The words caused Bai Lian, who stood not far away, to flinch slightly, her eyes filled with terror.
Looking at Bai Xi before him, Zhou Wen felt she was a madwoman, despite her extreme composure and the unruffled gaze in her eyes. "Bai Xi, you vile woman, you have no shame! During our engagement, you colluded with another man. Now, relying on that dog man's influence, you come to the Zhou family to cause trouble and even want to harm Lian'er? Don't even dream about it..."
His words stirred up a tempest, and everyone began to discuss among themselves.
So, it wasn't Zhou Wen who broke the engagement, but the Bai Xi before them.
And Bai Lian wasn't exactly a third party; she had only gotten together with Zhou Wen after Bai Xi broke off the engagement.
It turned out the Zhou family had endured such humiliation, never revealing this matter, all to protect Bai Xi's reputation.
From this perspective, Bai Xi was truly a scoundrel!
Bai Xi's eyes sharpened, but instead of getting angry, she laughed, a hint of bloodlust and danger in her gaze.
Just then, someone strode forward and slapped Zhou Wen hard across the face. The sound was crisp and loud.
Zhou Wen, slapped, was instantly stunned.
He had expected Bai Xi or one of Bai Xi's subordinates to hit him, but it wasn't anyone he anticipated.
The person was none other than Qian Feng, his own maternal uncle.
After slapping Zhou Wen, Qian Feng immediately turned to Bai Xi, his face filled with apology as he looked at the cold-eyed Bai Xi. "Miss Bai, I have failed to discipline my nephew. I beg you to overlook this as a minor transgression."
After speaking to Zhou Wen on the phone, he had wanted to wash his hands of the matter.
But he worried that Zhou Wen's actions might truly enrage Bai Xi and implicate the entire Zhou family.
That's why he came to check.
It was a good thing he came, otherwise, he didn't know what would have happened.
Zhou Wen couldn't believe his own uncle would hit him for Bai Xi's sake. He was still dazed.
Bai Lian stepped forward gently and said, "Uncle, this matter, it's clearly Xi'er..."
Before she could finish, Qian Feng roared, "Shut up!"
This troublemaker was the cause of it all.
He had been reviewing Bai Qian's case lately. The testimonies of Bai family's butler, Jia Xi, and the two Bai family maids all pointed to one thing: this woman was definitely not as gentle and virtuous as they appeared.
And the matter of Bai Xi's sudden disappearance from the Bai family back then, he felt it could also be thoroughly investigated.
Thinking this, he looked at Bai Lian with the scrutinizing gaze he used for criminals at the Security Bureau.
Startled by Qian Feng's shout and his chilling stare, Bai Lian quickly took a step back.
She... was being suspected!
Zhou Wen looked at Bai Xi again, a hint of sincerity in his eyes. "Miss Bai, can we just let this matter go?"
He had originally intended to ask her to do so for his sake, but… he truly had no face to say it. After all, he knew his own worth.
Bai Xi said calmly, "I will certainly give Director Qian face. However, regarding Zhou Wen's earlier statement about me colluding with others during our engagement, what do you think should be done?"
She wasn't one to seek trouble, but she certainly didn't fear it.
She demanded an explanation.
Qian Feng, of course, heard this. "Miss, what you say is true. The so-called engagement was merely Zhou Wen's one-sided wish, forcing himself upon you. Moreover, it wasn't Miss who wronged Wen'er back then; it was Wen'er who couldn't resist this woman's temptation, leading to today's farce. This matter is a wrong from the Zhou family and our Qian family towards Miss. We will surely send an apology gift in a few days."
After speaking, his round face was filled with fawning smiles, hoping the entire matter could be resolved peacefully.
Bai Xi, who was not unreasonable, saw Qian Feng's demeanor and said calmly, "Alright, let this matter rest."
With that, she subtly raised her hand towards her subordinate.
The man in black who had been pinning Zhou Wen down released his grip. Zhou Wen, relieved, staggered to his feet. He wanted to say something, but was immediately dragged into the room by the security bureau personnel brought by Qian Feng.
Bai Xi glanced indifferently at Madam Bai and Bai Ji, who had been struggling fiercely moments ago but were now motionless. "I will take these two."
Qian Feng bowed and smiled obsequiously, "Miss, please do."
At this moment, Madam Bai and Bai Ji's faces were as pale as paper.
They knew the Zhou family would no longer protect them!
Bai Xi turned to leave. Just as she reached the stairs, Bai Lian, who had been hiding at a distance, suddenly walked up and knelt before Bai Xi. "Xi'er, although they are not related to you by blood, they are still the relatives who raised you for so many years. I beg you, please let them go. If you think I am the problem, torment me, but do not harm them!"
As she spoke, two lines of tears streamed down, making her appear exceptionally pitiful.
A filial and loyal good girl, pleading with a heartless, unfilial descendant for her family and elders—the scene was moving.
Bai Xi frowned, unable to comprehend why Bai Lian had suddenly come to her.
But she never liked to indulge anyone. She glanced indifferently at Bai Lian before her. "This bell today was given to you, but not for you. It is a reminder of time. Do you think you yourself are not carrying karmic debt? When you trampled on me and my brother, you should have anticipated today's consequences."
With that, she walked past her.
The moment Bai Xi passed, Bai Lian seemed to have all her strength drained away. She collapsed and rolled towards the stairs.
This scene was something no one had anticipated.
Undoubtedly, she rolled all the way down, curling herself up. Her face was pale, and large beads of sweat dripped. "It hurts so much, my stomach hurts so much. My child, save my child."
The next second, someone suddenly cried out, "Blood!"
Bai Lian tremblingly reached out to touch her thigh, saw her hands covered in blood, and then looked at Bai Xi. "Don't blame Xi'er. She didn't mean it. It's my fault, it's my fault…"
With that, she directly fainted.
Bai Xi looked at Bai Lian, her eyes filled with cold sharpness.
She hadn't touched her at all just now, yet Bai Lian had feigned weakness, fallen down, and said things that were not true and likely to mislead, all to cause trouble for her. It had to be said that she would go to any lengths to find trouble with her.
Alas, she was not afraid.
Not only that, she had another suspicion.
Thinking this, her icy eyes held a hint of scrutiny as she stared at the unconscious Bai Lian.