C23 They Pushed Each Other to the Edge of the Cliff

Su Wen's lips curled into a smile as he waved his hand proudly, bidding her farewell. Luo Qiaoqiao bit her lower lip forcefully and shot him a fierce glare before turning on her heel and storming off.

"Young Master, was it really alright to treat Miss Luo that way?"

The butler had been observing their interaction closely. He had been quite anxious on Su Wen's behalf when Luo Qiaoqiao made her move, only to see her fail miserably.

Having taught her a lesson in such a manner, the Old Steward couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Yet, along with his happiness, there was a tinge of concern.

"What did I do to her? I really have no idea."

Su Wen, uninterested in the Old Steward's lecturing, feigned ignorance and dismissed his concerns outright. The Old Steward was left with no recourse but to accept his nonchalance.

"Su Wen, you're trying to distance yourself from that harlot, Luo Qiaoqiao? Well, I won't let things go your way!"

Unbeknownst to them, Su Tanhua was eavesdropping from outside the door. His phone displayed the image of Su Wen massaging Luo Qiaoqiao with medicinal wine, his voice ominously chilling to the listener.

"Hello, is this Yihua Media? ... Never mind who I am. I've got a juicy scoop on Su Wen and Luo Qiaoqiao. Interested? ... It's a photo that will absolutely stun everyone. Flat rate, five million ..."

Back in his room, Su Tanhua anonymously contacted the largest news outlet in Shengjing. After some negotiation, he sold the incriminating photo of Su Wen and Luo Qiaoqiao for five million.

News of the Su family's eldest son faking a broken engagement for publicity spread like wildfire across various websites and channels. Suddenly, the blame shifted from Luo Qiaoqiao to Su Wen. As the rumors spiraled out of control, Su Wen was painted as the villain in the court of public opinion.

Once the story broke, reporters swarmed the Su family estate, eager to interview Su Wen for the inside story. The Old Steward, faced with the throng of 34 journalists at the gate, was so stressed that he felt his hair might turn white.

"Young Master, what should we do now?"

"Find out! Which news agency is stirring up this mess?"

Su Wen had not anticipated waking up to such chaos. As he stood at the window, overlooking the throng of people below, his anger was palpable.

"Also, pull up the house's surveillance footage for me. I want to see who's trying to trip me up."

The incident with Luo Qiaoqiao had occurred in the Su family's hall, and the clarity and angle of the photograph clearly ruled out the possibility of it being the work of paparazzi. The only plausible explanation was that there was a traitor within the Su family.

"Young Master, I've reviewed the surveillance footage, but, strangely enough, the video from yesterday afternoon has been erased."

Having served the Su family for many years, the Old Steward had anticipated this and had already examined the surveillance footage when the news first broke.

"Heh, so it's been erased, has it? Quite the clever tactic."

Su Wen let out a cold laugh, the chill in his eyes causing the Old Steward to involuntarily shudder. With a dismissive glance at the steward, Su Wen remained silent, instead pulling out his phone to make a call.

"Hello, where are you? I'm in a bit of a bind. Come over."

With those brief words, Su Wen ended the call. The Old Steward, however, was well aware that the person on the other end was no ordinary individual.

This was the first time he had witnessed Su Wen's wrath. The authority and rage he exuded were unlike anything he had ever experienced before, surpassing even the formidable presence of Su Xia in the business world.

"Steward, bring Su Tanhua and his son to the main hall."

Su Wen sat on the leather sofa, his face stern, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the armrest in a tone that brooked no opposition.

"Yes, Young Master."

The Old Steward responded with deference and hastened to Su Mingshan's room.

"Hey, Mr. Wen, what's got you so down? You look rather grim."

Before long, the Old Steward returned with the father and son. Su Tanhua greeted Su Wen with a mocking smile, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Su Wen gave him a brief, piercing look that immediately made Su Tanhua's nerves tighten. His mouth agape, he found himself unable to utter a single word.

Su Mingshan shot his son a warning glare, clearly thinking the young man was not yet up to snuff. Su Tanhua, visibly displeased, bit his lip but obediently bowed his head and stepped aside.

"Wen, I'm aware that the stuff in the news is just a bunch of lies. Those media outlets fabricate stories. Don't let it bother you. You know how it is in showbiz; once the buzz around a headline dies down, it's old news."

Su Mingshan delivered these words with feigned benevolence, as if he truly cared deeply for Su Wen. The pretense was so nauseating that Su Wen felt sick to his stomach.

Could Su Mingshan really be oblivious to the fact that Su Tanhua was the one who spread the news? Impossible.

Just yesterday, Su Tanhua had gleefully shared the photo, hoping for a word of praise from his father. Instead, he was met with a barrage of insults. If Mr. Hu hadn't been there to intervene, Su Tanhua might have even ended up with more than just a verbal lashing.

And it was Mr. Hu who had proposed deleting the surveillance footage. Such a scheme was beyond Su Tanhua's limited imagination.

"Heh, you sure have a way with words, Uncle. Anyone who didn't know better might actually think you care about me. Why not give Su Tanhua a turn in the spotlight?"

Su Wen's cold laughter left no room for face-saving, cutting straight through the pretense. If some were courting disaster, why should he hold back?

"Wen, that's not fair. You're making it sound as though I'm the one behind your defamation."

Su Mingshan's expression had soured, but the lean middle-aged man in a suit beside him subtly pulled at his sleeve, prompting Su Mingshan to instantly switch gears, adopting a look of hurt innocence as he faced Su Wen.

Despite the man's efforts to remain inconspicuous, Su Wen was far from oblivious. He had already taken note of the subtle gesture. His piercing gaze swept over the man, who, unlike most, did not flinch or falter under scrutiny. Instead, he met Su Wen's stare and offered a polite smile.

This man was trouble.

The moment their eyes locked, Su Wen's instincts screamed a warning. He knew Su Tanhua and his father to be ambitious yet foolish. Since his return to Shengjing, their previous behavior would have led to an uproar by now. Their uncharacteristic restraint suggested a connection to this middle-aged man.