Chapter 12: His Words Were Harsh
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Ning Lu noticed Lu Sui’s assessing gaze. It was impossible to pretend she had not seen it.
Remembering what Yiwei had said, Ning Lu more or less understood that Lu Sui wanted to compete with Lu Hongyu for first place. This was exactly the sort of drama that played out in wealthy families all the time.
“I think I’ll go over there and watch.” Ning Lu glanced toward the swimming pool.
Seeing that she was determined, Lu Yanfeng found it difficult to stop her.
“All right.”
With Lu Yanfeng’s permission, Ning Lu rose and walked toward the lounge chairs beside the pool.
The moment Ning Lu left, Lu Sui’s gaze followed her. Only after making sure she was far enough away that she could not overhear them did he finally allow his tense heart to settle.
“What is it?” Lu Yanfeng asked quietly.
“That shipment has come under the scrutiny of the relevant authorities overseas. Yiwei had to pull some strings to smooth things over. If we had relied on Lu Hongyu, he would have been arrested long ago.”
Lu Sui spoke irritably as he picked up his coffee and took a sip.
A strange flicker crossed Lu Yanfeng’s eyes, but his expression remained calm and unreadable.
“Lu Hongyu is capable of handling things like this?” Lu Yanfeng said displeasedly.
“Exactly. You even specifically entrusted it to him this time. I told you I would do a better job.” Lu Sui curled his lip.
Lu Yanfeng gave a low hum. He still had the shipment under control.
Lu Hongyu had already arranged for it to be sent abroad successfully, but just as it was about to arrive, it had indeed drawn the attention of the authorities.
Lu Yanfeng had assumed Lu Hongyu could resolve the matter himself. He had not expected Yiwei to intervene behind the scenes.
“As long as the problem is solved, that is all that matters. We are family.” Lu Yanfeng spoke indifferently.
“Family?” Lu Sui raised his brows. “Your son is even fighting you over a woman. What family are you talking about?”
Lu Yanfeng immediately grew irritated at Lu Sui’s constant references to Lu Hongyu and Ning Lu.
“Ning Lu is still an innocent young woman. Watch what you say.” Lu Yanfeng’s tone was displeased.
“How am I saying anything improper? If you don’t believe me, check the surveillance footage!”
Lu Sui’s voice rose sharply. He looked at Lu Yanfeng with complete seriousness.
Lu Yanfeng knew that this boy was impulsive. He became frantic over the slightest thing.
“All right, enough. The servants spread plenty of gossip, and you actually took it to heart.”
Lu Yanfeng waved a hand, signaling Lu Sui not to encourage such talk.
Lu Sui frowned. No matter what he said, Lu Yanfeng always dismissed him.
It had been that way from childhood. Lu Sui was already accustomed to being suppressed by his father, yet he could never truly give up. He was always hoping to win his father’s approval.
“What exactly did that woman give you? What kind of spell did she put you under?” Lu Sui simply could not understand.
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Seeing that Lu Sui was still brooding over what had happened last time, Lu Yanfeng could not understand why a grown man was being so petty.
“I still haven’t settled accounts with you for hitting Ning Lu last time, and now you come here spouting all this nonsense?”
Lu Yanfeng’s expression darkened as he spoke.
At the mention of what had happened, Lu Sui’s expression turned ugly. Lu Yanfeng had given him a thorough scolding afterward.
“You—” Lu Sui had barely begun speaking when Lu Yanfeng cut him off.
“That’s enough. Don’t say another word.” Lu Yanfeng flung the words at him angrily. “Shut up.”
Lu Sui was left speechless with frustration. He rose at once and walked away.
Watching the boy’s retreating figure, Lu Yanfeng felt a trace of doubt stir within him.
Aside from the time he had seen Lu Hongyu dining with Ning Lu, Lu Yanfeng had not seen the two of them doing anything together again.
Lu Yanfeng cast the butler a meaningful glance, and the butler immediately stepped forward.
“Sir.” The butler stood slightly behind Lu Yanfeng, waiting for his instructions.
“Check the surveillance footage from the house. I want all the records from the past seven days.”
At this, the butler looked troubled.
“Sir, the surveillance system was recently upgraded. I mentioned it to you beforehand—the records from the main building for this past week are unavailable…”
The butler spoke carefully, worried that Lu Yanfeng would lose his temper.
Lu Yanfeng did not take it to heart. He waved his hand.
“Forget it. Leave it.”
Lu Yanfeng slowly rose to his feet, preparing to leave.
His gaze happened to fall upon the woman by the pool. Ning Lu was sitting quietly, reading.
The sunlight struck the parasol above Ning Lu’s head, seeming to coat her in a layer of warm light.
Ning Lu really did resemble her in certain ways…
His phone began to ring. Lu Yanfeng withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace as he headed outside.
Only after that intense gaze disappeared did Ning Lu dare to exhale.
Even without looking up to meet Lu Yanfeng’s eyes, she could clearly feel how powerful his stare had been.
The men of the Lu family seemed to possess that ability by nature. A single glance from them was enough to intimidate everyone around them.
Ning Lu put away her book, intending to go to the back garden to bask in the sun. She followed the path around to the rear of the house.
A hand rose to block her way. She instinctively took a step back and met Lu Sui’s gaze.
“Second Young Master,” Ning Lu called softly.
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Lu Sui raised his brows and looked Ning Lu up and down, a trace of contempt showing in his eyes.
“You have quite a thick skin. You’ve barely turned eighteen and already want to be my stepmother. How did your parents raise you?”
Lu Sui enunciated every word, his tone filled with ridicule.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”
Pretending not to hear him, Ning Lu took two steps forward and moved around Lu Sui.
Lu Sui seized her by the wrist. With a powerful tug, he pulled her into his arms.
Ning Lu’s entire body tensed. She struggled and shoved him away with all her strength.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do…” Lu Sui whispered against her ear.
“Let go of me!” Ning Lu shouted.
“Let go of you? You’re so young, yet you seduce my father. He’s old enough to be your father, and you don’t find yourself disgusting at all?”
Lu Sui’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“If you’re so fond of older men, why don’t I send you off for other people to have some fun with?”
Ning Lu lifted her leg and stamped hard on the top of Lu Sui’s foot. He released her hand in pain.
The moment she was free, Ning Lu hurriedly tore herself from his embrace, disgusted with him from the depths of her heart.
If not for her consideration for Lu Yanfeng, Ning Lu truly would not have wanted anything to do with Lu Sui. She genuinely hated him.
He had hurt Ning Xiang the last time as well. Ning Lu would never forget that day.
“Second Young Master, no matter what, I was brought here by your father. If you question me, does that not mean you are questioning him as well?”
Ning Lu spoke slowly. Her expression had returned to normal, but a trace of coldness shone in her eyes.
“Well, aren’t you clever? Using my father to pressure me?”
Lu Sui laughed, the sound harsh and grating.
“If you are unhappy about anything, you can speak to Uncle Feng. As long as he says the word, I can leave at any time.”
Ning Lu spoke openly, without the slightest hint of reluctance on her face.
“Don’t think I’ll believe you. Once my father speaks, you’ll definitely find a way to remain in the Lu family. After all, the Lu family has money…”
Lu Sui laughed several times.
“And you’ve hardly seen any money in your life.”
Ning Lu’s hand, hanging at her side, slowly curled into a fist. She knew that people nearby could be watching them at any moment.
“If Second Young Master has nothing else to say, I’ll return to my room to rest.”
With that, Ning Lu turned and walked away, quickening her pace in the opposite direction from Lu Sui.
Lu Sui remained where he was, his eyes narrowing into slits. There was still a trace of warmth in his hand.
Her skin was remarkably soft.
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