Plunder-Chapter 326: Relying on One’s Child to Gain Esteem
"Cheng Lu, call the police!"
Faced with such groundless accusations, Zhou Jin’an did not tolerate them.
Cheng Lu immediately chose to call the police.
Zhu Yating, however, was not at all panicked; she cried even more sadly, "Director Zhou, why do you have to treat me this way? Why? I’m not asking for much."
The scene was somewhat chaotic, and Zhou Jin’an’s heart was even more so.
Facing those executives who were just there to watch the drama, he reprimanded sharply, "The meeting is postponed."
The executives immediately scurried into the elevator and disappeared as quickly as possible.
Cheng Lu reported to the police and immediately issued a notice in the executive group prohibiting the spread of false statements.
However, the matter involving Zhou Jin’an and Zhu Yating still spread uncontrollably.
About half an hour later, the police arrived.
Zhu Yating kept claiming she was pregnant with Zhou Jin’an’s child.
She even provided a prenatal examination report.
That report indeed showed she was pregnant, just six weeks along.
"Who asked you to do this?"
Zhou Jin’an scolded loudly.
But Zhu Yating kept shaking her head, "Director Zhou, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you trouble, I really didn’t. Don’t worry, I will handle it."
The words of the weak always tend to elicit sympathy and trust from others.
Zhu Yating’s tears and pleadings, in the presence of Zhou Jin’an’s indifference and power, became a sharp blade.
The image of Zhou Jin’an as a model husband was instantly tarnished because of Zhu Yating.
"Very well, rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this."
Zhou Jin’an slammed his fist heavily onto the table.
Chu Garden.
Lin Youyou, who had another sleepless night, was sharing her heart with Qiao En.
"He has someone else, he just won’t admit it, Sister En, I’m a woman, and women have a sixth sense, I trust my instincts."
Lin Youyou’s head drooped, her face filled with gloom.
Life is colorful, but for a woman, emotions are still the most vibrant aspect of her life.
Qiao En placed her hand on the back of Lin Youyou’s hand, comforting her, "Don’t overthink it, Assistant Cheng isn’t that kind of person. I’ll find out more about this matter for you."
Lin Youyou shook her head; she lifted her head and looked at Qiao En with a bitter smile, "It was me who insisted on marrying him; this is my own doing. Last night, I wanted to have a frank talk with him, but he chose to avoid it."
As she spoke, tears trickled down Lin Youyou’s face again.
The calmness a man talks about, for a woman, is a form of emotional abuse.
What she wanted wasn’t calmness but for him to communicate with her earnestly at that moment and clear the fog in her heart.
"Don’t worry, Assistant Cheng is always with Jin’an. I’ll ask Jin’an later to see which women he has been in contact with lately."
As Qiao En spoke, she sent a message to Zhou Jin’an.
But just then, a news headline in the phone notifications immediately caught Qiao En’s attention.
President of Nanchen Group, Zhou Jin’an, forces female employee to abort illegitimate child!
It has to be said, that headline was very eye-catching.
A smile tugged at the corner of Qiao En’s mouth as she clicked open the news headline.
Inside was a picture of Zhu Yating kneeling on the ground and hugging Zhou Jin’an.
The woman, humbled to dust, was weeping profusely.
The man, indifferent and ruthless, every cell of his body radiating disgust.
Qiao En saved the photo into her phone and then forwarded it to Lin Youyou.
"Sister En, Director Zhou is..."
Lin Youyou was shocked after seeing it.
But what shocked her the most was the smile still on Qiao En’s face.
That smile wasn’t feigned strength.
"Sister En, don’t be too saddened; there must be something wrong with this matter. Director Zhou cares deeply for you; he would never do such a thing."
When advising others, people always have their reasons, but when persuading themselves, they often cannot escape their emotions.
Qiao En lifted her coffee and took a small sip, "Why should I be saddened? He is my husband, and I know his character; he wouldn’t do such a thing."
Hearing this, Lin Youyou slightly lowered her head.
"But still, seeing such news come out, it’s quite upsetting."
Because of care, one is bound to feel upset.
But caring doesn’t necessarily mean one needs to feel upset.
"Someone is likely doing this deliberately to upset me. Knowing it’s not true, why should I feel upset? Youyou, although we are one as a couple, we are still individuals in our own right."
Lin Youyou pondered thoughtfully.
She knew Qiao En was right, but a knot in her heart was not so easily untangled.
Nanchen.
Zhou Jin’an had stood in front of the tall floor-to-ceiling window for a long time.
He wasn’t upset about Zhu Yating framing him; he was frustrated that Mrs. Zhou had never chosen to give up from the start.
He was waiting for Mrs. Zhou’s call.
Indeed, not long after Zhu Yating left, Mrs. Zhou’s call came through.
As the call connected, Zhou Jin’an turned on the speakerphone and placed it on the desk without speaking.
"Jin’an, I heard from your aunt that Yating has had an accident? What happened? She’s your cousin, you promised me that you would take good care of her. Otherwise, where can I put this old face of mine?"
She rambled on the other end of the line, clearly trying to morally blackmail Zhou Jin’an into submission.
"Mom, don’t bother, I’m not going to divorce Qiao En."
Zhou Jin’an didn’t beat around the bush with Mrs. Zhou.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Mrs. Zhou’s grave voice came through.
"She isn’t suitable for you."
"Whether she’s suitable or not, I’m the one who decides. I have already fired the person, and if there’s nothing else, let’s leave it at that. I’m busy."
Zhou Jin’an didn’t give Mrs. Zhou a chance to speak; he hung up the phone directly.
"Madam, maybe just let it be?"
Aunt Liu, who was kneeling on the ground massaging Mrs. Zhou’s leg, tentatively said. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Mrs. Zhou immediately glared at her fiercely. "Useless thing, I finally gave her a chance, and she got knocked out so quickly."
"Miss Yating is pregnant, it will be exposed sooner or later."
Aunt Liu reminded again.
Her words indeed reminded Mrs. Zhou, whose murky eyes shifted as a wicked idea came to mind.
"Come on, let’s go to Chu Garden now."
When Mrs. Zhou and Aunt Liu arrived at Chu Garden, Qiao En was still chatting and drinking coffee with Lin Youyou in the gazebo.
"Young Madam, the old madam has arrived."
Sister Rong came to report.
Lin Youyou quickly got up, "En, I’m leaving now, I’ll visit you again another day to chat."
She got up to leave and ran into Mrs. Zhou at the gate of the courtyard.
She had a haughty and disdainful expression as she glared at Qiao En, who was seeing Lin Youyou out.
Lin Youyou wasn’t strong-willed, collapsing under Mrs. Zhou’s imposing aura, making it hard for her to breathe.
"En, I’m leaving now," Lin Youyou said and hurriedly quickened her pace, swiftly exiting the gates of Chu Garden.
Mrs. Zhou coldly swept a glance over Qiao En, "Really, no manners at all, this is Zhou family, not a place where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come."
Qiao En wasn’t annoyed.
She smiled slightly, "She is Cheng Lu’s daughter-in-law, not an outsider."
The thing Mrs. Zhou hated the most was being contradicted. She shuffled towards Qiao En, trembling finger pointing at Qiao En’s nose, and began scolding her.
"You really have no manners. Is it your place to interrupt when an elder is speaking? No wonder my son has already lost interest in you. Don’t think just because you have a child, you can stay in the Zhou family forever. I’m telling you, there are plenty of women who could bear Jin’an’s children."
Qiao En knew that Mrs. Zhou was referring to the woman in the photos.
Though she didn’t know the relationship between Zhou Jin’an and Zhu Yating, she chose to trust Zhou Jin’an unconditionally.
"Indeed, you’re right, many women want to have Jin’an’s children. However, the woman Jin’an hopes to have his children, there’s only one."
She looked directly at Mrs. Zhou with neither servility nor overbearingness.
"You must have seen today’s news, Jin’an already has a new love outside, and there’s even a child. That child is of Zhou family’s bloodline, starting today, she will stay in Zhou family to nourish her pregnancy."
She spoke and looked toward Aunt Liu, instructing, "Let Yating come in."
Aunt Liu followed the order immediately, went out, and called the woman in the car down.
Soon, Zhu Yating entered meekly.
"Young Madam, hello."
She greeted Qiao En.
Mrs. Zhou wore a smug expression, she grabbed Zhu Yating’s hand and walked step by step toward the living room.
"The child you are carrying is Jin’an’s child, is Zhou family’s blood, valuable through the child’s merit. If this pregnancy turns out to be a son, he will be even more precious than her. You don’t need to feel inferior to her."
Mrs. Zhou was clearly supporting Zhu Yating.
"Yes, madam."
Zhu Yating sweetly responded.
"You, get familiar with the surroundings here first. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell me, I’ll decide for you," Mrs. Zhou said sharply as she led Zhu Yating towards the inner rooms.
Qiao En didn’t move, still standing in place.
Sister Rong, indignantly, "Young Madam, I’ll call the young master right now."
But Qiao En stopped her, "No need, I can handle this."
"But, the old madam is doing this without considering your feelings at all. What is that woman? Young Madam, you are the woman the young master rightfully married."
Compared to Sister Rong’s indignation, Qiao En was much calmer.
"It’s alright, Sister Rong. You, go and take care of your tasks. Don’t worry, they won’t hurt me."
Mrs. Zhou personally helped Zhu Yating get familiar with the interior of Chu Garden, then took her to tour the back garden.
It was Qiao En’s first time hearing Mrs. Zhou laugh and talk with another young woman.
To say it was not painful would be a lie.
But she was a rational person, she knew Mrs. Zhou was putting on a show to make her feel bad.
Thus, she must not let them get their way.
