Substitute Girlfriend Contract (GL) - Chapter 26

“What are you glaring at me for? You said it yourself—my skills are better, and I serve you way better than your husband ever could!” Lu Mengxiao winked at Zhuo Shaqi.

“Stop spouting nonsense!” Zhuo Shaqi snapped, her voice rising. “Watch your mouth. People have dignity, you know. Even if you want to smear me, there should be a limit!”

“I knew no one would believe me if I just said it, so I brought proof.” Lu Mengxiao turned and looked toward Tian Qiurou. Tian was half-hiding behind the door, looking uneasy. Lu waved at her and whispered, “Go on!”

“Lu—” Tian Qiurou hesitated, then sighed. “Fine.” She picked up the remote, pointed it at the massive screen opposite them, and pressed a button. Covering her face, she hurried out.

Tao Anyu turned her head to look. The other guests followed suit, curiosity piqued.

“What’s this?”

“Why’s the screen coming down? Could that country bumpkin actually have proof?”

“Proof or not, this is the most entertaining show I’ve seen in ages, haha!”

Tao Anyu shrugged with a laugh, pulling out an egg and tossing it lightly in her hand. She wrinkled her nose. Yep—rotten.

Lu Mengxiao pointed at the screen. “I brought our intimate photos. Take a good look.”

“Oh my god, this is going to be good!”

“Wow… steamy!”

“Tsk, tsk. Who knew? These two women really know how to have fun!”

Could Lu Mengxiao have actually hooked up with Zhuo Shaqi while she was away?

A dull ache pricked Tao Anyu’s chest. She looked up, and the moment she saw the image, she spat out her whiskey in a spray.

Pfft—!

Holy crap. That blown-up photo on the screen…

A naked woman sat on a leather chair, wrists bound above her head, with another woman standing behind her. The second woman’s face was hidden by the shadows, but the one in front was clearly Zhuo Shaqi—or so it seemed. Though she was nude, the key parts were cleverly covered with “holy light” censorship.

Tao Anyu’s face went dark. Others might not know what they were looking at, but she knew all too well…

That woman in the chair might have Zhuo Shaqi’s head in the photo, but the body was hers. And the woman behind her, with the whip looped around her neck—that was Lu Mengxiao!

That damned woman had taken pictures!!!

Seriously?! This kind of photo isn’t something you just throw up on a giant screen for everyone to see!

And the Photoshop job… flawless.

“That’s not me!” Zhuo Shaqi cried, clutching Lin Ke’s arm. “You believe me, right? That’s really not me! She’s framing me!”

Lin Ke shook her off irritably. “Enough! Back when Ai Yunjing was around, I already suspected something between you two. And what did you tell me? That you were just using her, that you really loved me, that nothing happened between you… Yet you weren’t even a virgin!”

Zhuo Shaqi grabbed at his hand desperately. “It’s not like that! Please, Lin Ke, believe me. What happened before was all an accident. I love you, I truly love you!”

“No need to explain. The truth is right here in front of us. What more is there to say? You’re just a slut—one man’s not enough, you have to go looking elsewhere, huh? Then go! Don’t bother coming back!” He tore his hand away.

“And you? Are you so noble? Didn’t that woman say you have a kid with her? She even brought the prenatal check report and ultrasound! You’ve never done anything to betray me?!” Zhuo Shaqi shouted through tears.

“I don’t want to talk to you!” Lin Ke roared, storming off.

Wiping her eyes, Zhuo Shaqi forced a strained smile for the guests. “Sorry you all had to witness that. Please, the party goes on—enjoy yourselves.”

With that, she lifted her skirt and left.

“Weak,” Lu Mengxiao said with a smug tilt of her chin, clapping her hands.

Suddenly—thwack!—a rotten egg splattered against her, the stench spreading instantly.

“Who the hell did that?! Do you even know who I am? You’ve got some nerve throwing rotten eggs at me! Trying to get yourself killed?!” she yelled.

Thwack!

Another egg landed squarely on target.

“Who?! Get out here!” Lu Mengxiao fumed, stomping into the crowd to find the culprit.

“This woman’s nuts.”

“Ugh, the smell. Stay away from her…”

Guests scattered. Some, unable to stand the chaos any longer, made their exit.

Tao Anyu smiled faintly, set the egg basket down, and headed downstairs.

Tian Qiurou spotted her. “Miss Tao, you’re not leaving with President Lu?”

Tao Anyu slung an arm over her shoulder. “Rou Rou, your President Lu’s got other business. She told us to head back first.”

“Huh?” Tian glanced at her pager. “But she hasn’t called me yet.”

“No worries. Would I lie to you?” Tao Anyu winked.

“…No,” Tian said, blinking.

“Exactly. Let’s go!”

“Okay…”

“Oh, wait,” Tao Anyu added suddenly. “Rou Rou, did you bring the Faraday?”

“Mm-hmm. President Lu said we’d drive it back later.”

“Perfect. Let’s take it.”

“What about her?”

Tao Anyu smirked. “She’s got the BYD F3.”

Lu Mengxiao, you dared to show my intimate photos?! Sure, the “holy light” covered everything and you swapped in Zhuo Shaqi’s face—but your crime is still unforgivable.

When we get back, I’ll have your head!

“What the hell? Where’s my baby?!” Lu Mengxiao froze at the sight of the empty parking space.

“President Lu!” Director Huang from the hotel waved enthusiastically, jogging over with several managers in tow.

“President Lu…” He stopped short, instinctively pinching his nose. “What’s that smell? Is this one of those novelty perfumes? Ha! You really are ahead of the curve—always unique.”

“Yes, yes, so uninhibited, President Lu!” the managers chimed in with forced smiles and thumbs-up.

Lu kicked the BYD and pointed to the empty spot. “Where’s my car?”

“Huh? You mean the Lamborghini? Assistant Tian just drove it off. Wasn’t she supposed to take it back for you?” Huang looked baffled.

“I see.” Lu nodded slowly, egg whites dripping from her hair. She took a deep breath, eyes shut tight.

Tao Anyu, was it really worth it over just one photo?!