Contract Over: Heiress Unmasked

Chapter 9: The Sovereign’s Claim

Ruan Chutang woke up naturally, the morning sun spilling across her bed. She glanced at the clock: 10:00 AM.

"Ah—" she stretched lazily, a small smile playing on her lips. "Freedom from the office feels divine."

After a leisurely morning routine, she headed downstairs. Zhang, the housekeeper, had prepared a breakfast spread meant for two. Seeing the empty seat across from Chutang, the older woman hesitated.

"Miss Ruan, isn't Mr. Gu coming down for breakfast today?"

Chutang took a slow sip of her savory porridge, her expression unreadable. "He didn't come home last night. I doubt he'll be eating here."

"Oh." Zhang realized she’d overstepped and retreated quietly into the kitchen.

Halfway through her meal, a message buzzed on her phone. It was Jiang Shixu.

*Tangtang, for the engagement dress—do you want a custom couture piece or something from the latest seasonal collections?*

Chutang paused. Custom? Was there even enough time? She realized she didn't even know the date yet.

*When is the ceremony?* she typed back.

*Not set yet,* Jiang Shixu replied instantly. *I was waiting for you to wrap things up there and return to Jiang City. We’ll decide then.*

*Good. I’ll be done here in nine days.*

*Perfect.*

Worrying that a custom gown might take too long, she followed up: *Let’s go with a seasonal designer piece. I’ll pick a few options.*

*Copy that. Let me know which one you fall in love with.*

Just as she was about to exit WeChat, a red notification dot appeared on Gu Zechuan’s chat head. She tapped it.

It was a video.

The setting was a dimly lit VIP lounge, heavy with the scent of expensive liquor and smoke. Gu Zechuan was slumped against Chen Wan’s shoulder, his eyes glazed with intoxication.

"Wanwan... you're finally back," he murmured, his voice thick and slurred. "I... I knew you’d come home. I waited five years for you..."

In the background, the rowdy cheers of his inner circle erupted. Chutang recognized the voices—his "brothers" and, of course, Su Qiuyi.

In the video, Chen Wan held him close, a triumphant, shallow smile on her lips. "Zechuan, you’re drunk."

He nuzzled into her neck, his words stumbling over one another. "I’m... I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly clear... You’re Chen Wan. You’re the woman I love most. See? I know exactly who you are..."

Then, a voice from the crowd shouted, "If Chen Wan is the one you love most, Zechuan, then who is Ruan Chutang?"

Gu Zechuan let out a hollow laugh. "Ruan Chutang? Who’s that? I... I only love my Wanwan..."

"Sister-in-law, looks like Zechuan is completely hooked on you," Su Qiuyi’s voice rang out clearly. "Look at him clinging to you. He doesn't have eyes for anyone else."

Watching this, a flash of cold mockery crossed Chutang’s eyes. *Sister-in-law.* In the three years she had spent by Gu Zechuan’s side, she had never once been addressed with that title. It wasn't surprising; that circle had never viewed her as anything more than a temporary fixture.

"I don't know how Ruan Chutang can be so thick-skinned," Su Qiuyi’s best friend chimed in—the same girl who had mocked her necklace. "Chen Wan is back, yet she’s still hanging around like a bad smell. She has zero self-awareness."

Su Qiuyi added, "When a common girl manages to snag a rich heir like Zechuan, she’s not going to let go easily."

Chutang lowered her gaze, her lips curling into a frigid arc. Su Qiuyi would never dare say these things to her face. Now she knew for certain that the disdain she had glimpsed at the birthday party wasn't a hallucination. Su Qiuyi played the part of the sweet friend, but deep down, she looked down on Chutang just like the rest of them.

"Don't worry, Sister Chen Wan, we're all on your side."

"Exactly. None of us like that Ruan girl. She doesn't realize she’s just a social climber trying to force her way into a world where she doesn't belong."

"She’s probably read too many 'CEO falls for the poor girl' novels. She actually thinks she’s marrying into money. It’s pathetic; she’s basically a clown to us."

"She’s not even in our social class. Zechuan was just playing around with her. Now that you’re back, it’s time for her to get lost."

Chutang’s heart remained unnervingly still. She knew why Chen Wan sent this: it was a declaration of war, a calculated move to humiliate her and force her to tuck her tail and run.

Chen Wan was likely sitting by her phone right now, imagining Chutang in tears, packing her bags in a fit of heartbreak. She couldn't have guessed that these insults held zero weight.

The video continued with Gu Zechuan whispering sweet nothings into Chen Wan’s ear. Nauseated, Chutang exited the clip. Her fingers danced across the screen as she sent a single reply:

*You’re right. We aren't in the same social class.*

Chen Wan replied almost instantly through Gu Zechuan’s account, a smirk practically visible through the text: *At least you have some self-awareness.*

Chutang let out a soft, sharp laugh.

The Gu Group’s entire net worth wouldn't even match the revenue of a single subsidiary under her family’s empire. Her father’s casual investments dwarfed Gu Zechuan’s entire inheritance. The Ruan family had been titans of industry for four generations, ranking among the top ten wealthiest families in the country.

She wasn't in his class. He was leagues below her. These people had no idea that the "Ruan" in Ruan Chutang was the same "Ruan" that ruled the nation's economy.

The episode didn't ruin her mood. She spent the rest of her day off scrolling through luxury brand catalogs, narrowing down her choices for the engagement. Eventually, she settled on three.

The first was a modern champagne-gold qipao, dusted with diamonds and draped with delicate pearl chains. The second was a moon-white, floor-length silk gown with a rose-contoured bodice and a dramatic mermaid tail. The third was a romantic, off-the-shoulder princess gown in creamy white, accented with floating red silk petals.

She posted the three photos to her WeChat Moments with a caption: *Indecisive today. Which one looks best on me?*

Within ten minutes, the likes and comments flooded in.

Jiang Shixu: *They’re all stunning. If you can’t choose, buy all three and change throughout the night.*

Her best friend, Zhou Xueluo: *Wow, Tangtang! Your taste is impeccable. Make your Shixu buy them all—he can certainly afford it!*

Another close friend, Chen Yuanyuan: *Buy, buy, buy! Our little princess looks gorgeous in anything!*

Xiao Xiao: *Wait, wait! What’s the occasion? Is my sister getting married?!*

But amidst the blessings, a few comments stood out like thorns.

Su Qiuyi: *[Ellipsis]*

Jiang Yuzhou: *Chutang, why are you posting this...?*

Lin Can’an: *Are you for real? This is hilarious. You’re dreaming way too big.*

Colleague A: *These are all new arrivals from top-tier labels. At least check the price tags before you pose. You couldn't even afford to rent these, let alone buy them.*

Colleague B: *Rich dreams on a budget, I see.*

Finally, a comment from Gu Zechuan: *?*

Chutang arched an eyebrow. So, the hangover had finally worn off. A second later, a private message popped up.

Gu Zechuan: *Delete that post right now!*

Chutang: *No.*

Gu Zechuan: *Are you trying to force my hand by announcing a fake wedding? Did nothing I said to you yesterday sink in?*

Chutang: *Oh.*

Gu Zechuan: *Ruan Chutang, enough is enough. Don't push me.*

Chutang didn't bother responding. She simply locked her phone, leaving him shouting into the void.