The Villain's Wife

"You can do what you want," Lily said. She leaned against the headboard of their king size bed. She watched as the wine in her wine glass sparkled against the dim lighting of the room. "That old man deserves to learn a lesson about reality."

The thing is, Zhou Jingren was not just planning to teach him a lesson. And Lily does not have a problem with this either.

"He is not going to release those photos. Or the Liang Patriarch will know the dirty trick that they tried to pull on me." Zhou Jingren said. His eyes on his laptop. "The market value of the Lee Group is really good." He stated. "I think it is a very good investment."

"Hmmm… I know." Lily nodded. "I wouldn't even come in here if they're not worth it." Lily had always been thinking about the benefits of this trip. She would never waste her time on something that is not worth it.

"And Thomas?"

"I don't need his help," Lily uttered before sipping her wine. "It is enough that he is already doubting the old man's decisions." She then looked at Zhou Jingren's side profile. "I heard Adrian was in a pretty bad condition. He actually needed to undergo an operation to fix his arm."

As expected, this got Zhou Jingren's attention. He stared at her, gauging her reaction. "You didn't like it?"

Lily immediately chuckled. This man is only concern about her opinions, after all. "I don't have a problem with what you did." She assured him. "I think he deserves to suffer more." Lily always hated people like Adrian.

"Are you still seeing Adrian's woman tomorrow?"

"I have no idea," Lily said. "I assumed Samantha is busy taking care of her boyfriend." She shrugged. "It's not my problem anymore." If the woman is not interested in her help, why force it? Lily was willing to help, but she would never force herself to someone like Samantha. Moreover, Samantha and Adrian's relation had nothing to do with her.

If Samantha would seek Lily's help, then she would gladly do it. If Samantha would say no. Then… she would not involve herself either.

"I agree." Zhou Jingren said. He closed his laptop and sat next to Lily. "Secretary Go just sent me the documents about the Liang Family. And as expected, it is quite interesting. I forwarded it to your email. You should read it."

Lily nodded before she smiled. "I recorded the conversation that I had with your crazy grandfather earlier. I will send it to Go Jichen, so he could keep it. Just in case." Lily then finished the wine on her wineglass. "You know… I am really curious."

"About what?"

"That Demi." She laid her head back and pulled Zhou Jingren so she could lay her head on his chest. The latter immediately complied, a small smile plastered on his face. "What kind of woman would agree to do something like this to herself? I mean… she is very beautiful and tall. She joined some international pageants for crying out loud! Who wouldn't want a girl like that?"

"I don't."

"You are not included, dummy." She rolled her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. "She is a lot more beautiful than me and younger too. Why would she become this desperate?"

"I really can't wait to hear their next plans. After all, they couldn't release the images anymore." Lily added. In response, Zhou Jingren leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"It's getting late." He said. "I think… we should sleep."

"Sleep?" Lily lifted an eyebrow. She narrowed her eyes at her husband before she gave him a mischievous grin. "Really?"

.............

Opposite to Lily and Zhou Jingren's jovial atmosphere, the Lee Family's house was blanketed with thick and gloomy air. The smell of tobacco still hung in the air of Isaac's dimly lit office.

"The doctor already told you to stop smoking," Ron's voice interrupted the silence. "This is not good for your current condition."

"Death is out of our control. If I die… then…" The old man shrugged. He balled his trembling hands into a fist. "Tell me… Ronald. Am I wrong?" Memories of Zhou Jingren's blank gaze just a few hours back resurfaced in his mind. The lack of emotion in his grandson's eyes haunted him. "His eyes were just like hers." He sighed. Zhou Jingren's bleak expression was the exact reaction of his late wife when she realized that he had cheated on her. There was nothing in there. No anger. No disgust. Nothing.

"You are only thinking about what's best for him," Ron answered. Sympathy flashed in his eyes. "I think that is only fitting as you are his grandfather."

"But he doesn't see it," Isaac said in a low voice. "He doesn't see how a woman like Lily could cause his downfall one day." He puffed another smoke before he added, "I am running out of options. He refused to leave her and whatever we have is worthless right now."

"I think this is all that woman's fault," Ron said. "She must have planned all this. Her schemes run deep."

"That is exactly what I was thinking!" the old man. "She must have a way to know all our plans. I wouldn't even feel any surprise if she planted spies in our people."

"Now… that we can no longer use the images. My only concern is Demi." Ron sighed. "How are we going to inform her that— "

"We don't." Old man Lee said. "That would make her hate us. What if she betrays us and tells her father about this matter? That man dotes on her so much. Surely, he will believe her. This will compromise our plans. I can't — we can't let that happen."

"So what are we going to do now?" Ron asked. His brother does not have any idea about their underhanded methods. If he knew that Ron allowed Demi to do this, he would surely flip and might even cut him off. Ron would not allow that to happen.