Redemption Vows: A CEO's Forced Contract

Unmasking Her Identity

The highest skyscraper in City N is the Chengfeng Tower located downtown, with floors 21 to 33 housing Hongchao Film & Television Company, a subsidiary of the renowned Wanhe Group and the agency where celebrity Qiao Xiran is signed.

At this moment, all senior executives of the company gathered at the entrance, respectfully parting to create a pathway, preparing to welcome Lu Chaotan, CEO of Wanhe Group, for his inspection.

Speaking of Lu Chaotan, few in the upper echelons of society remain unaware of him. As the right-hand man of Guan Zetian, the dominant figure controlling City N's power dynamics, Lu oversees Wanhe Group and its subsidiaries spanning film, entertainment, catering, and more. Having retreated from the spotlight, Guan Zetian views Lu as his successor and even married his adopted daughter, Rong Jingning, to him. However, upper-class socialites had long chosen to overlook Lu's marital status. His combination of talent and striking appearance—chiseled features resembling a master sculptor's masterpiece—drove wealthy heiresses to desperately pursue him, even willing to become mistresses. Yet Lu's reserved and indifferent nature, coupled with his reportedly celibate lifestyle prior to marriage, left all advances unanswered.

Many Hongchao executives had never met Lu in person. He rarely inspected subsidiaries unless personally invested in key projects. His current visit stemmed from the scandal surrounding Qiao Xiran, male lead of their blockbuster film Secret Lover, which had erupted that morning.

News of Qiao Xiran's nighttime rendezvous with a mysterious woman had exploded across media platforms. While celebrity gossip was common, this incident escalated into accusations of Qiao hiding marital status and manipulating women, sparking calls to boycott Secret Lover. Given Wanhe Group's formidable influence across both legitimate and underground networks—traditionally shielding subsidiaries from negative press—this brazen attack clearly signaled a reckless challenger.

This realization sent shivers through the waiting executives. Several glamorous female executives, beyond mere apprehension, harbored another thought: perhaps catching Lu's attention could fast-track their careers.

At that moment, the gilded elevator doors on the 33rd floor slid open. A sharply tailored suit emerged first, accentuating the man's athletic frame. His long legs, sheathed in dress pants, appeared even more statuesque. The face that followed was breathtaking—sculpted features exuding an indescribable aura of nobility and aloofness. This man embodied perfection.

The previously fantasizing female executives now felt their hearts race uncontrollably. How could someone so flawlessly handsome exist?

"Cough." Male colleagues' deliberate throat-clearing snapped the women from their trance, prompting them to hurry after Lu's retreating figure.

Arriving at a semi-open glass-walled conference room, Hongchao's chairman Zhou Ziyan obsequiously held the door. Lu strode in but bypassed the central seat, instead standing hands-clasped behind his back before floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing City N's skyline, where even towering structures resembled ants.

With Lu remaining standing, the executives clustered nervously in corners, awaiting his address.

"Report the investigation findings and proposed solutions," Lu stated evenly, his understated authority thickening the air.

Zhou Ziyan immediately glanced at Yan Shasha, the investigation lead. Still awestruck, Yan required two prompts before stepping forward. "Mr. Lu, we immediately contacted major media outlets to contain the story. Our PR team issued statements clarifying Ms. Qiao was dining platonically, emphasizing his single status. We mobilized online commentators to flood supportive posts, confident this will subside soon. Qiao himself confirmed the woman was merely a friend and pledged caution moving forward."

Dead silence followed. All awaited Lu's verdict.

"Is that all?" Lu finally frowned after prolonged stillness.

Exchanged glances revealed collective confusion—even Zhou deemed the response thorough.

Lu's assistant Yang Tong'an, a stern bespectacled man mirroring his superior's frostiness, stepped forward with a laptop. Placing it on the table, he clicked to display Qiao's dossier.

"These are the incomplete records Mr. Lu retrieved from your database. For key artists, we require full transparency regarding their networks—including the mystery woman's identity from this scandal."

"But..." Zhou hesitated, "wouldn't that violate privacy?"

"President Zhou," Yang countered, "only comprehensive oversight prevents crises. We demand fully transparent artists, not those dismissing executives with 'just friends' platitudes. Understood?"

Yang's words carried Lu's implicit authority. Zhou dared not protest, shooting a fearful glance at the window-facing figure before ordering staff to investigate.

"Additionally," Yang added as they exited, "Mr. Lu's schedule is tight. He expects the woman's identity and relationship with Qiao confirmed within two hours."

Zhou's scalp prickled with dread, inwardly lamenting Lu's exacting standards.

One morning, Zhou Ziyan mobilized almost all human and material resources of Hongchao Film and Television Company, barely completing the investigation of the woman who was with Qiao Xiran last night within two hours.

This woman turned out to be none other than Lu Chaotan's newlywed wife, Rong Jingning!

Zhou Ziyan trembled while holding the documents, pacing outside the office door for a long time, uncertain whether to report. When only two minutes remained before Lu Chaotan's deadline, he finally gritted his teeth and knocked.

Better die than be expelled from Hongchao for incompetence.

"Enter." Lu Chaotan's cool voice sounded from within.

Zhou pushed the door open, forcing a smile: "Mr. Lu, as requested, I've identified the woman with Qiao Xiran last night."

Lu made a noncommittal "Hmm" before shifting his gaze from the documents to the middle-aged man.

"Please review." Zhou's shaking hands offered the materials, his voice quivering.

He dared not meet Lu's eyes, standing cautiously aside while staring at his polished shoes.

"Rong Jingning." After a long pause, Lu uttered the name with icy disdain that made Zhou shiver involuntarily. Glancing up at the frost in Lu's eyes, Zhou internally lamented: This is disastrous—the CEO's mood has hit rock bottom.

Lu's eyes narrowed dangerously into slits, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desk. If he recalled correctly, around 11 PM last night, he'd physically clashed with this so-called wife. Did that woman immediately seek another man's company afterward?

Excellent! Rong Jingning proved more repulsive than he'd imagined.

Yet...

A complex flicker crossed Lu's gaze. Given Rong's sensitive status as Guan Zetian's daughter-in-law, though he yearned to expose this promiscuous woman publicly, he must preserve the Guan family's dignity.

"Zhou Ziyan."

The sudden address jolted Zhou, who hurried forward: "Mr. Lu, your instructions?"

"You're aware of Rong's identity? Guan Zetian detests gossip. Ensure no one else uncovers that woman's background—by any means necessary."

"Understood! I'll immediately arrange to destroy all investigative records."

"Hmm." Lu waved dismissively, clearly done with the subject.

Zhou fled the office like a pardoned convict.

Alone, Lu kept flipping through the documents, his gaze growing colder until he finally hurled the materials across the room.

Originally, he'd planned to tolerate dining with Rong at Guan's residence out of respect. Now, he'd rather offend Guan Zetian than spend another second with that woman!