Chapter 0264

"President Luo, I'm sorry. The door was open, so I barged in without thinking. My mistake."

Liu Meng felt a chill down her spine—Luo Yao's gaze looked like it wanted to carve her up.

Meanwhile, Lin Ran had already thrown on an outer layer, ready to step out.

"You two talk. I'll give you some privacy."

He assumed Liu Meng was here to discuss business matters.

"Ah-Ran, don’t leave. Whatever it is, you don’t need to step away. Go ahead, speak."

Luo Yao kept Lin Ran close while giving Liu Meng a look that promised suffering if her news wasn’t important enough.

"President Luo, Young Master Lin, Lin Jian just released a statement claiming he was framed—that the video was doctored."

Liu Meng spoke while placing a stack of documents on the table, silently relieved.

Thankfully, President Luo had previously instructed her to report anything related to Lin Ran immediately, no matter what she was doing.

Lin Ran’s eyes widened instantly. "Seriously? He’s trying to spin this? Does he think netizens are idiots now?"

Liu Meng grimaced.

"Actually… some netizens are choosing to believe him."

Lin Ran was speechless. So there really were idiots out there.

"Wife, what do you think about this?"

Luo Yao gazed at Lin Ran with deep affection. "Ah-Ran, you keep switching between 'Yao-Yao,' 'wife,' and 'darling.' Are you a fickle Ah-Ran now?"

Lin Ran froze. He hadn’t expected Luo Yao’s train of thought to derail so spectacularly.

Here he was, talking about Lin Jian, and she was fixated on his choice of address.

"You don’t like it? I told you I’d mix it up. No matter what I call you, it all means the same thing."

Luo Yao shook her head. "I like it. I like whatever you call me."

Lin Ran flashed a sweet smile. "Master, what’s your take on this?"

"With my eyes."

Lin Ran’s face darkened. Since when did Luo Yao start cracking jokes?

"Master, I’m serious."

Luo Yao’s lips curled. She seemed to like this title even more.

"If it were me, I’d study my enemy first, then decide whether to annihilate them outright or toy with them slowly. But trash like Lin Jian doesn’t even qualify as an enemy—he’s not worthy."

His wife had a point. Right now, Lin Jian posed no real threat—just a plaything at their mercy.

"Lin Jian really isn’t opponent material. Compared to a quick kill, I prefer slow torment. After all, there are fewer and fewer people left to torment these days."

Liu Ruxue was locked up, Huo Haini was six feet under, and the three Liu family pests were under control. With these players out of the game, the pool of potential victims was shrinking fast.

"If the three Lin beasts disappear too, won’t life become dull?"

Luo Yao stayed silent, not mentioning that she’d shipped the three Liu family members off to South Africa. It wasn’t important anyway.

"Having me is enough. How could you ever be bored with me by your side?"

Lin Ran affectionately ruffled Luo Yao’s hair.

Her silky strands, seemingly meticulously styled, turned into a tousled mess under his touch.

"Of course you’re mine, but life needs seasoning. Like cooking—the main ingredient is key, but spices are just as essential." Lin Ran hurriedly clarified, afraid she’d misunderstand.

"So, what’s Ah-Ran’s plan?"

Honestly, at this stage, Lin Ran didn’t care much about the Lin family anymore.

But giving up on revenge? Absolutely out of the question.

Lin Ran was no saint. He wouldn’t let grudges slide—the most mercy he could offer was not actively bullying others.

But if he saw someone getting bullied on the street? Sorry, not his problem.

That was Lin Ran—don’t mess with him, and he won’t mess with you.

"Counterattack, of course. But not right away. I’ll handle this myself, so don’t worry, darling. They’re not worth your attention. Right now, I’m more focused on how to love you in a way that makes you happy."

Lin Ran’s words filled Luo Yao with warmth. All these years of effort had truly paid off—in the best way possible.

"Liu Meng, you can leave now."

"Understood, President Luo. There’s a video conference in an hour, so you—"

"Out."

"...Yes."

The moment Liu Meng left, Luo Yao’s demeanor shifted into something crimson and predatory.

"Ah-Ran… it’s game time again."

Lin Ran stiffened, spotting the bracelet that had suddenly appeared in Luo Yao’s hand.

"Yao-Yao, I just… surrendered earlier."

Luo Yao smirked.

"So… Ah-Ran loves me, right?"

An hour later, Luo Yao stared at Lin Ran with teary, remorseful eyes.

"Ah-Ran, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just couldn’t help it."

She’d hurt him again—but Lin Ran was used to it by now.

"It’s not that I’m scared. I’m worried about your injuries. Moving too much will aggravate your wounds."

His concern shattered Luo Yao’s defenses, piercing straight through her heart.

"Ah-Ran…"

She realized she needed to restrain herself—or one day, Lin Ran might actually run.

As much as he loved her now, that love was tangled with too much pain.

"Ah-Ran, I have a meeting. I’ll come find you later. Don’t run away."

"Okay, go ahead."

The moment Luo Yao left, Lin Ran winced, gritting his teeth.

No wonder Little Black said Luo Yao was ruthless. She really didn’t hold back—even with her own husband.

Unbelievable.

Only now did Lin Ran pull out his phone to check the online buzz.

Sure enough, he found Lin Jian’s "confession" video.

In it, Lin Jian wore an expression of sorrow and injustice—eerily similar to Luo Yao’s earlier guilt.

But Luo Yao’s sadness was genuine. Lin Jian’s? Pure performance. At least the green tea act was convincing.

"Hello everyone, I’m Lin Jian—the so-called 'Number One Orthopedic Expert' you’ve been talking about. Actually… inaudible… In the end, I just want to say—I don’t blame my brother, nor do I blame Ruxue. They’re both innocent."

"I only blame myself for not exposing the truth sooner, which led Ruxue astray into crime. I also owe my brother an apology—my presence stole his father’s love. If he hates me, it’s understandable. It’s my fault for never expressing my love for him properly. To everyone watching—please, don’t hide your love for family like I did…"

Lin Jian spoke with heartbreaking sincerity, but Lin Ran could barely stomach it, nearly gagging on the spot.

Even now, he’s still playing the victim and dragging me into it?

Do you really think netizens are that stupid?