Huang Mao reveled in the flash of humiliation in Hong Yilan's eyes. It was more dazzling than any jewel, more intoxicating than any power. This was the feeling he craved: to trample the lofty queen under his feet, to watch her struggle, to watch her break down, to watch her be forced to submit to him.
"What's wrong, Director Hong, not happy?" he asked deliberately in a frivolous tone, as if it were just a trivial joke. "I thought you understood. Now, I am the one who makes the rules. You have no right to say no."
Hong Yilan slowly raised her head, her eyes regaining their coldness, as if the wavering just now was merely an illusion. "Huang Mao, don't be smug. Do you think you can threaten me for life with these things? You're too naive." A mocking arc appeared at the corner of her lips, "I admit, you've got something on me. But I, Hong Yilan, am not an easy target to manipulate. If you dare to release those things, I guarantee you will regret ever being born into this world."
She stood up, walked to the desk, placed her hands on the surface, leaned forward, and stared intensely at the blond-haired man. "You think I'm easily intimidated? What storms haven't I, Hong Yilan, weathered? Your little tricks are nothing in my eyes. With a flick of my finger, I can make you disappear from Shanghai without a trace."
Her aura exploded in an instant, a powerful sense of pressure overwhelming him, as if a sleeping lion had been awakened. The blond-haired man's originally cynical expression turned serious in that moment. He knew that Hong Yilan wasn't joking. She really had the power to completely erase him.
"Furthermore," Hong Yilan continued, her voice as cold as ice, "do you think I would let you manipulate me? You overestimate yourself. I will call the police, I will sue you, I will use every means to make you pay the price. You think you can get away with it? You are wrong. I will make you spend the rest of your life in prison, where you will wish you were dead but be unable to die."
Her words resonated forcefully, carrying a sense of resolute ruthlessness, as if she wanted to devour the blond-haired guy alive. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, and an intense confrontation seemed imminent.
The blond-haired guy's initially arrogant demeanor began to diminish under Hong Yilan's pressure, bit by bit. He admitted that he was intimidated. Hong Yilan's aura was too powerful, and her threats were too real. He originally thought he had completely grasped the situation, but now it seemed he had underestimated this queen's ability to fight back.
However, just as he began to waver, he keenly caught a fleeting glimpse of nervousness in Hong Yilan's eyes. It was a deeply hidden, yet undeniable anxiety. He immediately realized that Hong Yilan's toughness was nothing more than a bluff. She was afraid, she was truly afraid.
"Really? Mr. Hong, you're being quite scary." Huang Mao smiled again, his tone becoming lighter. "However, are you sure you have the confidence to do this?" He pointed at the USB drive on the table. "As long as I press the delete key, all of this will be completely destroyed. Then, you'll have no evidence to sue me. And your son's scandal will still be all over the news. Are you sure you want to take that risk?"
He paused, then continued, "Also, Mr. Hong, don't forget. I have more than just this in my hand. I also have your... photos. Some very private photos. If you don't want these photos to appear online, I advise you to calm down."
Hong Yilan's face paled again. She knew that what Huang Mao said was true. She couldn't take the risk; she couldn't let her son be disgraced, and she couldn't let her career be ruined. She had to endure, she had to compromise.
"What exactly do you want?" Her voice was almost squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying a sense of extreme repression.
The blonde's smile widened. "What do I want? Didn't I already say? I want to add some spice to your life. I want you to know that life can be lived this way too." He walked up to Hong Yilan, reached out, and gently stroked her cheek. "President Hong, you're so beautiful, so charming, you shouldn't always have a stern face. Smile, relax, enjoy life, wouldn't that be nice?"
His fingers, with their rough texture, made Hong Yilan feel a surge of disgust. She wanted to avoid it, but her body stiffened, unable to move. She knew she had already lost the ability to resist.
She opened her mouth, but found herself unable to say anything. Her pride, her dignity, her self-respect were all being trampled underfoot by the blonde thug at this moment.
The blonde thug looked at her reaction with satisfaction and continued, "How about this, Director Hong? I won't make things difficult for you. I just want you to do me a favor. A small favor." He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "I want you to... give me a blowjob."
These words, like a sharp knife, fiercely pierced Hong Yilan's heart. She felt as if all the blood in her body had solidified, and her mind went blank. She couldn't believe her ears; she couldn't believe that Huang Mao had made such a vulgar request.
"You...you're crazy!" she screamed, her voice hoarse and trembling.
"Crazy? Maybe," the blonde shrugged. "But, Director Hong, do you really have a choice right now? Would you prefer me to release those things, or satisfy my small request?"
He pressed her relentlessly, driving Hong Yilan into a desperate situation. She knew she had nowhere left to retreat. She had to make a choice, one she would never be able to forgive herself for.
Hong Yilan closed her eyes, and two lines of clear tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt unprecedented humiliation and despair. She had once been so proud, so confident, so arrogant. But now, to protect her son and save her career, she had no choice but to bow her head to a man she despised.
She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. The light that once shone in her eyes was gone, leaving only endless dimness and resignation.
"Okay, I promise you." Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible, carrying a sense of utter collapse.
A smug smile appeared on Huang Mao's face. He knew he had won. He had completely conquered Hong Yilan, turning this high and mighty queen into his slave.
"That's right, President Hong. A wise man submits to circumstances. You've made a smart choice." He patted her cheek with a contemptuous condescension. "Now, please stand up."
Hong Yilan silently stood up and walked to her desk. Her body was trembling, her legs were trembling, but she still tried her best to remain calm. She knew that she had to fulfill Huang Mao's request, otherwise, everything would be in vain.
She walked to the desk, took a deep breath, and then slowly bent down...