Chapter 13: The Marital Test, Pearl Mu's Choice!

Swoosh! All eyes in the room fell on Pearl Mu. Some envied, others were jealous. Among them, Odelette Mu was the most envious. She was also a darling daughter of the Mu family, in the prime of her youth, with countless admirers. She had once pursued Cooper Lei, but he never took her seriously. Now, watching Cooper Lei kneel before Pearl Mu with roses, Odelette Mu was green with envy, her eyes nearly popping out. Odelette Mu muttered jealously, "Pearl Mu is so lucky. Cooper Lei is willing to overlook the death of the King of Jiang Bei just to marry her." Swoosh! Paul Mu glared at Odelette Mu and whispered sternly, "We rely on the Lei family's support. Watch your words." Realizing her mistake, Odelette Mu turned to Pearl Mu, "Pearl, you're already married, yet Cooper Lei doesn't mind. It shows his true love. In all of Jiang Bei, which woman wouldn't want to marry Cooper Lei? Why are you hesitating?" Oliver Mu chimed in, "Pearl, this is your only way out. You should be grateful to Cooper Lei for offering a lifeline when your family is in dire straits." Paul Mu also put on a compassionate front, "Niece, Cooper Lei's devotion hasn't wavered in five years. This is your honor, and your family's. Stop dawdling and accept it." Everyone began pressuring Pearl Mu. Ben Xiao turned to look at the stunning woman beside him. For some reason, his heart raced, eagerly anticipating Pearl Mu's answer. Pearl Mu tensed up, her face pale, breathing rapidly. In her office uniform, her chest heaved violently under the shirt. The pressure on her was immense. Then, a booming voice from outside, "Congratulations, Cooper Lei, for winning the beauty's heart." Patrick Yue entered with a brocade box in his hand, smiling warmly as he walked in. Slap! Patrick Yue placed the brocade box on the dining table, "Young Master Lei, a mandarin duck painting by Yun yang Master, a small token of my esteem." Yun Yang Master, the most prestigious painting master in Zhonghai. His paintings were worth a fortune and unavailable for purchase even with abundant wealth. Every painting by Yun Yang Master was a scarce treasure eagerly sought after by Zhonghai's top collectors. After taking his seat, Patrick Yue glanced at Ben Xiao next to Pearl Mu and smiled, "My father, Ethan Yue, asked Roger Lei to intervene, and I was immediately released by the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision. Our last encounter was just a joke. Today, I'll make you watch helplessly as your wife abandons you for Cooper Lei. Hahaha." "This spectacle wouldn't be complete without me," said a booming voice. Accompanied by the sound, an old man dressed in a black Tang suit entered. Patrick Yue immediately stood up to pay respects, "Father." Paul Mu also stood up to welcome him, "Mr. Yue, please have a seat." Ethan Yue, the head of the Yue family in Jiang Bei, The Yue family was as renowned as Eric Ye. "Hmm!" Ethan Yue swaggered to his seat, glancing at Ben Xiao, "Ben Xiao, just a worthless Xiao from Dongyong Mountain. Instead of keeping a low profile, you stir trouble in my Jiang Bei, simply courting death." "Luckily, I'm acquainted with Beckham Luo, the Deputy Director of Zhonghai's Bureau of Supervision. A mere word from me got my son released. However, your actions have angered Deputy Director Luo. Today, he's here to see you." Having said that, Ethan Yue suddenly stood up and shouted towards the entrance, "Invite Deputy Director Luo!" Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! A group of men in suits emerged from outside. A middle-aged man in a black suit walked in. His aura was one of someone who had been through many battles. It was apparent he was a tough character. The dignitaries present all stood up to greet him. "Deputy Director Luo!" "Good day, Deputy Director." "Deputy Director Luo's arrival graces the Mu family." Deputy Director Luo took the main seat and nodded slightly to everyone as a greeting. Then, looking at Ben Xiao, he sneered playfully, "Patrick Yue is my trusted man. Disrespecting him is disrespecting me. But since the Lei family is protecting you, I'll spare you, this mad dog, for now." Turning his gaze to Cooper Lei, his expression softened, "Young Master Lei, I am a close friend of your father, Roger Lei. He's not in Jiang Bei, so he entrusted me to oversee this, both to support and to witness your proposal." "Pearl Mu, perhaps you were once the CEO of the Mu Corporation, enjoying unlimited glory. But times have changed, and you and your father have no way out. Abandon Ben Xiao, this dog, and agree to marry Cooper Lei." Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! All eyes in the room once again fell on Pearl Mu, awaiting her response. Oliver Mu urged her, "Pearl, why are you hesitating? So many elites of Jiang Bei are here to witness this. Such honor is unmatched. This is an opportunity to bring glory to our family." Oliver Mu, in a sour tone, added, "Pearl, aren't you still clinging to that useless scion? How does Cooper Lei not surpass Ben Xiao by tenfold? You missed the chance once, causing your family endless suffering. Don't miss it again this time." Cooper Lei, who had been kneeling for a long time, spoke again, "Pearl, abandon the useless, choose the true dragon, marry me!" The atmosphere instantly reached its peak. Both Ben Xiao and Angus Mu were intently watching Pearl Mu. For some reason, Ben Xiao felt extremely nervous. He even wanted to intervene and resolve the situation, but he held back, deciding to first see Pearl Mu's choice. Their relationship was short, and Ben Xiao had deep reservations about this marriage. But Pearl Mu's actions had moved him. If this woman could still choose him under such extreme pressure... Then, Ben Xiao felt that such a woman was worth cherishing for a lifetime. If she would go to great lengths for him, then Ben Xiao would do the same for her. What was today's danger in comparison? Angus Mu was also extremely nervous, his heart seemingly stopped. He clenched his fists, silently cheering for his daughter. 'Hang in there, daughter. This is the first real test you've faced since registering your marriage with Ben Xiao. I hope you make the right choice.' 'Only an extraordinary woman can gain Ben Xiao's acceptance and recognition.' 'Once you get through this, you'll be the woman of a king.' Just then— Swoosh! Pearl Mu suddenly turned her head and gazed deeply at Ben Xiao. A prolonged, weighty gaze. The atmosphere was suffocating! After a long moment, as if she had made a decision, Pearl Mu took a deep breath. "Young Master Lei, I'm sorry. I cannot accept your proposal." Swoosh! The entire room was shocked! What? Pearl Mu openly rejected Cooper Lei? Has she gone mad?! Only Angus Mu and Ben Xiao breathed a deep sigh of relief. Cooper Lei was completely shaken, his eyes wide with disbelief. He never expected that under such dire circumstances, Pearl Mu would dare to reject him. Cooper Lei, unwilling to accept this, gritted his teeth, "Do you think I'm inferior to Ben Xiao?" Pearl Mu, as if realizing many things, spoke with a face full of resolution, "No, from what I see now, you are much more capable than Ben Xiao. Your future potential also far exceeds his." "Although Ben Xiao is impulsive and troublesome... But, I, Pearl Mu, am a very traditional woman, who adapts to circumstances. Since I promised Grandfather to accept this marriage, I will honor my word." "Now that Ben Xiao and I are registered as married, I, Pearl Mu, am his wife. If he causes trouble, I will bear it. If his character is flawed, I will correct him." "You want me to abandon him and marry into a wealthy family? I cannot do that." "You want me to leave him to fend for himself? I cannot do that either." Her voice wasn't loud, but each word was firm and resolute. Her eyes were moist, yet her determination was as strong as steel. Unshakable. Swoosh! Cooper Lei suddenly stood up, angrily questioning, "Pearl Mu, are you foolish, why make such a choice? If you reject me, Ben Xiao will surely die today. You and your father will also be implicated. Marry me, and you will be the future mistress of Jiang Bei's number one family. Wealth and luxury, endless enjoyment..." Pearl Mu strongly interrupted, "Why? Alright, I'll tell you—because, I, Pearl Mu, am his wife!" With this statement, the entire room was stunned! Oliver Mu scoffed, "Such a brainless woman. Forsaking the position of the mistress of Jiang Bei's number one family for a worthless husband? Utterly foolish!" Odelette Mu, somewhat happy, said, "I knew Pearl was proud, but I didn't expect her to be this proud. She doesn't even care about her own family's life or death. Now, there's going to be a good show." Paul Mu sighed deeply, "Publicly rejecting Cooper Lei is slapping the Lei family in the face. The third branch of the Mu family is done for today." Patrick Yue, Ethan Yue, and Deputy Director Luo also had mocking expressions, shaking their heads in pity. Because of Pearl Mu's words... The Angus Mu family was doomed! "Good, very good! My sincere heart, only to be rejected like this. In all of Jiang Bei, you're the first woman who dares to reject me." Cooper Lei angrily threw the golden roses on the floor, stomping them into pieces. "Pearl Mu, you are heartless, then don't blame me for being ruthless. Since you chose this waste, I'll let you see today just how powerful I am." "I'll kill Ben Xiao as easily as slaughtering a dog." Crack! Cooper Lei abruptly took the main seat, waving his hand, "Uncle Luo, take action." Deputy Director Luo glanced at Patrick Yue, "You wanted to kill Ben Xiao for revenge, right? Now, I give you the chance. Go ahead, I'll cover for you." "Thank you, Deputy Director!" Patrick Yue was overjoyed and immediately yelled outside, "Everyone, come in!" Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! Hundreds of armed mercenaries rushed in. Click, click! All the guns were aimed at Ben Xiao. The killing intent was overwhelming, the atmosphere suffocating! Patrick Yue glared viciously at Ben Xiao, "Deputy Director Luo told me that someone called the higher-ups of the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision, claiming I had behavioral issues. That must've been your doing. But so what? With Deputy Director Luo's support, I was released with just a word." "You, trying to compete with me? Can you even do that?" "Although I don't know how Eric Ye died, it doesn't matter. Today, I'll avenge him." "Open fire, kill him!" Click! The mercenaries were about to open fire. Just then— "Stop!" A loud, commanding voice of a woman came from outside. ----------