Contract Marriage: The Tycoon's Pampered Wife-Chapter 57 - 0: Mommy (2 more updates)

Ning Guiwan suppressed the urge to break free, her hands clenched into fists on her lap, tightly gripping her skirt.

What emerged in her mind were the intimate images of Quan Xiangru and Ning Qinghan she had seen in a photograph four years ago.

Her stomach churned, her nerves were taut, and fine beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

It seemed that from that time, she had rejected all contact with the opposite sex, which she found utterly repulsive, especially when she was sober.

"I know." Her voice was surprisingly calm. "You and Grandmother Quan will always be good to me."

...

Ning Rongyue returned to her sister’s hospital room door, distraught, and heard Yun Shu and Ning Honghua arguing inside.

"...How long are you going to hurt Xiaowan?" Yun Shu’s voice was faint with guilt. "If Tingshuang knew you were treating Xiaowan like this, can you imagine how sad she would be?"

"What do you want me to do? Just watch Qinghan lose her life?" Ning Honghua was also agitated. "Could you bear that?"

Yun Shu sobbed softly, and Ning Rongyue could hear the tormented conflict in her cries.

"All of this was a mistake from the start!" Yun Shu’s voice was muffled by her choked sobs. "I should never have agreed to come to Shencheng with you, and I certainly never should have agreed to let you acknowledge Rongyue and Qinghan as your daughters. We took what wasn’t ours... This is Heaven’s punishment for them..."

"Mom..." Ning Rongyue pushed the door open just in time, a soft smile on her face as she asked, "What are you arguing about? Qinghan hasn’t woken up yet. Don’t wake her."

Yun Shu glanced at Ning Rongyue, her lips moved, but ultimately she said nothing. She sat beside the hospital bed, holding Ning Qinghan’s hand, and wept in sorrow.

Ning Rongyue watched her mother for a while, then turned to Ning Honghua.

"I saw Xiaowan downstairs. She didn’t look well. What happened?"

"Never mention her again!" Ning Honghua’s anger had not subsided. "From now on, I don’t have that daughter!"

Ning Rongyue’s jaw dropped, seemingly shocked by this news.

After a while, she said, "Dad, why do you have to be like this? No matter what, she’s still your biological daughter. Even if she’s made some mistakes, blood is thicker than water. You shouldn’t disown her."

"I’ll call her and ask her to come back so you two can talk things over. Surely, a father and daughter can’t hold a grudge that lasts past a night?"

"Don’t you dare call her!" Ning Honghua ordered, his face stern.

"Dad..." Ning Rongyue still wanted to persuade him.

Ning Honghua waved his hand impatiently. "Stay here with Qinghan. I have some matters to attend to."

Watching him leave, from an angle where no one could see, the corners of Ning Rongyue’s lips curved into a triumphant smirk.

...

After leaving the hospital, Quan Yu took Ning Guiwan to a nearby restaurant for lunch. By the time they finished, it was past one o’clock in the afternoon.

Ning Guiwan didn’t ask Quan Yu to take her any further. She walked slowly by herself along the sidewalk, dappled with the shadows of trees.

Quan Yu stood at the restaurant entrance, watching the girl’s receding figure. An enigmatic darkness swirled in his eyes.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Arrange a meeting with Ning Honghua."

...

A large conglomerate is bound to make mistakes in its operations.

In the United States, there are certain companies specialized in exposing the operational errors of Chinese companies listed in the U.S., profiting from the subsequent plunge in those companies’ stock prices.

Kulock’s Muddy Waters LLC, was among the frontrunners.

Not until the sun had set did Ning Guiwan finally pull out her mobile phone and dial an international number.

"Mr. Churchill," she spoke in English, her tone devoid of emotion, "please tell Mr. Kulock that he can do whatever he wants regarding Tianchi Group."

"So, you’ve made up your mind?" A sensual male voice with a distinct London accent replied from the phone.

"You know, the companies Kulock shorts are either delisted or have their trading suspended. None escape. I remember you once said Tianchi Group was the business your maternal grandfather left you."

Ning Guiwan was currently sitting in a café directly across from Tianchi Group. Looking up, she could see the imposing logo on the Tianchi Group building.

Suddenly, Quan Yu’s distinctively angular face flashed in her mind.

"Mr. Kulock has had it smooth sailing for too long. It’s time to let him know there are always higher mountains beyond, and superior people out there."

"So confident?" Winston Churchill’s laughter came through. "If that’s the case, we’ll do as you say."

Pausing, he then added, "During the days you’ve been away, Aila has been missing you terribly. Would you like to speak to her?"

Upon hearing Aila’s name, Ning Guiwan withdrew her gaze from the opposite building, a warmer smile touched her lips. "Okay."

Soon, a tender young girl’s voice came through the phone: "Mommy..."