Rose manor（玫瑰庄园酒店）

Chapter 68 Going Too Far

Zhou Ruo trembled in fear, tears streaming down her face.

She took a step closer, reaching out to touch Pei Che's arm. "Che, when did you find out?"

"Do you all take me for a fool?" Pei Che's heart ached terribly, his voice hoarse as if tearing fabric. "They hid it from me while I was abroad, and they continued hiding it when I returned to the country. If I hadn't lost contact with Jia Nian and sent someone to investigate the reason behind the Shen family's incident, were you planning to hide it from me forever?"

Zhou Ruo gently stroked his arm, trying to comfort him, but she didn't know where to start. Her words sounded feeble. "Che, it's all in the past now..."

"I can't get over it!"

It was late, and the servants in the house had all gone to sleep. The surroundings were eerily quiet, the roar echoing in the vast living room, like a wild beast bound by ropes, unable to break free.

Zhou Ruo wiped her tears, feeling powerless to explain. "I didn't know beforehand. I've never been involved in the company's affairs, as you know. Maybe there were hidden motives behind it. Don't be too hard on yourself, okay?"

"I can't find Jia Nian! Do you understand how I feel?" Pei Che was truly powerless, his heart heavy with sadness. "After the incident at the Shen family, have you ever cared about Jia Nian? Have you ever wondered where she would go alone? Haven't you always treated her like a daughter-in-law?"

Each question left Zhou Ruo speechless, her conscience uneasy.

"What's all the commotion about at this late hour?"

The study door was pulled open from inside, and Pei Fengnan stepped out, dressed in a deep blue plaid pajamas, with a black velvet coat draped over it. His brow furrowed deeply, his authority as the head of the family unshakeable.

Zhou Ruo turned away quickly to wipe away her tears. She knew her husband's temper well. If he found out that tonight's quarrel was caused by Che, he would surely punish him.

Che was the only son of the Pei family, the sole heir. The future of the Pei family relied on him. Pei Fengnan had always been strict with him, not allowing him to make any mistakes in any aspect.

"Father, you're just in time." Pei Che, fueled by alcohol, vented his frustrations. "Tell me, why did you go after the Shen family? Uncle Shen treated you like a brother, always thinking about you. He even involved you in major projects to make money together. Yet, behind his back, you plotted against him, causing his death and indirectly killing Aunt Yin. Have you ever thought about how they can rest in peace under the Nine Springs?!"

"Che!" Zhou Ruo shouted anxiously, trying to stop him, but he grew louder with each word, each sentence sharper than the last, filled with a strong scent of gunpowder.

Pei Fengnan's expression changed, his clenched fists trembling with force, clearly enraged.

"Che, apologize to your father." Zhou Ruo's face turned pale, standing between father and son, afraid that her husband would get angry and punish Che. Turning to her husband after speaking to Che, she tried to persuade him, "Our son drank too much. Don't argue with him. He'll regret it when he sobers up."

Che wasn't afraid at all. Since returning to the country, he had been enduring, and today he finally erupted. "I'm not drunk. I know what I'm saying. I just feel ironic. My father taught me to be upright when I was young, but he is a villain who betrays his brother."

"Che!" Zhou Ruo shouted again, tears streaming down her face once more, shaking her head. "Stop, please stop!"

Pei Fengnan pushed aside his wife, raised his hand, and slapped Che across the face.