At the Bo Family Mansion.
In the past, Shen Ximan would surely have enjoyed such a wonderful day with blue skies and white clouds. Even for just a moment, it could have healed her.
But now, she simply had no time to spare for it.
When she first met Bo Yanhai, she thought this old gentleman was a tough guy who wouldn't tolerate the slightest bit of impropriety.
Whether it was towards his own grandson or in dealing with matters, he was always so meticulous and decisive.
"Good day, Second Madam. Please follow me to the study."
Steward Qin still wore that perfunctory smile, which made one feel creepy after seeing it too many times.
Shen Ximan silently followed her up to the second floor.
Hearing the commotion, Bo Yanhai said with a cold face, ready to explode, "Steward Qin, you may leave first and close the door."
"Yes."
There were only the two of them left in the study.
"Come here."
The cold three words hit Shen Ximan like a blow.
She lowered her head, her hands nervously twined together.
A newspaper was suddenly thrown onto the desk in front of her, followed by a barrage of scolding words all directed at her.
"You're a well - known figure now. How can you still have the nerve to stand here after causing such vulgar rumors with my eldest grandson?"
Shen Ximan silently complained in her heart: Didn't you ask me to come back early this morning?
She cleared her throat and replied cautiously, "Grandpa, it's all a misunderstanding. My relationship with the eldest young master is innocent!"
Bo Yanhai snorted from his nose. "Innocent? There are pictures and the truth in this matter. What evidence do you have to prove your innocence?"
She was immediately at a loss for words and bit her lower lip aggrievedly, saying nothing.
"Why don't you explain anymore?"
"I'll surely take responsibility for what I've done, but I'll never admit to something I didn't do! If you think I'm that kind of person, Grandpa, then I don't know how to explain." Shen Ximan said dejectedly.
Bo Yanhai was slightly surprised.
This girl had quite a stubborn temper and knew when to yield and when to stand firm.
"Because of this incident of yours, the group lost a very important client. Jingyu should have told you about it, right?"
Shen Ximan shook her head in confusion. "No."
"Humph, he really protects you!" Bo Yanhai sneered. "I really don't know what tricks you used to bewitch him."
Only then did she remember seeing Bo Jingyu's slightly swollen and red side face in the car last time. Out of guilt, she hadn't had the nerve to mention it again.
Now that she thought about it, she was really a troublemaker.
"He's only been in his position for a few days, and he was styling your hair in the meeting room with you! The directors have all reported this matter to me!"
Bo Yanhai was so angry that he huffed and puffed.
"I've been very careful not to cause him any trouble. It was an unavoidable situation." Shen Ximan was frightened by his voice and could only speak with her neck shrunk.
"You're always causing so many problems. I'm too lazy to deal with you young people's nonsense," he threw the paper bag in the drawer onto the table. "Sign the papers quickly, and I'll give you compensation."
She frowned and took out the papers inside, and refused without even thinking. "I'll change, Grandpa!"
"You've affected the reputation of the Bo family. I don't need a granddaughter - in - law like you. Don't make me say it a second time."
The anger that Bo Yanhai had just managed to suppress was about to flare up again.
If it had been before, Shen Ximan would surely have left without hesitation. Now that An Ruo was back, she had ways to settle things.
But now that she knew about Bo Jingyu's past and truly felt the invisible pressure and coercion from this "Bo family" on him, she suddenly felt sympathy for him.
Coupled with the recent news and discussions, which had quite an impact on him, it would be so heartless to just take the money and leave at this moment.
"Grandpa, I won't sign."
Shen Ximan directly refused, looking at him firmly and seriously.
With a slap!
She staggered back a few steps, her back hitting the bookshelf. The veil on her face was also knocked off and fluttered to the ground.
There was a warm stream flowing down from the corner of her mouth. She endured the pain and didn't make a sound.
"You'll sign today whether you like it or not!"
Bo Yanhai opened the study door and shouted, "Someone!"
Several maids rushed over quickly. Seeing Shen Ximan's scarred side face, they gasped in horror and lowered their heads, waiting for instructions.
"Restrain her and force her to press her fingerprint on it!"
He pointed at the divorce agreement on the table and gave the order seriously.
"Yes."
Shen Ximan struggled in panic. "What are you doing? Let go, let go of me! I won't sign. I can't sign!"
No matter how agile she was, she couldn't resist the restraint of four or five people.
The red fingerprint was thus pressed below the paper.
Tears streamed down her face. "Why are you doing this... You can ignore my feelings, but what about Jingyu? What is he to you?"
Bo Yanhai ignored her emotions. "You're no longer a member of the Bo family. These things have nothing to do with you, and there's no need to tell you. Pack up her things and send her back to the Shen family immediately!"
With that, he strode out of the room.
The once - respectful servants now openly mocked her since she had lost her power.
"What are you standing there for? Do you expect us to pack your things for you?"
"Look at that scary face of hers. No wonder she always wore a veil."
"What are you looking at! Why don't you just get out with your tail between your legs?"
Steward Qin rushed over quickly upon hearing the noise and scolded them sharply, "Who taught you these rules! You have no sense of propriety at all!"
The maids lowered their heads fearfully.
"Even if Miss Shen is no longer a member of our Bo family, we should still treat her politely and send her out. We can't disgrace the Bo family!"
Shen Ximan sneered in her heart.
She changed her tune so quickly and even grandly warned the servants in front of her. She was really a good steward.
Bo Jingyu was right. She should have less contact with these people.
She bent down to pick up the veil, patted the dust off it, and put it back on her face. With a cold look in her eyes, she said, "Get out of the way."
Steward Qin squinted her eyes and smiled fakely. "It seems that Miss Shen has already made up her mind. Then we won't bother you anymore."
She and the maids made way and stared at her as she returned to the bedroom.
"She still covers her face even after we've seen it. How pretentious."
"How thick - skinned."
"Alright, stop discussing this matter," Steward Qin stopped them. "Clean this place up again in case the old master comes back to check."
Ruo Chi was pacing anxiously outside the villa. As soon as he looked up, he saw the second madam coming out with a lot of luggage.
He quickly ran over. "Second Madam? You, you... What's going on?"
The middle - aged man who escorted her out sighed helplessly. "Go back and wait for orders first. The old master forced the second madam to sign the divorce agreement. He's still very angry now."
This news was like a thunderbolt out of the blue.
"I'll tell the second master right away!"
"Wait," Shen Ximan quickly called out. "He still has work to do. Don't add to his troubles at this time."