Bella Qin tried to squirm her way out of Bai Jingye's hold only to be pulled back against his hard chest.

Ugh! This man, just what the hell was he trying to do?!

"Bai Jingye," she warned once again, growling under her breath.

But the man was stubborn. He didn't listen to a word she said. Instead, he lowered his head and when Bella Qin saw his face coming close to hers, she quickly blocked his lips with her hands.

Was he trying to kiss her again?

"What are you doing?" She whispered.

He blinked a few times then leaned back away from her hands. With a teasing smirk, he asked, "did you think that I was going to kiss you, again?"

If not, then why was he doing such suggestive actions?! This man… was he seriously trying to get on her nerves?

"Dream on," he scoffed.

"I'd rather die than be kissed by you again," she refuted. He was not the only one who didn't want to be kissed! She lowered her hands that were now balled into fists. He was teasing her. He was obviously teasing her.

On the other hand, the servants who were present in the room were looking at them in shock. No married man would definitely act so close with another woman. What's worse was that they were just at home. The wife could catch them in action and misunderstand them!

Bella Qin may not be as beautiful as Lu Mengjie but she was still attractive, especially with her voluptuous body. No man would ever turn their eyes away from such a beautiful body.

Both Bai Jingye and Bella Qin could hear the whispers coming from the servants but they cared less especially when both parties knew that the marriage was fake.

The man finally released the woman from his hold. He turned his back on her to leave, somehow knowing that she was not going to go after the slice of cake anymore.

He was correct. Just as expected, Bella Qin decided to let go of the slice of cake. She did nothing but to glare at his leaving figure. It was just a slice of cake but… oh how she wished to teach that young man a lesson! Doesn't he know how to respect someone older than him? She suddenly wanted to whip the shit out of him!

"This is bad! What if Mrs. Bai finds out about this?"

"No one is going to tell her so shut your mouth. You better not say a word to anyone!" The other maid warned.

Whispers continued to ring around her but she decided to ignore them. It was not like Lu Mengjie was going to care if Bai Jingye was trying to flirt with another woman-- wait…. Flirt?

Bella Qin's mouth dropped when she realized this. Was he actually trying to hit on her? Was that the reason why he was doing such things to make her heart race?

That guy has to eat lots of rice before he could even impress her! With his attitude, no one was going to fall for him! Besides, he was a hundred years younger than her! She was not interested in younger men!

…

Meanwhile, back in Lu Mengjie's room, a knock interrupted her from her alone time with her son.

"Come in," she permitted. She was cradling her sleeping son in her arms.

The door was pushed open and there she saw Bai Jingye, standing, holding a saucer with a slice of strawberry shortcake on it. It was half-eaten.

He scooped a small piece and ate it. It was such a sight. Did he come there to make her watch him eat the treat? She sweatdrops at the thought.

"Don't tell me that… you stole that from Madam Bella?" This was the first question she asked out of curiosity.

"She stole mine last night. This is only fair."

Never had she seen Bai Jingye become this childish. Could it be… he has the same favorite as Madam Bella?

"She… did not do anything to you?"

"Not a scratch."

That was obvious enough. Not a scratch indeed. Lu Mengjie couldn't help but be amazed by this man. He was truly… unbelievable, facing someone superior like Bella Qin. Just what kind of tricks did he use on her?

"So you're here because?"

"When are you going to leave?" Bai Jingye asked after shutting the door behind him.

Lu Mengjie knew what he meant. She could leave the palace any time she wanted now that someone was there to take her back but… "When do you plan on striking your grandfather?"

Bai Jingye stood still upon hearing the question. Yes. That has been his problem for years. "My brother and dad is backing him up. I have to deal with them first before I deal with the mastermind."

"Shouldn't they support you instead? If he's been blackmailing them, they should take your side."

"They have already been brainwashed for years. If Bai Keran found out they are trying to scheme behind his back, he will not hold back from showing their first to the public."

"Then how about the family reputation? Won't he ruin it if he'll do that to them?"

Bai Jingye sighed. He walked towards the couch and placed the plate on the coffee table. "He's blinded by revenge for his daughter. Remember what I told you back then? He is willing to sacrifice his other family members just to get his revenge against the Lu family." He may also care less for his family's reputation but the difference he has with his grandfather was... Bai Jingye didn't want to totally destroy it. In fact, he wanted to rebuild his family. Aside from that, Yong Liwei has his back when it comes to business so he has not that concern for his business. It was totally separated from what the Bai family company runs.

"If you really want to go against them, then do so." She placed his son back in his crib before she faced the man sitting on the sofa again. "Are you hesitant about striking them because they are still your family?"