Chapter 15: The Breaking Point

Listening to the furious curses on the other end of the phone, Song Meili grew increasingly anxious.

The shares in the Tangren Group were not actually hers personally; they had been granted to her through this relationship by the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. In fact, the entire Tangren Group belonged to the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, and Zhao Shanhe, as its president, could reclaim those shares at any moment.

What frightened Song Meili most was that the caller demanded Tang Jianren divorce her!

As Tang Jianren's wife, Song Meili might appear glamorous on the surface, but before marriage, she had signed a prenuptial agreement—if divorced, she would not receive a single cent of property. If she were to divorce, Song Meili would instantly return to her original state, with all her properties forcibly taken back. If she dared to resist, she wouldn't even know how she would die.

At this thought, Song Meili was terrified.

Especially when she glanced again at Ye Tianlin, her gaze shifted from shock, to trembling fear, and finally to utter horror.

Just as Song Meili was about to kneel and beg Su Rulan for forgiveness, she caught sight of the number displayed on the phone, and her expression changed dramatically.

It wasn't Zhao Shanhe's number at all, but one she'd never seen before!

Song Meili abruptly stopped, swept her eyes around the room, and suddenly realized, "So it was you, idiot, who deliberately hired an actor! The numbers don't even match—I almost thought it was real!"

"What?" Su Weimin was stunned.

"No wonder Ye Tianlin explained the situation beforehand—he must have specially hired an actor. Could it be that middle-aged fool who came to the Su family villa with Ye Tianlin before? I never imagined lunatics would gather together!" Gao Yulan's eye twitched.

Seeing this, Su Rulan was dumbfounded.

The person on the phone seemed to hear the commotion and spoke hurriedly, "Song Meili, this is my other private number. It's normal you wouldn't know it. You'd better admit your mistake now!"

"You play your role well, but only a fool would believe you. Your voice just happens to sound similar—now get lost!" Without hesitation, Song Meili forcibly hung up.

Su Weimin's face flushed with shame. Steeling himself, he tried to smooth things over, "Don't take Ye Tianlin too seriously. His illness hasn't healed—you know that."

"I certainly won't stoop to argue with an idiot. That would degrade my status. I just find it amusing that someone could go to such lengths—how severe is his illness, really?" Song Meili laughed aloud, her tone especially grating.

"I suspect you won't have to wait for your husband Tang Jianren to return tomorrow—you'll regret it tonight," Ye Tianlin said coldly.

Su Weimin was so angry his liver hurt, glaring as he barked, "Rulan, take him to the bedroom and don’t let him come out to see anyone!"

Su Rulan, helpless, obeyed, taking Ye Tianlin by the hand and pulling him into the bedroom, tears streaming down her face. "Tianlin, please behave, don’t cause any more trouble. I’m begging you."

Ye Tianlin wanted to say more, but seeing Su Rulan's distress, his heart ached, tinged with bitterness, and he could only remain silent.

Soon, Su Rulan returned to the living room.

Song Meili was already seated on the sofa, with Su Weimin himself pouring her a cup of hot tea, while Gao Yulan kept persuading her.

Yet Song Meili remained stubborn, arms crossed, her face showing a superior air, as if she relished watching the Su family lower themselves before her.

"Su Rulan, today I've truly witnessed how mad your husband is. I pity you—since our college graduation, you’ve had the worst luck of all."

"But unfortunately, we were never close friends. The worse your life is, the happier I am."

"Of course, if you’re willing to kneel and beg me, and let me record a video to post in our alumni group, maybe I’ll reconsider!"

Song Meili curled her lips, her eyes full of mockery. She meant to humiliate Su Rulan thoroughly, to ruin her reputation completely!

As for reconsidering, she was only saying that for effect.

"What did you say?" Su Rulan was incredulous.

"I said if you kneel and beg, let me record a video and send it to our classmates, I might reconsider. This is a rare opportunity—you should cherish it," Song Meili laughed.

Su Weimin and Gao Yulan exchanged glances, feeling utterly humiliated.

The couple had indeed lived in disgrace for years, unable to hold their heads up in the Su family, forced to do menial work like cleaning toilets. But to be insulted like this—no one could bear it!

If that video were sent out, even wealth couldn’t erase the shame; they’d be mocked for life.

"Song Meili, we’ve tolerated you at every turn, but not only do you refuse to compromise, you push us to this extreme. If that's how it is, then we don’t want the Tangren Group contract. However useless I am, however wretched, I refuse to watch my daughter live without dignity for the rest of her life!" Su Weimin roared in fury, denouncing her on the spot.

"Yes, even if we lose the Tangren Group contract, at least we still have the Gaosheng Group contract. Zhao Qing is nothing like you—she’s not shameless," Gao Yulan protested angrily.

Su Rulan clenched her hands, unable to endure any longer, "Song Meili, you’re being utterly unreasonable. If you insist on this, come to the company tomorrow and cancel the contract!"

Song Meili stood, snorted coldly, "I’d be glad to! I don’t like handing out such benefits for free. But don’t speak too soon—you might regret it tomorrow and beg me not to cancel!"

With that, Song Meili strode out.

Su Rulan closed the door, then hugged Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, tears streaming down her face, "Mom, Dad, thank you for speaking up for me."

Su Weimin’s nose tingled, and he couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer, tears flowing, "It’s all my fault—I wasn’t capable when I was young, or your grandfather wouldn’t have been so biased."

"If we lose the contract, so be it. At least we’re spared this humiliation. We’ll focus on the Gaosheng Group project and give Zhao Qing a proper answer," Gao Yulan sighed.

Ye Tianlin came out of the bedroom, watching the scene before him with mixed feelings. The whole family had suffered so much on his account. Though his in-laws complained about him daily, it was understandable—it was all his doing, and they bore the consequences!

"Zhao Shanhe, if I don’t see results tomorrow, you may as well step down as president of the Chamber of Commerce!" Ye Tianlin took out his phone and sent a text.

Meanwhile—

Song Meili, beaming, drove her Beetle home.

Not long after she entered, Zhao Shanhe arrived in a Chamber of Commerce car, speeding over.

Song Meili hurried to open the door, smiling broadly. "Uncle, what brings you here in person? My husband is still away on business. If there’s anything, you can tell me first."

"You wretch, you dare to smile? Let’s see if I don’t beat you to death today!" Zhao Shanhe roared, raising his hand and slapping her hard.

With a loud smack, Song Meili collapsed on the floor, stunned, her mind a blank.