chapter 3 walking on thin ice

Theodore Zhao was flabbergasted.
How could he make a choice in such a situation?
Left with no choice, he explained to Rosaria Meng before taking the driver's seat.
"Esme Su, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Theodore Zhao felt helpless. It was her who drove him away and also her who offended Rosaria Meng to keep him. Was there something wrong with this woman?
Seeing that Esme Su did not speak, he had no choice but to drive the Ferrari out of the residential area.
Theodore Zhao broke the silence, "Where to?"
"Yun Ding Manor!"
Esme Su gave an address, then turned to look out the car window.
Today, she was supposed to get engaged to the eldest son of the Wei family at that place. Why she impulsively brought Theodore Zhao with her, she couldn't figure out herself.
Now, she was beginning to regret it but didn't want to appear weak in front of Theodore Zhao, so she decided to go through with her mistake.
As for what might happen later, even she felt uncertain.
Theodore Zhao drove fast and steady, and twenty minutes later, Yun Ding Manor was in sight.
It seemed a high-end private party was being held there. Some luxury cars entering were stopped, with security carefully checking the identities of the invitees.
However, Esme Su's car passed through without hindrance, attracting attention like a protagonist.
Theodore Zhao tentatively asked, "Is it your birthday today?"
Esme Su was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
He didn't know about the news that had shocked the enitre Tian Zhou?
Her smile, as warm as the spring river, caused ripples in Theodore Zhao's heart.
Esme Su didn't mind his intense gaze, "Had enough look?"
She pulled down the makeup mirror and quickly touched up her makeup.
"If you've seen enough, drop that lecherous look. It's my engagement party today. If you dare to look at me like that after getting off the car, you'll definitely be thrown out!"
Screech!
The high-performing Ferrari braked sharply on the spot, the tires emitting a strange screeching sound.
Everyone present was startled and turned their heads to look!
Esme Su was also shocked, "Theodore Zhao, what are you doing?"
Theodore Zhao, with a dark face, "Esme Su, it's okay if you want to get back at me, but you can't just ruin yourself like this, can you? Just marrying someone randomly?"
Esme Su looked at his angry expression and suddenly felt amused, "Get back at you? Aren't you thinking too highly of yourself?"
Theodore Zhao turned and asked, "Isn't it?"
"Of course not!"
Esme Su took a deep breath.
"I've been engaged to Charlie Wei since I was eight. I've been waiting for this engagement party for twelve whole years. Do you think I'm doing this to get back at you?"
"As for your comment about marrying anyone randomly, that's even more laughable!"
"A prominent family in Tian Zhou, the eldest son of the Wei family, the sole heir to a hundred-billion fortune, do you think he's just anyone?"
"In the entire Tian Zhou, there are countless women who dream of marrying him!"
Theodore Zhao had a feeling that her tone carried a bit of self-mockery, but her expression didn't seem fake.
He didn't know what to say. A woman who gave her first time to him was about to marry another man?
It all felt so humiliating!
"You can't go!"
Esme Su thought she had heard wrong, showing an incredulous expression, "What did you say?"
"I said you can't go!"
"Reason?"
Theodore Zhao spoke calmly, as if stating an undeniable fact, "I said I would take responsibility for you!"
Esme Su scoffed, "Theodore Zhao, are you out of your mind? You want to take responsibility for me, with what you have?"
Theodore Zhao turned to look at her, "Yes, with me!"
Esme Su was shaken, even Charlie Wei had never given her such an impactful gaze.
The domineering and assertive look, as if it could crush the spirit of the weak.
She took a deep breath, it took a while for her to come back to her senses, "Stop dreaming!"
Theodore Zhao was not angry, "I'm serious."
"Serious? What qualifications do you have to compete with the eldest son of the Wei family? In his eyes, you're probably less than an ant!"
Esme Su was ruthless, wanting to tear away his hypocritical mask.
Seeing that Theodore Zhao didn't speak, she sneered again, "Even if I went crazy and agreed to you, what would you support me with, your monthly salary of five thousand? Don't be ridiculous!"
Theodore Zhao calmly said, "Money can be earned slowly, I won't let you starve at least."
Esme Su, amused and incredulous, asked, "What makes you think I would give up the status of Mrs. Wei to live a precarious life with you, a mere security guard?"
Theodore Zhao confidently said, "Because you don't like him!"
Esme Su rolled her eyes beautifully, "Haha, which of your eyes saw that I don't like him? Besides, I don't like you either!"
Theodore Zhao smiled cheekily, "Then look, I'm on par with him!"
Esme Su found this man simply unreasonable. What kind of bullshit logic was this?
She was about to open the door and get out of the car when she heard Theodore Zhao say, "And the most important thing is!"
Esme Su asked subconsciously, "What?"
"You are mine!"
Theodore Zhao turned his head and pressed his pretty face full of astonishment on the back of the chair.
Esme Su eyes widened, frightened and nervous!
Oh my God!
Is this man crazy?
Forcefully kissing his fiancée at the engagement party of the eldest son of the Wei family?
"Doesn't he know the consequences of offending the Wei family? Not only can he not bear it, but the Su family can't either!"
Thinking this, Esme Su bit down hard with her teeth.
"Theodore Zhao, if you want to die, I won't stop you, but please stay away from me!"
Esme Su quickly touched up her makeup and got out of the car without looking back.
In fact, she had felt a bit dazed just now.
Her fate had already been sealed twelve years ago. She had tried to resist, but each time ended up battered and bruised.
How could a small security guard change something that she herself had failed to do?
Don't be ridiculous!
Theodore Zhao watched Esme Su's retreating figure, unconsciously licking his lips, lost in the lingering taste on them.
Regardless, Esme Su was his first woman. How could he just hand her over to someone else?
He wasn't that generous!
After parking the car, he got out with a cigarette in his mouth.
The cheap Rolling Stones lighter wasn't windproof, and it took him a great effort to light his cigarette.
Taking a deep drag, his gaze penetrated the pale blue smoke, landing on the lawn not far away.
Esme Su, in her evening gown, looked as graceful as a startled swan, her frail figure tugging at his heartstrings.
With his hands in his pockets, he walked over, murmuring, "How could Theodore Zhao's woman marry someone else?"
Theodore Zhao walked over as if taking a leisurely stroll, attracting the attention of countless people along the way.
Especially when he was wearing a security uniform with the four characters "Diyuan Property" on the back, it made many people's mouths twitch.
What in the world was this?
Was this some kind of cosplay?
Not only the guests but also Esme Su noticed this uninvited guest right away.
Damn it!
Had he really gone mad?
Esme Su regretted bringing him along, but it was too late to back out now.
Esme Su regretted bringing him along, but it was too late to back out now.
Dealing with Charlie Wei was already too much for her, and now adding such a man who didn't act according to common sense gave her an even bigger headache.
Fortunately, Theodore Zhao just walked towards the buffet, which made her feel a little relieved.
Standing in the midst of the crowd, she maintained a calm facade despite the turmoil inside her.
The daughter-in-law of the Wei family, a title she once scoffed at, now she dared not overstep.
The Su family was no longer what it used to be. Without the Wei family's support, they might have to file for bankruptcy tomorrow.
She felt like fate was playing a cruel joke on her. An engagement party she once vehemently resisted had now become the Su family's lifeline.
Especially today, few came to genuinely congratulate her; most were there to revel in her embarrassment.
She was almost certain that the instigator of last night was right there, like a poisonous snake spitting out poison, ready to give her a fatal blow at any time!
The people who came to the engagement party were not there for the food.
Theodore Zhao was clearly an exception. He had been hungry since last night, having carried twenty barrels of water, which had drained his strength.
A top-grade Australian lobster, yet to be touched by others, was already half-eaten by him.
The onlookers were amazed by his swift yet not rude movements, especially how he savored the red wine, which was a cut above many present.
If not for his out-of-place security uniform, people might have already tried to probe into this man's background.
Theodore Zhao felt a sinister gaze from a corner, vaguely sensing a conspiracy.
He looked towards Esme Su, seeing through the thin ice behind her calm demeanor.
Just then, the venue fell silent.
Theodore Zhao turned his head following the crowd's gaze, and saw a man in a white suit walking out of the manor, looking like a prince.
Coincidentally, a woman's voice, both coquettish and sweet, rang out from a corner, "Brother Wei!"
Those in the know smirked, especially at her extravagant evening dress, seemingly there to steal the spotlight.
Esme Su's eyes were sharp, "Miss Xia, I don't recall sending you an invitation!"
She didn't have the slightest fondness for the eldest lady of the Xia family. In order to compete for Charlie Wei, the other party had slandered her behind her back more than once, using despicable methods and using all possible means.
Seraphina Xia blinked smugly, "In such a hurry to send me away, feeling guilty?"
Esme Su retorted, "What do I have to be guilty about?"
Seraphina Xia hinted darkly, "Guilty of doing something wrong to Brother Wei last night!"
Charlie Wei spoke, "Seraphina, stop it!"
Seraphina Xia lifted her chin, "Don't worry, Brother Wei, I'm not here to cause trouble today. I've even prepared a special engagement gift for Sister Esme!"
After saying that, she provocatively asked, "I just don't know if Sister Esme dares to accept my gift!"
Esme Su's gaze was piercing, "Seraphina Xia, don't test my limits!"
Seraphina Xia clapped her hands and said, "Come on, everyone who sees this gift today will have a share!"
With the commotion rising, servants handed out elegant envelopes to each guest.
Even Theodore Zhao received one, containing a few photos with good angles and clarity.
One was a photo of Esme Su being brought into a villa, her cheeks flushed, hair disheveled, stunningly beautiful, and the man by her side was himself.
Another was of him leaving in the early morning.
The crowd erupted into a buzz of discussion, like a tidal wave of voices!
Seraphina Xia was pleased with the effect, asking sinisterly, "What happened during the six hours you spent with a security guard from the neighborhood the night before the engagement? I suppose I don't need to elaborate?"
Continuing in a more venomous tone, "Esme Su, how desperate are you for a man? Even if you wanted a man, couldn't you pick someone better than a neighborhood security guard? Are you insulting Brother Wei?"
Esme Su took a deep breath, her good upbringing preventing her from reacting on the spot.
But after all, she was a woman, and matters of reputation could drown her in an instant under gossip and slander!
Just then, a crisp slap sounded.
Smack!
Seraphina Xia covered her cheek in shock, drawing everyone's attention.
Esme Su looked over, stunned to see that the person who had slapped Seraphina Xia was Theodore Zhao.
He had slapped Seraphina Xia hard across the face!
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