Chapter 8: Emergency Rescue

At this moment, Song Zhong had just returned to the luxurious mansion at 22 Beverly Hills. As soon as he stepped out of his luxury car, his phone rang, and it was Zhou Ruobing calling. His eyes lit up immediately, and he answered in a hurry, "Bingbing, what's the situation?"

Zhou Ruobing said, "Mr. Song, I'm apologizing to you on his behalf. Rest assured, I've already reprimanded him severely. I sincerely hope you can be magnanimous and let this matter go. Additionally, I'm willing to pay ten times the medical expenses..."

Song Zhong suppressed the anger and resentment boiling inside him. How could she defend that guy like this!

"Ten times the medical expenses?" Song Zhong sneered, with a curl of his lips. "Bingbing, is this about money? Do you think I care about such a paltry sum?"

Zhou Ruobing explained, "Mr. Song, I'm well aware that you're not short of money. But I've already apologized to you sincerely..."

Song Zhong's face twisted into a ferocious expression. "Bingbing, is this what you call a sincere apology?"

Zhou Ruobing asked, "So, what do you want?"

Song Zhong sneered inwardly but remained composed on the surface. "Bingbing, if you truly want to protect him, I'll give you half an hour. Come to my mansion at 22 Beverly Hills and apologize to me in person! Otherwise, I'll tell my grandmother about this. I'm the third son of the Song family. Being slapped out of the blue isn't just about my personal dignity; it concerns the honor of the entire Song family! Think it over carefully!"

After saying that, Song Zhong hung up the phone. Looking at the phone, a malicious smile crept onto his face. "Zhou Ruobing, I bet you won't be able to resist coming."

…

Sitting in the car, Zhou Ruobing was in a dilemma. She had an inherent aversion to interacting with men. Moreover, Song Zhong had a rather poor reputation in recent years. There were constant rumors and scandals about him.

Half a year ago, a college beauty queen committed suicide by jumping off a building, taking her unborn child with her, after being abandoned by her boyfriend due to unplanned pregnancy. Zhou Ruobing learned from her best friend that this beauty queen had been kept by Song Zhong before that. There were surely more skeletons in Song Zhong's closet if one dug deeper.

Zhou Ruobing was extremely worried. Would she be walking into a trap if she went? However, if she didn't apologize to Song Zhong in person as he demanded, he would definitely tell the Song family matriarch.

Currently, the Song family matriarch held all the power in the Song family. Once she learned of this, she would launch an immediate investigation. At that time, not only would Ye Long be in great trouble, but the cooperation between the two families would also be affected!

Fifteen minutes passed in a flash. Song Zhong sent a text message: "Bingbing, you've got fifteen minutes left to think!"

Zhou Ruobing looked at the text message, gritted her teeth, and her eyes hardened. "I don't believe he'd dare to do anything to me in broad daylight!"

To play it safe, Zhou Ruobing still sent a voice message to her secretary on her phone: "Chen, I'm on my way to the mansion at 22 Beverly Hills to meet Song Zhong. Delay the upcoming negotiations for half an hour."

After sending the voice message, Zhou Ruobing stepped on the gas and drove towards Beverly Hills.

…

On the other side, Ye Long's phone rang suddenly. It was his apprentice, Lao Qi. Earlier, Ye Long had become increasingly angry and called Lao Qi to help track Song Zhong's location.

Lao Qi's name was Jack. He was the seventh apprentice Ye Long had taken in during his time in the Navy SEALs.

"Master, Song Zhong is currently at the mansion at 22 Beverly Hills." A rough and excited male voice came through the phone.

"Okay." Ye Long replied.

Jack asked eagerly, "Master, should I take action?"

"Not necessary. I'll handle it myself." Ye Long hung up the phone and searched for the location of Beverly Hills on his phone. Finding it wasn't far, Ye Long sped off on his Harley - Davidson motorcycle.

…

At the mansion at 22 Beverly Hills.

Song Zhong was overjoyed to see that Zhou Ruobing had actually come, and alone at that.

Zhou Ruobing was led to Song Zhong by a bodyguard. At this time, the handprint on Song Zhong's face was less visible, but there were still signs of bruising and swelling.

Song Zhong greeted her with a big smile. "Bingbing, you're here. Have a seat. I've got so much to tell you."

Zhou Ruobing took a step back, deliberately keeping a distance from him. "Mr. Song, I'm here to apologize to you in person. My friend was being thoughtless earlier. He hit you out of impulse. I've already scolded him severely and ensured that nothing like this will happen again. I sincerely hope you can forgive him..."

A strange glint flashed in Song Zhong's eyes. He said bluntly, "Bingbing, in all my life, I've never been touched, let alone slapped. For the Song family, this is a huge humiliation. If you want me to forgive him, drink this glass of wine!"

Song Zhong picked up a bottle of pre - prepared whiskey, filled a glass, and handed it to Zhou Ruobing.

Zhou Ruobing looked at the glass of wine and instinctively felt a sense of resistance. The whiskey had a high alcohol content, and who knew if he had spiked it? Since she was alone here, if she drank it and passed out, Song Zhong would surely take advantage of her.

Zhou Ruobing said, "Mr. Song, I'm terribly sorry. I'm not feeling well today, so I can't drink. Another day, I'll definitely punish myself by drinking three glasses. I have other business, so I must take my leave now!"

With that, Zhou Ruobing turned to leave.

Song Zhong looked at her graceful back, swallowed hard, and quickly said, "Bingbing, if you dare to walk out of this door, I'll cripple that guy's hand!"

Zhou Ruobing stopped in her tracks and stared at him with piercing eyes.

Song Zhong said, "He should have thought about the consequences when he slapped me. Demanding one of his hands is already lenient."

Zhou Ruobing said coldly, "Song Zhong, are you really going to give me no face at all?"

Song Zhong swirled the glass in his hand. "I gave you a chance. You just didn't take it."

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly turned tense.

Song Zhong softened his tone and smiled. "Alright, Bingbing. Just have one glass. If you drink this glass of wine, this matter will be over."

Zhou Ruobing wavered for a moment, but her rationality told her not to take the risk. If the wine was spiked, she wouldn't be able to leave even if she only drank half a glass. She couldn't afford to gamble with her safety.

Zhou Ruobing said, "Song Zhong, I'm really not feeling well today. How about this? I'll invite you in two days. We'll have lunch together, and I'll definitely punish myself by drinking three glasses then."

With that, Zhou Ruobing turned to leave again.

Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward to block her way.

Zhou Ruobing's face turned cold. She spun around and looked at Song Zhong icily. "What do you mean by this!"

Song Zhong stared at her, and his eyes gradually turned malicious.

Sensing something was wrong, Zhou Ruobing quickly warned, "Song Zhong, since I dared to come here, I'm not afraid of your tricks. If you dare to touch me, I'll..."

Just then, one of the bodyguards lunged forward and slashed towards her neck.

Zhou Ruobing was startled and quickly dodged. However, the other bodyguard had already circled behind her and struck the side of her neck with a palm.

"Ah!" Zhou Ruobing's face turned pale with shock. Her head spun, and she collapsed onto the nearby sofa, losing consciousness.

Song Zhong walked up to her, smirking. "Bingbing, it took me so much effort to lure you to my place. There's no way I'm letting you go easily! You two, go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone in and ruin my good time!"

The two bodyguards turned and left.

Song Zhong bent down, gently caressing Zhou Ruobing's snow - white cheek with the back of his hand. His other hand trembled uncontrollably.

"Zhou Ruobing, do you know? I've been waiting for this moment for three long years! Once it's a done deal, our lives will be tied together..."

Song Zhong looked at Zhou Ruobing's lips, swallowed hard, and was about to bend down to kiss her.

"Bang!"

At that moment, the tightly - closed door was kicked open with a forceful blow.

Song Zhong was startled and turned to look.

Standing at the door was Ye Long, the one who had slapped him outside the diner.