Chapter 157: Chapter 157

After some back and forth, he lost interest and let go of her. "You can ignore me if you want, but at least invite Gu Anxi to have dinner together."

He seemed somewhat irritated, his fingers pinching her delicate chin. "Why do you think I married and supported you? It’s because you’re good-looking and would give me face. You won’t even do this small task. Ke Ru, you’ve truly disappointed me."

Wang Ke Ru, held fast in his grip, was forced to tilt her head up. "Qin Han, that’s not what you said when you proposed to me."

Qin Han smirked. "Did you really believe those words meant to fool young girls? At this age, there’s no such thing as love. Besides, men are creatures driven by the desire to conquer. When you were young, you chose Gu Yuntian. When he got into trouble, didn’t you come running to curry my favor?"

Wang Ke Ru was furious. "Qin Han, you’re shameless! You originally said you would take care of me and Yuntian, and even help me find Gu Anxi. That’s why I agreed to marry you."

Qin Han probably thought it was time to set her straight, smiling calmly. "Would you have obediently married me if I hadn’t said that? Would you have obediently agreed to auction off Clearwater Cloudsky Manor?"

Wang Ke Ru stared at him, as if seeing him for the very first time.

Qin Han’s slender fingers gently caressed her chin. "Now that I’ve laid it all out, what can you do? Divorce me? Ke Ru, without me, you’re nothing!"

She didn’t utter a word, still staring at him.

Qin Han’s smile widened. "Perhaps you’re pinning your hopes on Gu Anxi. But let me be clear: no matter how capable Gu Anxi is, she’s just a slip of a girl. Bo Xichen is interested in her now because she’s novel—you understand that term, don’t you, Ke Ru? All men are the same. Once that novelty wears off, Gu Anxi won’t be nearly as valuable. Why not seize this chance to get some benefits from her, eh?"

Wang Ke Ru slapped his hand away. "I’m not as shameless as you!"

Qin Han nonchalantly withdrew his hand and chuckled. "You must find me disgusting, then. But Ke Ru, no matter how disgusting I am, we’ve shared a bed for a year. What can you possibly do?"

Wang Ke Ru gritted out through her teeth, "I want a divorce."

"Divorce?" Qin Han laughed again. "Listen to that! My wife, always coddled in luxury, knows nothing of real hardship. Do you have any idea what you’d face if you divorced me?"

He spelled it out for her, word by word. "Without me, you have nothing. Clearwater Cloudsky Manor will be taken over by the Qin family. Then you’ll have to work. You’ll have no money for your expensive upkeep. Hotels , costing thousands a night? You’ll only be able to gawk at them from the outside."

Wang Ke Ru’s lips trembled, but ultimately, she said nothing. This update ıs available on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱

Qin Han took her silence for submission. "Think about it, hmm? I know you’ve always been a smart woman, one who wouldn’t sell herself short. I’ll give you time. I hear the Bo family is attending the auction tomorrow night. Make sure to connect with Gu Anxi then; build some rapport."

He patted her cheek as if she were a pampered pet. "I know you can do it. Don’t disappoint me, hmm?"

With that, he straightened his clothes and left, not returning all night.

Wang Ke Ru remained on the sofa. She knew that to stay in the Qin family, she’d have to play the fool, be his pawn. But what good was the wealth and status she’d gained by betraying her own daughter and the Gu family?

She sat before the mirror, gazing at her reflection, her decision quietly made.