Chapter 18 You Should Bow and Apologize

Gu Yiqiao’s grip was so strong that An Ruier felt as if her nose implant might come flying out. She immediately grabbed his hands and yanked them away. “Nothing happened, and I won’t admit to anything. Besides, Shen Linyue killed herself out of guilt—the court has already confirmed it. So whether she’s dead or not has nothing to do with me.”

“I’ve already caught the people who dug up the grave—what are you still trying to argue about? The Shen family just came to find me, demanding answers. So you’d better behave and go apologize to them, or else—don’t think your father or anyone else can protect you.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong, so I’m not afraid of ghosts knocking at my door. For all we know, that wretched Shen Linyue isn’t even dead—she probably orchestrated everything, hiding behind public opinion to try and destroy me.”

“That’s enough. Linyue always told me to beware of you, said you couldn’t be trusted. Now I see she was right—you’re not just unreliable, you’re downright insane. Come with me; you’re going to kneel and apologize to the Shen family.” Gu Yiqiao lost his patience, unwilling to listen to An Ruier’s shrill protests any longer. He dragged her out of the park and shoved her into his car.

“Why should I kneel and apologize to the Shen family? I won’t go! Let me out, or I’ll call the police!” Seeing her furious outburst as she pulled out her phone, Gu Yiqiao snatched it from her and threw it out the window, locked the doors, and sped off toward the Shen family estate.

Throughout the drive, An Ruier was fiercely resistant, but the speed of the car terrified her into stillness. She clung to the seatbelt, trembling as she stared at Gu Yiqiao. “Yiqiao, are you crazy? Stop the car! Let me out!”

At that moment, Zhang Guoguo happened to be at the Shen residence, comforting her grandmother. She’d heard that the family had gone to the Milky Way Garden to find out why there were no ashes beneath the grave, only an empty urn. The most infuriating thing was that their granddaughter had died unjustly, and now not even her ashes remained.

Watching her grandmother’s heartbreak, Zhang Guoguo desperately wanted to reveal the truth—that she was Shen Linyue. But she couldn’t explain the mystical events that had occurred; if she tried, her family would probably think she was insane and drive her out. So, for now, the best she could do was stay by her grandmother’s side and offer comfort.

Her uncles sat on the sofa, faces dark with anger over the desecration of Shen Linyue’s grave.

After venting their dissatisfaction with the An family and Gu Yiqiao in front of grandmother, everyone settled quietly onto the sofas in the hall, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Zhang Guoguo felt awkward watching them; after all, they’d never shown much concern for her when she was alive. Before marrying Gu Yiqiao, Shen Linyue always lived with her grandmother—she even visited almost daily after marriage to have dinner with her. The uncles, by contrast, only returned home for holidays, never staying overnight, despite living in the same city, just ten kilometers away. It was obvious their sudden attentiveness had ulterior motives, since grandmother was now the true head of the Shen family.

Suddenly, grandmother wiped her tears and looked at the two uncles. “Let me make one thing clear: whoever can retrieve the Locke shares that An Ruier tricked Linyue out of will become the largest shareholder in the Shen Corporation.”

The uncles perked up immediately.

The eldest, Shen Yixian, stood up, his silver hair gleaming but his spirit undimmed. “Mom, don’t worry—I’ll do my best and make sure Linyue gets justice.”

Second uncle Shen Hai was quick to follow. “Yes, Mom. My brother and I will compete fairly to fulfill your wish and give Linyue justice. Our brother and sister-in-law passed early, and as uncles, we should have done more for our niece, but we never had the chance. This time, I won’t let you down.”

Their eager promises made Zhang Guoguo want to laugh.

Grandmother, however, remained calm. Soon, Housekeeper Zhang entered and said, “Madam, the son-in-law—oh, no, Mr. Gu Yiqiao and Miss An Ruier are here to visit.”

“They still have the nerve to come? Throw them out!” Second uncle was furious, pointing toward the door. The eldest uncle was more composed, taking a drag on his cigarette. “Mom, maybe we should see them—however unruly Yiqiao may be, he wouldn’t do anything truly outrageous.”

“Ah, big brother, you sound like you know Yiqiao very well. Don’t forget how he treated our Linyue.”

Here they went again, bickering. The elderly lady closed her eyes, sighed, and said to Housekeeper Zhang, “Let them in.”

Zhang Guoguo felt her grandmother’s grip tighten, undoubtedly wrestling with her emotions. Soon after, Gu Yiqiao entered, dragging a disheveled An Ruier, and shoved her before grandmother. “Kneel and apologize.”

An Ruier stumbled, her face pale. She had indeed committed the deed, and despite her loud denials, her conscience betrayed her. Facing the old lady’s sharp gaze, she felt a chill. Though the Shen family wasn’t the most powerful in the country, they were a renowned clan, and grandmother was not someone to be trifled with, both in connections and strength. “Madam, I haven’t done anything—why must you force me to apologize?”