Celia's delicate nose stung suddenly. All this warmth—this motherly affection—had come from Mrs. Fu.
And she didn't deserve it.
She wasn't Mrs. Fu's real daughter-in-law. She was just a stand-in. A fake.
Celia was genuinely afraid that Mrs. Fu might one day find out the truth. If she did, she would definitely be disappointed… maybe even hate her.
No one likes to be lied to—especially by someone they trust.
"…Okay, Mom. Let's get in the car. I'll drive."
The Ferrari purred to life and pulled smoothly out into the street. Mrs. Fu rolled down the window, letting the evening breeze flow through her hair. She looked like she was enjoying herself immensely.
"Cici, how does the car feel?" she asked with a glowing smile.
Celia nodded, "It drives beautifully. But, Mom, this car… it's too expensive."
Mrs. Fu waved it off cheerfully. "Oh, that's nothing. It's your husband's money. And your husband has plenty of money."
Celia's hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel.
"Cici, we women should be thoughtful. Since your husband has so much money, it's only right for you to help him spend some of it—ease his burden a little. A wife who knows how to spend money is a wife who inspires her man to earn more. That's called mutual support."
Celia: "…"
"Take this turn," Mrs. Fu pointed. "Let's swing by Fu Group and surprise Nancheng."
Fu Group?
No. Absolutely not.
Celia's mind was elsewhere. Distracted, she suddenly encountered a red light. The car in front of her stopped abruptly, and in a moment of panic, she jerked the steering wheel.
Bang!
The brand-new Ferrari slammed into the guardrail with a loud screech of metal and sparks flying.
It's over. I've crashed a twelve-million-dollar car!
Celia looked over at Mrs. Fu in shock. Mrs. Fu was staring right back at her, both of them still frozen.
"M-Mom… what do we do now?" Celia asked with a trembling voice.
"Don't panic, don't panic," Mrs. Fu said quickly, fumbling for her phone. "Let's just call Nancheng. He'll take care of it."
"Mom, will… will he be mad at us?"
Mrs. Fu straightened up a little and said firmly, "Don't worry. I'll stand in front of you and shield you. He won't dare."
But her hands were visibly shaking as she dialed.
Fu Group Headquarters
Nathaniel Fu had an important business meeting scheduled for today. Mr. Smith, a key international client, had flown in specifically to negotiate a deal.
Nathaniel was reviewing documents in his office when Secretary Song walked in, holding a printed receipt.
"Sir, Madam just made a charge of twelve million."
Nathaniel's brow lifted slightly. His mother was known for being frugal—she rarely spent even 1.2 million, let alone 12.
The Fu family had always kept a low profile. Even Fu Yingying lived a modest life, hiding her identity as the heiress of the Fu family.
"What did she buy?"
"A Ferrari. It was a gift for Miss Celia."
Nathaniel looked up from the documents.
Secretary Song continued, "Earlier today, Madam personally picked up Miss Celia from work. She's now giving Madam a ride… in that Ferrari."
Nathaniel paused for a few seconds. Then a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips—half amused, half helpless.
These two women are really enjoying spending my money.
"Understood," he said, then lowered his head and resumed reading the contract.
"President, Mr. Smith has arrived."
VIP Conference Room
Inside the sunlit conference room, Nathaniel stood beside Mr. Smith by the floor-to-ceiling French windows, engaged in low conversation. Dressed in a silver-gray tailored suit, Nathaniel exuded a noble, aloof elegance.
His voice was smooth, his English precise and unaccented—his demeanor the very embodiment of a cold, corporate elite.
Senior executives from both companies, badges clipped to their lapels, were meticulously reviewing the thick cooperation contracts at the long conference table. The air was thick with tension; no one dared make a sound.
Just then, Secretary Song hurried in and approached Nathaniel's side...