Fu Jing Rong stared at her.

That was all it took.

One glance.

And Chen Li went dead silent.

His glare wasn’t human.

It was the glare of a tiger sizing up its prey.

Hua Ming Rong, meanwhile, looked like he might faint. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.

He stammered, barely holding himself together.

"M–Mr. Fu... I... I think there must be some sort of mix-up. My daughter... she doesn’t have Hua Jing. You must be mistaken... completely mistaken..."

Shameless.

He was shamelessly trying to defend his daughter without even asking why Fu Jing Rong had stormed into their home to demand for Hua Jing.

He didn’t ask what had happened.

He didn’t even care.

And that made one thing very clear—he had never cared for Hua Jing at all!!!

Meanwhile, Hua Ling was trembling.

Her face had gone pale. Lips bloodless.

She had not expected this.

Not at all.

He had come... for Hua Jing?!

Why?! How could this be?!

They were mortal enemies!!!

It was a well-known fact in the entire industry!!!

So how—how—could he come here... and ask for her???

And then...

Fu Jing Rong’s icy voice echoed once more.

Sharp. Ruthless. Final.

"You have two minutes... to tell me where she is."

"If you don’t..."

He paused.

Then smiled.

But there was no warmth in it.

Only fire.

"Then I can’t guarantee the future of the Hua family in this capital!"

If there was one thing Hua Ming Rong was afraid of... it was someone threatening his business!!!

Especially now!!!

In the last year alone, he had managed to climb his way into the top ten most profitable businesses in the capital. It had taken blood, sweat, lies, and manipulation!!!

And now... Fu Jing Rong—this devil in human skin—was threatening all of it!

His business... his power... his name!!!

He turned sharply toward his daughter, eyes narrowed.

"What is Mr. Fu saying?! When did you take Hua Jing?!"

He wasn’t asking out of concern. Not at all.

He was asking because his empire—his precious empire—was being held hostage!!!

How in the world had this foolish daughter of his managed to offend Fu Jing Rong the moment the man woke up from a year-long coma?! How?!

Hua Ling, caught off guard by her father’s sudden question, quickly shook her head.

"Dad! I don’t know what he’s talking about! I don’t know where Sister is! And even if I did, why would I hide her?!"

"I think Mr. Fu is mistaken..."

Her voice cracked just slightly at the end.

Chen Li immediately stepped forward, nodding fiercely to back her daughter’s lies.

"Mr. Fu, it’s just as my daughter said!! There’s no way Hua Ling has anything to do with Hua Jing!! If you want her, then maybe go check the hospital! She’s in a coma there, isn’t she?!"

"Hospital?" Fu Jing Rong’s cold voice sliced through the air like a knife.

"Then let’s call the hospital... and see if she’s there."

"And if she is—" his voice darkened, "—I want to take her."

Silence.

Hua Ming Rong stared at him, speechless!!!

Take her?! Take Hua Jing?!

Why would this man—this nightmare dressed in designer suits—want to take her?!

He had to admit, he didn’t care much about Hua Jing.

But she was still... useful!!!

That golden goose had brought them so much wealth! So much fame! Even in a coma, she still had value!!!

How could he just let her go now?! When they were on the brink of going public?!

Back when Hua Jing was healthy and working, she was a money-printing machine. A star, a celebrity, an award-winning actress.

Every year, the family would come crawling to her, crying poverty, begging for money to keep their "business" afloat. She—kind-hearted fool that she was—always gave in. Always!!!

Sometimes sending sums so large, she went broke herself.

Only before her accident had she realized... she’d been played!!!

And by then... it was too late.

Hua Ming Rong had shamelessly drained his own daughter dry!!!

And even now—even now—while she lay unconscious and vulnerable, he was still thinking of ways to exploit her!!!

Fu Jing Rong’s fists clenched at his sides.

Disgust boiled in his chest like acid!!!

He wanted to kill this man!!!

Only one thing stopped him.

She... was still his father.

Barely.

He breathed slowly. Controlled the rage.

Then—calmly—he spoke.

"Call. The. Hospital."

His words came like a command from hell itself.

Before Hua Ming Rong could even think, he was already reaching for his phone!!!

His hands trembled.

He didn’t even know why he was obeying... but his body moved on instinct.

Behind him, Chen Li gasped. "What are you doing?! Why are you following his instructions like a lapdog?!"

"Shut up!!!" Hua Ming Rong snapped, voice louder than it had ever been in his entire marriage.

Chen Li froze.

Shocked!!!

In all their years of marriage, Hua Ming Rong had never yelled at her.

Never.

He had also never raised his voice at Hua Ling. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

But now?

Now he was like a frightened animal being hunted by a predator!!!

A predator named Fu Jing Rong.

Chen Li looked at Fu Jing Rong again. Really looked.

Her chest tightened.

Just... who was this man?

Was there more to his superstar image?

Was there another identity hidden beneath that cold face?

Her lips shut tight. She dared not say another word.

And at that moment...

Hua Ling finally broke character.

Her voice wavered.

"Dad... is there really a need to call the hospital?"

"We don’t have Hua Jing. We don’t!! So why would you trouble yourself like this?!"

She was desperate now. Panicked.

In her mind, all she wanted was to stop that call from going through.

When she’d taken Hua Jing from the hospital, she’d done it alone. Quietly. Without telling her parents.

Not that they would have cared anyway!!!

They’d always treated Hua Jing like trash.

And she hated that wench!!!

Hated her!!!

Now that she had Hua Jing in her hands... did they really expect her to let her go that easily?!

No.

Never!!!

She would make her suffer.

Even in a coma!!!

Even half-dead!!!

She would ruin her!!!