Chapter 86 — The Door That Should Not Have Opened
The boss's face was pale and sweating, his fingers twisting together as if trying to wring mercy from the air. Bai Xia's light smile only made him tremble harder.
"What," she asked softly, "was Bai Ai planning to do with my siblings?"
His Adam's apple bobbed hard. "Sh-she wanted me to… break their legs."
Bai Xia's smile didn't move, but her eyes did. They sharpened, turning colder than iced steel.
"Why?"
"She said…" He hesitated, shrinking backward. "She said you were the one who broke her legs. That you made her limp. So she… wanted revenge."
Bai Xia didn't respond.
Her silence was more dangerous than any words.
The boss swallowed again, sweat sticking his shirt to his back.
"And me?" she asked finally.
He flinched as though struck. "She—she told me to hire someone… a wild man… someone who would force you—" He broke off, panicked. "But it didn't work! It didn't happen! You're alright, your siblings are alright—everything is alright, right? Right?"
Bai Xia gave him a smile.
A beautiful smile.
A terrifying smile.
"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation, Sir."
He stiffened.
"Well," she continued, her tone gentle but deadly, "you will cooperate with me. Or all this evidence—" she tapped the folders lightly with her finger, "—along with your scandal with Bai Ai, will be sent to your wife. And the public."
The color drained from his face so quickly he looked corpse-like.
"If you want—" he stammered desperately, "I'll break up with her! I'll leave her!"
"But Sir…" Bai Xia tilted her head. "I don't want that. Can't you see?"
He stared at her, lost, shaking.
"…Then what do you want?"
That was the moment she had been waiting for.
Her lips curved up, slow and elegant, like a blade rising from its sheath.
"Finally," she murmured, "the right question."
---
An hour later, the boss of Chilly Fashion escorted her out of his building himself, bowing repeatedly, his smile stretched to the point of pain. Employees looked on with wide eyes — they had never seen their boss act so respectfully toward anyone, especially a girl young enough to be his granddaughter.
Bai Xia didn't spare him a glance.
She slid into the car, Stella behind her, and the vehicle pulled away.
Inside, Bai Xia leaned back, silently replaying the man's trembling confessions. Everything made sense now. Everything connected.
Her siblings.
Her.
Bai Ai's desperate grudge.
And the old man who thought lust made him powerful.
Disgust and cold anger swirled beneath her expressionless face.
Stella glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Stella … how has the CCTV camera launch been going?"
"It's been receiving positive reviews," Stella replied without waiting for permission to continue. "The price is affordable enough for small business owners. Orders have increased since last night."
"And the company?"
"The design department lacks the materials needed for the new jewelry line. You said the entire set should be jade. The last batch you stored for us has already been used."
A headache throbbed behind Bai Xia's temples.
She would have to visit the gambling den again. Jade wasn't a problem for her.
She checked her watch.
9:00 a.m.
Plenty of time.
"Stella," she said, "prepare some ordinary clothes for me. I want to blend in."
"Yes, Miss Xia."
---
They arrived at the XB Corporation headquarters.
As Bai Xia walked through the lobby, the receptionist rushed to her with a nervous smile.
"President Bai, you have visitors."
"Send them away. I'm busy."
"P-President Bai… they said it's an important visit. They've been waiting for hours."
Irritation flickered in her eyes.
"Fine. Send them up after one hour."
"Yes, ma'am."
Bai Xia entered her office and dropped onto the chair, exhaustion pulling at her limbs. The adrenaline had worn off, and now fatigue seeped in.
She grabbed the phone.
"Stella, get me something to eat."
"Right away, ma'am."
She had skipped breakfast this morning — and now her stomach angrily reminded her of that fact.
Five minutes later, Stella entered with a tray.
"Miss, here's your meal. Also, there are documents you need to sign."
"Leave them here."
Stella set everything down, bowed, and left.
Bai Xia ate quickly, then began signing the stack of documents. Her hand cramped after the twentieth page. She stretched, sighed, and forced herself to continue.
Another thirty minutes passed before she finally finished.
She picked up the phone again.
"Stella, tell Bai Xuan to get ready. We're going to source jade around eleven. I'll send for her."
"Yes, ma'am. And your clothes are ready."
"Send them up."
Two minutes later, a knock.
The receptionist stepped in, carrying a neatly folded set of simple clothing.
"President Bai, Miss Stella asked me to deliver these." She placed them on the sofa, then hesitated. "And… there are still guests waiting."
A nerve pulsed in Bai Xia's forehead.
Persistent dogs.
"Chase them away. I don't want to see them."
"Yes, ma'am."
The receptionist bowed and left.
Bai Xia picked up the clothing bag and entered the small room attached to her office — a private changing and resting area. She slipped off her suit jacket and unbuttoned her blouse.
The shower was tempting.
She stepped into it.
Five minutes later, steam curled around her body as she wrapped a towel across her chest. She put on her underwear, then pulled on her jeans. She reached for the black shirt—
Then froze.
Noise.
Outside.
The receptionist's voice was panicked, desperate.
"Sir, please! You can't enter! Sir—please, I'll lose my job—sir—!"
Bai Xia's eyes narrowed.
Someone was coming toward her door.
Her hand flew to grab her shirt, lifting it to her chest—
But she was one second too late.
Bang!
The door swung violently open.
A male figure stood there, chest heaving, face flushed with anger or urgency — she couldn't tell. Because she was too busy screaming—
"AHHHHHHH—GET OUT!!!"
The man froze.
The receptionist behind him looked like she was about to faint.
And Bai Xia, half-dressed, dripping water, eyes blazing with a fury that could burn down a city —
Was about to explode.