Huo Junfeng watched her retreating figure with an unreadable gaze.

After a moment, he made a phone call and said lightly,
“Yanyan has been far too disobedient. She needs a proper lesson.”

Not long after, He Yanzi received a call. The female lead role in the movie she had just finished filming had been replaced.

The new female lead was Xue Panpan.

That woman had recently made headlines for liking posts that smeared He Yanzi.

That very day, He Yanzi had immediately received a call from Huo Junfeng.

“Yanyan, I’ve taken all the endorsements and scripts that actress surnamed Xue was negotiating and given them to you. Will that help you vent a little?”

She had refused—and he had been displeased.

Yet now, late at night, Xue Panpan was on her way to reshoot He Yanzi’s film.

It was a major production. He Yanzi had prepared for it for two full years, and filming alone had taken over half a year.

And now, just like that, she was replaced.

She called the producer and the director. Neither answered.

Left with no choice, she called the screenwriter.

She liked her very much. The woman had once said the script was written with He Yanzi as the prototype.

The screenwriter sounded troubled.
“Xiao He, did you offend someone?”

“Reshooting all of the female lead’s scenes costs time and money and benefits no one. If the pressure from above weren’t overwhelming, no one would ever do this.”

He Yanzi thought of what Huo Junfeng had said when she received the divorce papers.

A chill crept into her heart.

The screenwriter continued gently,
“If you know who you’ve offended, maybe lower your pride and say a few nice words. The film was just completed—if the higher-ups relent, there’s still time.”

He Yanzi said nothing.

From her silence, the screenwriter sensed something. She sighed and hung up.

He Yanzi took a deep breath—and then her agent’s call came in.

The voice on the other end was frantic.
“Yanyan! Not just the movie—two top-tier luxury endorsements you were already about to sign have been snatched away! Go find President Huo right now! Who the hell has the nerve to steal what’s yours?”

First the movie. Then the endorsements.

Even if she were foolish, He Yanzi knew who was behind it.

Thinking of Huo Junfeng’s confident expression when she left, she let out a self-mocking smile.

“There’s no point in looking for Huo Junfeng. He’s the one suppressing me.”

Her agent was shocked.
“What? You fought with President Huo again? Hurry back and coax him. I’ve told you before—men need to be appeased, especially someone as powerful as President Huo—”

He Yanzi cut her off.
“We’re separated.”

Her agent raised her voice.
“My little ancestor, what are you stirring up now? President Huo has treated you well enough—”

The memory of what she had seen with her own eyes still felt unreal.

She said softly,
“I saw him with another woman. Not only was he unashamed, he mocked me with her for being naïve. If a man cheats, shouldn’t I leave him?”

There was a brief silence before the agent replied,
“Yanyan, if it were an ordinary man, of course you should leave. But is President Huo an ordinary man? The Huo family’s influence spans military, political, and business circles. President Huo is the one in power—someone countless people try and fail to gain access to. If you fall out with him like this, are you ready to give up your career?”

He Yanzi said stubbornly,
“I don’t believe that without Huo Junfeng, I can’t get work based on my own abilities.”

The agent hesitated, then said,
“Maybe in other industries—but in entertainment… Yanyan, a single word from President Huo could really make it impossible for you to survive in this field.”

She replied with just three words:
“I don’t believe it.”

She changed into an evening gown and went to a fashion gala she had long been scheduled to attend.

But this time, she could clearly feel it—at what was once a warm and friendly event, many people were now casting strange, deliberate glances her way.

She forced herself not to care, not to overthink.

Before long, however, a middle-aged man approached her.

Slightly overweight, champagne in hand, he sat down beside her, resting one arm on the back of her chair.

With an oily smile, he said,
“I’ve heard Miss He’s beauty is rare even in the entertainment industry. Seeing you in person today, the rumors don’t do you justice. I’m Yao Hongtao, president of Hengtai Group. May I have the honor of clinking glasses with you?”

She was wearing an off-shoulder gown and could almost feel his heavy breathing on her shoulder.

In the past, men like him wouldn’t have dared come near her.

Suppressing the urge to stand up, she remained polite.
“Sorry, President Yao. I’m allergic to alcohol.”

Yao Hongtao immediately took a glass of juice from a passing server and handed it to her.
“That’s fine—juice works too. Surely Miss He wouldn’t refuse even this small courtesy?”

She had no choice but to accept. After clinking glasses, she took a small sip.

Yao Hongtao drained his glass, smiled, and left without further entanglement.

She let out a breath of relief—but soon felt something was wrong with her body. She quietly informed her assistant, and the two slipped out together.

At the entrance of the venue, a reeking Yao Hongtao lunged out.

He grabbed He Yanzi around the shoulders, speaking familiarly,
“Yanyan, I’ve been waiting forever. Why did you take so long? I’ve already booked the room—come on.”

She struggled desperately.

Her bodyguard rushed over but was blocked by Yao Hongtao’s men.

He restrained her, his thick lips pressing toward her face.

She slapped him hard. Her manicured nails left bloody scratches on his cheek.

Yao Hongtao flew into a rage and slapped her backhandedly, sending her reeling.
“Bitch! Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! You actresses have all been passed around—high-class prostitutes! I took a liking to you; that’s your honor! Who are you pretending for?!”

He dragged her toward his car.

Dizzy and disoriented, He Yanzi looked up and saw a familiar black Cadillac parked nearby.

Behind the window was a noble, composed face.

Huo Junfeng.

He watched coldly as she was humiliated, a faint, mocking smile at the corner of his elegant lips.

His deep eyes seemed to ask:
So this is how you rely on yourself?

At that moment, the burning pain on her face seemed to spread into her chest.

A numb, aching pain.

The next second, a slender female hand appeared on Huo Junfeng’s shoulder. Han Jingyun leaned close beside him.

The two of them watched He Yanzi through the car window, wearing eerily similar smiles.

He Yanzi bit down on her lower lip and forced the tears back.

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