Volume One, Chapter 45: Yu Mo, the Toad Who Ate Swan Meat

Yu Mo's gaze followed, landing upon that familiar mask.

Mu Shaozhou appeared as if he had stepped straight out of the underworld, a cold and forbidding judge, his presence exuding an icy aura that suffocated all within the room. The oppressive atmosphere he brought caused the temperature to drop ten degrees in an instant.

Everyone shuddered together, glancing at his eyes—only for a fleeting moment before recoiling, terrified to meet his gaze again, as though lingering too long would cost them their lives.

The black suit Mu Shaozhou wore accentuated the sharp contours of his face, making his complexion seem even paler and colder.

He stood tall, his long, straight legs carrying him forward with powerful strides as he entered the private room.

He paid no mind to Xie Mengqi and Wang Hui, who were both frozen in astonishment.

His piercing gaze swept across the scene like a hawk. Within those narrow eyes, it was as if a vast, majestic iceberg resided.

Where breaths had once stirred, silence now reigned. Everyone held their breath, even their inhalations slowed.

Someone recognized him, exclaiming in surprise.

"It's the Prince! Mu Shaozhou."

A girl murmured, infatuated, "My goodness! He's so handsome."

Xie Mengqi, recovering from her shock, covered her lips lightly and raised her voice, making it sound sweet and gentle.

"Prince, why are you here?"

She looked at Yan Kejia.

"Yan Kejia, did you invite the Prince?"

Yan Kejia was meeting the Prince for the first time. She shook her head somewhat blankly.

Her knowledge of the Prince was limited to hearsay, and she never believed that an invitation from her would be honored by his presence.

Lin Hua bit her lower lip, certain that the Prince's appearance was no coincidence.

If Yu Mo hadn't come here today, the Prince would not have appeared either.

It seemed the Prince was thoroughly bewitched by that wretched Yu Mo.

"What happened here?" Mu Shaozhou's gaze finally rested on Yu Mo. Seeing her unharmed eased the worry in his heart.

Xie Mengqi seized the chance to answer.

"Yu Mo stole Yan Kejia's diamond ring. We were just—"

"Oh?" Mu Shaozhou's cold gaze swept over Xie Mengqi, cutting her words short.

"Yu Mo would never do such a thing."

His statement was absolute, allowing no room for rebuttal from anyone.

His hawk-like eyes swept over Yan Kejia and Qin Xiang beside her.

Qin Xiang shuddered inwardly under his scrutiny, feeling as if his secrets had been instantly laid bare to Mu Shaozhou.

He steadied himself, barely maintaining his composure.

Yan Kejia had never faced such a piercing gaze before. The dark golden mask on the man's face made him appear even more enigmatic.

Her voice trembled.

"But I only bumped into her at the sink while washing my hands. If it wasn't her, who else could it have been?"

Mu Shaozhou glanced at everyone in the room.

"So many people here—do you think they're invisible?"

Yan Kejia's eyes flickered evasively, her earlier confidence gone. She glanced at Qin Xiang, signaling him to speak.

After all, the Qin family of Shanghai and the Prince from the capital were on speaking terms.

Qin Xiang lowered his eyelids, concealing his shock, and spoke quietly.

"Jiajia, let it go. It's just a ring. I'll buy you another."

Hearing Qin Xiang promise her another ring, Yan Kejia felt a little better, though her heart remained unsettled.

"But I really liked that ring."

Lin Hua knew Yu Mo had escaped disaster today and decided to do her a favor.

"I don't think Yu Mo stole it either. Jiajia, why not call the police and let them handle it?"

"Yes, Yu Mo definitely didn't take it. I trust her."

Fu Yanting broke free from several men restraining him and stepped forward to speak for Yu Mo.

As soon as he finished, he felt Mu Shaozhou's gaze fall upon him.

Thinking of the harm the Prince might bring to Yu Mo, he reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Mo Mo, let's go."

Yu Mo shook off his hand.

If she was to leave, it would not be now—and most certainly not with him.

Xie Mengqi blocked Yu Mo's path, aggressive.

"You can't leave! We haven't searched you yet. The ring must be hidden on you."

She signaled the three girls to act.

Two girls moved to grab Yu Mo from either side.

Mu Shaozhou's cold voice rang out.

"My girlfriend doesn't like anyone but me touching her body, not even her clothes."

Girlfriend?!

Everyone present, except Lin Hua and Fu Yanting, was utterly shocked.

Yu Mo was the Prince's girlfriend?

Xie Mengqi was the first to refuse belief.

"Prince, what do you mean by that?"

How could Yu Mo possibly be the Prince's girlfriend?

If someone said Yu Mo was pestering the Prince, she'd believe it.

After all, Yu Mo had always pestered her cousin; such behavior was typical of her.

Mu Shaozhou's gaze grew even colder.

He spoke softly.

"What do I mean? The literal meaning."

Then he reached out to Yu Mo, his tone much gentler.

"Come here."

Under everyone's gaze, Yu Mo slowly walked to Mu Shaozhou's side.

Though she had no idea why Mu Shaozhou had suddenly appeared, for now, it was wise to borrow his momentum.

She felt her hand gently enveloped by his warm, dry palm.

She did not pull away.

Mu Shaozhou was quite pleased by her reaction, the darkness in his eyes receding.

His voice was deep and soothing.

"I'm here."

Those simple words dropped quietly into Yu Mo's calm heart, stirring gentle ripples and softening her resolve.

She lifted her apricot eyes to him, offering a look of trust.

The crowd was shocked again, especially Xie Mengqi.

She stammered, "Literal meaning?"

Yu Mo really was the Prince's girlfriend?

Though she was reluctant to believe it, what she saw before her forced her to accept.

Xie Mengqi stared at Yu Mo and Mu Shaozhou standing together.

Two people who once had nothing to do with each other, now side by side, seemed perfectly matched, with not a hint of discord.

She nearly ground her silver teeth to dust.

Why did it have to be Yu Mo?

If it had been any other woman, she would not be jealous.

But it was Yu Mo.

She was unworthy.

She didn't deserve the noble, exalted Prince.

It was as if a toad had eaten swan meat.

Everyone in the room began to recall whether they had offended Yu Mo earlier.

Some rejoiced, others despaired. Those who had bullied or scorned her felt as if luck had abandoned them today.

Why provoke Yu Mo?

She was backed by the Prince.

"Yu Mo can't leave," Yan Kejia spoke up, still unwilling to yield.

She pulled out her phone to call the police.

"Who said we're leaving?" Mu Shaozhou's voice was soft, but it carried firmly to everyone present.

His pale fingers reached into his trouser pocket, retrieving a matte black phone. He dialed several numbers.

He held the phone to his ear and spoke calmly.

"Bring a set of brand-new detection equipment."