Chapter 231: Trust No One
'Damn it. A monster. An absolute monster. Thank god I'm on his side!' Divan mused, shaking his head as he fended off his opponent's attacks. He watched Zhou Fan, now so drenched in blood he was barely recognizable, single-handedly cut down nearly half their enemies.
"Hey, can you take this seriously?" Chen Yao called out from the rear. She was getting annoyed watching Zhou Fan fight for his life while Divan was just phoning it in.
"Now, Miss Chen, that's not fair," Divan said unhurriedly, showing no signs of taking things seriously. "You think I'm not being serious? You have to understand, Zhou Fan asked me to come here, but he's not paying me a dime. The fact that I showed up as a favor, won that crucial match, and am now standing here protecting you is already going above and beyond!"
"If I recall correctly, Zhou Fan told me that you're technically his subordinate now. That would make him your boss. And as it happens, I'm the one managing Divan. So, wouldn't you say that makes me your boss, too? Your future salary, your expense account... all that money is going to come out of Divan's funds, which I control."
Seeing Divan's attitude, Chen Yao remained calm and slowly played her trump card: her position as the manager of Divan.
"Well now, Boss Chen! You should've just said so!" Divan turned around, a shameless grin plastered on his face. He didn't look the least bit serious. "In that case, I'll be your man from now on. Better than letting that Zhou Fan skim off the top. When I come to you for expenses, you'd better not turn me down!"
But in the instant he turned, two men suddenly rushed him from behind. Caught off guard, he was slashed by a blade.
"Damn it! You have a death wish, don't you? I was trying to take it easy and conserve some energy!" Enraged, Divan spun and slashed, forcing the two men back. He was about to press his advantage and charge forward.
But, as if on cue, the moment he moved to charge, Ah Lian suddenly sprang into action. Dagger in hand, she lunged at Chen Yao!
It happened so fast that not even Chen Feng had time to react.
Divan saw it and cursed internally. This was why he'd been holding back, saving his strength—to keep an eye on Ah Lian. He'd known from the start that there was something off about her.
CLANG!
In a desperate move, Divan threw his dagger. Ah Lian deflected it with her own blade, but it was enough to stall her attack.
Ignoring everyone else, Divan charged straight for Ah Lian.
"Ah Lian, have you gone mad? That's my sister! Didn't I tell you not to lay a hand on her?" Chen Feng finally snapped out of it. He moved to intervene, but two men rushed him from behind, grabbing his arms and dragging him toward the elevators.
"Ah Lian, what is the meaning of this? Did you forget your promise? You said you wouldn't hurt me! You said you would obey me!" Chen Feng roared, struggling with all his might, but it was useless. Lacking any martial arts training and being physically weak, what chance did he stand against two experts?
"Young Master, this *is* me protecting you! I have to take you back to the clan. It's the only way I can guarantee your safety!" Ah Lian yelled without looking back, her attacks on Divan growing fiercer. "As for Chen Yao, she cannot live. Only when she is dead will you be free of all attachments and stay peacefully with me in the clan!"
Faced with Ah Lian's relentless assault, even Divan could only fall back and remain on the defensive.
"Brother! Let my brother go!" Chen Yao screamed, running heedlessly toward Chen Feng. But Ah Lian sent Divan reeling with a single blow and lunged at Chen Yao with her dagger.
"Fuck! You're dead!" Divan was utterly furious now. He had been entrusted with Chen Yao's protection. If she was assassinated right under his nose, he would never forgive himself, let alone what Zhou Fan might do to him. With a furious roar, he kicked off the ground and launched his entire body at Ah Lian.
THUD!
Ah Lian hadn't expected Divan to still be able to lunge at her. Caught by surprise, she was sent flying by the impact. She hit the ground, rolled, and immediately scrambled after the two men holding Chen Feng, making a break for the elevator. As she ran, she glanced back and shouted, "Kill them!"
At Ah Lian's command, the men who had been surrounding Divan obediently turned their attack on him and Chen Yao.
"Build up the Chen Family! Stick with Zhou Fan, and don't worry about me!" Seeing what was happening, Chen Feng stopped struggling. As he was dragged into the elevator, he yelled to Chen Yao, "You'll have to walk your own path from now on! Don't trust anyone but Zhou Fan! Remember, trust no one!"
Shielded by Divan, Chen Yao watched the elevator doors slide shut and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
She never even had the chance to tell him: 'Thank you for everything you've done all these years... Thank you, brother.'