The darkness lurking in Song Yuhuan's eyes was finally laid bare. From the very beginning, his seduction of Chu Luyao had been a calculated game.
When his older brother, Song Yuheng, was diagnosed with that rare disease and passed away, Yuhuan was only fourteen, still in junior high school.
The Song family's financial condition was mediocre, limited to just barely keeping them fed and clothed. Since childhood, their parents had drilled into them that they worked themselves to the bone solely to provide the boys with a better life.
The two brothers grew up together like this for over a decade, inseparable until Song Yuheng left for university.
Song Yuheng wasn't the first person in town to get into university, but he was the one who achieved the highest scores. Song Yuhuan had always looked up to his brother as a role model, following in his footsteps, desperate to get into the same prestigious school.
But after his brother was diagnosed, Yuhuan watched his parents sit in the living room, faces etched with misery, discussing the unthinkable: giving up on Yuheng's treatment to focus their meager resources on supporting Song Yuhuan alone.
Song Yuhuan was furious, but powerless. With his parents pouring all their resources into him, his life became materially better than average.
Walking around in the latest brand-name sneakers garnered more envy from his peers than his brother getting into a top university ever did.
Song Yuhuan tasted the sweetness of privilege, yet he loathed his parents for the price paid.
Incompetent people always overestimate themselves; they give birth to children with genetic defects, yet are powerless to treat their pain.
Why did he have to be born into this kind of family?
Why was his existence reduced to being a mere alternative?
Fueled by a resentment intense enough to tear the world apart, he set his sights on Chu Luyao.
He had learned everything about her and Song Yuheng from his late brother's phone.
So, he meticulously imitated his brother's expressions and his tone of voice, successfully ensnaring Chu Luyao—even though she was already a married woman.
Song Yuhuan knew no fear. In his world, emotions were a weakness. He only craved one thing: to climb to the top and become a man above all others.
Just like now. He held Chu Luyao, his face a mask of deep affection, while his internal expression was cold, gloomy, and smug.
Zhou Du was gone. The throne of Yaodu was vacant, and Chu Luyao hadn't touched company affairs for far too long. The most suitable person to take over was him.
However, the scent on Song Yuhuan's body felt foreign, repulsive. Chu Luyao twisted her head away and retched. A sudden, violent wave of morning sickness came so fast she didn't have time to react, and she vomited all over Song Yuhuan.
Song Yuhuan shoved Chu Luyao to the ground, making no effort to hide the sheer disgust in his eyes.
The fall sobered Chu Luyao instantly. She looked up and finally saw the person in front of her clearly.
Song Yuhuan also reacted quickly. He immediately put on a submissive, compromising expression and reached out to help her up.
"Zhou Du was forced away by you on purpose. You don't love me at all. You seduced me only for Yaodu."
Hearing Chu Luyao's accusation, Song Yuhuan dropped the act entirely.
"The main culprit who forced Zhou Du away wasn't me; it was you. Because in this world, only he truly loved you."
Chu Luyao sat paralyzed on the floor, looking as if she had taken a fatal blow. Song Yuhuan looked down at her from his high vantage point.
"Isn't this situation exactly what you wanted? Have you forgotten how many times you complained to me? You said Zhou Du controlled too much and wouldn't let you invest, even though Yaodu was created by the two of you together."
"You're talking nonsense!"
Song Yuhuan let out a cold sneer. He pinched Chu Luyao's chin, his eyes terrifyingly cold and laced with a hint of ruthlessness.
"Chu Luyao, you really are selfish. Once you achieve your goal, you want to burn the bridge?"
"Right now, you and I are grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If you want to kick me out of the company, you'd better first weigh the consequences. Imagine the impact on Yaodu if the scandal of you cheating with your husband's male secretary is exposed to the public."