Circles of Influence

Wu Qingying hastily reviewed the divorce agreement, confirming its legitimacy. She could scarcely believe the torment that had plagued her for years had been resolved in a single day by Huo Xuan's intervention.

After signing, she glared at Duan Xu. "I'm finally free of you!"

Duan Xu snorted. The divorce formalities concluded swiftly. Back at the hotel, he demanded, "I upheld my end. Release my family!"

Huo Xuan feigned innocence. "Did I promise anything?"

"You're screwing with me!" Duan Xu roared, lunging—only to be tackled by police officers who materialized out of nowhere. Handcuffs snapped around his wrists.

Shen Rong stepped forward, icy. "Duan Xu, you're under arrest for narcotics offenses."

Ashen-faced, Duan Xu spat at Huo Xuan, "I'll destroy you!"

Huo Xuan smirked. "I'll be waiting."

Watching Duan Xu being dragged away, Shen Rong's gaze lingered on Wu Qingying. A pang of jealousy struck her—this woman's beauty, figure, and poise rivaled her own, even surpassing her in certain aspects.

"Meet Shen Rong, Criminal Investigation Division," Huo Xuan introduced.

Wu Qingying bowed slightly. "Thank you, Officer Shen."

"Just doing my job," Shen Rong replied curtly before turning to Huo Xuan. "Free tonight? There's somewhere I need to go."

Having no plans, Huo Xuan agreed. "Where?"

"You'll see." With that cryptic reply, she left.

Wu Qingying noted silently: That officer seems close with Chairman Huo.

"Duan Xu will serve at least five years," Huo Xuan assured Wu Qingying. "His life's ruined—he won't trouble you again."

Gratitude brimmed in her eyes. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Excel at your job. That's thanks enough." Huo Xuan smiled. "Return to Jiangzhou tomorrow—the company needs you."

Meanwhile, an ethereal 18-year-old girl named Ge Xiaoxian had enchanted Tianxing Jewelry's interviewers, securing a sales position.

That evening, Shen Rong picked Huo Xuan up, her expression conflicted.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he teased.

She sighed. "It's a reunion for our old circle. He invited me."

Huo Xuan immediately understood—Chen Wan, the red princeling who'd blamed Shen Rong after being humiliated years ago. "That snake's invitation reeks of malice. Why go?"

"It's unfinished business," Shen Rong said tightly. "They exiled me from their circle. Tonight, I prove I wasn't wrong—he was."

Huo Xuan shook his head. "The only chains are the ones you refuse to break." Suddenly, he signaled her to pull over.

Shen Rong's grip tightened on the wheel. "You won't come?"

"Crashing their party alone would be pathetic. Let's bring reinforcements."

Skeptical, she asked, "What reinforcements?"

Huo Xuan grinned. "Even a pauper might know a governor." He proceeded to call Li Yunfei, Tong Haichuan, Fang Lingtian, and Liu Ling.

An hour later, thirty-odd scions of political and business elites gathered at a luxury hotel—the who's who of Beijing's privileged youth, now influential across industries.

Liu Ling, Tong Haichuan, Li Yunfei, and Fang Lingtian arrived, the latter accompanied by the long-missing Yuan Xin.

Huo Xuan clasped Yuan Xin's shoulder—a comrade's greeting. "Glad you're back."

Fang Lingtian whispered, "One more guest."

The doors swung open. Shangguan Meixue strode in, resplendent in crimson qipao, trailed by twenty cocky heirs apparent.

Huo Xuan's eyebrows shot up. "You're back?"

Shangguan Meixue smirked. "Heard you needed backup. Brought the gang."

Her entourage groaned at being called "gang," earning eye-rolls.

Shen Rong gaped. These were legends—the kind who'd smashed military jeeps and walked scot-free from police raids.

As Huo Xuan mingled effortlessly, Shen Rong suddenly gasped, staring at a man in his thirties. The man looked puzzled, clearly not recognizing her.

"That's one of the guys who beat Chen Wan," she whispered.

Huo Xuan burst out laughing. "Talk about serendipity!"

The man—Du Fei—chuckled upon learning the context. "That little punk Chen Wan? Last I heard, he made colonel."

Clapping Shen Rong's shoulder, Du Fei said, "My bad for the collateral damage back then. Want us to rough him up again for old times' sake?"