“Dad, I’m sorry. Last night I was playing cards with some friends and lost track of time. My phone died, and I didn’t even notice. I should’ve told you sooner—it’s my fault.”
George Wen froze.The wooden stick in his hand hovered midair.
The old Vivian Wen would never bow her head to him, no matter the circumstance. She’d always argue—always fight him on what was right or wrong.
That’s why their relationship had always been so strained.
What was going on today?
In truth, Vivian knew perfectly well that Helen Zhao had always been good at sweet-talking her father, keeping him happy and easily manipulated.
Even if she told him what happened last night, without hard evidence, he’d never believe her.
So she decided to pretend to give in for now—keep quiet, wait for the right time to strike.
“Dad,” she said softly, “Aunt Zhao is an outsider. She doesn’t understand me, and that’s fine. But I’m your daughter. You know me better than anyone. How could I ever do something that would disgrace the Wen family?”
As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes, glistening just enough to make her look pitiful.
Though George and Vivian’s mother had long been divorced, he’d always tried to be a responsible father.
Seeing his daughter so sincere, his anger began to fade.
He sighed and lowered the stick.
“Alright, as long as you realize your mistake. Don’t let it happen again. Get up.”
Helen Zhao’s expression soured slightly at how easily George forgave her, but she had more pressing matters to deal with.
She swallowed her irritation and put on a fake smile.
“George, see? I told you it was just a misunderstanding. Vivian’s a good girl. She’d never be like those frivolous women out there, right, Vivian?”
Vivian caught the double meaning in her words.
She smiled faintly, though her eyes were cold.
“Right, Vivian,” Helen continued sweetly, nudging George’s arm with her elbow. “Your father actually called you here today for something important.”
George coughed twice, sat back down on the sofa, and spoke in a serious tone.
“Vivian… your father has been thinking. Your aunt is right—I shouldn’t have forced you to marry someone you don’t love.
That boy Ryan might not come from wealth, but he treats you well, and you care about him too. That’s what matters most.”
Vivian froze at her father’s sudden change in attitude.
Before, George had despised Ryan Lu, calling him a gold digger who used women to climb the social ladder.
He’d even arranged another marriage for her long ago—with Sebastian Gu, the young heir of the Gu family.
But Sebastian was a notorious playboy, always making headlines for his scandals.
Vivian had fought countless times with her father to reject the engagement.
“And I heard this morning,” George continued, “that Sebastian got into a fight at a nightclub. It even made the news—they say it was over a prostitute!
I can’t in good conscience let you marry someone like that.
As long as Ryan truly treats you well, I won’t stand in your way anymore. Invite him over sometime so we can discuss the engagement.”
“Engagement?!”
The leap from argument to engagement was so sudden that Vivian couldn’t help but exclaim.
George nodded firmly.
“Your aunt found a lucky date at the end of the month. It’s perfect for an engagement—and it happens to be your birthday too. Two blessings in one day!
You’re not getting any younger, Vivian. Once this is settled, I can finally stop worrying.”
Vivian finally understood.
So during her absence, Helen had clearly been whispering in her father’s ear nonstop.
They were in such a rush to push her into this engagement—no doubt something sinister was behind it.
But if she was going to expose Helen and Ryan’s scheme, she needed proof.
Perhaps it was better to play along—for now.
A faint smile curved her lips.
Vivian walked over, knelt beside her father, and gently placed her hand on his.
“Thank you, Dad. I was immature before and made you worry. I promise I’ll listen to you from now on.”
Seeing her comply so easily, Helen finally exhaled in relief.
It seemed Vivian hadn’t discovered her secret plan with Ryan after all.
But… where had she gone last night?
Given the heavy dose they’d given her, it was impossible that she’d come back unharmed.
Helen simply couldn’t believe nothing had happened.
Then, her eyes caught a faint red mark on Vivian’s neck.
As a woman with experience, Helen knew exactly what that was.
Hah.
Just as she suspected.
Vivian must have slept with some wild man last night.
Helen’s lips curled into a faint smirk.
A new plan was already forming in her mind.

Back in her room, Vivian went straight into the bathroom.
Under the shower, she scrubbed her skin again and again, trying to wash away every trace of last night.
To lose her first time like that—she couldn’t accept it.
But this debt…
She would make Helen Zhao and Ryan Lu pay it back in full.
After drying off, Vivian sat down and began planning how to deal with the engagement banquet at the end of the month.
First, she called a private investigator recommended by a friend, instructing him to secretly follow Helen and Ryan.
She wanted solid evidence of their affair—and to find out what they were really planning for the engagement.
Once everything was arranged, she opened her laptop and posted a new message on her private social account.

At the same time, inside Min Group Headquarters—
Victor Wen burst excitedly into Simon Min’s office.
“Brother! We found that woman!”