Contract Over: Heiress Unmasked

The High-Priced Replacement

The air in the VIP lounge was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. Ruan Chutang stopped in her tracks just outside the heavy oak doors, her hand frozen inches from the handle.

"Zechuan, Chen Wan is back in town. What are you going to do about Chutang?"

The voice belonged to one of Gu Zechuan’s inner circle. Chutang held her breath, peering through the slight c***k in the door. Inside, Zechuan leaned back against the leather sofa, the orange glow of his cigarette illuminating his sharp, cold features. He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, his expression unreadable.

"What about her?" Zechuan’s voice was smooth, cool, and utterly indifferent.

"You’ve been with her for three years, man. Now that your 'White Moonlight' is back, how are you going to choose?"

Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Chutang felt a cold shiver crawl up her spine.

"I don't know," Zechuan finally rasped, rubbing his temples. "I don't want to hurt Chutang, but I can't let go of Chen Wan either."

"Well, your romance with Chen Wan was legendary," another friend chimed in with a low whistle. "But Chutang is a knockout. You really haven't moved on after three years?"

Zechuan flicked ash into a crystal tray. "She is beautiful. But when I first chased her, it was only because she looked a bit like Chen Wan. These past three years... I’ve just been looking for Chen Wan’s shadow in her."

The words hit Chutang like a physical blow. Her fingers felt like ice, and her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. A shadow. A replacement.

"So she’s just a placeholder?" One of the men sighed. "I almost feel sorry for her. When are you going to break it off?"

"We'll see," Zechuan muttered. "Chutang is obedient and sensible. To be honest, I’m a little reluctant to let her go."

"Hey, why choose?" a third friend laughed, the sound jarringly loud. "If you feel bad, just buy her some expensive jewelry to coax her. Women like her are easy to appease."

Outside the door, Chutang’s lips curled into a bitter, self-mocking smile. She didn't burst in. She didn't scream. She simply turned around and walked away, her heels clicking rhythmically against the marble floor—the sound of three years of devotion shattering into dust.

She pulled out her phone, her fingers steady despite the tear that finally escaped. She dialed a number she hadn't called in years.

"Dad," she said, her voice dropping its usual softness for a crystalline hardness. "I’m coming home. I agree to the arranged marriage."

She hung up and headed back to the villa they shared. It was after ten when she walked through the doors of Jinghe Court. The maid, Auntie Zhang, hurried over with a warm bowl of porridge.

"Miss Ruan, you’re back! You made this for the Master, didn't you? It got cold, so I reheated it."

Chutang looked at the porridge—a tedious recipe she had spent months perfecting because Zechuan had a sensitive stomach. "Thank you, Auntie Zhang. I’ll take it up."

She walked upstairs. The bedroom door was ajar. The computer screen was glowing, and the sound of rushing water came from the bathroom. Zechuan was showering.

Suddenly, the computer pinged. Then again. And again.

Chutang moved the mouse, her eyes narrowing as she opened the chat window. It was from Chen Wan.

【Zechuan, I’m back. I land at 11:30 tonight. Will you come pick me up?】

【I know you still have me in your heart, don't you? Can you ever forgive me?】

Chutang felt a dull ache in her chest. She went to close the window, but a new message popped up—a reply from Zechuan. He was replying from his phone while still in the shower.

【Chen Wan, I only want to ask one thing: Do you still love me?】

The response from Chen Wan was instantaneous.

【I do. Only you.】

【Fine. I’m coming to get you.】

Chutang stared at the screen. Zechuan was always "too busy" to reply to her texts, yet for Chen Wan, he couldn't even wait to finish his shower.

A few minutes later, Zechuan came out of the bathroom. He looked fresh, dressed in clean, crisp clothes, smelling of sandalwood.

"I have to head out. An emergency at the office. Don't wait up," he said, not even looking at her as he stepped into his shoes.

"Will you be back tonight?" Chutang asked tonelessly.

"If it runs late, probably not. Go to sleep."

He left without a backward glance. Chutang went back upstairs and pushed open his bedroom door. The porridge sat on the desk, untouched and growing cold.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Jiang Shixu—the man her father had chosen for her.

【Tangtang, when are you coming back to Jiang City?】

Chutang looked at the name. She had fought her family for three years to stay by Zechuan's side, playing the part of the perfect, submissive girlfriend.

【As soon as I handle things here,】 she replied.

She walked to her closet and pulled out a large, empty suitcase. Zechuan thought he was keeping a pet, but he was about to find out what happens when the "shadow" decides to step into the light.

As she began packing, a small, unmarked envelope fell out from under her vanity—a positive pregnancy test she had hidden only yesterday.

Her grip tightened on the suitcase handle. Zechuan wanted his White Moonlight? Fine. He could have her. But he would never know he just threw away the only thing that truly belonged to him.