The Contract Bride Of The Cold CEO

Chapter 8 Pressure from the Matriarch, Hidden Harassment

After Lu Shiyan confessed his love to Su Wan, a complete transformation took place in their relationship.

They were no longer cold contractual spouses, but genuine lovers who cared for, cherished, and protected one another. Lu Shiyan no longer held back his tenderness and affection. He would take her hand willingly, embrace her gently, whisper sweet words to her, and dote on her as if she were a precious princess.

Su Wan also stopped restraining her feelings. She took the initiative to care about his work and daily life, cooked noodles for him wholeheartedly, massaged him when he was worn out, and stayed by his side to comfort him whenever he needed it.

Their sweet affection touched every servant in the villa. Everyone could clearly see how deeply Master Lu doted on Mrs. Lu, and how utterly reliant Mrs. Lu was on him.

Yet their bliss did not last long. Old Madam Lu soon caught wind of their deepening bond, and flew into a towering rage. She had never approved of Su Wan to begin with, nor had she ever liked her. Now that she saw Lu Shiyan had truly fallen in love with her and intended to spend his life with her, she found it completely unbearable.

One day, Old Madam Lu deliberately sent for Su Wan to return to the main Lu residence, ready to torment her once again.

In the living room, Old Madam Lu sat upon the main seat, her expression stern, her gaze icy cold, her voice sharp with disdain.“Su Wan, I’ve heard that your relationship with Shiyan has grown increasingly intimate. Do you truly delude yourself into believing he loves you genuinely, and that he will stay with you forever?”

Su Wan lowered her eyes slightly and spoke calmly.“Madam, Mr. Lu and I love each other with all our hearts. We wish to stay together for a lifetime.”

“Genuine love?” Old Madam Lu let out a cold sneer, her words growing even more harsh.“How dare a girl from an ordinary family claim to share true love with Shiyan? Do you have no sense of your own worth? How could you possibly deserve his affection? Su Wan, let me make this clear. I will never approve of your relationship with him. You had better know your place, leave him of your own accord, and stop clinging to him.”

“I will not leave,” Su Wan lifted her head, her gaze resolute.“Mr. Lu and I truly love each other. Whether you approve or not, I will not abandon him. I will stay by his side always.”

“You dare defy me?” Old Madam Lu’s face darkened. She slammed her hand hard on the table.“Su Wan, I warn you plainly. If you insist on staying with him, I will show you no mercy. And I will not spare your father either.”

Su Wan’s complexion paled in an instant. Her father’s safety was her greatest weakness, and the matriarch’s words struck right at her soft spot. She stared at Old Madam Lu, her voice trembling faintly.“Madam, I beg you. Do not harm my father. Direct all your anger toward me. I will leave Mr. Lu. I will depart from the Lu household. Anything, as long as you spare my father.”

Watching Su Wan’s surrender, a triumphant smile tugged at Old Madam Lu’s lips.“Why could you not have acted sensibly sooner? Know your place, leave Shiyan voluntarily, take this money, flee Nancheng, and never appear before him or the Lu family again.”

With that, she instructed a servant to bring over a check and place it before Su Wan, speaking in a frigid tone.“There are five million here. It is more than enough to sustain you and your father for the rest of your lives. Take the money and leave at once.”

Staring at the check on the table, countless conflicting emotions surged within Su Wan. She longed to refuse, to hold fast to their love, and to stay with Lu Shiyan forever. Yet she could not. She dared not risk her father’s life.

She slowly reached out her hand, about to pick up the check, when Lu Shiyan’s voice suddenly echoed into the room, laced with icy fury.“Grandmother, what are you doing?”

Lu Shiyan strode quickly into the living room. At the sight of Su Wan’s pale face and the check laid out on the table, he understood everything in an instant. He rushed to her side, shielding her firmly behind him. His gaze blazed coldly toward Old Madam Lu, his voice sharp with anger.“Grandmother, did you threaten her? Did you use her father’s safety to force her to leave me?”

“And if I did?” Old Madam Lu retorted defiantly.“Shiyan, all I do is for your own good, and for the good of the Lu family! She comes from nothing. She is unworthy of you, unworthy of our clan. You cannot ruin your future and sully our family’s reputation all for her sake.”

“I care nothing for my future or our reputation. She is the only one that matters to me,” Lu Shiyan declared unwaveringly.“Grandmother, I will say this once more. Su Wan is my wife, the woman I love with all my heart. I will never let her leave me, and I will never let you harm her or her father. If you persist in tormenting her and endangering her family, I have no choice but to sever all ties with you, take her away, and leave the Lu family for good.”

“You… you are driving me to my grave!” Old Madam Lu trembled uncontrollably with rage. She pointed at him, yet could barely form words.“You would cut off all kinship with me and abandon this family all for her? Shiyan, you have disappointed me beyond measure.”

“Grandmother, I am sorry,” Lu Shiyan spoke without the slightest hesitation, his resolve unshakable.“Su Wan is the only woman I will ever love in my life. I cannot lose her. If you cannot accept her, then leaving is my only choice.”

Standing behind him, Su Wan stared at his firm, unyielding back. Tears streamed down her face at once, her heart overflowing with profound gratitude and overwhelming guilt. She knew he was willing to break ties with his own grandmother and abandon his family all for her sake. His deep affection and unwavering protection moved her to her core.

“Mr. Lu, please don’t,” Su Wan gently tugged at the hem of his suit, her voice thick with sobs.“We cannot sever ties with Grandmother. We cannot leave the Lu family. I… I will go instead. As long as you are safe, and my father is unharmed, I will be content.”

“No. I will never let you leave me,” Lu Shiyan turned around and held her tightly in his arms, his voice gentle yet steadfast.“Su Wan, trust me. I will protect you, and I will protect your father. I will make Grandmother accept you. We will stay together, and we will never be apart.”