The Paranoid Female CEO’s Contracted Beauty (Omegaverse) - Chapter 5
Li Ge suddenly froze. A wave of disbelief rushed through her. The timing, the place, and this Alpha standing here—it was all too strange. She found it impossible to believe that any of this was just a coincidence.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Li Dahai. But seeing that his face showed no unusual expression, she began to doubt herself. Maybe everything that happened today really was just a coincidence?
“Xiao Ge, you’re here,” Li Dahai said, once again putting on the kind and loving fatherly tone he usually used.
Xu Qingyan felt extremely uncomfortable watching this act. She even wanted to expose Li Dahai’s hypocrisy on the spot. But after thinking it through, she held herself back. After all, Li Ge did not recognize her right now. If she tried to explain everything forcefully, it would only make things worse.
More importantly, even if she told her the truth, what then? On one side were her birth parents who had raised her, and on the other was a complete stranger. The choice was obvious.
Xu Qingyan pushed those thoughts aside and reached out her hand with a polite smile. “Hello.”
Li Ge instinctively took a step back. She could not bring herself to meet Xu Qingyan’s gaze. She was not sure if it was just her imagination, but Xu Qingyan’s eyes seemed to carry something sharp and unsettling, almost as if she was staring at prey.
But maybe she was just imagining it.
After all, the woman did not even know her. That was how Li Ge tried to calm herself down.
However, Li Ge’s reaction made Li Dahai visibly displeased. He had worked extremely hard and used many connections to find his way into Xu Qingyan’s household. If he walked away today with nothing, he would never be able to accept it.
He stepped forward and pushed Li Ge gently, urging her, “Xiao Ge, quickly greet Director Xu.”
Li Ge still resisted. She really did not want to greet Xu Qingyan. But at the same time, she did not want to make Li Dahai look bad in front of someone so important. After hesitating for a moment, she asked quietly, “Dad, who is she?”
Li Dahai’s face lit up as he explained, “This is Director Xu, Xu Qingyan, the chairwoman of the Xu Group. Xiao Ge, aren’t you working in the entertainment industry? Director Xu specializes in this field. Go introduce yourself properly. She might just become a great supporter for you in the future.”
Li Ge was stunned.
She slowly lifted her head and began to examine Xu Qingyan closely.
This female Alpha was stunning, almost unreal. She had an icy beauty mixed with elegance and pride. Her presence radiated strength and confidence. Even when Li Ge had only caught a brief glimpse of her from afar outside the nightclub, she had already felt amazed. Now, seeing her up close made her feel even more overwhelmed.
What Li Ge never expected was that this woman—feared throughout the entertainment industry—was none other than Xu Qingyan, the powerful chairwoman of the Xu Group.
“Director Xu, hello,” Li Ge greeted softly.
Xu Qingyan extended her hand again. “Hello, I am Xu Qingyan.”
Li Ge found her behavior a little odd. She had already greeted her. Why insist on shaking hands?
She wanted to refuse, but Li Dahai nudged her from behind and said, “Xiao Ge, reach out your hand. What are you waiting for? Director Xu is offering you a handshake.”
“But Dad…”
Li Dahai’s patience wore thin. Without thinking, he snapped, “Do as you’re told.”
Li Ge was startled. Ever since she was a child, Li Dahai had never raised his voice at her. This was the first time.
And it was happening in front of a stranger.
Her sense of unease grew stronger, but she still believed, deep down, that Li Dahai would never do anything to harm her. They were father and daughter.
They shared bl00d, and she was his only daughter. She could not believe that he would be so heartless.
After hesitating for a while, Li Ge finally gave in and slowly reached out her hand.
But just then, Xu Qingyan withdrew her hand and said calmly, “If Miss Li does not want to, then it is not necessary.”
To Li Dahai, this gesture felt like rejection. He immediately became anxious but did not dare show his anger in front of Xu Qingyan. Forcing a smile, he said, “Director Xu, Xiao Ge is willing. She just doesn’t understand how things work yet. Please do not take it personally. It is my fault. I spoiled her too much when she was little. I promise I will discipline her properly from now on.”
Then he turned to his daughter and said firmly, “Xiao Ge, apologize to Director Xu.”
Li Ge lowered her head, feeling deeply wronged. Tears welled up in her eyes. She clutched the hem of her shirt tightly and forced herself not to cry. She truly did not understand what she had done wrong. Why did she have to apologize?
She was just about to lift her head and protest when Xu Qingyan spoke up.
“If you are not willing, then do not force yourself. And Mr. Li, this is the Xu residence, not the Li home. Please do not take out your frustration here.”
Her words were sharp and gave Li Dahai no room to save face. There was even a hint that he should leave.
Xu Qingyan’s true intention was to protect Li Ge. She could not stand watching Li Dahai pressure her like that. It made her feel extremely irritated. But to Li Dahai, her words sounded like she was angry because Li Ge had embarrassed him.
“Director Xu, Xiao Ge is only eighteen. She is just a child and doesn’t understand proper manners. If she upset you today, I take full responsibility. Please do not be angry. Let me apologize on her behalf.”
“There’s no need,” Xu Qingyan replied coldly.
But Li Dahai still refused to give up. “Director Xu, this child really doesn’t know better. It is my fault for raising her like this. If she offended you today, as her father, I sincerely apologize.”
Xu Qingyan stared at Li Ge. Her expression remained mostly neutral, but her eyebrows tightened slightly at Li Dahai’s words.
It was an unmistakable sign that she was not pleased.
Her secretary, who had a good sense of timing, quickly stepped in. “Mr. Li, you’re overthinking it. Director Xu is not blaming her, and there’s no need for you to apologize. Director Xu is simply a bit tired today. It would be best if you took Miss Li home now.”
But Li Dahai was not ready to give up. If he failed to win Xu Qingyan’s support today, then the entire visit would be a waste. His new project desperately needed funding, and without help, it would be difficult to proceed. Right now, the only one who could help him resolve this problem quickly was the Xu Group.
“Director Xu, I…”
The secretary interrupted him without hesitation. “Mr. Li, I already explained clearly. Director Xu is indeed tired today. She was glad to meet Miss Li. If there is anything further, you may visit Xu Group tomorrow to speak with her.”
However, everyone knew that Xu Qingyan rarely allowed people to visit her during working hours. Unless it involved an important client, she almost never showed herself. She certainly would not do so for something she considered unimportant.
Li Dahai was unwilling to accept this. He turned to glare at Li Ge.
Li Ge lowered her head in response.
Xu Qingyan, who had been quietly watching Li Ge’s face and had even become a little absorbed by it, suddenly felt her mood drop. The way Li Ge avoided eye contact ruined her interest. Her eyebrows knitted more tightly.
“Mr. Li,” she said in a cold voice, “I never repeat myself. You should understand what I mean.”
The air around them turned tense and heavy. Her voice was colder than ever, like a biting winter wind in December. Only then did Li Dahai come back to his senses and remember that they were still in the Xu family’s private villa. Xu Qingyan was standing right in front of him. This kind of attitude might come across to her as open defiance.
“I understand, Director Xu. I apologize,” Li Dahai said immediately. “I will take Xiao Ge and leave right now.”
Although he said he would leave with her, he stormed out without another word, leaving Li Ge behind without even looking back.
The secretary was speechless. She looked at Xu Qingyan and noticed that her expression had darkened, and she seemed to be suppressing her anger. The secretary quickly stepped forward and said, “Miss Li, let me drive you home.”
Li Ge’s eyes were already brimming with tears. She looked genuinely hurt. She had not done anything wrong, yet her father had harshly scolded her. Despite the pain, she was too stubborn to cry. She simply held the tears in her eyes, refusing to let them fall.
Xu Qingyan felt a deep discomfort watching her like this. She wanted to hand Li Ge a tissue, but a glance at the table showed that none were there. The housekeeping staff must have moved them. She gave the secretary a look, silently signaling her to get one.
The secretary understood at once. She quickly took out a packet of tissues from her bag, pulled one out, and handed it to Li Ge.
“Miss Li, please don’t take your father’s words to heart. None of what happened today is your fault.”
Li Ge did not take the tissue. Instead, she looked up at Xu Qingyan and saw that her gaze had become even more intense. It made her feel anxious, as if the woman in front of her might consume her entirely. She immediately looked away again, quietly said thank you to the secretary, and turned to run out of the room.
Xu Qingyan suddenly felt disappointed. She could not help but ask, “Xiao Su, is my gaze really that frightening?”
The secretary hesitated, unsure how to answer. If she had to be honest, Xu Qingyan usually looked cold and distant, but it was not frightening once you got used to it. However, today was different. Her expression held more than coldness. There was a strong sense of pressure in her eyes.
It was the kind of gaze that came from deep desire, a possessive look that wanted to claim someone completely.
Even Xu Qingyan herself probably had not realized it.
“Yes, it was a little frightening,” the secretary replied with a serious tone. “She is an Omega. You are an S-class Alpha. If you stare at her like that, she will definitely feel afraid. Honestly, she might run away whenever she sees you from now on.”
That could not happen.
Li Ge should not be afraid of her.
No, this was her own fault. She had to find a way to make Li Ge feel safe and comfortable with her.
Xu Qingyan stayed silent for a long moment. Then she looked serious and asked, “What should I do so that Xiao Ge will not be afraid of me?”
The secretary raised her eyebrows. She had already started calling her Xiao Ge so affectionately.
She could almost smell the undeniable scent of love in the air. Still, part of her was happy about it. At least now she would not have to face her boss’s cold and emotionless expression every single day. Life might finally be a bit easier.
“Director Xu, that is actually a very simple problem to solve,” the secretary replied with a smile. “If you follow my advice, Miss Li will definitely not be afraid of you anymore.”