The next few days were calm on the surface.
Xia Xingchen focused all her energy on the Gu Group headquarters design, while Gu Yanzhi handled the company's business and quietly protected her from any more trouble.
One evening, when Xia Xingchen was rearranging her documents, she accidentally knocked over a small decorative ornament on the cabinet.
As she bent down to pick it up, she noticed something unusual.
A tiny, dark device was hidden in the corner of the cabinet, carefully disguised to look like a part of the decoration.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She reached out and carefully took it down.
It was a hidden camera.
Xia Xingchen's hands turned cold. Someone had secretly installed a camera in their villa, spying on their private lives.
She immediately took the camera to Gu Yanzhi.
When he saw the device, his face turned completely cold.
The gentle look in his eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp, dangerous chill.
"Lin Hao," he called his assistant in a low, icy voice. "Check the villa's security system immediately. Find out when this camera was installed, and who did it."
Soon, the results came out.
The camera had been installed three days ago, during the daytime when only the cleaning staff was in the villa.
And the cleaning staff member who had been alone in that area was a new employee — who had suddenly resigned that same day.
Further investigation revealed that the cleaner was not who she claimed to be.
Her identity was fake, and all traces of her had been erased.
But before disappearing, she had contacted a number — one that belonged to Gu Yanzhi's cousin, Gu Yuhao.
Gu Yuhao had always been jealous of Gu Yanzhi.
He had long wanted to seize control of the Gu Group, and he saw Xia Xingchen as his biggest weakness.
His plan was simple:
Use the hidden camera to record intimate or embarrassing videos of the couple, then leak them online to ruin Xia Xingchen's reputation and bring shame to Gu Yanzhi.
When Gu Yanzhi learned the truth, a murderous chill filled his entire body.
"Gu Yuhao…" he whispered, his voice so cold it made people tremble.
Xia Xingchen gently held his hand. "Calm down. We have evidence. We can expose him legally."
Gu Yanzhi looked at her, his cold expression slowly softening.
He held her hand tightly. "You're always so kind. But for you, I will not show any mercy."
That night, Gu Yanzhi held an emergency family meeting.
He placed all the evidence — camera records, contact logs, payment records — on the table.
Gu Yuhao's face turned pale with fear. He tried to deny it, but the evidence was overwhelming.
"From today on, you are removed from all positions in the Gu Group," Gu Yanzhi announced coldly. "You will never interfere in the company's affairs, and you will stay away from my wife. If you dare to plot against us again, I will show no mercy."
The Gu family elders did not dare to say a word.
They all knew that Gu Yuhao had crossed the line.
When they returned to the villa, Xia Xingchen looked at Gu Yanzhi and smiled.
"Thank you for protecting me again."
Gu Yanzhi pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead gently.
"I will always protect you. No one can hurt you, not even my own family."
He looked into her eyes, his voice deep and sincere.
"Our contractual marriage is over.
From now on, I want to be with you — for real."
Xia Xingchen's heart raced. She looked at him, her eyes bright with emotion, and nodded gently.
Just as the sweet atmosphere filled the room, Xia Xingchen's phone rang.
It was a call from the international design exhibition.
She had been invited to participate, with her Gu Group headquarters design.
A bigger stage was waiting for her.