Without Me

However, she did not even take two steps, when someone pulled her by the right shoulder, causing a violent, jerking pain. She s.u.c.k.e.d in air with a whistle, trying to stop the tears falling in her eyes.

" Stay, " she pleaded, but the tone of her voice was remarkably false. " Ye Han promised to take me home after the banquet. I'm sure he's calmed down and he'll take you as well, since we're friends."

" Ruo Yan, " Yao Xi began, losing all the patience she had for this false woman. She felt the sticky blood begin to trickle through the thin fabric of the dress, so she made the decision, stopping the bleeding with her hand. She looked around the room, making sure they were not alone. If it was too late to escape, she might as well use her wounds to deal with this arrogant woman: " You can stop pretending now."

Ruo Yan blinked innocently, as if she had no idea what was going on.

[Are you still playing?] Yao Xi mocked. [It's all right, we will play together.]

She leaned closer to Ruo Yan, trying to cover her blood on her stomach. Then, with a voice reserved only to her ears, she continued: "I've looked through all your tricks. I know what you are up to and I want to tell you, that you do not have to pretend with me. You're only wasting my time. You can take trash that I don't want. Of course, if you are ready to live with the identity of second wife. Remember. Even if I divorce Li Ye Han, and you take my place, you will always be the second wife. I hope you are ready for eternal humiliation, like a woman who has replaced the stray.

Yao Xi moved away slightly, enjoying the sight of the changing expression of Ruo Yan. Her face was first pale in initial shock and disbelief. Moments later, the whole thing went red, which, combined with her dress, made her look like a tomato. And finally her face was almost purple with the strength she put in clenching her jaws. Her left eye twitched with nerves, which often happened to her when she lost her temper.

Yao Xi had to admit that this view was hilarious. It was worth definitely staying to see it, even at her own expense.

She purposely said it all to provoke Ruo Yan, hoping that her arrogant and proud temper would not endure such a humiliation.

" How dare you! " screamed Ruo Yan raising his hand. Her tone was so loud that he drew the attention of the guests staying in the room.

Pah!

In the next second there was a distinct sound when Ruo Yan's impact landed on Yao Xi's face.

And Yao Xi was counting on this moment. The temperament of the white lotus didn't disappoint her. She used the moment of impact and fell to the floor. With one hand she held her face, the other embraced at the waist, curling up in pain.

Even if she prepared for it, she still saw the dark spots in front of her eyes from the force of the impact, and the blood from her stomach was now flying through the torn seams.

The sound of the shock alerted the crowd of guests who immediately gathered around, seeking sensation.

"What happened?"

" I saw Ruo Yan slapping a woman who had previously given her the gift she received from her."

"Impossible! Really?"

The hall began to buzz in disbelief:

" Yes, I saw with my own eyes how her hand landed on this woman's face, " someone from the crowd complained.

" How is it possible that someone with such good upbringing could strike another woman?"

"She must have understood that the woman she thought was a friend turned out to be a shameless woman using her good heart."

When Ruo Yan heard it, there was delight in her eyes. That's what she was counting on. Who would feel sorry for her if she says she was wrong about this woman, and was cheated by her? Everyone will sympathize with her and marvel at her forbearance. A malicious smile appeared on her face, which she quickly masked with a pathetic and wounded face.

It is not known from where, suddenly a crowd of journalists appeared in the room, and behind them bodyguards who tried to lead out intruders. Ruo Yan was pleased by this sudden coincidence, so she waved to the bodyguard, letting them stay. It was a great opportunity to embarrass Yao Xi and show the world her mild and compassionate personality. She was brilliant.

But before she could enjoy the prize, in the next second, she paled, when someone in the crowd of journalists suddenly shouted: " Is that blood?"

" Oh my God! Actually it is!"

"Did a young girl from Ruo Mansion kill this girl?"

Journalists rushed forward, trying to capture the best view.

However, even more shocking news was yet to come.

Ruo Yan was so confused, that she did not even realize the consequences that will be when the journalists publish the recordings. She stared at the puddle of blood on the floor, wondering how it could have happened. She clearly remembered that she had not used much strength to bring Yao Xi to such a state. She didn't understand where all the blood came from.

At that moment, Yao Xi's body shook a single thrill as she m.o.a.n.e.d, slumping to the floor. Something suddenly bubbled in Yao Xi's mouth. Her eyes flashed with whites and she flinched again as a huge amount of brown blood spurted out of her mouth.

The metallic smell immediately spread around the room, causing people to step back, fearing they would be stained with blood.

Yao Xi was right thinking that no one would help her, instead she would become an object of sensation. She knew too well such people to expect them to behave humanly.

She felt as if someone had suddenly stabbed her knife in the stomach, but she tried to bear it with all her might. In her mind she told herself not to faint. Although she saw the amount of blood, she was shocked that she was still awake. Yao Xi had to act quickly before she lost consciousness. She could not let such an opportunity pass her by the nose.

" Why did you do this to me? " Yao Xi sobbed with a faint voice, trying to support her elbow, but could barely lift her head. She looked like a ghost with a frighteningly pale face. She lost a lot of blood, and the beautiful dress that all the present marveled at was now a shade of deep red, creating a pattern of blood-red flames on the material. " Was it not enough for you that I was in a coma for three months after a car accident?" She whispered, trying to keep her voice clear so that everyone could hear her well. " I've already said that I will divorce Li Ye Han, why do you have to go as far as this. Do you want to kill me so you not to be considered as the second Madame of Li? I swear you will never see me, I will not admit to anyone that I was married to Li Ye Han, but I'm begging you, don't kill me."

The last sentence sobbed so loudly to make sure she was heard. And indeed, the words of Yao Xi caused a great deal of confusion. From shock and disbelief at the news that an adopted daughter can be the wife of such a powerful man, especially since it is none other than Li Ye Han, just horrified at the news that someone like Ruo Yan could even go to the murder of her love rivals.

Everyone was shocked, and many still couldn't get over their bewilderment.

The whole hall began to buzz in disbelief. "How is that possible? It turns out that this girl is the wife of Li Ye Han? Who then is Ruo Yan, why she is still around him?"

" Don't you understand? She's the third wheel wanting to destroy their marriage? You did not hear the girl say she was in a coma? These wounds are after a car accident. I bet Ruo Yan hired someone to get rid of her rivals. How mean!"

" Why would she do that? " someone from the crowd stood up for Ruo Yan, not believing that a woman could go so far to something so horrible. " But with the status of Ruo Yan, she does not have to compete with someone like Yao Xi."

" What for? You have not heard? After all, it has been said for a long time that Ruo Yan is in an unofficial relationship with Li Ye Han. But it turns out that he still had a wife! How could a woman like Ruo Yan with her status and family background abrogate the title of the second wife? It's better if the first one died, then Li Ye Han would not be a divorced man, just a widower. There would not be any scandal!"

" Ruo Yan, is that true? " journalists shouted one over the other, pushing and aiming the microphones in Ruo Yan's face. Only then did the woman realize the gravity of the situation. She immediately called the security guards to lead them out of the hotel.

The crowd words that she was the third wheel, spinning all the time in Ruo Yan's head. For many years, she has done everything to ensure that Yao Xi's status never came to light, using the power and influence of the Ruo family, and throughout all these years she was able to do so without any obstacles. The more, that Li Ye Han himself never showed any willingness to admit that he already has a wife. It was easy to hide.

But now everything is lost. Even if she is married to Li Ye Han one day, the identity of the second wife will follow her for the rest of her life.

She was still shocked, but she came to her senses enough to regain her voice to defend her innocence: " That is not true! I did nothing, she herself fell."

The moment the crowd heard that the girl was married to Li Ye Han, they immediately changed the front. In order to win favor with the Li family, they defended Yao Xi, as if the fact that a few hours earlier they ridiculed her had not happened at all.

The birthday party, which was supposed to be the biggest event of the year in the world of business, turned into total chaos.

The most influential woman of the younger generation of the ball queen turned into a villain, oppressing the weaker. And Yao Xi, considered a Cinderella, suddenly became the object of compassion.

The people around were in deep discussion, but Yao Xi didn't listen to them. She never bothered with anything insignificant people. It seemed like a scapegoat they wanted to defend, but nobody has even called an ambulance so far. She could bleed in the middle of the room, in the company of dogs that were barking loudly, but no one helped her.

" Don't lie! " shouted a man from the crowd, pointing her finger. " I saw with my own eyes how you slapped this girl, although she didn't do anything to you! You attacked wife Li Ye Han."

When the words came out of the crowd, Ruo Yan stood stiffly. Her nails were painfully stuck in her hands and she almost thought she was overheard.

How could she bear such humiliation? In her eyes, an unimaginable hatred flashed and her face darkened.

[That's all this whore fault!] She hissed through clenched teeth. She had to get rid of her at all costs. Only by sending this damned stray to death could she vent her fury.

Ruo Yan was so overwhelmed with hatred that when she imagined Yao Xi's dead body, she almost smiling.

Yao Xi was getting weaker and weaker, her eyes were fuzzy and she could barely hear the sounds. She thought she might lose consciousness now. Maybe then someone will come to sens and call an ambulance.

She lowered her sleepy eyelids. Yao Xi was so powerless that she couldn't even bear the weight of her own head. The darkness that overwhelmed her, along with her consciousness, s.u.c.k.e.d the remnants remaining strength from Yao Xi, and a second later she fainted, completely unaware of the strong arms that protected her head from hitting the hard and cold marble floor.