handsome cheek.

Bo Jinhang hissed, drawing in a sharp breath, his actions halted as he looked at her with a complicated expression.

Shen Ling was stunned, watching the vivid red wound on his face, biting her lip.

"I..."

Bo Jinhang’s gaze was mocking, his anger barely contained. "It’s your duty. Or are you planning to stay faithful for someone else?"