Chapter 66: The Consequences of Failure
Ruolan sat in the backseat of the car, her hands clenched in her lap. The silence was suffocating. Her mother, Chen Meiyu, had said nothing since they left the ballroom, but Ruolan could feel the anger rolling off her in waves.
The car pulled up to the Leng family's secondary estate—where she and her parents lived. As soon as the doors closed behind them, her mother finally snapped.
"Do you even understand what you've done?!" Meiyu's voice was sharp, laced with frustration. "You humiliated yourself! You humiliated me! And worst of all, you humiliated your father!"
Ruolan flinched at the mention of him.
Leng Zhiyuan was not an easy man. Unlike his elder brother, Leng Zhen, he had always been in the shadows—never quite good enough to compete with his brother, yet too ambitious to accept his lesser status.
And now, Ruolan had given him a reason to be even more displeased with her.
The study door creaked open, revealing the very man she had hoped to avoid.
Leng Zhiyuan stood at the center of the dimly lit room, his gaze cold and calculating. His presence was suffocating—not because of rage, but because of the chilling silence that came with it.
"Father," Ruolan began, trying to school her expression.
He said nothing for a moment, merely observing her. Then, in a voice as calm as ever, he spoke.
"Do you know what you are to me?"
Ruolan stiffened. "I—"
"You are my investment," Zhiyuan continued, cutting off whatever pitiful excuse she was about to give. "I have spent years molding you into someone worthy of competing with the Leng twins, of standing above others. And tonight, you proved to everyone that you are not ready."
Ruolan's breath hitched.
Meiyu stepped forward, trying to mediate. "Husband, she only—"
"Silence." Zhiyuan's gaze flicked to her, making Meiyu instantly stop. He looked back at his daughter. "You had one job. One. To outshine Qingxue. To make yourself indispensable in the eyes of the elite. But instead, you made a fool of yourself."
Ruolan shook her head, her voice desperate. "I can fix it. This isn't over."
Zhiyuan sighed, a look of utter disappointment crossing his features. "It should have never even happened. A Leng should not make mistakes."
His words cut deeper than any slap ever could.
Ruolan trembled, biting her lip. "I—I was just caught off guard."
Zhiyuan walked toward her, stopping just inches away. "Then let this be the last time you ever allow that to happen." His voice dropped, deadly quiet. "Because if you fail me again, Ruolan, you will no longer be of any use to me."
Her entire body went cold.
Zhiyuan straightened, his expression void of warmth. "Go to your room. Reflect. The next time you step into high society, I expect nothing but perfection."
Ruolan could do nothing but nod, swallowing down the rising dread in her throat.
As she walked away, her mother placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder.
"Be better, Ruolan," Meiyu murmured. "Because if you're not…" She didn't finish her sentence, but she didn't need to.
Ruolan knew exactly what was at stake.
And she would not lose.
No matter what it took.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Leng estate, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Qingxue sat in the private lounge, a cup of tea in hand, while her brothers spoke in low voices around her.
"So, Ruolan really thought she could one-up you tonight," Leng Jiuhan mused, amusement in his voice. "How pathetic."
Leng Yichen smirked. "I almost feel bad for her. Almost."
Leng Haoyu glanced at Qingxue. "You knew she'd break, didn't you?"
Qingxue set her cup down, her silver-blue eyes unreadable. "Ruolan is predictable. She plays at being clever, but she's driven by emotion. It was only a matter of time before she exposed her weaknesses."
Qiuhan crossed his arms. "And her father?"
Leng Yuxian exhaled lightly. "Leng Zhiyuan won't take this lightly. He has ambitions of his own. If Ruolan continues to be useless, he will cut his losses."
Jiuhan grinned. "That would be fun to watch."
Qingxue didn't comment, but there was a knowing look in her eyes.
Tonight had been a lesson.
For Ruolan.
For Zhiyuan.
And for anyone else who thought they could challenge her.
The game had only just begun.