The Breaking Point

"Well, what else?" Mu Tianyang responded with a smile.

Mu Tianxue's eyes narrowed, and she cast a look at Wanqing that was laced with contempt.

"I thought you were a true young lady, but it turns out you're just another one of them."

" Tianxue!" Mu Tianyang snapped sharply, his voice filled with anger. "Who taught you to speak like that? What have you become?!"

A young lady, calling someone "just another one of them"—she didn't even feel ashamed!

Mu Tianxue bristled at his reprimand, her fury mounting. "She dares to do it, so why can't others talk about it?"

Seeing him hold Wanqing so intimately only fueled her rage. "Let go of her! She's just a cheap woman!"

"Keep that mouth of yours in check, or I'll tell grandfather!"

At the mere mention of Mu family's patriarch, Tianxue wilted, turning away to cover her face as she began to sob.

Back at the villa, she refused to get out of the car, demanding A Cheng take her back to the family mansion instead.

A Cheng hesitated, glancing at Mu Tianyang. Mu Tianyang snorted coldly, "Don't mind her! The more you pamper her, the more spoiled she becomes. Just drive her to the wash and let her sulk if she wants!"

As soon as Tianxue heard this, she bolted from the car, chasing after him and hitting him with her handbag. A Cheng and Wanqing both gasped in shock, but Mu Tianyang only frowned, swiftly seizing her hand.

Tianxue kicked and thrashed. "You jerk! You're not even a proper brother!"

"Get someone!" Mu Tianyang ordered coldly without blinking. "Take her back to the mansion!"

"Ah!" Tianxue screamed sharply, frantically throwing herself at him. "You're bullying me! Bullying me! For some wild woman, you're even abandoning me… Wuwuwu… You're not my brother!"

Wanqing stood frozen, wide-eyed in shock. Back at school, Mu Tianxue had always been so proud and graceful—how had she become like this?

Moments later, Zhang Ma, hearing the noise inside, quietly came over to check. With surprise, she asked Wanqing, "Wh-what happened? Is she the real girlfriend, and now she's here to settle scores after finding out about the affair?"

Wanqing shook her head, quietly pushing her away. "You should go back inside."

Zhang Ma, of course, knew better than to interfere with the master's personal affairs, so she quickly went back in. "I'll start preparing dinner. Looks like I'll need to cook for one more person..."

Tianxue's tantrum continued, though it seemed as if her words had no effect, like hitting cotton. Frustrated, she kicked out, landing a blow on Wanqing's abdomen.

"Ah!" Wanqing cried out, collapsing to the floor, the back of her head hitting the door frame. The sharp pain made her eyes well up with tears.

"Tianxue!" Mu Tianyang roared, truly enraged now. He shook her off, quickly turning to support Wanqing, lifting her up. "Where are you hurt?"

Wanqing's back felt numb from the pain, but she shook her head. Mu Tianyang narrowed his eyes and, without a word, scooped her up in his arms. He strode into the living room and gently laid her on the sofa, supporting her back so she could rest her head in his lap. "Does it hurt?"

"Ugh..." Wanqing clutched at his pants.

Mu Tianyang froze, hurriedly pulling her hand away and placing a cushion in her lap. "Don't touch that!" His reaction was undeniable.

Wanqing stiffened, mortified. She wanted to sit up, but the thought of his reaction made her feel like a wild animal under scrutiny.

He held her down. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I..." Wanqing hesitated, too afraid to move, and resigned herself to lying obediently.

Tianxue stormed into the room, fear evident in her heart but her face still defiant and stubborn. Mu Tianyang glanced at her, then turned back to Wanqing. "When she throws a tantrum, just stay out of her way."