Chapter 533 Chain Trap

• Hearing that, Ming Can froze, her face blank. What did this woman just say? John Levisay had already taken over the company her father Li left her? That… that’s impossible! Hera Robinson watched her like she had all the time in the world, smug from head to toe. “Judging by that look, you don’t buy it, huh? Ming Can, Ming Can… I guess you spent all these years chasing the truth behind the Ming family’s fall and never noticed how strong your so-called husband has become. Let me spell it out: across all of Hovington, the Levisay Group’s reach is everywhere. It’s basically a monopoly now. And John? He’s climbed his way into the very top of high society in Hovington.” “Top of the food chain?” Like she’d just heard a bad joke, Ming Can muttered, then cracked a cold, mocking smile. Even a scumbag like John Levisay could turn into a top dog now? Ha. What a joke. “So with his status today, if he wants something done, it’s easy. A little offshore company? He uses a few tricks and takes it. Not hard at all. It’s only you—still dumb enough to think that if you just hold on, he won’t get it. Honestly, it’s laughable. Your Ming family used to shine. Your parents were razor sharp. How’d that sharpness completely skip you?” When she said it, a flicker of jealousy flashed in her eyes. The Ming family adored their daughter—that was common knowledge in Hovington. Ming Can was born into bliss, all silk and sunshine, no worries, loved beyond measure. Her? She wasn’t so lucky. Average family, dirt-poor parents. If she wanted a life dripping with gold and comfort, there was only one way. Luckily, she was pretty, and John Levisay was easy to hook. She used a few tricks, and boom—became his mistress. Then her body did its part—she got pregnant fast, and it was a boy. “You done?” After a beat, Ming Can lifted her chin and stared down Hera. Even now, with despair chewing at her bones, she refused to show a crack in front of this woman. No matter what, she was the proud Ming Can—the one Hera could never touch. Hera snorted. “Still putting on airs at a time like this? Guess you haven’t been hit hard enough.” Ming Can sneered. “It’s just a company. Even if he stole it, so what? You keep doing rotten things, you’ll crash sooner or later. In this world, you pay what you owe. No one keeps doing evil and walks away clean.” “Really? Sounds like you’re trying to comfort yourself. Makes sense, though. You were the Ming family’s princess—never worried about food or rent, half your life in an ivory tower. Money and fame barely mattered to you. But… I’m not finished. If you heard another truth from back then, I wonder if you’d still be this calm.” “Say it. There’s nothing I can’t take now.” Ming Can’s laugh was icy, pure disdain. Hera looked down her nose at her, then suddenly smiled, smug all over again. “You’re still talking big, which means you haven’t grasped how bad this is. Fine. Let me tell you. You know your parents died in a car crash while they were running. Do you know why they crashed?” Ming Can’s eyes snapped tight, her face going rigid. “What… what are you saying? What do you mean?” Hera watched her color drain and smiled, satisfied. “Thought nothing could get to you. Guess you do have emotions. Good. That makes this fun.” She dragged out the last line, biting off each word, cocky as hell. “Think about it. Why would your parents suddenly run? If they weren’t guilty, why drive off like fugitives?” Ming Can went still. Yeah. She trusted her parents wouldn’t do something like that. And the truth proved it—they were framed. John Levisay nailed the charges on them. But if that’s true, why flee in a car? Hera’s words hit a blind spot she’d never examined. Hera watched her process, giving her room to think, pausing before she went on, her voice slow and smooth. “Here’s the real story. They weren’t trying to flee. They were going to find something.” “Find something… what?” “Proof to clear their names.” Ming Can blinked hard. “You mean there was a way to wash away the charges? They were trying to prove they were innocent? But the police said the direction they headed was toward a highway out of Hovington. Where were they going to find proof? And who gave it to them?” As she asked, a bad feeling gnawed at her. Where did the tip come from—the one that said they could clear their names? This… was it a trap? Like she was confirming the suspicion, Hera smiled sweetly. “Finally, you’re asking the right question. Looks like you’re not completely hopeless.” Hearing that, Ming Can’s heart lurched. She stared at Hera for a long moment, then swung her legs off the bed. She hadn’t eaten in two days, her body weak and shaky; the moment her feet hit the floor, she stumbled. Still, she pushed forward until she stood right in front of Hera and clamped a hand on her shoulder, eyes sharp as knives, not blinking. “What are you trying to say? Who gave them the proof? Spell it out.” Hera smiled, not dodging, meeting her gaze head-on. “You’ve come this far and still haven’t guessed? Or you’re just scared to admit that your suspicion is the truth?” “Cut the crap. I want to hear you say it.” Ming Can grit her teeth, voice hard as steel. Hera arched a brow. “Fine. I’ll say it. That tip about proof to clear their names—John had someone leak it on purpose. He bribed a CEO who’d worked with the Ming family for years. The moment that man talked, your parents took the bait. Tell me, weren’t your parents a little too trusting?”