Wealthy Love Snatch: The Shameless Ex-Wife

Chapter 18: Caught

Liang Xiaoluo struggled with all her might, but Ye Tianlin's strength was like a steel cage—unyielding and overwhelming. She despised herself for being so powerless, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Desperation pushed her to a dangerous decision. She tilted her head, intending to bite her tongue, but Ye Tianlin, with his sharp instincts, noticed the subtle movement. His hand shot out, gripping her jaw tightly, rendering her unable to move.

"Let me go!" Liang Xiaoluo's words came out muffled, her struggle intensifying.

Ye Tianlin frowned slightly. Did she detest his touch that much? Other women threw themselves at him, craving his attention, but she acted as if his touch was a plague. The realization stung more than he cared to admit.

Ye Tianlin released her with a cold expression, straightening his clothes. "I, Ye Tianlin, never force anyone. Leave if you want."

Liang Xiaoluo looked up at him, her eyes filled with disbelief. Was he serious?

"What's the matter? Reluctant to leave?" he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. He wasn't sure why, but provoking her always amused him.

Not daring to test his patience further, Liang Xiaoluo scrambled to her feet, hastily gathering her belongings. Her legs trembled as she fled the room, terrified he might change his mind at the last second.

Ye Tianlin watched her retreating figure, a bemused smile on his face. He muttered to himself, "Liang Xiaoluo, you'll come back to me. It's only a matter of time."

Meanwhile, Liang Xiaoluo sprinted out of the mansion, her heart racing. She spotted the van that had brought them there earlier and waved frantically. "Wait! Please wait for me!"

The driver stopped the vehicle, and she climbed aboard, gasping for air. Her disheveled hair and pale face caught the attention of Su Xin, who looked at her with concern. "Xiaoluo, are you okay? What happened to you?"

Realizing how she must look, Liang Xiaoluo stammered, "I… I tripped in the bushes outside…"

"Xiaoluo, you have to be more careful!" Su Xin scolded gently, though her own thoughts were preoccupied with her disappointment over not getting the job.

Back at the small apartment, Liang Xiaoluo was greeted by a chaotic scene. Several burly men were trashing the place, their loud jeers echoing in the cramped space.

"What are you doing? Stop it!" she shouted, rushing into the room.

The men paused, looking her over with amused smiles. "Miss Liang, we're just here to remind you that one day is already gone."

"I said, get out!" Liang Xiaoluo's voice was icy, her glare unwavering. She shoved them toward the door and slammed it shut behind them, leaning against it as her body shook with anger and frustration.

Inside, her stepmother Lin Meiling immediately turned her ire toward Liang Xiaoluo. Hands on her hips, she screeched, "Look at what you've done! You promised to pay them back in three days, and now we're left to clean up your mess!"

Lin Xue, standing smugly to the side, smirked at the spectacle.

Ignoring the insults, Liang Xiaoluo stormed past them and locked herself in her room. She collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her contacts and stopped at a familiar name: "Shaojie Gege."

Her finger hovered over the call button. Just as she gathered the courage to press it, she changed her mind and hung up. How could she, now tarnished and burdened with shame, face the man she once admired?

As she wrestled with her thoughts, her gaze fell on her hand, where faintly visible numbers were scrawled. It was the number Ye Tianlin had written there before letting her go.

His words echoed in her mind: "Remember this number. You'll need it."

Liang Xiaoluo's heart sank. The realization hit her like a freight train. Ye Tianlin… is the second young master of the Ye family. The same Ye family at the pinnacle of the global corporate elite.

The memories of a grand banquet from a year ago flooded back. Her childhood friend, Nan Shaojie, had introduced her to the event, hosted by none other than the Ye family. She had heard of Ye Tianlin then, but never imagined she would cross paths with him in such a twisted way.

The revelation left her shaking. This man—this devil—was no ordinary threat. He wielded power and influence beyond imagination. There was no escaping him.

Through the night, Liang Xiaoluo wrestled with her fear and helplessness. By morning, Lin Meiling's shrill voice snapped her out of her trance, banging on her door. "Get up! Stop pretending you're a pampered princess. You're no better than the rest of us!"

Opening the door abruptly, Liang Xiaoluo's fiery glare silenced Lin Meiling. For once, she had no retort.

Later, Liang Xiaoluo made a decision. She dialed Ye Tianlin's number, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I'll accept the job. And I have one condition—you hire my friend as well."

On the other end of the line, Ye Tianlin's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Consider it done."

Hanging up, Liang Xiaoluo felt her legs give way. She sank to the floor, hugging her knees as tears streamed down her face. She had just struck a deal with the devil.

In that moment, she resolved to do whatever it took to protect her father, no matter the cost to herself. Self-respect and pride could wait. For now, survival came first.