“Surprise! The Ruan family has gone missing!”
“The Ruan family is suspected of absconding with funds!”
“Ruan Jiaojiao collapsed in tears, while Master Maso comforted her and berated the reporters.”
“Police confirm an ongoing investigation. For the latest updates, click here…”
“The Ruan family estate has officially been seized and is set for auction next month.”
…
No one could have anticipated this flurry of headlines hitting the U.S. media early in the morning.
The Ruan family was gone!
Or rather, they had fled!
It only came to light when court officials arrived at the Ruan Manor to seal it off.
They notified the police immediately, but a search showed that the Ruan family’s whereabouts couldn’t be tracked. It was as though they had vanished into thin air.
Ruan Jiaojiao had fainted from crying in front of the media, causing Marceau to lash out at everyone, comforting her in his arms before eventually leaving.
After an hour under Marceau’s care, Ruan Jiaojiao finally regained consciousness.
Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed, exuding a look of fragile sorrow.
With tears shimmering in her eyes, brows furrowed, and her lips pale, she looked pitiful enough to tug at Marceau’s heartstrings.
Marceau kissed her face softly, “Jiaojiao, don’t worry. I’ll find Grandpa and the others for you. They’ll be okay. Even if they left willingly, I’ll make sure they explain themselves to you.”
“Grandpa… Fourth Uncle, Fifth Uncle…”
Ruan Jiaojiao’s lips trembled as tears fell.
“Brother Marceau, they wouldn’t… they wouldn’t run away like that, they wouldn’t!”
“Yes, yes, I know. Don’t worry,” Maso whispered as he gently wiped away her tears.
Ruan Jiaojiao let him comfort her, her voice catching with emotion. “We didn’t even know the manor was mortgaged. Grandpa would never run just because it’s being repossessed. He doesn’t have to face prison time for that. What reason would they have to leave? And… they wouldn’t abandon me…”
Her face was a portrait of sadness and understanding, though inwardly, she simmered with frustration.
Those online were using this to smear her, claiming her family was foolish and selfish, and that she didn’t deserve to be with Marceau.
She couldn’t stand it any longer!
She would not let such talk derail her plans.
“Brother Marceau, don’t you think so? How could Grandpa and the others abandon me? They’d never do that.” Her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face.
“They love me… they love me so much! Last night at dinner, Grandpa even said he wanted a fresh start but needed funds. He asked if I had saved any money. I told him I’d give them what I had today. How could they leave before taking it? This doesn’t make sense…”
With that, Ruan Jiaojiao’s sobs grew heavier, and she melted into Marceau’s embrace, eyes closed and weeping.
“Jiaojiao, please don’t cry. I’ll help you find them. They didn’t mean to abandon you. Who could abandon someone as wonderful as you?” Marceau whispered, soothing her like a child.
As he comforted her, Marceau’s heart ached, struck by her goodness and simplicity. She always cared for others, and yet here she was, suffering. How selfish her family was!
If they truly absconded, they were heartless to leave such a burden on a young woman like Jiaojiao!
He suspected they might have fled, especially since they’d asked for money the night before. But why would they disappear without taking it? Did their plan go wrong somehow?
Marceau’s frown deepened, his face darkening.
The more he thought about it, the more he believed the Ruan family had indeed run off.
After all, it was unlikely they’d been kidnapped. Who would kidnap an entire family who had nothing left but an empty manor?
Besides, if it were a kidnapping, someone would’ve had a chance to contact the police or leave some clues behind.
Marceau clenched his fists, holding a heartbroken Ruan Jiaojiao in his arms, feeling a growing sense of helplessness.
Poor Jiaojiao…
Abandoned by her family, and yet, still worrying about them.
…
Meanwhile, across town in a decrepit slum with no electricity, Ruan Yanxu, bound and disoriented, slowly opened his eyes.
Fear and anger filled his gaze as he looked around, noting that his father and Fifth Uncle were still unconscious. A rat scurried across his fifth uncle’s face, eventually hopping onto his body. Ruan Yanxu screamed, unable to bear it any longer. “Hortez! Hortez—what do you think you’re doing? Do you want Jiaojiao to hate you forever? Are you insane?!”
“Shut up!” A burly man appeared, landing a fierce slap on Ruan Yanxu’s face.
The blow left him reeling, and he nearly collapsed to the floor.
In his daze, Ruan Yanxu saw Hoggs walking toward him, his gaze cold but with a chilling smile.
“Fourth Uncle, forgive me for any discomfort.”
“What are you doing, Hortez?!”
Ruan Yanxu’s voice shook, sensing the danger in Hortez’s expression. This was not the man he knew.
Ruan Yanxu had always known Hoggs to be ruthless, but his power, influence, and devotion to Jiaojiao had won the Ruan family’s admiration.
But now, he saw Hortez’s true cruelty.
They had been kidnapped simply because of a disagreement!
Hortez laughed, looking at the fearful yet defiant Ruan Yanxu.
“What do I want?”
“You know perfectly well what I want,” Hortez replied, flicking his lighter casually. “You’re a professor; this should be obvious to you.”
“You’re mad because of what my father and Fifth Uncle said last night, right? But were they wrong? How can you give Jiaojiao a future as a wanted man? You want to drag us out of the country for your selfishness!”
“Selfish?”
Hortez’s smile turned sinister.
“I’m selfish? When your family was in trouble, who stepped up to help? And yet, you’re willing to marry Jiaojiao off to a man she doesn’t even love for the sake of your advantage with the Marceau Group! Who’s selfish now?”
“I’ve told you before—anyone who stands in the way of Jiaojiao and me will pay for it.”
Hortez’s voice was icy as he looked at Ruan Yanxu. “Uncle, you know my methods.”
Ruan Yanxu’s body trembled with fear. “What do you mean? If you hurt us, Jiaojiao will never forgive you!”
“She won’t know,” Hortez smirked, gesturing to the men behind him, who immediately pulled out their pistols, loading them with a resounding click.
Ruan Yanxu’s face turned ashen, his hands beginning to shake uncontrollably, feeling an urgent need to escape.
He was no longer the suave, conniving man who had taken credit for Lin Zhiyu’s achievements, conspiring to ruin him alongside his brothers. That had been only half a year ago.
But now, he was at the mercy of Hortez, utterly powerless.
Desperate, Ruan Yanxu shouted, hoping to rouse Old Man Ruan and Ruan Yanwei, only to be struck hard on the shoulder with a stick, blood spurting as he fell, screaming.
Hortez’s smile grew colder.
“I don’t plan on killing you—yet. You’re still useful, depending on how well you hold your tongues.”
“You…you…” Ruan Yanxu’s face twisted in rage and fear, “Jiaojiao can’t…ah!”
Another shot landed close to his head, leaving a hole in the wall beside him.
Ruan Yanxu was so terrified he wet himself.
Hortez looked at him with disdain, toying with his lighter, then blew out the flame with a cruel smile.
“I suggest you behave. When your father and brother wake up, make sure they understand what’s at stake, too.”
Hortez sneered and left the room, stroking the pink cat’s eye pendant around his neck, whispering, “Don’t be afraid, Jiaojiao. I’ll come for you soon. You won’t have to marry anyone else.”
He never doubted Ruan Jiaojiao’s devotion to him.
His Jiaojiao was innocent and pure, and he could see the love she held for him in her eyes.
She’d even tried to contact him when he first fled, crying on the phone that she wanted to join him.
How could she suddenly love someone else?
It was clear she’d been forced by Marceau and pressured by her family!
He had gone to the Ruan family to investigate, suspecting they were pushing her into Marceau’s arms for wealth and power.
He was right.
A family of greedy parasites. If it weren’t for the slight chance Jiaojiao might resent him, he’d have finished them off long ago.
Hortez pocketed his lighter, pulled his hat over his eyes, and stepped out of the dingy alley.
…
Meanwhile, Ruan Jiaojiao sat in Marceau’s embrace, savoring the gourmet dishes their private chef had prepared.
“Jiaojiao, try this. It’s topped with some of the finest white truffles my brother purchased recently. They’re divine,” Marceau said.
Each truffle cost 100,000 euros, weighing only about 400 grams.
“Didn’t your brother want those truffles himself? Won’t he be mad?” Ruan Jiaojiao said softly.
“Of course not. I paid him for it. What do you think, Jiaojiao? Do you like it?”
“It’s delicious,” she murmured.
Nestling closer into Marceau’s arms, Ruan Jiaojiao finally felt her mood lifting a bit as she looked at the luxurious spread before her.
