Xiao Wenqing's mind spun into chaos as she used Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran as examples, entirely forgetting that her words were like a dagger piercing into Mo Zixuan's heart.
His handsome face turned pale, and his lips pressed into a grim, tight line.
Mo Xiuchen frowned slightly, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold, mocking smile.
"Don't compare Zhou Lin to Wen Ran. She is not even worthy of a single strand of Wen Ran's hair."
Mo Zixuan glared at Xiao Wenqing in fury. The deepest wound in his heart was that the woman he loved had married another man. And that man—was none other than his half-brother, the one he hated to his very bones.
Perhaps Xiao Wenqing's intent was to subtly imply that Wen Ran had fallen for Mo Xiuchen, that she no longer harbored any feelings for him, and he should let go of the past. But in Mo Zixuan's eyes, everything was simply Mo Xiuchen's manipulation. Wen Ran, being pure and kind-hearted, had easily fallen into his trap.
Even if she had truly fallen for Mo Xiuchen, he would never blame her. The only one he would hate—was Mo Xiuchen.
In his heart, Wen Ran remained unparalleled. No one could compare. Certainly not a vile woman like Zhou Lin. Even if she carried his child and professed undying love for him, he would not spare her a shred of pity.
Xiao Wenqing was clearly agitated, but under Mo Xiuchen's gaze, she dared not speak ill of Wen Ran. She had no choice but to yield.
"Fine. Even if Zhou Lin cannot compare to Wen Ran, she's still pregnant with your child. Now that her father is in trouble, she's in a fragile state. If she suffers a miscarriage, the consequences would be grave."
Mo Zixuan sneered coldly. "I don't care what reason you give. I will not agree to bring the wedding forward. If you want a wedding, go hold one yourself."
With that, he turned on his heel and left, utterly disregarding Mo Jingteng's presence.
"Zixuan—"
Xiao Wenqing called out, only to be cut off by Mo Jingteng's cool voice.
"Stop forcing him. He's already made a huge concession by agreeing to marry Zhou Lin at the end of the year. If all you care about is the child she's carrying, then let her give birth and take the money to leave."
As for that Zhou Lin, Mo Jingteng disliked her thoroughly.
Though Zixuan wasn't as outstanding as Xiuchen, he was still his son. In his eyes, both were exceptional.
Xiao Wenqing's face paled. She opened her mouth to speak, but eventually swallowed the words.
When Mo Xiuchen returned to his office, Wen Ran had just finished her call and was sitting quietly on the sofa, lost in thought. His entry was so soft that she didn't even notice.
Her body leaned slightly against the cushions, brows relaxed and gaze lowered, her thoughts adrift somewhere far away.
Mo Xiuchen shut the door behind him and walked toward her with elegant strides. Only when his tall figure cast a shadow over her did she snap back to reality.
"You're back!"
"What had you so absorbed?"
He smiled faintly and sat down beside her, turning to gaze at her with warmth in his eyes.
Wen Ran blinked and forced a smile. "Nothing. I was just wondering if our esteemed CEO will now be even more formidable than before."
The corners of Mo Xiuchen's lips twitched. He feigned disbelief. "Really? You're not lying?"
Of course, he knew she wasn't telling the truth.
Wen Ran nodded seriously. "Of course. Since you're back so soon, I suppose everything's been resolved?"
He chuckled softly, reached out, and naturally pulled her into his arms. Wen Ran frowned slightly but did not resist.
"Xiao Wenqing wants to bring forward the wedding between Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin," he said casually, laced with thick sarcasm.
Wen Ran's eyes widened in surprise. "Why the rush? Was it Zhou Lin's idea?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, her brows knitted. That couldn't be it. Even if Zhou Lin wanted it, Xiao Wenqing wouldn't be so hasty—unless there was a deeper reason.
Mo Xiuchen gently twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers and hinted, "Zhou Mingfu's been arrested. With Xiao Wenqing's calculating nature, she should be thinking of how to distance herself from Zhou Lin right now."
Wen Ran's gaze flickered as she picked up the thread, "Even if Zhou Lin is carrying Mo Zixuan's child, at most Xiao Wenqing would let her give birth and then send her away."
Back when her own family fell into crisis, hadn't Xiao Wenqing tried to drug her, fearing she'd drag Mo Zixuan down?
Why then, when it's Zhou Lin's father in trouble, is Xiao Wenqing so desperate to bring her into the family?
There was something fishy about this.
A glint of frost appeared on Mo Xiuchen's lips. His next words carried a chill that seemed to lower the temperature in the room.
"Perhaps Xiao Wenqing is being blackmailed by Zhou Mingfu. Maybe he's holding something over her head and using it to force her hand—to get Zhou Lin into the Mo family."
Wen Ran's expression changed. She had long suspected a collusion between Xiao Wenqing and Zhou Mingfu, but never had proof. Now, Xiao Wenqing's impatience had exposed her.
"This might be a good thing," Mo Xiuchen said, interrupting her train of thought with a soothing smile.
A trace of confusion flickered across Wen Ran's face. She asked softly, "Did Mo Zixuan refuse?"
Mo Xiuchen gave a quiet hum. Wen Ran, sharp as ever, understood at once.
"He firmly rejected the idea. And this time, even our old man supports him. He doesn't want Zhou Lin in the Mo family. If Xiao Wenqing insists, she'll have a hard time—and if she crosses Zhou Mingfu, well... we'll have a front-row seat to a vicious dogfight."
"Then perhaps," Wen Ran said, her lips curling slightly, her eyes glinting coldly, "we should add some fuel to the fire."
She was suddenly eager to uncover what dark dealings Zhou Mingfu and Xiao Wenqing had shared. She had long suspected Zhou Mingfu was behind her parents' deaths. And now—was it possible that Xiao Wenqing had a hand in it too?
The thought was bold, unsupported by evidence, but it felt disturbingly plausible.
Mo Xiuchen caught the flicker in her eyes. His own gaze softened with sorrow.
"Ranran, are you thinking... that the car accident which claimed your parents' lives might have involved Xiao Wenqing?"
Wen Ran was stunned. "How do you know what I was thinking?"
He laughed suddenly, his eyes glinting with mischief. Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a low, teasing murmur.
"With the kind of deep... nightly conversations we have, how could I not know what's on your mind?"
Her mouth fell open in disbelief, her cheeks flushed a furious red. Seeing the amused delight in his eyes, she snapped in embarrassment, "Mo Xiuchen, you scoundrel!"
His hearty laughter echoed through the spacious office. When Wen Ran rose to leave in a huff, he reached out, pulled her back into his arms, and with one smooth motion, bent down to claim her soft, blushing lips.