Bai Xi gritted her teeth, struggling to break free, but her limbs simply would not obey. She knew exactly why this was happening, and while it infuriated her, she was also secretly elated. Jing Meng truly carried a wealth of high-quality treasures on her person.
She mentally pushed herself to snap out of the control, unaware of how truly powerful the chip was. Just then, a mocking voice drifted into her ear. "I have a few words to return to you: you really are an idiot."
Bai Xi had always been praised for her intelligence; never before had she been so humiliated. Unable to move an inch, her fury erupted through her gaze as she glared with wide eyes.
Watching her struggle, Jing Meng burst into laughter. "You invited me to this backwater wilderness—did you really think I'd come empty-handed? I know exactly what kind of person you are. Do you honestly think I'd believe a word you say?"
Sarcasm swirled in Jing Meng's eyes, but she did not linger. After all, a prototype was just that—a prototype. The chip could only control a human body for about ten minutes. If she delayed any longer, this hard-won opportunity would be squandered.
She had already forced the controlled Bai Xi to open the door, but Jing Meng knew guards were likely stationed outside. Rushing out alone was not realistic. Taking a deep breath, Jing Meng focused her mind, compelling Bai Xi to scream toward the door, "Help! Someone help me!!"
Hearing the cry, the waiter at the door hurried inside.
Jing Meng took advantage of the moment the door swung open to bolt past, turning and sprinting toward a nearby forest that offered easy cover.
However, her wounds had not fully healed. Before she could get far, Bai Xi's furious roar echoed from behind. "You useless trash! Catch her immediately! And make sure she doesn't destroy that chip!"
So Bai Xi really was after the technology she was researching! Greedy for profit as ever—whether in her past life or this one, this woman had not changed a bit.
There was no time to dwell on Bai Xi's character; only by escaping could she have the leverage to fight back. However, in her injured state, her stamina was no match for a grown man's strength. Before she could get very far, a hand clamped onto her arm, and she was dragged back with brutal force.
"You're quite the runner..." the waiter panted, forcibly escorting her back to the restaurant.
To prevent another escape, he gripped her with crushing force. Jing Meng felt as if her arm were about to snap, but she could only endure the pain. Seizing a moment when the waiter was not looking, she surreptitiously dropped the prototype transparent chip she had been clutching onto the road.
Once she was certain no one had seen her action, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. By the time they re-entered the restaurant, her face was a mask of calm. "Bai Xi, isn't it the chip you want? Let's make a deal. Tell me where my mother is, and I'll give you the chip. How about it?"
As she spoke, Jing Meng instinctively tried to move her numb arm, but the waiter showed no intention of letting go. Instead, his grip tightened, making her grit her teeth against the throbbing pain.
"Don't try to negotiate with me," Bai Xi sneered. "You're in my hands now. If you hand over the chip you used to control me, I might let you go if I'm in a good mood. Otherwise..." She let out a cold laugh, her slender fingers tracing a piece of wood leaning in the corner. Her meaning was unmistakable.
Jing Meng caught a glimpse of her watch out of the corner of her eye, mentally calculating the time. She met Bai Xi's gaze without a hint of fear. "You want to get something for nothing? Bai Xi, do you take me for a fool? Do you really think things belonging to the Pei Family are that easy to get?"
Bai Xi gave a cold snort but did not answer. She walked to the corner, picked up a wrist-thick wooden club, and approached her. "Do you think you can pressure me using the Pei Family? Jing Meng, as a fellow engineer, I'm not ignorant of how these things work. As long as you give me the blueprints, I can overlook everything you've done."
Every engineer had to sign an NDA upon entering the lab. If the blueprints were leaked, they would face severe legal repercussions!
If Jing Meng actually gave them to Bai Xi, the entire burden of responsibility would fall on her shoulders once the truth came out. Bai Xi's scheme was clever, but it depended on whether Jing Meng would cooperate.
Jing Meng let out a sharp laugh. "Bai Xi, don't flatter yourself. You'll 'overlook' what I've done? Hah, I have no intention of settling the score with you that easily."
Seeing her still acting so defiant, Bai Xi reached out and grabbed Jing Meng's chin, forcing her to look her in the eye. "Jing Meng, don't throw my kindness back in my face!"
Jing Meng smiled mockingly. This woman was truly calculating for the sake of profit, but unfortunately, her dream was about to be shattered. "Your plan is quite good, but I'm afraid it won't be coming to fruition, Miss Bai. I don't have anything you want on me. Haven't you noticed that my clothes don't even have pockets?"
To be safe, she had specifically changed into a pocketless outfit before coming. As for the control chip, it had been stuck to her shoulder from the start; one wouldn't notice it without a careful look. Once she had escaped, she immediately pulled it off and held it in her hand until she could drop it on the road.
Everything had been calculated perfectly, but Jing Meng had not expected Bai Xi to be so consumed by hatred that she wouldn't wait a single moment. A heavy blow from the club landed squarely on her stomach. The pain was so intense she could hardly breathe, and it took a long time before she could finally catch her wind.
"Well? Does it hurt?" Bai Xi used the club to tilt up Jing Meng's bloodied chin, smiling coldly. "As long as you give me what I want, I'll definitely let you go. But if you don't... well, that's fine. If I can't have it, no one else can. As for you, I'll just destroy you along with it."
Tossing the wooden club aside, Bai Xi signaled the two men with a glance before walking out with a dark expression.
This woman was insane!
That was the only thought in Jing Meng's mind. Bracing against the pain, she instinctively closed her eyes. She was not simply submitting to the abuse; she was carefully counting the seconds.
Just as a man's fist was about to fall, the piercing wail of a police siren rang out. Everyone's eyes turned toward the outside of the restaurant as police cars swarmed the area. Charging at the very front was Pei Shiyi.
Realizing the situation was lost, the waiters stopped their assault. Their eyes darted around, looking for Bai Xi, but she was nowhere to be found.
While they were busy carrying out her orders, she had already sensed the police and fled, vanishing without a trace.
"Hands on your heads! Get down on the ground!" a policeman shouted.
The waiters did not dare resist; they submissively raised their hands and crouched where they stood.
Without them holding her up, Jing Meng's body went limp and she collapsed. In her dazed state, a figure suddenly rushed over and gathered her into a tight embrace.
"Get out of the way!" Pei Shiyi barked, carrying her as he ran. He jumped into Jing Meng's car and sped toward the hospital, leaving the police to handle the scene at the restaurant.
After the police had taken everyone away, Bai Xi peeked out from the dense woods. She scanned the surroundings warily. Once certain no one was left, she muttered to herself, "Jing Meng... next time, I won't let you off!"
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