Manipulation

*TOOT! TOOT! TOOT!*

Hui Chouming kept on holding the phone even after Qi Wren hung up, her face sank. It was the first time when the latter didn't ask her wellbeing or showed love but cut straight to the point and spoke coldly.

She sucked her lower lip in, biting them. Her beautiful face stained with tears rolling down, her eyes lost its shimmer while she slumped to the ground. Her nightmare, her biggest fear, her enemy….. Zhao Suyin has returned!

Suyin's presence was a buzz around her like a fly that you can never swat. She cannot tolerate anything related to her. Even her breathing!

How can she not feel insecure!

After all, they had shared a common man before!

Though Qi Wren was her husband, it doesn't take much efforts to shake man's forever changing heart. If he can leave Suyin for his personal gains than he can do the same with her, too.

No! She can never lose to that good for nothing Suyin!

Qi Wren belongs to her! Only her!

She was, she is and she will be his legally wedded wife, Mrs. Qi! Forever!

Upon reaching home, Qi Wren went straight to his bedroom to look for his wife. His handsome face was dark as gathering storm clouds, his brows twisted. As he pushed the door in, he saw his wife sitting on the floor with disheveled hair, red cheeks, and smashed room.

He pinched his glabella.

No need to guess what happened!

She raised her head, slowly revealing her pity face, "Wren…." She called out as she flew into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Suyin… that witch is back into our life,"

"No, she's not! She's only back to the country. You're the one bringing her into our life," Though he hugged her back, his voice came cold.

"How can you say this?" She looked up at him.

"Don't try to make me fool. I got everything inquired. She's recruited by Ministry and was doing her job when Hui Guozhi stepped onto her tail. Haven't I warned your father before that Qi Industries will not support him if he gets caught? The matter that could have been solved with money is dragged unnecessarily,"

Hui Chouming's kept her gaze locked onto Qi Wren's…..he was smoldering underneath his stony expression as matter escalated, involving his company. "He has supported us many times before,"

"That was years back! And for that, I've remained silent for a long while letting him have things his way. But now…. Flames have reached Qi Industries, I won't be easy on him." He let go of her and sat down on the couch with crossed legs while she stood at her position, watching him.

"But… he's my father, your father-in-law!" She understood he was going to sacrifice Hui Guozhi.

"Yet he presented my marriage and divorce documents to the media in order to save his ass at the cost of my reputation and company. And YOU supported him behind my back. Because of you two, the entire media knows that Suyin and I were married once and I was cuckolded by her. Have you thought of the consequences before doing this? Let's not talk about me, but you'll be compared with her forever. In good.In bad"

"I…I…" She sounded guilty and sat down by his side. Holding his hands in hers, she quickly explained, "I don't care what others think of me. All I wanted was to save Qi Industries when I received the legal notice. Earlier we thought to handle the matter with money but when dad saw her in the ministry, she not only humiliated him but even you and openly challenged to keep pursuing the case,"

He didn't respond as he listened to her, staring at her pretty face.

"Dad wanted to back off, but in that case, we would have to give compensation to the widows. Wouldn't it have proved that it was his fault and Qi Industries supported in it too? That would have been more disastrous for both companies." Seeing a crack in his stony expression, she closed the distance between them. Her tears never stopped flowing as she touched his chin to make him look at her.

"Just think; how Suyin became secretary-general in such a short time when it was not even her field of specialization. All she did was some measly social work during college days, but that was her hobby! Obviously it's money, she's a corrupt officer! However, she didn't ask a single penny from dad, why? Isn't it because she's back to the country for revenge? She's after Qi Industries, she wants it back. At this crucial time, you should not let go of your most loyal backing,"

Her manipulative words made him look at things from her perspective. If Suyin was really back to the country for revenge, considering her position in the ministry and her best friend James's backing, she shouldn't be taken lightly.

At that she had worked in international organizations overseas, having contacts of influential people within reach; once she decides to strike it would be difficult to suppress her again.

He took a deep breath, bringing his gaze back to his wife, "Though the situation is tricky, I'll think of a way with which Hui Guozhi receives minimum damage. But in any case, he will be at the receiving end."

He threw his head at the headrest, feeling exhausted. After a long flight of over twenty-four hours, what welcomed him was a scandal, a crying wife, and a tore down room. Troublesome! "Bou don't forget, everything happened because of Hui Guozhi. Had he not been greedy of that piece of land, nothing of this sort would have happened. Must you Hui's be so greedy?'

As she heard this, her face flushed red in anger. She funneled all her strength to keep her mouth shut and body relaxed. 'Look who talked about being greedy!?'

*****

*Tick*

Suyin swiped the key card and opened the door with a click sound. "Finally home," She breathed, letting go of her handbag on the breakfast stool with a sound loud enough to startle the couple making out on the couch.

"WOW!"

Her lips curved into a big 'O' seeing them half-naked. If she had entered a minute later the intimacy and nakedness would have been at a different level.

That's for sure!

"James, I hope you remember this is a five-bedroom apartment." She walked to the bar to pour herself a glass of iced water, "And we have beds in all the rooms."

James let go of the handsome hunk in his arms and pushed to his feet, "But it's more fun on the couch, Susu." He saw her scrunch her nose and winked playfully, "FYI, I get my couch dry-cleaned frequently and get it replaced every year."

Wear your shirt first," Said Suyin, she looked at the other man who was done buttoning his shirt already, "I'm Suyin, James' best friend. I suppose you're Evan!?"