Wealthy Love Snatch: The Shameless Ex-Wife

Chapter 16: A Fateful Encounter

Liang Xiaoluo noticed how stunningly dressed Su Xin was, with her makeup perfectly done, and couldn't help but ask, "Su Xin, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"Shh!" Su Xin looked around nervously and pulled Liang Xiaoluo aside. "Keep your voice down."

Confused, Liang Xiaoluo frowned. "What's going on?"

After some hesitation, Su Xin whispered, "I'll tell you, but keep it a secret—I'm applying for a maid's job."

"A maid?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, puzzled. Why all the secrecy for a maid's job?

Su Xin puffed out her chest proudly. "Not just any maid job! This one's for taking care of a wealthy young master. The pay is 30,000 yuan a day!"

"30,000 yuan a day?" Liang Xiaoluo's jaw nearly dropped. Truly, the rich seemed to have money to burn.

Excited, Su Xin beamed. "Isn't it amazing? And Xiaoluo, you'd be perfect for this too! Why don't you join me?"

"I…" Liang Xiaoluo hesitated. The whole thing seemed dubious.

"Don't think too much about it," Su Xin urged. "Just come along. Worst case, if we don't get the job, we lose nothing. But if we do…" Her voice trailed off as she spotted an approaching vehicle. "Look! The car's here! Let's grab good seats."

Without waiting for an answer, Su Xin dragged Liang Xiaoluo to the bus. Inside, nearly every seat was filled, a clear sign of the high interest in the job.

Unwittingly, Liang Xiaoluo found herself among the crowd of hopefuls. After the vehicle began moving, the windows were covered, obscuring the route. The secrecy unsettled her.

The journey took a while before the bus finally stopped. A supervisor stepped out, urging everyone to form a line. The girls disembarked and found themselves facing a grand villa sprawling over an area the size of a football field.

The sheer opulence left everyone in awe, with murmurs of amazement spreading through the crowd.

"Stop gawking! Line up and head inside, one at a time," the supervisor barked impatiently.

Inside, the villa's European-style decor dazzled the group. The intricate designs and tasteful furnishings were straight out of a dream. Yet, while others whispered excitedly, Liang Xiaoluo remained indifferent. The extravagant job offer couldn't solve her pressing need to raise five million yuan in just three days.

She decided to go through the motions and leave as soon as the interview ended. Her mind was preoccupied with finding alternatives, including the possibility of seeking help from Nan Shaojie, though the thought weighed heavily on her pride.

As the supervisor began calling numbers for the first set of interviews, a commotion at the door caught everyone's attention.

"Master, you're back!" The supervisor suddenly became obsequiously deferential, addressing a tall man entering with an air of authority.

His secretary looked over the crowd and asked, "These are the applicants?"

"Yes," the supervisor replied quickly.

"Choose wisely. You know how particular the young master is," the secretary warned.

Sweat broke out on the supervisor's brow as she nodded emphatically. "Absolutely. I'll make sure the selections meet his expectations."

The arrival of the so-called "young master" sparked a wave of curiosity. Every girl strained to catch a glimpse of him. Even Liang Xiaoluo, despite herself, looked up—and froze.

The man was none other than Ye Tianlin. His tall frame, chiseled features, and commanding presence were impossible to forget. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Liang Xiaoluo's heart skipped a beat. Her mind reeled with disbelief. It was him—the man who had bought her at the auction and the one she had hoped to never see again.

Ye Tianlin's gaze swept over the group, but when it fell on her, he paused. His lips curved into a faint, mischievous smile. Liang Xiaoluo's worst fear had come true.

Ye Tianlin hadn't expected to see Liang Xiaoluo among the crowd. Fate had dealt him an unexpected card, and the corners of his mouth twitched with amusement. The prey that had slipped through his fingers had returned willingly.

The secretary noticed her as well, whispering, "Young Master, isn't she—"

A cold glare from Ye Tianlin silenced him. No one else needed to know yet. He turned and walked upstairs, leaving everyone wondering.

Liang Xiaoluo couldn't breathe. Had he recognized her? Her mind raced as she struggled to appear calm. When Ye Tianlin walked past without a word, she dared to hope she had escaped his notice.

But she was wrong.

Ye Tianlin had seen her trembling hands, pale face, and fearful eyes. He relished the thought: You can't escape me.

The supervisor called the first group of applicants, but Liang Xiaoluo knew she couldn't stay. Panic gripped her as she feigned illness, clutching her stomach. "Su Xin, I'm not feeling well. I need to leave."

Su Xin was immediately concerned. "Xiaoluo, are you okay? You're shaking. Let me take you to the hospital!"

As Su Xin helped her toward the door, they were intercepted by the supervisor. "Where do you think you're going? The interviews haven't ended."

"But she's unwell!" Su Xin protested. "Look at her—she needs medical attention!"

The supervisor's expression hardened. "Nobody leaves until the interviews are over. There'll be a bus to take you all back afterward."

Su Xin pleaded, but the supervisor ignored her. Dejected, she turned to Liang Xiaoluo, who whispered, "It's fine, Su Xin. Let's just wait."

Su Xin reluctantly helped Liang Xiaoluo to a corner, away from the commotion of the interviews. "Rest here. I'll stay with you."

As the interviews continued, Su Xin's attention kept drifting toward the elegant figure of Ye Tianlin. Her curiosity and excitement were palpable, and Liang Xiaoluo, sensing it, said, "Su Xin, you should go. Don't miss this opportunity because of me."

"But—"

"Go," Liang Xiaoluo insisted, forcing a smile. "I'll be fine."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Xin ran off, leaving Liang Xiaoluo alone.

As she sat in the corner, Liang Xiaoluo's thoughts swirled. If not for the urgent need to save her father, she would have never stepped foot here. And if not for Ye Tianlin, this might have been just another day.

But now, she was caught in a storm with no safe way out.