The country entrusted me to buy an aircraft carrier, Hou Liangping, do you dare to investigate?

"Dad, Liangping, I already know what happened." Zhong Xiaoai's voice was calm, so calm it was heartbreaking.

“Xiao Ai…” Hou Liangping stood up, wanting to say something, but was stopped by Zhong Xiao Ai’s outstretched hand.

“Liangping, I know what you want to say, but now is not the time to say these things.” Zhong Xiaoai took a deep breath, fighting back tears in her eyes. “I have made up my mind. I will go to find Zhao Shanhe.”

"What?!" Hou Liangping jumped to his feet, grabbing Zhong Xiaoai's wrist. "Are you crazy?! Do you know what going to that beast means?!"

Zhong Xiaoai gently stroked Hou Liangping's hand and said softly, "Liangping, I know what you're worried about, but this is the only way now. I'm willing to do anything for this family."

“But…” Hou Liangping wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Zhong Zhengguo.

“Xiao Ai is right, this is the only way now.” Zhong Zhengguo sighed. “Liangping, I know you’re not feeling well, but this is our only chance.”

Seeing the resolute looks in his wife's and father-in-law's eyes, Hou Liangping finally let his hands fall limply. He knew he couldn't stop Zhong Xiaoai, nor could he change anything. He could only watch helplessly as the woman he loved walked into the abyss for the sake of their family.

The next day, Zhong Xiaoai arrived at the Zhao family's house alone. The Zhao family villa was magnificent and extremely luxurious, forming a stark contrast with Zhong Xiaoai's current state of mind.

“Miss Zhong, we meet again.” Zhao Shanhe sat on the sofa in the living room, holding a glass of red wine in his hand, a playful smile on his lips.

Zhong Xiaoai ignored Zhao Shanhe's sarcastic remarks. She walked straight to him and sat down opposite him, saying bluntly, "Zhao Shanhe, I'm here today to discuss a deal with you."

"Oh? A deal? What kind of deal does Miss Zhong want to discuss with me?" Zhao Shanhe put down his wine glass and looked at Zhong Xiaoai with great interest.

"I can help you get everything you want, but you have to promise me that you'll spare my father and husband."

"Hahaha..." Zhao Shanhe suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with contempt and mockery. "Zhong Xiaoai, you think too highly of yourself, don't you? Who do you think you are, to dare to negotiate with me?"

Zhong Xiaoai's face paled, but she did not back down. She took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation in her heart, and slowly said, "I know that to you, I am nothing more than a tool to be used. But I also have my value. As long as you agree to my conditions, I can fulfill all your requests."

"Anything you ask for?" A greedy glint flashed in Zhao Shanhe's eyes. He slowly stood up, walked to Zhong Xiaoai's side, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, "Then, I want you. Will you give it to me?"

Zhong Xiaoai's body trembled violently. She abruptly raised her head and looked at Zhao Shanhe's lustful face, her eyes filled with disgust and anger.

Zhong Xiaoai felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her throat, the suffocating sensation making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying to maintain her last shred of dignity, but her trembling body betrayed her inner fear. Zhao Shanhe looked at the terror and disgust in her eyes, but instead of feeling pity, he felt a perverse pleasure rising within him.

"What? Miss Zhong, you're unwilling?" Zhao Shanhe's smile faded, his tone carrying a hint of threat. "Don't forget, the lives of your father and husband are in my hands."

Zhong Xiaoai closed her eyes in despair, crystal tears sliding down her cheeks. She knew she had nowhere to turn; for her family, for her father and husband, she had no choice but to make a sacrifice.

"I promise you." Zhong Xiaoai's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it echoed like a thunderclap in the empty room.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shanhe's face broke into a triumphant smile. He grabbed Zhong Xiaoai's wrist, pulled her into his arms, and roughly kissed her lips. Zhong Xiaoai was powerless to resist and could only let him do as he pleased, her heart filled with humiliation and indignation.

"That's a good girl." Zhao Shanhe released Zhong Xiaoai, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Don't worry, as long as you behave, I guarantee that your father and husband will be fine."

As he spoke, he scooped Zhong Xiaoai up and carried her towards the bedroom. Zhong Xiaoai struggled weakly for a few moments, but ultimately gave up resisting. She knew that resistance would only bring more cruel treatment, so she decided to endure it silently, hoping it would all end soon.

Zhao Shanhe threw Zhong Xiaoai onto the bed and pounced on her impatiently. He roughly tore at Zhong Xiaoai's clothes, devouring her body like a wild beast, showing no mercy whatsoever. Zhong Xiaoai struggled in agony, but could not escape his clutches and could only let him ravage her.

"By the way, don't you have a good husband? Why don't you have him come and rescue you?" Zhao Shanhe suddenly stopped and said with a wicked smile, "How about we give him a call and let him hear your voice?"

Zhong Xiaoai stared wide-eyed in horror, shaking her head frantically, trying to refuse. But Zhao Shanhe ignored her resistance, picked up his phone, and dialed Hou Liangping's number.

The moment the call connected, Zhao Shanhe deliberately brought the phone close to Zhong Xiaoai, so that her painful groans could be clearly heard on the other end of the line.

"Zhong Xiaoai? Is that you? Where are you? What happened?" Hou Liangping's anxious voice came from the other end of the phone. He could hear the pain and despair in his wife's voice, and his heart jumped into his throat.

"Haha, Prosecutor Hou, long time no see!" Zhao Shanhe snatched the phone and said in a teasing tone, "Guess where I am right now? Who I'm with? What I'm doing?"

Upon hearing Zhao Shanhe's voice, Hou Liangping immediately understood what had happened. He gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, veins bulging on his forehead, and his eyes practically spitting fire.

"Zhao Shanhe! You beast! What have you done to Xiao Ai?!"

"Hahaha, what did I do to her? Of course I'm 'treating' her well!" Zhao Shanhe said, letting out a lewd laugh.

He deliberately brought the phone close to Zhong Xiaoai, so that her painful gasps and Zhao Shanhe's triumphant laughter mingled together and reached Hou Liangping's ears, like sharp blades slowly torturing his heart.

"Zhao Shanhe, you'd better release Xiao Ai right now, or I will never let you off the hook!" Hou Liangping said, suppressing his anger, enunciating each word clearly.

"Hahaha, you? What makes you think you can fight me?" Zhao Shanhe laughed disdainfully. "Don't you even look at your own situation? You can't even protect yourself, yet you want to be a hero and save the damsel in distress? How laughable!"