After Liu Ruxue left, Liu Yuemei collapsed onto the floor, while the other inmates slowly rose to their feet.

"Who did you just call a villain?"

Liu Yuemei trembled violently. "I... I said Liu Ruxue."

The leader of the group slapped her so hard she fell to the ground, unable to get up. "You lot, give this disgusting woman another taste of hell..."

Outside the prison, Liu Ruxue breathed in the air of freedom once more when a woman's voice suddenly spoke.

"Let's go."

After groping her way into the car, Liu Ruxue asked, "Did Lin Ran send you to pick me up?"

No one answered. A sudden chill ran down her spine.

She couldn't tell if the feeling was real, but it was all too familiar.

"Lin Ran won’t come. I’ll never let you see him again."

This time, the voice belonged to someone else.

Hearing it, Liu Ruxue felt as if she’d been plunged into an icy abyss.

"Luo Yao... you... you’re not dead?"

"Should I call you stupid or just naive? If you thought hiring some random person could kill me, you must be sorely disappointed."

Memories of what Luo Yao had done to her flooded Liu Ruxue’s mind, freezing her heart.

She screamed and thrashed, trying to escape the car, but no one paid her any attention. A sharp sting on her neck, and everything went black.

Soon, the car stopped in the underground parking lot of Luo Corporation. Liu Meng stuffed Liu Ruxue’s unconscious body into a suitcase and wheeled it into a private elevator.

When they reached the 88th floor, Wang Fang stood there, her expression conflicted as she looked at Luo Yao, who frowned in return.

"Why are you here? Didn’t I say to clear this floor?"

Wang Fang leaned in and whispered, "President Luo, Young Master Lin is inside."

Luo Yao froze, her initial panic slowly settling into calm.

After everything she and Lin Ran had been through, doubting his love for her now would be true foolishness.

"Understood."

She dismissed everyone else and entered the office alone, where she found Lin Ran asleep on the sofa.

Ah, Ran looks so silly and cute when he’s sleeping.

The sound of the door opening roused him.

"Ran? What are you doing here?" Luo Yao kept her voice steady, though her heart raced. "Sleepy Ran is so adorable."

Lin Ran wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and gave her a reproachful look.

"You know exactly why I’m dozing off in broad daylight. Who else would understand?"

Luo Yao blushed slightly, recalling how she’d exhausted him the night before.

"Well, what can I say? My Ran always leaves me unable to control myself."

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "Who’s the one who can’t control themselves—you or me?"

Luo Yao pouted. "Are you blaming me?"

"I’m not blaming you. If anything, blame Grandpa Yuan for making sure we never go hungry. Once people have full stomachs, their minds wander to... other appetites."

Luo Yao finally smiled. Lin Ran’s voice was the best remedy for her turbulent emotions.

"Ran, why did you come here?"

"Yao, you’re being a little unfair." This time, it was Lin Ran’s turn to look aggrieved.

Luo Yao tilted her head. "How so?"

"Liu Ruxue and I have history—and an unforgettable grudge. You didn’t even let me witness her final moments. I’m disappointed."

Luo Yao was stunned. She hadn’t expected Lin Ran to understand her so well now.

"You... knew?"

"I guessed. The more I love you, the more I understand you."

Luo Yao fell silent. Lin Ran didn’t press her, patiently waiting for her response.

If she didn’t want him here, he’d leave without complaint.

If my wife doesn’t want me to see, it’s because she’s worried I’ll be scared. And if she’s worried, that just means I haven’t done enough to earn her complete trust. I’ll just have to try harder.

Still, missing Liu Ruxue’s final suffering was a shame.

"It might be... too cruel. That’s why I didn’t tell you," Luo Yao finally admitted.

Lin Ran thought, Just as I suspected.

As long as she wasn’t afraid he’d feel pity for Liu Ruxue, everything was fine.

"Don’t worry. When it comes to disgusting people, the crueler, the better. Don’t hold back on my account."

His words were a silent promise—no matter what, he wanted to face everything with her.

"Bring her in."

Luo Yao made up her mind and gestured for the suitcase to be wheeled in, then opened a hidden door.

Liu Meng dragged the suitcase inside and unceremoniously dumped it into the secret room.

Instead of following immediately, Luo Yao stretched out her arms toward Lin Ran, her eyes pleading.

"Carry me, Ran."

Lin Ran scooped her up, hands supporting her petite frame, and carried her inside.

Liu Meng immediately averted her gaze, though her lips moved as if muttering under her breath.

Inside the room, Lin Ran gently set Luo Yao down, amused at how his once-yandere wife had turned into such a clingy sweetheart.

But his amusement didn’t last long.

A bucket of ice water jolted Liu Ruxue awake—though she couldn’t see anything.

Shivering violently, Liu Ruxue gasped, "Luo Yao, let me go! If you don’t, Lin Ran will never forgive you!"

Before Luo Yao could respond, Lin Ran spoke.

"Who gave you the delusion to spout such nonsense?"

Liu Ruxue froze as if petrified.

"Lin... Lin Ran..."

"Drop the 'brother' nonsense," Lin Ran cut her off coldly.

Luo Yao watched Lin Ran carefully.

Liu Ruxue’s eyes were gone, her face swollen beyond recognition, her body covered in wounds.

The sight alone was horrifying. Luo Yao worried it might unsettle him.

But Lin Ran showed no reaction, and she relaxed.

"Lin Ran... why... why have you become like this? Don’t you love me anymore?"

Seriously? Even now, she’s still delusional.

Not only do I not love you, I have a blood debt with you.

You killed me in my past life. I’ve carried that grudge into this one.

Seems fair, doesn’t it?

"Liu Ruxue, seeing you today makes me very happy..."

The moment Lin Ran said this, Luo Yao’s aura turned glacial, as if she could obliterate the world.

Even Liu Meng stared at him in shock.

Lin Ran continued, "Because I get to witness just how miserable you are. That brings me joy. And I’ll keep watching as you suffer even more."

Luo Yao’s murderous intent vanished instantly. Liu Meng exhaled in relief.

Liu Ruxue, however, crumpled as the last shred of hope she clung to shattered.

Lin Ran turned to Luo Yao. "Wife, I’ve said my piece."

Luo Yao took his hand and nuzzled her cheek against it.

"Ran, I’ll make it quick."

Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes darkened to a deep crimson. She stepped toward Liu Ruxue.