At those words, Tang Hao's pupils contracted sharply, his gaze locking onto Chen Jue.
"You... what exactly did you do to her?"
His voice was low and trembling, each word seeming to squeeze painfully through his clenched teeth.
A teasing smile curled Chen Jue's lips, and a trace of indescribable lingering pleasure and satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
"I merely had her stay at my Secluded Residence for a few days."
His words were casual, yet they struck Tang Hao's heart like a heavy hammer.
The moment he said this, Tang Hao's world seemed to collapse. He staggered a few steps before slumping helplessly to the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"No... no... this can't be true!"
He muttered to himself, despair and resistance mingling in his voice.
"You must be toying with me... I will never believe such an absurd lie!"
He tried to grasp a shred of reason at the edge of his breakdown, but his hollow eyes had already descended into chaos.
Then an abrupt burst of laughter spilled from Tang Hao's mouth.
It sounded dry at first, then gradually turned hysterical.
His laughter echoed through the empty air, grating harshly on the ears.
"Hahahaha... how could this be... it could never happen..."
He murmured repeatedly, his gaze growing vacant, as though his soul had been torn away, leaving only an empty shell.
Chen Jue watched coldly, a contemptuous smile curling his lips, without a shred of sympathy for Tang Hao's breakdown.
With a casual sweep of his sleeve, Chen Jue signaled for them to take Tang Hao and the others away from this place of strife, into eternal silence.
Once the dust had settled, Qian Daoliu slowly turned, his deep gaze falling on Chen Jue, his voice carrying a measure of scrutiny and gravity.
"Little