CHAPTER 57 — The Whisper That Became a Weapon
The rumor did not die down.
It multiplied.
It evolved.
It grew claws.
By afternoon, the entire entertainment industry was buzzing—producers, directors, investors, even rival agencies. Everyone wanted to know whether the trending scandal was true.
And just as Mu Lingchen predicted—
The Shi family panicked harder.
They weren't ready for the monster they had awakened.
But one person was pleased.
Radiantly pleased.
Shi Roulan.
⸻ The Shi Corporation — President's Office
Roulan sat in her plush chair, legs crossed elegantly, scrolling through the trending tags with a wicked smile curling her lip.
"Perfect," she whispered.
"Absolutely perfect."
Across from her, Qin Yuhan looked pale and tense.
His shirt collar was undone, his jaw sharp with stress.
"You promised," he said lowly. "You said this would only ruin her popularity, not turn the entire internet insane."
Roulan lifted a brow.
"So what? Are you suddenly developing a conscience?"
He looked away.
"Yuhan," she said sweetly, "you hate her. You said it yourself. You called her a manipulator, a liar, a woman who pretended innocence while using another man to escape responsibility. Don't tell me now you're regretting it."
His fingers curled slowly.
No—he didn't regret.
Not what he had done years ago.
Not the betrayal.
Not the abandonment.
Not even letting her be kicked out.
He had taken pride in it.
Called it justice.
But now—
"She didn't seduce Mu Lingchen."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Roulan's smile vanished.
"What did you say?"
"I said she didn't seduce him. Even if she lied—she wouldn't do something like that."
Roulan stood abruptly.
Anger flared in her eyes.
"Yuhan. Are you defending her? After everything?"
He flinched but didn't answer.
Roulan's voice turned cold, sharp, poisonous.
"She left her family. She abandoned her engagement. She had twins behind everyone's back. And now she's trying to steal the CEO of Mu Group from me?"
Her voice rose dangerously.
"She humiliated me once. She won't humiliate me again."
Yuhan inhaled shakily.
He hated Shi Yunxi.
He hated the way she made him feel like the insignificant one.
He hated that he once thought she was his equal.
He hated that she turned her back on him.
And yet—
"Roulan," he muttered, "we should stop. If Mu Lingchen retaliates—"
Her eyes snapped toward him.
The look she gave him froze his blood.
"Yuhan," she said quietly, "you will not back out."
He said nothing.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"Because if you do… I'll release the thing you thought I didn't know."
His blood ran cold.
Roulan's lips curled.
"Yes. That thing. Your mother's scandal from twelve years ago. The one your family buried by bribing an entire investigation team. You think I didn't know?"
His face drained of color.
"I don't want to use it," Roulan pouted. "But you're forcing me."
Yuhan swallowed hard.
He had no choice.
Not anymore.
"Fine," he said hoarsely.
"I'll help you."
Roulan smiled in triumph.
"Good. Then make sure the next rumor hits harder. I want her reputation destroyed before Mu Lingchen can even open his mouth."
She turned away, pleased.
Yuhan clenched his fists behind his back.
For the first time—
He wondered if helping Roulan meant destroying himself too.
⸻ Phoenix Entertainment — Company Washroom
Shi Yunxi washed her hands slowly, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Calm.
Too calm.
The kind of calm that came after surviving a warzone.
The kind of calm that scared her as much as it steadied her.
Her eyes were colder now.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
Someone pushed the washroom door open.
A pair of footsteps.
Soft.
Cautious.
She didn't turn.
"Yunxi," a voice whispered.
Yunxi froze.
She knew that voice.
She turned slowly.
Roulan stood behind her, arms folded, chin raised arrogantly, as if she owned the entire building.
Her lips curved into a mocking smile.
"You look terrible."
Yunxi did not respond.
Roulan clicked her tongue.
"Don't pretend. Everyone knows what you did. Seducing the CEO? Pretending to be a victim? Using children for sympathy?" She smirked. "Honestly… was that your plan from the beginning?"
Yunxi's gaze remained steady.
"I'm only going to say this once," she said quietly.
"Stop."
Roulan laughed.
"Stop? Why should I? You walked out on the Shi family, abandoned us, embarrassed me in front of society—"
Yunxi's eyes hardened.
"I walked out because you people tried to erase me."
Roulan's laugh sharpened.
"Please. You were always worthless."
Yunxi inhaled slowly.
This woman… this snake… had once called her sister.
Roulan stepped closer.
"And now you're trying to take Mu Lingchen? You think you can compete with me?"
Yunxi didn't blink.
"We're not competing."
"Exactly." Roulan smirked. "Because he would never choose a woman with no family, no status, and a past full of stains."
Yunxi's heart did not flinch.
Not anymore.
She'd faced worse.
But Roulan—
Roulan wanted a reaction.
So Yunxi denied her one.
She simply turned toward the door.
Roulan's smile dropped.
"You can pretend all you want," she hissed, "but I know the truth now."
Yunxi stopped walking.
But she didn't turn.
Roulan leaned in.
"I know they're your children."
Yunxi's entire body froze.
Roulan's voice was suddenly filled with glee.
"All three of them look the same. Even a fool would notice."
She giggled softly.
"You should have hidden them better."
Yunxi turned around sharply.
Her eyes—
Wide.
Dark.
Terrified for the first time.
Roulan smiled viciously.
"Ah. Finally. A reaction."
She stepped closer, whispering into Yunxi's ear.
"And now that I know… I will use this. Every bit of it. Especially against that boy you're hiding."
Yunxi shoved her back instinctively.
"Stay away from my children."
Roulan lifted her hands in mocking surrender.
"No promises."
Then she turned and strutted out.
Leaving Yunxi—
Shaking.
Terrified.
And burning with fury.
Her phone vibrated.
A single message.
From Mu Lingchen.
"Where are you?
Don't move.
I'm coming."
Yunxi pressed a hand against her chest.
Yes.
She needed him.
But more importantly—
Her children needed protection.
Because Roulan had crossed a line she could never return from.