Sivena’s pair of emerald eyes were filled with disbelief, misted over.
Tarik had actually threatened her for that Z-country woman!
Sivena’s fair skin had lost some of its color due to suffocation, and her throat could only let out instinctive whimpers for help.
Seeing this, Tarik slowly released his grip and patted her shoulder, "Go back. I'll tell Mr. Vincent that you're not feeling well."
With that, Tarik walked directly back to the venue.
Sivena, left dry-coughing on the spot, bent over and gasped for air, watching Tarik walk away.
"Damn it..." Sivena bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with resentment.
Even if she hadn't touched that Z-country woman, her adoptive father wouldn't tolerate Tarik getting involved in any romantic entanglements at such a crucial time!
Her adoptive father detested anything that escaped his control. He wouldn't let a Z-country woman, who appeared out of nowhere, ruin his plans.
Thinking of this, Sivena took a deep breath, her gaze turning cold.
Just you wait, she vowed, she would make that Z-country woman who dared to compete with her unable to live, unable to die!
Sivena left Vincent’s private residence and drove straight to the laboratory.
Recently, the energy fluctuations of the crystals had been abnormal, and her adoptive father had been busy dealing with matters there. It wasn't difficult for Sivena to find him.
Upon hearing the reason for Sivena's commotion, the man busy behind his chair chuckled, "Just for this? A Z-country girl?"
"Father, you don't know, Tarik has gone mad for that girl. I just happened to be passing by, and I didn't say anything, but he threatened me! He threatened me for that Z-country girl!" Sivena tilted her chin up for the man to see her neck.
Sivena had been pampered all her life, her skin delicate and fair. Even the slightest bump would leave obvious marks.
Now, the bruises on her neck were frighteningly blue-purple, truly showing that Tarik had used some force.
"Father, Tarik and I grew up together. I know him best. He must have feelings for that girl! He's been bewitched!" Sivena said earnestly.
"You know him best, and he knows you just as well," the man chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "If you hadn't harbored murderous intent out of jealousy, he wouldn't have threatened you like this."
"!" Sivena was instantly struck by her adoptive father's accurate observation. A hint of guilt appeared on her face, and her eyes flickered nervously as she looked away, still trying to justify her actions, "I, I was also worried that Tarik would delay things because of that girl... Didn't Chang Hongyu's plan fail? I heard it was related to someone surnamed Xia, and that girl is also surnamed Xia, I..."
Hearing this, the man's gaze shifted, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table, "Sivena, are you questioning Tarik's ability to handle matters?"
"No, I'm not!" Sivena immediately replied, "I just... I just..."
"Sivena, you and Tarik were both raised by my side. Tarik's business acumen shown since childhood, your sensitivity to money, and your hands are all reasons why I've focused on cultivating you." The man wore a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Your hands are good, but it's best to restrain them. Don't reach too far."
Upon hearing the man's warning, Sivena's face turned pale, her eyes filled with panic.
Although her adoptive father was usually easygoing, Sivena knew that beneath his gentlemanly facade hid a heart of a demon.
No one could withstand her adoptive father's wrath.
"Father, I..." Sivena trembled, her gaze at the man filled with a warning.
"It's quite boring staying in this laboratory all the time. Tomorrow, I'll personally visit Vincent's place." The man's tone returned to the gentleness Sivena was most familiar with.
Sivena had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard her name being called.
"Sivena." The man smiled, his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses narrowing with a smile. "Remember, I don't want to see this happen again."
Taking a sharp breath, Sivena immediately lowered her head and replied, "Father, I remember."
After leaving the laboratory, Sivena still felt a chill down her spine.
Regardless, her goal had been achieved.
Just you wait, today she was caught off guard, but tomorrow she would be fully armed and would absolutely not lose to anyone.
Tarik was hers.
Her adoptive father wouldn't let Tarik marry another woman. Only she was the most suitable person for Tarik.
Meanwhile, at Vincent's private residence, after the performance which was merely a formality, Chairman Shi was invited to stay for drinks and conversation with Mr. Vincent.
The younger generation dispersed to do as they pleased without restraint.
Xia Qingyu and her group also prepared to drive back to the manor.
Before getting into the car, Tarik called Xia Qingyu aside, "I remember what happened just now."
"You better remember," Xia Qingyu met Tarik's gaze. "It's okay if you don't remember, I can always help you consolidate your memory."
As if seeing a stray dog he had fed actually baring its teeth at him after a long absence, Tarik couldn't help but chuckle, earning a glare from Xia Qingyu.
Watching Xia Qingyu get into the car, Tarik didn't avert his gaze.
The carefree Shi Xingwu still wanted to invite Tarik to the manor, but Li Xiaozhong covered his mouth and stuffed him into the car.
Li Xiaozhong cast one last glance at Tarik. Their gazes met for only a second before they had clearly shown their mutual dislike.
Li Xiaozhong had never thought Tarik was easy to get along with. When he discovered that Tarik was actually connected to a mysterious organization, and was even the young master of that organization, he was startled but quickly calmed down.
What truly sent chills down his spine was the organization's secrecy and pervasive reach.
The more he investigated, the more he was shocked. He never knew such an organization existed in the world's gray areas.
Tarik also disliked Li Xiaozhong, for no other reason than the tacit understanding between him and Xia Qingyu, which was annoying.
Upon returning to the manor that day, before Xia Qingyu could even report today's events to Xia Qingtian, Shi Xingwu had already recounted his meeting with Nie Qingkong in great detail. He also didn't forget to mention the beautiful girl beside Nie Qingkong, then clicked his tongue twice, "Who would have thought... Nie Qingkong has also become corrupt, tsk tsk tsk..."
Hearing this, Xia Qingtian immediately looked at Xia Qingyu, who simply met Xia Qingtian's gaze and smiled, shaking her head, indicating that Nie Qingkong had not harmed her and she was fine.
Rather than whether Nie Qingkong had affected her, it was more that she had finally gotten her revenge and taught that guy a good lesson!
How dare he underestimate her? Did he really think she was still the helpless Xia Qingyu from the ship back then?
She had been working hard all this time!
Confirming Xia Qingyu was alright, Xia Qingtian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that tomorrow, she absolutely had to accompany Xia Qingyu. If there was an opportunity, she should also meet that young master Tarik properly.
Aunt Liu didn't notice the sisters' subtle interaction. She sat to the side, listening with a gentle smile as Shi Xingwu described Vincent's impressive mansion and his opponent's taste in food, not forgetting to show off her muscles, "Goddess Mama, what do you think? Isn't it quite substantial?"
Aunt Liu chuckled, nodding in agreement, thinking that Xia Qingyu's friend was truly interesting.