After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Going Mad

“President Qu, President Wang’s side suddenly changed their word and refused to sign the contract!” A scrawny young man rushed into Qu Haoyu’s office, sweating profusely with anxiety.

Qu Haoyu, who had one foot propped on his desk while lounging, took two seconds to react before suddenly bolting upright and roaring, “What did you say?!”

What did he mean, President Wang went back on his word?! Nianyao clearly slept with him; could that old geezer actually not have been charmed?

Qu Haoyu was filled with suspicion and uncertainty. He slammed the desk, demanding, “What about the others?”

For the sake of these business deals, Nianyao had sacrificed herself to accompany several of those old fogies. Even though Nianyao suffered, at least his resources were secured. But who would have thought this old man surnamed Wang would eat his fill and then refuse to pay the bill?!

The scrawny assistant shrank his shoulders in fear, saying submissively, “The remaining people have not shown any inclination to change their minds yet.”

Hearing this, Qu Haoyu gritted his teeth and spat fiercely. Damn that Wang! He wants to freeload off my woman?! Not a chance!

“Go find someone to kidnap that old fellow’s son!” Qu Haoyu’s face was grim, his eyes full of malice. That man Wang had a son late in life whom he doted on excessively. “Since he is unjust, don’t blame me for being heartless.”

Qu Haoyu didn’t want to go this far originally; it was all to be blamed on Wang for not keeping his word.

“Yes.” The assistant bowed and retreated.

Qu Haoyu narrowed his eyes, watching the direction the assistant left. He thought to himself that people like this were the most useful because they were as timid as mice; no matter what kind of humiliation they suffered, they wouldn’t dare to resist, let alone betray him.

If only that cripple Ling were like this too.

Qu Haoyu opened a folder containing photos. It was a picture of Ling Qiu, covered in injuries after being hit by a collapsing champagne tower. From this candid angle, one could see the defiant eyes of the wounded woman. Blood dripped from her fingertips onto her brow bone, yet even in such a wretched state, her back remained ramrod straight.

Conquering a woman like that gave one a true sense of achievement. Thinking of the marriage agreement he had locked away, Qu Haoyu curled his lips in a smug smile. As long as he didn’t dissolve the engagement, Ling Qiu was his fiancée in name.

Remembering what the “Immortal” had told him The power of control is in your hands Qu Haoyu leaned back in his chair, relaxed. That’s right. As long as he didn’t agree, even if Ling Qiu unilaterally broke the engagement, the world wouldn’t recognize it. For her entire life, Ling Qiu was destined to be tied to his side, serving as a hardworking dog.

“Hahaha” Qu Haoyu suddenly burst into laughter at these thoughts. A woman, a cripple what did it matter how high a position she climbed to? She would still have to submit beneath him!

“Yeah… right, just kidnap the person.” Leaning against a wall, a man with a cigarette dangling from his mouth barked orders with a cold sneer. The assistant took off his plain-glass glasses. Beneath the thick black frames were eyes as sharp as a wolf’s. Listening to the person on the other end boasting, he scoffed, “Wang is a piece of trash. Did you think his son would be any better?”

Wang’s late-born son had started torturing small animals at age seven. At nine, he began targeting poor children his own age, causing permanent disabilities. At twelve, he even caused the death of the Wang family’s legitimate son that boy who, in the assistant’s memory, was forever gentle and kind. He had always treated that boy like his own younger brother.

“Strictly speaking, you’re somewhat related to him by blood. Why didn’t that man Wang have a brain like yours?” The person on the other end laughed. “You’re being ruthless enough this time. Not only are you taking down Wang’s company, but you’re also making sure his lineage ends with him.”

“No, that’s still too easy on him.” The man crushed the cigarette in his hand, just as he intended to crush the life of Wang’s son. He didn’t just want Wang to lose everything; he wanted him to watch with his own eyes as the son his mistress bore him died before he did. “Remember to put in some ‘good words’ for the Wang kid in front of that idiot Qu Haoyu.”

Having been an assistant by Qu Haoyu’s side for so long, he knew the man’s character all too well. Qu Haoyu could look down on everyone, but he would never allow anyone to despise him especially the son of an old man who had “freeloaded” off his woman.

“I get it. Word is already spreading outside. They say Ling Nianyao climbed into Wang’s bed because Qu Haoyu is impotent.” The person on the other end used an exaggerated tone for a roleplay: “President Qu, guess what? These words were actually spread by Young Master Wang. He even said Ling Nianyao is having such a good time at the Wang house that she doesn’t even want to return to the Qu family.”

The words made the assistant laugh. He relaxed his tensed body and ended the conversation after a few more exchanges. He threw away the cigarette butt and waited for a long time to regain his composure before dialing a number.

“Hello.” The cold voice was as oppressive as ever.

Like a man facing the king of the jungle, the wolf-like, cunning, and fierce man couldn’t help but restrain his aura, reporting his work submissively. “President Ling, it’s done.”

“Mm.” Pruning the flowers on her desk, Ling Qiu wasn’t surprised.

The man was originally a member of the Ling Corporation, but the leverage needed to win his loyalty was held by the Wang family. For this reason, Ling Qiu didn’t mind placing him beside Qu Haoyu as an important chess piece to deal with the Wang family later. It was a gamble; she betted that his desire for revenge was strong and steady enough, and he betted that she could give him the chance for vengeance. Naturally, the result was good.

“I’ve helped you get the Wang family. Whether you can take down the remaining families depends on your own ability.” Ling Qiu wouldn’t help him further. Their transaction was over.

The assistant let out a sigh of relief. He smiled, “Don’t worry, President Ling. I will provide you with a satisfactory result as soon as possible.”

Among the families who had turned against Fang Ziyue alongside Qu Haoyu, the Wang family was the largest. Now that the Wang family had changed hands, the other families would have to think carefully about whether they wanted to risk offending the new Wang leadership to cooperate with Qu Haoyu.

After hanging up, the assistant put his glasses back on. It wasn’t time for him to leave yet. He wanted to see that little murderer suffer with his own eyes; he wanted to see the man Wang living on the streets, dying without a whole corpse!

Carrying files back to Qu Haoyu’s office, the submissive man hid the contempt in his eyes. Eight years ago, President Ling could suppress Qu Haoyu and Ling Nianyao with one hand, forcing them to wear the title of “heir” while licking the food she threw them like dogs for eight years.

So eight years later, why did Qu Haoyu dare to think he could touch someone under Ling Qiu’s wing? Was it the confidence given by his underdeveloped brain, or the confidence given by that “woman belonging to everyone,” Ling Nianyao?

As Qu Haoyu cursed, the assistant handed him documents regarding another small company’s breach of contract, a smile touching his lips imperceptibly. It didn’t matter. He would just sit and wait for Qu Haoyu’s downfall. He didn’t believe President Ling would let him off so easily.

In the bright and spacious bedroom, Ling Qiu placed the pruned flowers by the bedside, in a spot Fang Ziyue could see the moment she woke up. The woman on the bed was still sleeping; she was too tired, having fallen ill from overwork. It was better for her to rest more.

“President Ling, the data has been delivered to Qu Haoyu in the form of an anonymous email.” The tall, capable secretary reported in a low voice behind Ling Qiu.

That data was an investigation into Ling Nianyao’s private life. Qu Haoyu and Ling Nianyao loved each other deeply; even if they were scumbags beyond redemption, they still gave all their affection to each other. Qu Haoyu didn’t even care who Ling Nianyao slept with, and Ling Nianyao didn’t care how many flings Qu Haoyu had. But bloodlines and children were their only taboos.

Due to his mother’s influence, Qu Haoyu placed extreme importance on bloodlines. No matter how many people he had been with, only Ling Nianyao who was likewise recognized by the “Immortal” was qualified to bear his children.

As for Ling Nianyao, she shared the same mindset as Madam Ling; she loved Qu Haoyu deeply but yearned to squeeze more value out of children. She would use her children to provide for her lover, just as Madam Ling had squeezed Ling Qiu to support the Ling Corporation back then.

Therefore, Ling Nianyao had a child with a foreign tycoon. She knew Qu Haoyu’s personality well and thus hid it perfectly. Her child was being raised well by the biological father clever and bright, but with a personality exactly like Ling Nianyao’s. One wondered how Qu Haoyu would react if he found out?

Ling Qiu tucked in the blanket that Fang Ziyue had kicked aside and smoothed out the furrow in her brow. “Don’t worry,” Ling Qiu comforted her softly. “Sleep peacefully.”

Ling Qiu had been in retirement for three years. Three years ago, she had pulled the rug out from under them, leaving Qu Haoyu and Ling Nianyao unable to recover for three years. Three years later, her methods would certainly not be as gentle as before. The clouds of suspicion had been gathered; how violent this thunderstorm would be depended on how much Qu Haoyu cared about that child.

In a pitch-black room, a woman chained to a table leg was covered in bruises from a beating. A young man reeking of alcohol slapped Ling Nianyao across the face. He grabbed the screaming woman and pointed at the photo of a boy on the table, roaring, “Whose brat is this! Where is he? I’m going to kill him… I’m going to kill him!”

“No… I… I don’t know…” The woman’s breath was weak. Her face was covered in tears, yet she didn’t dare look at the photo.

Her answer enraged the drunken Qu Haoyu. The man grabbed a wine bottle beside him and smashed it violently over her head.

CRASH!

Shattered glass and blood splattered across the white tiles, flowing silently in the darkness, fermenting into a stench of gore. After venting his frustration, Qu Haoyu fell back and passed out in a drunken stupor.

Everything was gone. The resources he almost had were lost. He had killed Wang’s younger son, but the Wang family had already changed hands. The woman he planned to spend his life with had borne a child for another man.

In his sleep, Qu Haoyu continued to mutter curses about Ling Nianyao’s infidelity, accusing her of betraying him. Years ago, when Ling Qiu didn’t want to marry him, his mother broke her legs. Now that Ling Nianyao had betrayed him, he merely broke her legs too, making her a caged bird for the rest of her life. Yes… he had only broken her legs…

Sitting in his office, Qu Haoyu had heavy dark circles under his eyes. Cups of strong tea and concentrated coffee cluttered his desk. He even held a utility knife in his hand, stabbing it fiercely into his thigh whenever he felt sleepy. His pants were soaked through with blood, but even so, he didn’t dare close his eyes. He didn’t dare sleep. Because the moment he closed his eyes, he would see Ling Nianyao’s eyes failing to close in death, her face covered in blood as she came to take his life.

Qu Haoyu’s face was distorted, his features twisted as he cursed Ling Nianyao for being vicious and deserving of death. He had climbed to this position and killed so many people, yet not a single one had turned into an evil spirit to find him. Except for Ling Nianyao only this treacherous slut!

With bloodshot eyes, Qu Haoyu stomped on the tiles beneath his feet, just as he had stomped on the soft soil when burying the body that night. He stomped heavily, intending to leave that bitch’s bones in the filthy earth forever!

Qu Haoyu laughed neurotically. In his frenzied state, he didn’t notice the assistant peeking from outside the door.

“President Ling, Qu Haoyu has gone mad.” After observing for a week, the assistant finally reported his confirmation to Ling Qiu.

“Find the best doctor to treat him.” Ling Qiu, who was currently feeding the “fox,” had a doting smile on her lips. “I’ll pay for it.”

Before everything Qu Haoyu owned was destroyed, he was not yet worthy of becoming a madman to escape all responsibility.

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