Scummy Alpha CEO Keeps Courting Death [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 3

Chu Liruo desperately gasped for air, the suffocating sensation consuming her as the water surrounded her like an impenetrable fortress.

Just as she was about to give up, a wisp of oxygen reached her nose—then more and more followed.

Huff—

Huff—

Chu Liruo panted heavily, clutching her neck, her pupils unfocused.

The weight of the water vanished in an instant, and her body felt as light as a feather.

Her mouth hung open, chest heaving violently. After a while, her long lashes trembled slightly, and her pupils gradually regained focus.

I… survived?

The realization brought a sense of post-catastrophe relief.

Even the dazzling crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling couldn’t erase the final image etched in her mind before she fell into the water:

Dan Ruijing stood on the shore, surrounded by servants. Her face was elegant and refined, but her gaze held disdain and mockery.

Chu Liruo couldn’t hear her voice then, but she understood her lips.

She said—Idiot.

Just thinking about it made Chu Liruo hear Dan Ruijing’s lazy, indifferent voice echo in her ears.

Idiot.

The fog that had long clouded Chu Liruo’s mind began to unravel. She chuckled bitterly.

Based on her past actions, being called an idiot wasn’t unjustified.

Only an idiot would be beaten to the point of losing all combat ability by her bonded Alpha, then sent to the Omega he adored to win her favor—having her heart gouged out, her innate abilities stripped, and tossed into the water like trash.

But—why hadn’t she resisted?

Only now did Chu Liruo realize this question.

Memories flashed through her mind like a film reel.

Before entering the Lu family, she was the only person in the past decade from Illusion City to be admitted to the Federation’s top-ranked Zhigu Military Academy. Her pheromone rating was S-level, and she possessed a rare healing ability.

It was precisely because of this healing skill that General Lu Yanhua, a decorated Alpha, humbled himself to visit the Chu family in Illusion City and arranged the marriage between the Lu and Chu families.

From then on, the Chu family rose to prominence by leveraging the Lu family’s status.

Many old acquaintances of the Chu family believed Chu Liruo had a bright future—not only entering the top academy but also marrying into the Lu family. Even her own family thought so.

But reality was different.

From the day she married into the Lu family, she lost her freedom.

She was imprisoned in the Lu residence and indefinitely suspended from school.

She hadn’t wanted this marriage, but the Lu family’s reputation left her no choice.

No—she had resisted.

Chu Liruo exhaled deeply.

When she first entered the Lu residence, she clashed with the temperamental and combative Lu eldest daughter. She fought hard for her right to attend school. When did she start submitting?

It was the repeated suppression by Alpha’s overwhelming power, and the humiliating marks that made Omega instinctively submit to Alpha pheromones.

Ding dong—

The doorbell interrupted her thoughts, pulling her back from another time and space.

Where was she now? Chu Liruo sat up and looked around.

The feeling of near-death still lingered. She couldn’t convince herself it had all been a dream.

Red silk bedding, a silver candlestick on the bedside table…

Her gaze paused on the candlestick. She opened the drawer and stuffed it inside, her scalp tingling.

Ding dong—

The doorbell rang again.

It was still the room she had lived in at the Lu residence.

Chu Liruo’s heart skipped. She rushed to the door.

Opening it, she saw Wang Zhiying in a navy uniform but said nothing.

“Madam—” Wang Zhiying looked her up and down and rolled her eyes. “The Lu family isn’t some small household in Illusion City. There are rules. Staying locked in your room on your wedding day and needing repeated reminders—what kind of behavior is that?”

The master of the house was busy with work, and household affairs were managed by Mr. Luan, who doted on the eldest daughter. Ultimately, she had the final say.

Wang Zhiying knew the eldest daughter disliked this marriage. Every time the master returned, there was a quarrel. But he was determined, and Chu Liruo was sent into the Lu residence.

In her opinion, the woman in the living room photo was more fitting.

Wang Zhiying glanced at Chu Liruo and snorted.

Who knew how long this “Madam” would last? Servants came and went—hopefully she wouldn’t be gone before the new maids.

“You’re right, I’ll change and come out shortly. Thank you for waiting,” Chu Liruo replied gently, lowering her eyes.

Wang Zhiying raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Come to the living room. The master is returning.”

After getting permission, Chu Liruo closed the door.

Wang Zhiying shook her head and walked away. She had expected someone admitted to the top academy to have more backbone.

Chu Liruo had been reborn—back to the moment where all her misfortunes began.

Her conversation with Wang Zhiying made her realize this.

She remembered what she had done last time—

She slammed the door before Wang Zhiying finished speaking. When she reopened it, her nose was swollen.

Soon after, the Lu residence’s housekeeper retaliated.

She led her to the living room to see the photo of Dan Ruijing, saying the eldest daughter liked the woman in the picture—not her.

Then she deliberately bumped her with a tray of hot tea, causing her to crash into the photo frame.

Lu Xibie entered the room just in time to see the broken frame. Fueled by Wang Zhiying’s embellished story, she slapped Chu Liruo and was about to beat her when Mr. Luan intervened.

After that, Chu Liruo was told she would remain in the Lu residence indefinitely.

Chu Liruo opened the wardrobe and carefully selected clothes. She suspected her confinement was linked to the broken photo frame.

So they really liked that woman?

Her hand paused on a white knitted sweater.

After changing, she opened the door—Wang Zhiying was gone.

The Lu residence was large, but she remembered the way to the living room.

She had lived here for years. She wouldn’t let herself be buried here again.

The deep red alloy doors were slowly opened by servants in light gray uniforms.

“Oh, Madam is here.” Wang Zhiying glanced at her outfit, then at the photo frame in the living room, and made a cryptic sound.

“Greetings, Madam!” The servants bowed.

Chu Liruo nodded, her feet slipping slightly on the mirror-like gray floor.

The floor was seamless, mined from F-716 and polished before being installed—an emblem of luxury, harder than human bones.

She looked away, trying not to recall being dragged across it.

Wang Zhiying noticed her trembling and grew more contemptuous. “This way, Madam.”

Illusion City people really don’t belong here.

Chu Liruo followed Wang Zhiying’s lead—toward Dan Ruijing’s photo again.

Trying to humiliate me for your lady again?

Chu Liruo’s eyes darkened but obediently followed.

“This is?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

“This is Miss Dan Ruijing from Core City. Naturally beautiful, an Omega desired by many Alphas.”

“Your lady is one of them?”

“Yes…” Wang Zhiying paused, watching Chu Liruo. Her face was emotionless, not even curious enough to pick up the frame.

Chu Liruo stood five or six meters away.

“Madam won’t take a closer look?”

Chu Liruo shook her head. “No.”

She wouldn’t fall for the same trap twice.

“Trying to win the lady’s favor without knowing the real deal?” Wang Zhiying sneered.

“Talking to Madam like that—aren’t you afraid…” Huan Lin whispered to another maid.

“You’re new. Mr. Luan runs the house and spoils the eldest daughter. Madam isn’t liked—she might not last longer than us.”

Other maids joined in.

“Yeah, the lady threw a fit when she heard Madam was marrying in.”

“Everyone knows she likes Dan Ruijing.”

“If Wang Zhiying can provoke her, she might earn favor.”

“Really?” Huan Lin looked toward the two women.

“You’re lucky, Huan Lin. Just arrived and already promoted.”

“Right? She’s the only one who left the lady’s room unharmed.”

“The lady…” Huan Lin recalled her encounter with Lu Xibie. She didn’t seem as violent as rumored.

“Tell us what happened!”

…

Chu Liruo ignored Wang Zhiying’s remarks. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Madam’s outfit looks familiar.” Wang Zhiying hinted.

“Just picked something from the wardrobe.” Chu Liruo smiled gently, sniffing the air.

Wang Zhiying, annoyed, picked up the photo frame and walked toward her.

Step by step…

Chu Liruo caught the faint scent of cedar moss pheromones. She slapped herself hard and knocked over a tray of glasses just as Lu Xibie entered, collapsing to the floor with her long hair cascading, eyes shimmering with tears.

“Greetings, Lady—”

—

Lu Xibie entered and saw the shattered photo frame. Furious, she slapped Chu Liruo. Dressed in green, Chu Liruo.

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