“Young Master Cao, no—please don’t! Don’t do this…”
In the low-key yet luxurious study, a chair facing the entrance slowly rotated. Sitting on it was a stunningly beautiful woman with a cold and aloof temperament. Her face was filled with panic as she trembled under Cao Chuan’s grip—one hand holding her down in the chair, the other gripping her chin with a sharp, icy gaze.
Cao Chuan merely glanced at the laptop in front of her—it was his own, and on the screen, confidential documents related to his bid for family heir were being copied to a USB drive. A chilling glint flashed in his eyes as he turned and said to the black-suited bodyguards at the door, “Close the door. All of you, leave.”
Once the door closed and the bodyguards had withdrawn, he turned his gaze back to Song Keran. Suddenly, he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.
“While I’m gone, you sneak into my study, turn on my laptop, and start copying my confidential files. Secretary Song, what are you trying to do?”
Song Keran was stunned by the slap. Clutching her cheek, she stared at Cao Chuan, completely in disbelief.
Until now, she had always been Cao Chuan’s white moonlight—the aloof campus belle he held in his heart. Even though Cao Chuan was the eldest son of the top family in Zhonghai, her nominal boss, he had always treated her with utmost gentleness and even a touch of subservience.
He had never even raised his voice at her, let alone laid a hand on her, not even when she made mistakes.
But today, something was different. Cao Chuan’s attitude had completely reversed, and now he had just slapped her across the face without a second thought?
Song Keran couldn’t process what was happening. Instinctively, she assumed she had gone too far and triggered Cao Chuan’s fury. She quickly tried to justify herself, “Young Master Cao, please don’t misunderstand. Today’s competition for the position of heir is extremely important to you. As your personal secretary, I just wanted to help you a little. I thought if I looked over your investment strategies in advance, I could better support you during the board meeting when the chairman gathers you and your brother. I know you’ve always been proud, so I didn’t dare tell you directly. I had no choice but to secretly copy your data…”
Cao Chuan studied the woman before him.
Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like still autumn water. Cherry lips, a delicate nose, skin like jade. Her fitted ivory dress outlined her graceful figure with perfect curves—voluptuous chest, slim waist, and long, full legs. Though her cheek was red from the slap, her innate icy aura remained untouched, like a celestial being untouched by worldly dust.
Unfortunately, this goddess who should’ve remained his white moonlight turned out to be a spy.
And worse, she was the kind of foolish spy who took advantage of his past affection, treating him like a fool.
Disappointment flashed through Cao Chuan’s eyes. “So what you’re saying is, Secretary Song, you did all this for my own good?”
“Yes,” Song Keran nodded hurriedly.
“Heh.” Cao Chuan slapped her again.
“Young Master Cao!” Song Keran cried out in pain.
“You think I’m an idiot? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable,” Cao Chuan sneered coldly.
“I’m telling the truth, Young Master Cao!” Song Keran quickly defended.
“The truth?” Cao Chuan smirked and suddenly pressed his hand against her chest.
“Young Master Cao!” Song Keran shuddered. Feeling the strength in his hand, she tried to push him away and stand up.
“Sit down!” Cao Chuan forcefully pushed her back into the chair, his hand still on her chest, his eyes filled with a dangerous light. “Didn’t you say everything you just told me was true? Now I’m giving you a chance. Let me listen to your heartbeat. Repeat what you said. If your heartbeat stays steady, I’ll believe you.”
Song Keran panicked.
It was the first time a man had ever touched her there. And most importantly, she sensed that something about Cao Chuan had changed.
He no longer resembled the obedient man who once pined after her.
Feeling the firm pressure of his palm, her heart began to race wildly. “Young Master Cao… can you please let go first? You feel so unfamiliar like this…”
But Cao Chuan just looked down at her and said coldly, “Repeat it.”
“I-I really did it for your sake…” Song Keran’s voice faltered.
“Your heartbeat just sped up,” Cao Chuan interrupted.
“I can swear to the heavens—” she tried to explain.
“Still speeding up,” he cut her off again. “You’re lying.”
Song Keran was speechless.
Cao Chuan chuckled coldly, “Still won’t admit it? Fine. I’ll say it for you.”
“You were planning to copy these files and send them to that idiot brother of mine, Cao Hai—and especially to that woman behind him.”
Song Keran’s pupils widened instantly.
She stared at Cao Chuan in disbelief, as if asking, how do you know?
Cao Chuan could clearly feel the tremble from her chest intensify. Her inner panic was undeniable.
Suppressing the trace of desire that flickered in his heart, he looked down at Song Keran and said, “Surprised?”
She remained silent.
Cao Chuan sneered, “You don’t have to say it. I know you’re scared out of your mind right now.”
Song Keran still didn’t speak, but her face turned pale.
Cao Chuan said, “To be honest, I’ve known all along. You work for that woman. She used my affection for you to plant you beside me.”
“I left my private laptop here today, deliberately didn’t lock the screen—just to lure you into the trap.”
Song Keran’s face turned completely white.
No wonder things had gone so smoothly when she sneaked in to steal the data—and no wonder Cao Chuan showed up right as she started copying, with a team of bodyguards in tow. It was as if the whole thing had been rehearsed.
It was all a trap set by Cao Chuan.
She probably hadn’t even realized that every sneaky move she made in his study—every tap of the keyboard—was under his surveillance.
Realizing all her actions today were within Cao Chuan’s control, and that she had still tried to lie to him… Song Keran’s heart thumped violently again.
The Cao family was Zhonghai’s number one family—an existence with unparalleled influence.
Now, caught red-handed as a traitor, even if Cao Chuan killed her on the spot, no one would dare say a word against it.
Seeing that the gentlemanly Cao Chuan from before was long gone, and that he seemed ready to destroy her without mercy, she couldn’t help but tremble and pleaded frantically, “Young Master Cao, I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! I swear I’ll never do anything like this again! I’ll listen to you from now on. Please, just give me one more chance…”
Cao Chuan remained unmoved. “Give you a chance? And what about the damage you’ve already caused me? You think a few words can erase all that? What, is your mouth studded with diamonds?”
“I-I can make it up to you!” Song Keran stammered in panic. “I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you! If you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west! You tell me to eat dry, I won’t even think about drinking thin!”
“Then show me your sincerity first,” Cao Chuan said coldly.
Song Keran misunderstood. Her face hesitated for a moment, then she bit her lip, yanked down her neckline, and grabbed Cao Chuan’s hand…