C10 Don't Come Back Without Me

The Crown Prince's vehicle of choice was a Mercedes-Benz—understated, not overly extravagant, yet not depreciating in value. Clearly, the Crown Prince favored a discreet yet opulent style.

Yang Aoxue hastened her steps, her mind buzzing with conjecture.

Upon her arrival, the leaders had already gathered around the Mercedes-Benz. The door swung open, and a composed, authoritative driver emerged, joining the bodyguards from the Land Rover at the front of the vehicle.

The presence of these bodyguards sent a thrill through Yang Aoxue. The car might have been unassuming, but the bodyguards were anything but. Uniform in height and hairstyle, each possessed a piercing gaze, their hawk-like eyes exuding an intimidating presence. They were unmistakably elite among the elite.

Securing the services of even one such bodyguard was a feat, to say nothing of assembling eight. This was the epitome of luxury.

The Crown Prince was truly formidable, commanding great respect. By comparison, many of China's so-called top tycoons seemed to pale.

The click-clack of high heels on pavement echoed as Yang Aoxue picked up the pace, making her way toward the Mercedes-Benz. A bodyguard stepped forward with utmost deference to open the passenger side door.

Curious eyes turned toward the door. A long, beautiful leg came into view, followed by a woman of such stunning beauty that she seemed otherworldly. Her face was bare, yet her natural radiance was undeniable. Each gesture she made was imbued with an air of nobility.

Beside this regal, mixed-race beauty, Yang Aoxue, who took pride in her own appearance, felt an inexplicable sense of inadequacy. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of inferiority.

This had to be the personal assistant who attended to the Crown Prince's daily needs. To think that an assistant could rival an international supermodel in stature and looks—The Crown Prince's tastes were beyond the imagination of the average person.

A wave of disappointment washed over Yang Aoxue. Her hopes of leveraging her exceptional beauty to gain the Crown Prince's favor seemed destined to be dashed.

Indeed, for someone of the Crown Prince's stature, what type of woman hadn't he seen? Beautiful women were likely the least of what he lacked.

She was probably weary of admiring all kinds of beauties by now.

It was best for her to hold back and avoid overdoing it.

Elena stepped out of the vehicle, flanked by bodyguards who opened the car door for her.

A young man emerged from the car, unhurried.

The Crown Prince had made his entrance!

Sunlight bathed Chiang Le's face, outlining him with a golden halo. To the employees of Phoenix Real Estate, the Crown Prince seemed to radiate a brilliant, golden glow.

It was a dazzling light, honed from years at the pinnacle of the world!

Chiang Le looked up at the towering Phoenix Building, feeling as if it belonged to another lifetime.

Just a day before, he had been a destitute worker, driven to the brink of jumping from a building to claim his rights.

Now, a day later, he was the center of attention, with crowds lining up to greet him.

Indeed, fate was ever so capricious!

The sunlight was intense, prompting Chiang Le to squint. With a considerate "snap," Elena opened an umbrella to shield him.

"Boss, these are the officials from Jiang City. A simple nod and a few words will suffice for greetings. I'll take care of all the investment and donation details," Elena said, standing close to Chiang Le, ever the diligent aide.

"Alright," Chiang Le replied as the leaders approached him.

He shook hands with each dignitary, basking in their warm inquiries and praises, feeling as though he was on cloud nine.

To be invincible for a moment was thrilling, but to remain so was pure bliss.

After exchanging pleasantries with the leaders, Elena gave the cue to move on, and the group began their approach to the Phoenix Building.

Yang Aoxue hurried along, finally reaching the Mercedes as the Crown Prince disembarked.

Yet, as the Crown Prince engaged with the leaders, Yang Aoxue tactfully refrained from interrupting.

Just as the Crown Prince finished his greetings and Yang Aoxue was about to step forward, she noticed that he and the others had already started toward the Phoenix Building.

Throughout the entire encounter, the Crown Prince hadn't spared her a single glance.

Despite being overlooked, Yang Aoxue harbored no resentment. Instead, she diligently began coordinating the arrangements.

"Quickly, get the band ready, the ribbons... Ah, and make sure everything for the ribbon-cutting ceremony is set."

Yang Aoxue and her team were bustling with activity.

Upon reaching the Phoenix Real Estate building, Chiang Le and the executives paused their advance. They gathered in front of the edifice, exchanging handshakes and snapping photographs.

"Jiang City is my hometown, and I am eager to contribute to its development," Chiang Le declared.

"I'm considering a substantial ten-figure investment in Jiang City. My secretary will handle the particulars."

"The well-being of Jiang City's citizens, living and working in peace, owes much to the selfless dedication of our police force. I plan to set a modest goal for a donation to the police station to upgrade their equipment."

Chiang Le was all business, dispensing with small talk and delivering one powerful promise after another.

Everyone was taken aback by the Crown Princess's decisive actions. With a mere gesture, she issued an order of staggering magnitude, pledging a donation without so much as blinking—an act of such grandeur and confidence that it was nothing short of impressive.

The leaders beamed with joy, lavishing her with even more praise and encouragement.

Meanwhile, Elena and the mayor's secretary had tentatively settled the investment details.

The donation was tabled for a later date; today's meeting was simply to establish the tone. The nitty-gritty of the partnership would require the expertise of professionals for follow-up.

After a brisk tour of the Phoenix Real Estate branch, the leaders once again commended Chiang Le, then departed with smiles and firm handshakes.

The leaders' visit was brief, and soon, most had gone.

Yet, a few cars remained.

Those who stayed wore stern expressions—leaders and officers from the Economic Investigation Bureau.

As Yang Aoxue was preoccupied with preparations, the sight of those remaining caused her eyelids to flutter involuntarily.

With the departure of the dignitaries, Chiang Le's eyes gleamed with a dark, triumphant smile. The real drama was about to unfold!

Once the leaders had dispersed, Yang Aoxue, from a distance, sensed her moment to shine had arrived.

Watching the Crown Prince from afar, Yang Aoxue inhaled deeply and, flanked by her middle managers, strode confidently toward him.

Elena, having excused herself to attend to the Economic Investigation Bureau's delegation, exchanged pleasantries with their leaders and ushered them into the lounge. Casting a sidelong glance at Yang Aoxue approaching Chiang Le, Elena's expression remained serene.

The boss had issued a command to go all out against Yang Aoxue, and it was to be carried out with unwavering determination. This time, Yang Aoxue was inevitably headed for a downfall. An elite who had graduated from a prestigious university and had struggled for years to climb to her current position was now about to be toppled due to her own arrogance and prejudice. One wonders what Yang Aoxue would think upon learning the truth. Perhaps she would be filled with regret.

Elena's laughter was soft, tinged with a mocking edge.

Chiang Le stood silently in the lobby of the Phoenix Building.

Approaching Chiang Le, Yang Aoxue couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze and bowed with utmost respect. "Phoenix Real Estate Division President Yang Aoxue is honored to welcome the Prince for his guidance."

As Yang Aoxue bowed, the middle managers behind her followed suit, bending at the waist in deference.

Chiang Le's gaze fell upon Yang Aoxue, and he couldn't help but notice her beauty. Her pale neck was graceful, reminiscent of a beautiful swan as she bowed her head.

As she bowed, the view down her neckline was subtly revealed to Chiang Le, enticingly obscured, stirring a desire to discover more.

"Please, rise. I was simply passing by and decided to stop in for a visit," Chiang Le said with a smile.

Yang Aoxue's tension eased; the Prince seemed quite approachable.

She cautiously lifted her head.

"Also, I thought I might... catch up with a few of you," Chiang Le added, his smile carrying a deeper significance.

Hearing this, Yang Aoxue's anxiety returned. She looked at Chiang Le and was instantly taken aback. The Prince's features, his face—why did it seem so familiar?

In a matter of seconds, the image of the Prince merged with the memory of a meek and timid face she had known. Yang Aoxue's heart plummeted as if from a towering skyscraper, her emotions like a snapped cable in the heart of the Yangtze River. Overwhelmed by a wave of profound despair, her vision darkened.

How could this be?

How is this even possible?

The Prince—how could he be identical to the construction worker who had leapt from a building just yesterday?

It had to be a coincidence. It simply had to be.

Yang Aoxue was desperately trying to persuade herself.

But Chiang Le's remark shattered all her wishful thinking.

"Director Yang, it's been a while. How have you been?" Chiang Le stepped aggressively forward, closing the distance between them, his lips curling into a suggestive smile as he reached out his hand.

Yang Aoxue's face was a mask of mixed emotions. "You... you..."

"Have you forgotten already?" Chiang Le chuckled. "The winds atop the Phoenix Building are quite boisterous, you know."

The revelation hit her like a ton of bricks: The Crown Prince was that construction worker!

Yang Aoxue was plunged into an abyss of despair.

She was overwhelmed with questions.

How could a migrant worker, insignificant as a grain of dust, and the Crown Prince, shining like a celestial body, be the same person?

Fate had played a cruel trick on her.

A truly horrifying trick.

Yang Aoxue began to shake, her entire body seized by an uncontrollable trembling.