About Betrayal

Under immense pressure, he had wrested a major project from Xie Group. The project was a resounding success, allowing his company to capture market share and lay a solid foundation for future growth.

Gu Yeliang had gained even more. He had silenced the shareholders who doubted him and won the approval of the head of Gu Corporation, who allocated him more resources. That gave him greater strength for the coming battle over succession.

The key to winning the project had been the bidding documents he obtained from Xie Zhiyu's fiancée.

Shen Baili finished reading and stared at the page, speechless. "..."

Were this book's leads really that pathetic? If they couldn't win a fair fight, did they have to resort to dirty tricks?

And the heroine—she was a wealthy young lady. What did she see in a selfish, scheming illegitimate son? What did he have going for him?

The way he'd secretly stolen someone else's fiancée? His scheming? Or the fact that he had his eye on her shares?

Shen Baili kept reading. After several chapters devoted to Gu Yeliang's "moment of glory," Sang Ya called to ask when they could break off her engagement. Gu Yeliang told her not to worry and to leave it to him.

Shen Baili had a feeling it wasn't that simple, so she searched the chapters carefully for clues.

The heroine might be naive, but the hero certainly wasn't. How else could he have talked her into breaking the law and stealing trade secrets with just a few words?

And had Sang Ya's chance encounter with Gu Yeliang while he was being bullied really been a coincidence?

Sang Ya got home at ten that night. As she entered the living room, she spotted her grandfather on the sofa and immediately broke into a bright smile. "Grandpa, why are you still awake?"

Grandpa Sang usually went to bed at nine. If he was still in the living room now, he was clearly waiting for Sang Ya.

Grandpa Sang stroked his granddaughter's head, his voice stern. "I told you to go on a date with Zhiyu. What did you do instead?"

"I went out with a friend," Sang Ya said with a smile. "We couldn't find a suitable violin, so we did some shopping."

Elder Sang looked at Sang Ya without speaking, as though weighing whether she was telling the truth.

Sang Ya massaged her grandfather's shoulders. "Grandpa, why are you up so late? Were you waiting for me?"

"I won't come home this late next time."

She heard him sigh, but this time Elder Sang did not let her dodge the question. "Sit down. Grandpa has something to tell you."

Sang Ya's heart raced. She struggled to stay calm, then obediently sat beside her grandfather.

"Tell me the truth. Is there someone you like?" Elder Sang kept his eyes on his granddaughter.

Sang Ya said nervously, "I'm engaged to the Xie Family. I wouldn't do anything improper."

Her face flushed, and she added, "I... Zhiyu is wonderful."

Her blush made Elder Sang think she was simply shy. Even so, he reminded her earnestly, "Ya Ya, Xie Zhiyu is a responsible man who will stand by his commitments. You won't be mistreated if you marry him."

"The Xie Family will be someone you can rely on in the future."

The marriage was a step up for the Sang Family, but for his granddaughter's sake, Elder Sang would never give it up.

The Xie Family had good values, and the main branch was relatively uncomplicated. Unlike other wealthy families, it wasn't crowded with illegitimate children fighting over power.

Xie Zhiyu himself was exceptional in both looks and ability. Once he fully took charge of the Xie Family, Sang Ya would truly be the mistress of Xie Group.

Marrying into the Xie Family was the best choice for Sang Ya.

Her parents had died young, and she had grown up at his side. She had always had everything she wanted, a little princess in every sense.

He wanted his little princess to be happy forever.

Sang Ya lowered her eyes and said softly, "I have the Sang Family and you to rely on, Grandpa."

"Grandpa's getting old. Who knows how much longer I can be here for you, Ya Ya?"

He knew the Sang Family could be a refuge for Sang Ya only while he was alive. So, with the time he had left, he had selfishly found his granddaughter a dependable source of support. He had complete faith in Xie Zhiyu's character.

Marriage was not the only safeguard Elder Sang had put in place for Sang Ya.

He had sent Sang Ya to intern at the company because he wanted her to get involved in its core operations. Together with the marriage alliance with the Xie Family, that would help her enter the Sang Family's inner circle of power.

Elder Sang intended to train Sang Ya. A little princess with boundless wealth needed power of her own, or someone with ulterior motives might take her fortune.

He had put layer after layer of protection in place for Sang Ya. His devotion to his granddaughter was plain to see.

Sang Ya did not yet understand his true intentions, but she knew her grandfather wanted what was best for her.

An urge seized her to tell him everything. She did not want to see disappointment in his eyes. Once Gu Yeliang took charge of the Gu Family, her grandfather would surely agree that she had chosen well.

Why marry a man she didn't love when she could marry one she loved, who loved her in return?

Just one more month. In a month, she would tell Grandpa everything.

Elder Sang gazed at Sang Ya's young face, seemingly remembering his eldest son, who had died far too young.

His granddaughter had his eldest son's eyes and brows, though neither his temperament nor his way of doing things. Sadness flickered through Elder Sang's aged, perceptive eyes. He stroked Sang Ya's head fondly. "It's late. Go to bed."

"Don't be late for work tomorrow."

"But Grandpa, I want to stay home and keep you company," Sang Ya said coaxingly. "Couldn't I take tomorrow off?"

"Grandpa will be home all day. You can keep me company after work."

"Be good, Ya Ya. Work hard. Watch, listen, ask questions, and learn."

Sang Ya knew she couldn't change her grandfather's mind. "All right. I'll bring you a present after work, then."

A smile reached Elder Sang's eyes. "All right. I'll look forward to it."

"Do you still have enough spending money? I'll have the butler transfer five hundred thousand to your account."

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Sang Ya beamed. "You're the best!"

She had had her eye on a handbag for ages, but her spending money had never been enough.

Sang Ya saw Elder Sang back to his room. Before she left, he reminded her once more, "Work hard. If anyone gives you a hard time, come home and tell Grandpa."