Chapter 45: My Wife Is in Someone Else's Hands

Her eyes were filled with pleading and anxiety.

Lu Yanzhi was taken aback by her sudden agitation, a flicker of doubt passing through his gaze.

Yet his expression remained gentle. “Your car? It should have been towed by the police and kept as evidence, right?”

“What’s so important that you need it? Do you want me to pull some strings and ask around for you?”

Qiao Xi shook her head, desperate. “It’s probably still in the car, and it’s extremely important to me. I must retrieve it myself!”

“Please, Mr. Lu, can you take me there now? I’m afraid if we wait, it’ll be too late!”

She dared not say outright it was evidence, only repeatedly emphasizing its importance.

Lu Yanzhi looked at her anxious face, silent for a few seconds.

He was curious—what could drive her to such urgency, just after escaping danger?

His interest was thoroughly piqued.

Perhaps this would be an unexpected windfall.

Lu Yanzhi’s face showed some reluctance, but in the end, he gave in considerately and nodded.

“All right, since it matters so much to you. Are you sure you’re well enough? I’ll arrange a car right away.”

Qiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief, overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Thank you, Mr. Lu! I can manage!”

Lu Yanzhi smiled and went to make arrangements. As he turned, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

—

With Lu Yanzhi’s arrangements, the staff didn’t offer much resistance.

They led them straight to the battered car Qiao Xi had been driving during the incident.

At once, Qiao Xi’s heart raced.

Ignoring her weakness, she broke free from Lu Yanzhi’s support and stumbled to the driver’s seat.

Her trembling fingers searched for the hidden crevice she remembered.

Thank goodness!

Though the car was damaged, that spot seemed intact.

Her hand brushed against a small, hard object, and her heart pounded wildly.

Carefully, she pried it out—a wave of joy and excitement swept away her pain and exhaustion.

She’d found it, truly found it!

With this, she could bring Miller and Qin Yiren to justice.

She clutched the tiny card tightly in her palm.

But just as she turned, a shadow darted from beside another vehicle.

The figure was dressed head-to-toe in black, a mask revealing only their eyes.

“Ah!”

Qiao Xi had no time to react—her wrist was seized in a burst of pain, her fingers forced open.

The SD card instantly changed hands, snatched by the figure in black!

By the time Qiao Xi and Lu Yanzhi realized what had happened, the black-clad thief had vanished without a trace.

Qiao Xi was stunned, frozen in place, staring in disbelief at her empty hand.

“Stop!” Lu Yanzhi, only now reacting, barked a command and gestured for his bodyguards to give chase.

But his guards were several steps too slow.

—

When they rushed in, the black-clad figure was nowhere to be found.

Only then did the impound lot’s alarm belatedly sound, and staff hurried over to ask what had happened.

Lu Yanzhi’s face was bleak.

He strode to Qiao Xi’s side, steadying her as she nearly collapsed, his voice a mix of anger and concern: “Are you all right?”

“That person just now… Did you see who it was? What did they take?”

Qiao Xi’s face was deathly pale.

She shook her head, lost and trembling. “No… I didn’t see…”

“They took my SD card…”

Lu Yanzhi’s brows knitted, a mysterious glint deep in his eyes.

He gently patted Qiao Xi’s back, soothing her: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”

“The thief is gone, but I’ll send people to investigate right away! We’ll find your item for you!”

Yet in his heart, suspicions grew.

That figure was highly skilled, timing their move perfectly—it was clearly premeditated.

They’d waited for the exact moment Qiao Xi retrieved the item!

Whose agent was that? Miller’s? Or… Fu Yancheng’s?

Lu Yanzhi’s eyes flickered.

—

Inside a hospital room.

Fu Yancheng’s lashes trembled, and he struggled to open his eyes.

A dull ache throbbed at the back of his head, making him frown.

“Mr. Fu! You’re awake!”

Zhou Ze, who had been standing watch, rushed to the bedside, his voice trembling with emotion and his eyes reddening instantly.

“Thank goodness! You’re finally awake—doctor! Call a doctor!”

Fu Yancheng’s consciousness gradually returned, and scenes from before his coma flooded his mind.

“Xi Xi…”

He suddenly gripped Zhou Ze’s arm, his voice urgent. “Where is Qiao Xi? How is she? Where is she!”

Zhou Ze’s gaze wavered, not daring to meet Fu Yancheng’s burning stare, mumbling, “Mr. Fu, Madam… she…”

“Speak!”

Fu Yancheng felt his heart sink, a sense of dread clutching him.

He struggled to sit up. “What happened to her?”

Zhou Ze hurried to restrain him. “Mr. Fu, don’t move! The doctor said you need rest.”

“Madam… Madam is fine, but… but she was taken away by Lu Yanzhi!”

“Lu Yanzhi?”

Fu Yancheng shook off Zhou Ze’s hand, veins bulging at his temple.

“When did this happen? Why didn’t you stop him!”

His agitation worsened the pain in his skull, his vision swimming.

But he ignored it completely.

Zhou Ze, terrified by Fu Yancheng’s fury, paled and explained, “It happened right after you lost consciousness, when everything was chaotic…”

—

“By the time we regained control, Madam was already gone…”

“Useless!” Fu Yancheng growled, yanking the IV needle from his hand, blood welling instantly.

He paid it no mind, throwing back the covers to get out of bed.

“Get the car ready, I’m going to Lu Yanzhi’s place now!”

“Mr. Fu, your injuries…”

Zhou Ze and the doctors and nurses who had rushed in tried to stop him.

“Out of my way!”

Fu Yancheng’s eyes were bloodshot, radiating a lethal aura like an enraged lion.

“My wife is in someone else’s hands, and you want me to rest?!”

Seeing this, no one dared obstruct him further.

—

Outside Lu Yanzhi’s private villa.

Fu Yancheng’s convoy blocked the gates.

He got out personally, ignoring the security guards as he prepared to force his way in.

Just then, the villa doors opened.

Lu Yanzhi emerged, leading a pale-faced Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi saw Fu Yancheng, and complex emotions flooded her eyes—grievance, surprise. “Yancheng…”

“Mr. Fu, such a grand entrance—are you here to call me to account?” Lu Yanzhi wore his usual gentle smile, but his tone was provocative. “I merely happened to rescue Qiao Xi and brought her back to rest.”

“Instead of thanking me, you blame me?”

Fu Yancheng had no patience for his words, his gaze locked fiercely on Qiao Xi.

Seeing her haggard appearance and the bruises on her bare arms, his heart felt as if it were being cut to shreds.

He stepped forward, reaching out to pull Qiao Xi away from Lu Yanzhi, holding her tightly in his arms.

“Lu Yanzhi, I warn you—stay away from my wife!”

Fu Yancheng’s voice was icy, undisguised in its warning and murderous intent.

“Zhou Ze, take Madam to the car!”

Lu Yanzhi watched as Fu Yancheng took her, making no attempt to stop him.

He simply watched the departing convoy, a meaningful cold smile curling his lips.

This pool had been muddied further by his hand.

The game, it seemed, was only becoming more interesting.

In the car, Fu Yancheng held her tightly, as if afraid she would vanish if he let go.

Qiao Xi nestled obediently in his arms, her eyes red.

She had thought she would never see him again.

“It’s all right. It’s all right, I’m here.” He gently soothed her.

Back at the villa, he was about to ask her everything that had happened.

Just then, the butler came to report—Qin Yiren had arrived!