That group of people instantly looked as if they'd lost their ancestors. In a flash, a whole crowd dropped to their knees, ready to kowtow to Alex.
Those dozen or so people instantly looked up at Alex, their faces full of hope.
Alex said calmly, "Yin Enterprises never keeps idle people around. This Radiance Beauty Center? For Yin Enterprises, it's not even a drop in the bucket. But leaving this place unused is still a waste. So, here's my proposal: if you don't want to go to jail, then work here for free for ten years! Of course, you have the right to refuse."
How would they dare refuse?
What right did they have to refuse?
Refuse? Then it's jail time!
Even if they had to work for free for ten years, at least they'd still have their freedom!
"I've never liked making things hard for others! If you really don't want to..." Alex hadn't finished when, from the manager to the staff, everyone answered with flattery and bliss, "We agree, we agree!"
Alex smiled kindly. "Excellent. Now that we've all happily reached an agreement, here are a few contracts. Please sign them..."
After dealing with the dozen people, only Ms. Vanessa remained, still unconscious.
The bodyguard, without any courtesy, grabbed a bucket of ice water and dumped it over the unconscious woman.
The next second, Ms. Vanessa woke up with a sneeze.
Alex walked over with a kindly smile and said, "The CEO has instructed us: although you just tried to attack him, our CEO is magnanimous and won't hold it against you. We're sorry you broke both your arms—each arm is worth a compensation of $100,000, so that's $200,000 total. If you're not satisfied, a leg goes for $100,000 too!"
Hearing Alex's words, Ms. Vanessa burst into loud sobs: "I'm sorry! I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me! I won't dare ever again, not in this life! I was blind and offended Mrs. Yin—I deserve punishment! No, please, have mercy!"
"About the compensation..." Alex continued calmly.
"Compensation? What compensation? I don't want anything, not a single cent!" Ms. Vanessa replied, terrified.
"I think you've misunderstood," Alex said, his smile even more gentle. "Just now you went on a rampage and smashed up the Radiance Beauty Center, which Yin Enterprises just acquired. How do you plan to compensate us?"
She... smashed up the beauty center?
At that moment, Ms. Vanessa's heart was bleeding.
Suddenly, she wished she could lose her memory.
"Is this lady planning to default? Then we'll have to go through legal channels!" Seeing Ms. Vanessa spacing out, Alex's smile faded and he put on a businesslike expression.
"But this place isn't even mine..." She opened her mouth to explain, but when her eyes met Alex's mocking gaze, she shivered.
She'd been in society for quite some time; how could she not understand what Alex meant?
A lifetime of hunting geese, but now the goose had pecked out her eyes.
She was simply outmatched—there was nothing more to say.
Ms. Vanessa gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I'll pay!"
Alex finally nodded in satisfaction and handed Ms. Vanessa a contract from his folder. "Since you have no objections, sign this contract. The renovation costs must be transferred to our account within a week. If you miss the deadline, sorry, we'll sue you for intentional damage!"
Is there no justice left in the world?
Ms. Vanessa had to swallow her broken teeth with blood.
Did she dare object?
She didn't dare!
So she had to cooperate obediently.
While Alex handled things inside, outside, Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin sat in the car with Helen Gu.
At that moment, Helen Gu finally came to her senses, gripping Cecilia's fingers tightly. "Cecilia, Charles, did you know in advance? I want the truth! No lying!"
Cecilia glanced anxiously at Charles.
Charles gently patted Cecilia's back to comfort her.
"We only found out this afternoon," Charles answered for Cecilia. "This is exactly what you've seen. Maybe there are secrets we don't know, but now isn't the time for that—it's about your attitude!"
My attitude?' Helen Gu's face was pale and her eyes vacant; she couldn't bear to weep for her two children.
But with her heart utterly broken, she couldn't even pretend to be strong.
Yes.' Charles Yin replied calmly, 'Given the current situation, there doesn't seem to be any way to turn things around. Unless you're willing to swallow your pride and play dumb.'
Impossible!' Helen Gu refused instantly. 'Absolutely impossible!'
Helen Gu clenched her fists, her face growing even paler.
Mom, there's something I have to tell you! Dad doesn't just have one woman outside—he's been going on crazy blind dates. I only found out this afternoon.' Cecilia bit her lip and revealed the truth. 'His reason is ridiculous: he wants a child of his own.'
It really is ridiculous!
He's the one who can't have children, not anyone else!
So, Mom, what are you going to do?' Cecilia looked at her mother anxiously; this was a huge blow to her.
Helen Gu was dazed for a long time, then suddenly choked up with grievance: "I don't know either! Cecilia, what should I do?"
Charles Yin's eyes flickered, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Mom...' Cecilia hugged her mother. 'No matter what you decide, I'll stand by you! You always protected me, now it's my turn to protect you!'
Charles checked his watch. "It's getting late. Let's head back to the hotel! Whatever you decide, we can talk about it tomorrow."
Cecilia nodded silently.
Charles drove the two of them away quickly.
Shortly after the three left, Jenny Gu came running, panting.
Unfortunately, she arrived too late and missed everything.
Jenny Gu had just reached the entrance of the beauty center. Before she could figure out what had happened, she saw Charles driving away.
Jenny chased after them for a couple steps, but Charles didn't hear her calls and drove straight back.
Back at the hotel, Cecilia wanted to stay with her mother, but Charles grabbed her hand and whispered, "Don't disturb her tonight. Let her think it over. After all, these things aren't easy decisions."
Cecilia really wanted to say, what's so hard about deciding? Dad's already gone this far—what's left to salvage?
But on second thought, maybe Charles had a point.
Mom and Dad have been married for over twenty years, always maintaining a harmonious relationship.
Mom endured so much humiliation and hardship—all because she loved Dad!
Getting all this news at once—it's normal that she can't process it right away.
Cecilia nodded and said to her mother, "Mom, we're just next door. If you need anything, just call us!"
I know. I'm going to rest now.' Helen Gu, deeply depressed, just nodded to Charles and didn't say another word. She locked herself in her room.
As she closed the door, Helen Gu collapsed against the frame, sitting on the carpet and sobbing uncontrollably.
Only now did she dare to let her true emotions out.
She didn't want Cecilia to worry, especially since her daughter was pregnant.
But her heart was filled with bitterness!
After more than twenty years of marriage, she had lived in the Gu family always on edge, walking on thin ice.
She was always afraid of making a mistake and giving her in-laws something to criticize.
She was dutiful to her mother-in-law, caring to her husband, loving to her children, and tolerant to her sisters-in-law.
What more do they want from her?
Just because she couldn't have children, is this how they treat her?
If not for worrying about her husband's reputation, why would she have carried this secret and endured the blame for over twenty years?
She could endure all that, a little grievance was nothing.
But when it comes to love, she can't tolerate betrayal!
Right now, she really wanted to confront her husband and ask him why!
Cecilia and Charles returned to their room, both lost in silence.
Cecilia wasn't in the mood for anything. She washed up early and lay in bed to rest.
Seeing her lie down, Charles said nothing and lay down beside her.
Cecilia tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
That night, how many people could really sleep well?
Early the next morning, Cecilia got up.
But Helen Gu was up even earlier, folding her quilt alone and sitting on the bed in a daze.
Mom...' Cecilia walked over anxiously, knelt before her mother, and buried her face in her mother's palm.'
I'm sorry, Cecilia.' Helen Gu said softly, 'I'm not a good mother. I always make you worry.'
Cecilia shook her head desperately. "Mom, don't say that! I don't want to hear it! I want you to be well, and my baby will need you to take care of him in the future! Mom!"
Hearing Cecilia's pleading words, Helen Gu finally looked down at her.
Seeing the dark circles under Cecilia's eyes, she knew her daughter hadn't slept all night.
Helen Gu's heart ached. She stroked Cecilia's face and said after some thought, "Cecilia, I want to go home."
Okay...' Cecilia didn't ask anything. Whatever her mother decided, she would support her.'
But as for the Gu family... if they want to take anything more from her, she won't play along!
At that moment, Charles knocked on the door from outside. "The motorcade is ready. We can leave anytime."
Helen Gu was startled. "You guys..."
If Mom wants to go home, how could we not go with her?' Cecilia answered gently.'